Announcing... Watch Me Wednesday!!!

Hello Everyone,

I am super excited about a NEW video series that I will be doing.... Watch Me Wednesday!!!  I will be doing a LIVE feed every Wednesday (with a few exceptions... I will let you know what they are) where I will be in my studio talking about what I am up to, maybe showing a technique or tutorial, visiting with my Quilt Inspectors number 1 and 2... the kitties, showing some projects, new fabric, mini trunk shows, new notions or gadgets, and giveaways!!!

Here is a little taste of what Watch Me Wednesday will be like.... 

Quilt Market .... Friday

Hello Everyone,

Whew!  Friday was a busy day!  I spent most of the day in my booth chatting with lots of people, shop owners, other designers, magazine reps, and catching up with lots of old friends too!  I was so invigorated by all the ideas and inspiration, it was hard to go to sleep that night.    I would like to share with you a video that I did giving you a tour of the booth!

Quilt Market Schoolhouse and Booth Set Up.... Thursday

Hello Everyone,

Well Thursday was invigorating and tiring all at the same time.  It started off with going to the Island Batik Booth to drop off some things for booth set up and for my schoolhouse later in the day.  Lugged the suitcase from the hotel to the convention center.... 

Getting Ready for Quilt Market.... But First Things First.... Wednesday

Hello Everyone,

I arrived safe and sound in St. Louis!  But before heading to my hotel, I was picked up at the airport by Cookie and Julie from Batiks Plus.  I was blown away by their hospitality.  And I got to see their shop.  The shop is mainly online... but if you are in the area, it is not to be missed.  

Final Quilt Market Prep

Hello Everyone,

Today I am off to Quilt Market!  Yesterday and the day before was spent with some more pre-market prep.  On Monday my friend Nedra came over to help me pack up some door prizes and patterns.  

Ready or Not... Quilt Market Here I Come!

Hello Everyone,

In my last blog post, I told you about my crazy April filled with tons of travel and teaching.  When I got back, I quickly got onto creating quilts and prepping for Quilt Market.  In between, that the hubs and I were able to escape for three days to Las Vegas!  It was nice to kind of be unplugged for a weekend.  

Quilt Market Prep, Quilting, and Being A.W.O.L?

Hello Everyone,

I can't believe that it has been an entire month since my last blog post!! That is how fast time goes by when you are so busy.  The entire month of April I was basically away teaching.  I was teaching on a Quilting Cruise, which was so much fun!  So much fun that I am doing another one next May... maybe you will join me.  Check it out on my schedule here. 

Desert in Bloom

Hello Everyone,

One of the things that I am loving most about living in the desert is spring time!  Things all started to bloom in the beginning of March and it has been an endless stream of beautiful flowers and blooms since.  I thought I would share some of the many pics I have taken throughout the month.  WARNING:  Color drenched blog post!  Enjoy!!!

Sneaking in a ME Project!

Hello Everyone,

WOW... have I been busy!  Busy meeting some deadlines... writing and proofing patterns.  I love the whole design process, but out of everything that I design and do... writing patterns is my least favorite part of the process.  But it is done!  Woohoo!

Now onto the next deadline.  I have designed more quilts for my fall line of fabric with Island Batik and the fabric just arrived, so I will be putting those quilts together in the next coming weeks.  But before I really dig into it, I managed to make a NEW quilt for my own bed.  And it was high time too!  The quilt that we have on our bed I made almost 17 years ago!!!

Progress... LOVE Progress

Hello Everyone,

I have been slowly plugging away at my Vintage Rose Technique of the Month Quilt.  I am almost to the finish line and am excited to show you some of my progress.  I must say that I LOVE working with these great colors and the white background.  It just makes the colors POP!

Make a Splash - Giveaway with CVQW and AURIFIL!!!

Hello Everyone,

About a year and a half my book Splash of Color hit the "newsstands"!  I was so excited to have this labor of love finally arrive.  Since then I have taught many classes from my book and have seen many students make some of the quilts that are so close to my heart.

A Quilt Design, A Fabric Line and A Quilter!

Hello Everyone,

This is an exciting post for me.... back in October when I was at Quilt Market, I was showing my signature collection of fabric with Island Batik.... Fresh Catch and pattern line.  At that time my friend Kate Colleran of Seams Like A Dream Quilt Designs, popped by to say hello, we chatted for a while and then I introduced her to Leah Day another designer for Island Batik and quilter extraordinare!

What Have I Been Up to Lately?

Hello Everyone,

I know that you haven't seen a ton of activity from me recently, I have been busy with some personal things as of late.  That has taken me away from doing what I love to do best... is quilting!!!  But I am slowly getting back into the groove.

It Has Been A Splendid Year - GIVEAWAY!!!

Hello Everyone,

Today we celebrate 1 year since Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson launched the Splendid Sampler!!  Can you believe it??  One Year and 100 blocks later...  what a fantastic feat!

Here is my Splendid Block that I designed for the Splendid Sampler.

Day 4 and Day 5 - Road to California - Vintage Compass Class

Hello Everyone,

My last class has been taught at Road to California!  This one was a two day class.  Yup, two days!  It was the Vintage Compass quilt by Judy Niemeyer/Quiltworx.  Such a fun filled class over a two day period.  

Day 3 - Road To California - Island Breeze

Hello Everyone,

Friday was a great day at Road To California.  I taught one of my most favorite quilts that I have designed.... my Island Breeze Quilt.  I remember when I designed this quilt and Island Batik loved the design and asked if I would use their fabrics.  Woohoo!  Then it ended up on the cover of Quilt Magazine.  It was a thrill for me!

Day 2 - Road To California - Seeing Spots

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday was my second day of teaching at Road to California.  On this day, I taught my Seeing Spots pattern from my book Splash of Color.  I really enjoy teaching this class as it is as much about piecing, tips, techniques, as it is about color and design!  And boy did this group love to play.  We had a great time!

Day 1 - Road To California

Hello Everyone,

Have you ever been to the Road To California Quilt Show?? I have never been and it has always been on my Quilt Show Bucket list.  Now I am here for the first time and I am teaching.  I am tickled to be here!! I arrived on Tuesday and began teaching on Wednesday.  The show actually opens tomorrow and I can't tell you how excited I am to see all the gorgeous quilts and vendors too!

An Aurifil Giveaway!!!

Hello Everyone,

Wow, Wow, Wow!!!!  I am so tickled... we are doing another GIVEAWAY with my Fresh Catch Batik Fabric Collection from Island Batik and my thread collection from Aurifil Thread!  This one is a little different than the other as it includes a complete box of my thread, one of each of my patterns designed around this line, AND fabric from the batik collection!!!! WOOHOO!!!

Too Many "Irons" in the Fire?

Hello Everyone,

Remember that saying... "Too many irons in the fire?".  Well right now, I am working on so many different projects at the same time it is making my head spin a bit.  But I am almost sure that none of you do the same thing.... wink, wink??!!

Here are a few of the things that I am working on right now.  First up, I made new binding to put on another quilt.  That will be going on today... then I will have to do the hand sewing.