Productivity is UP!

I may be in isolation but I'm still being productive. I decided that I should take this opportunity to finish some of MY projects. I finally got around to quilting this quilt:

I really like the way the quilting turned out. It's a pattern I've never done before- but I really like how it turned out. Guess what!? I MISS QUILTING!!! I've been so busy with the last few quilts that I've sent them out to be quilted. They turned out fabulous and I don't regret it one bit. But as I was sitting there quilting this quilt I remembered how much I like doing it. In fact, I'm already pin-basting another one to work on tomorrow. But first I have to figure out how to make those pink strips into binding for that zig-zag edge! AH!

Once I get that done I'll show you a pic of the WHOLE FINISHED QUILT! Yeah!

Just for Laughs

And who doesn't need a good laugh. My BFF just started a blog. Before you get too excited I want you to know- it's meant to be funny. She's not completely serious with this infatuation, only partly. Anyway, i just went to the blog and read it and I'm still laughing out loud- REALLY. So, take a peek into http://marciaandphoebe.blogspot.com/ and see what they've been up too. And if you know anyone else that might enjoy- pass along the info.

Toodles. :o)

EXCITING!

Oh, I am so thankful for the 'small stuff' to add some excitement to my life right now. This morning I remembered I was announcing the winner of the 5 NEW Crazy Old Ladies patterns. So I hoped over to Random.org and this is what I got:


Imagine my surprise when I counted though the comments (3 times to be sure!) and it was YVONNE!!! I don't know Yvonne personally, but I know lots about her through my good friend Shannon. And thanks to her faithful following I look forward to her comments all the time. I am beyond excited that she is the winner of:

YVONNE- email me so I can get these shipped out ASAP!!!

On another note, my isolation is a little less strict now that I've passed the first 3 days. Not a whole lot changes- but I am going to start a little bit of sewing. Yep, you heard me. A couple of those UFO's I've had stashed in the cupboard are going to get finished. Don't worry I'll be posting as I get them done! Yahoo!

Tallgrass

Have you been to Tallgrass Prarie Studio? I have, but it's been awhile. In my blog-wandering I stumbled upon this blog again. I didn't want to post any pictures so make sure you visit the link.

I am so impressed with modern quilting. It's such a stretch for me. My brain is programed to do everything straight. Perfectly parallel and perpindicular. But I LOVE these quilts. I have done a couple small 'wonky' log cabins but I am so inspired to try something WAY out of the box for me.

Shhhh, don't tell.

I was sitting here- in isolation- trying to think of somethting to do. All of a sudden I remembered a bag that had from market that had all kind of pamphlet and catalogs in it. I decided to go through it. So I'm looking through the bag and I found this:

Ok. I TOTALLY forgot about this. And that just doesn't happen with chocolate. I bought this at the Mall of America and stuck it in my bag for later. But after a couple trips to Cheesecake Factory I wasn't in the mood for this sweet yet. So I packed it away. Another yummy treat at the airport on the way home (Ben and Jerry's waffle cone- way too much ice cream) and I never pulled the treat out.

Skip to home and all the chaos that has insued and you can understand why I forgot about this candybar. Actually, I think it was meant to be. I'm not supposed to eat chocolate right now but who can resist GODIVA!!!

Today is a good day.

The Rules

Being radioactive is WEIRD. Just the thought of it. I don't really feel much different though. I have experienced some light nausea and feeling uncomfortable- much like mild morning sickness during a pregnancy. Other than that it hasn't been bad. And since I can pretty much sleep when I want- I just take a nap and usually feel better. Mostly it's just ODD to be secluded. Let me share with you some of the rules I have to follow right now.

For one thing I have to stay on the Low-Iodine diet. This is so that the radioactive iodine can work better. Low-iodine doesn't mean no salt, but it does mean no IODIZED salt. That means I can't eat most processed foods because they all contain salt which is usually iodized. No seafood or soy based products including many kinds of beans. No Dairy. Nothing with more than 5-10mg of sodium per serving. I can have grains if I make them myself with non-iodied salt. I'm a quilter- not a baker. So it hasn't been pleasant. Seriously, if you can think of a food it probably has iodine or salt in it. My diet is pretty bland and boring.

I cannot be less than 6 feet from another adult and must limit that time to less than 2 hours a day. I can't be around any children or pregnant women. I have to sleep more than 12 feet from anyone. My kids are in another state visiting grandma and grandpa and my husband is working long hours and sleeping down the hall in our oldest son's room. I wave HI to him from the bedroom door. It's STRANGE.

I must MINIMIZE the amount that I use any items that may become contaminated (i.e. eating utensils, linens, telephone, etc.) Clean items often and before anyone else uses them. If you think about this it means- EVERYTHING. At this point I cannot sew. Sewing and touching all of my fabric means that I could be contaminating those fabrics. I would have to wash everything. And I normally don't pre-wash. I also wouldn't be able to send a quilt to a quilter without washing it first.

I thought about folding and packaging patterns- but I'll contaminate them too.

After the 10 days I'll have a little more freedom but for now I'm forced to stay in bed as much as possible so as not to contaminate anything. I have to limit what I touch in any case. See, I told you it was WEIRD. Just sit for a moment and think about it. Other than my lappy, the TV, and a book (that I just can't seem to get into) there's not a lot to do. Although I have done a little bit of coloring. :o)

Oh, and a little pattern sketching has been going on. But of course, they won't be ready for a couple months yet.

On that note- ENJOY THE FREEDOM that comes with having to do all the things we wish we didn't have to. Sometimes the peace and quiet we ask for comes in a way that makes us wish we never asked for it. At least I know this is but for a small time in the grand scheme of life. Thanks for all your well wishes. Do me a favor- when you sew, think of me! :o)

"ISOLATION"

Well folks, I'm posting from the confines of my bedroom where I'll be spending the next 10 days isololated from the rest of society. This is hopefully the last of my treatment procedures. I'm really looking forward to being "ME" again.

I wanted to post a really fun game for my contest...but I can't find my paper with all the notes I wrote. So I'll just make it short and simple. Leave me a comment telling me what you would do if stuck in isolation for 10 days. On Monday I'll randomly pick a winner to recieve 1 each of the 5 BRAND NEW Crazy Old Ladies patterns.

Spook Alley

Last, but definately not least, is Spook Alley. OMG, this wallhanging is so much fun!

I was inspired by my 'Season's Greetings' quilt and this adorably fun line by My mind's Eye for Riley Blake called "Boo to You" Normally I don't go for the bright silly prints, but these were just too cute. Can't wait to get my hands on some 'Haunted Mansion' by Sanae for Moda and make another!

*I'm always taken aback for a moment when I realize I'm making Halloween and Christmas quilts in May/June! Oh the crazy life of a quilter. :o)

Counting On Christmas

Occasionally I have an idea for a quilt that lingers in my head for quite sometime. Then, in an amazing turn of events, everything falls into place and it becomes reality. "Counting on Christma" is one such quilt. As I was packing for market I tossed my inspiration sketch into my carry-on. I kept thinking about this quilt all the way to Minneapolis. And then I met the wonderfully talented Barbara Jones of Quilt Soup and a friendship was born! The moment I laid eyes on her new Christmas line I knew it had to be- she even sold me the "Sample Spree" fabric EARLY so that I could be sure to get some as it was in limited supply! And so I present:

I know I keep saying this about ALL of my new patterns but I LOVE this one. Really, I do. What is most exciting and fun is that this pattern comes with instructions for 3 different quilt sizes. The wallhanging, a throw size (my favorite size quilt) and TWIN size! Seriously. Wouldn't this be the cutest quilt on a childs bed at Christmastime!?

Tiger Lily

Weekends can be a little slow out there in blog-land. So for those of you browsing around I thought I'd give you something fun to look at this weekend.

Sometimes I have an idea for a quilt and as it's coming together I'm just not feeling it. The 'original' quilt that I came up with was just that way. It went through many evolutions that were just "ok" before I finally had that "ah ha!' moment and was inspired to make the finished project:


I am LOVING this quilt right now. In fact, it's my favorite at the moment. From the beautiful 'Fandango' fabrics (thank you Kate Spain for another FABULOUS line), to the simple yet fitting design, to the name 'Tiger Lily' - I just can't get enough. If it weren't up at Pine Needles I'd still have it hanging on my wall.

What do YOU think?

Best Friends

I am in EL-OH-VEE-E with this fabric! Do I even need to tell you it's 'BLISS' by Bonnie and Camille. I had my grubby little mits on a FQ pack at sample spree- when we thought they were all gone. Guess what? I passed it up knowing I would get another chance (thanks to an insider). And then guess what happened? I forgot all about my second chance and MISSED IT! I guess I'll have to wait until it hits stores and buy it all just like you.


This is "Best Friends"- named after the daimonds, of course. It's a layer cake pattern and super, dooper easy, peasey. PROMISE!!! Now, add it to your list so you can get you some! :o)

Season's Greetings

So I mentioned before how much I LOVE Kate Spain- and I'm not the only one. This new line '12 Days' has been much awaited from everyone. But I had to get in on it too. I originally designed this quilt at the end of last year- WAY too late for a Christmas pattern. And then when I saw this line I knew I had to re-visit.

I LOVE IT!!! I'm really liking the trend with quilts where the blocks are more subtle and the whole quilt seems to 'blend'. Many of the new lines with lots of fun, big, prints do this really well. The coolest thing about this quilt is that it uses a Layer Cake! Would you have guessed? Obviously a little yardage is needed for the borders and block backgrounds as well.

So, what do you think?

*I just remembered- I'm going to have KITS for this one available on my Etsy shop! I'll have more info. in the next couple days and I'll keep you posted!

Hi friends!

Have you forgotten about me? I've forgotten about me.

Today I am quarantined. I had to have a small dose of radioactive-iodine as part of my treatment. I'm hoping this is the last step and that I can start getting back to normal. But for today (and probably tomorrow) I am stuck in my bedroom away from any and ALL living things.

I had high hopes of posting about the BRAND NEW PATTERNS. But all the pix are on my PC (not my camera or lappy) so you're going to have to wait another day or two. 5 New patterns! OMG- you're gonna LOVE THEM!

After I show them all, I'm going to have a contest where a lucky reader can win ALL 5....If you're clever enough. Until then, I'm going to enjoy the peace and quiet. Doesn't come around very often.

CIAO!

Introducing...

RIBBON CANDY QUILT COMPANY!!

This may be 'new' news to some, 'old' news to others. In any case I'm blogging it so that makes it official. :o) Margie, the fantastic creator of such patterns as the 'Seasonal Skinnies' series, 'Happily Ever After', and of course, 'Ribbon Candy' has started her own pattern company under the name 'Ribbon Candy Quilt Company'.

This is WONDERFUL and couldn't come at a better time. The "split" (if you want to call it that) happened over a month ago but I've waited to blog about it so they could have some time to get things set up. They're still working all the kinks out, but head on over to her blog and say 'HI!'

Sometimes situations like this can be a little sticky- but I'm happy to announce that our friendship is stronger than ever! With all the issues I've had lately with my health I only thought it was fair for her to have full control over her designs, and boy does she ever. Add her to your favorites list because the fun has just begun. That woman is designing and sewing like crazy and has so many new patterns to show. If you're a fan of some of her earlier designs just wait until you see what she has up her sleeve. A little taste: 'Rough and Tumble' - the much awaited boy version to 'Happily Ever After', MORE 'Skinnies' patterns including 'Nautical Skinnies' that are SO STINKIN' CUTE!, and 'Sassafras'- you have got to see this one! She'll have pictures to show in two colorways and it's beautiful. And of course, she carries all the old favorites too: 'Fright Night', 'Christmas Sox', etc. etc. So go visit her blog to get all the info. you need on

RIBBON CANDY QUILT COMPANY!

btw- don't forget to check out her Etsy shop, too!

Oh yeah, for one more little tidbit of information and to see her quilts up close and personal- she'll be having a trunk show at the Provo COTTON SHOP store during the Wasatch Front Shop Hop June 16-19! I'm sure her quilts will be up for a while after that, too.

-You can check out some of my new designs at Pine Needles in Gardner Village during Shop Hop!

Celebrity Sightings!

First, a disclaimer. I thought I had taken WAY more pictures than I actually did. I guess when I was talking with someone I was so star-struck that I forgot to have my picture taken with them. Thus, a few of my fave's are not pictures. None-the-less SEVERAL of my fave's ARE!

First off, Bonnie (of Cotton Way) and Camille (of ThimbleBlossoms)! Their new line BLISS is spectacular- and so are they. I wanted to get a pic with them and my new pattern "Best Friends" made from their new line that I had to wait until tear-down and hurry over there to ge a pic. Well worth it. And thanks gals for being so wonderful about it!

Another of my favorite designers: Sweetwater. I was an adoring fan of scrapbooking and am equally, if not more so, in love with their fabric. PURE is beautiful and gave a new life to a pattern I had originaly done in Authentic. Thanks, Susan for coming over to snap a pic with me!

This Creative Chic is my friend Cori from Chitter Chatter Designs. She is Ah-Maze-Ing! Her needle-turn is unlike any other. This was her first market and she won 2nd place for over-all design. Take a minute to check out her blog and see some of her amazing work (even her chicken coop is adorable!)

Oh-Em-Gee! Last year in Pittsburgh (my first market experience) I was completely star struck when I saw this chic and her daughter. First of all, she doesn't look old enough to have a grown-up daughter, but she does. Do you know who? TULA PINK! Yep, that's her Mama, Kat Runyan. So imagine my delight when she visited my booth and we were both wearing 'Alice' themed shirts. This lady is fantastic and has so much energy. I LOVE HER!!! Thanks, Kat. (and btw- a T-shirt is being printed for YOU!)

OK, I am Sooooo glad this woman came to visit on my 'best looking day'. (seriously, if you couldn't already tell, I was struggling). Anywho- KATE SPAIN one of my new fave's is FABULOUS. As soon as I saw Verna I was telling everyone that would listen and all my local shops (as if they didn't already know) that this woman was "IT!". First 'Verna', then '12 Days', and her newest 'Fandango' (which I just finished stitching up into a new pattern)! And if you've followed Shannon's day-by-day of market you would see just how awesome this lady is! (We ran to Crate and Barrel to buy some of her plates and have her sign them!)

And this woman needs no introduction. In fact, I'm still in shock. Alex Anderson came to MY booth so I could get a pic with her. Isn't she wonderful!? So although 'Simply Quilts'- the show that taught me to quilt- is no longer running they have a fabulous web-show that you have to check out. But be warned- if they even post the video they shot of my booth (which they probably won't) it was on the last day and I was D-O-N-E! Now I'm just embarassed. Alex and Ricky in my booth recording and I was half asleep. Oh well, nothing I can do about it now.

BTW- A special shout-out to PAM of Pam Kitty Morning fame for making this meeting occur. Still trying to figure how I didn't get a picture with YOU- but Shannon has one, so I'll have to get a copy. You're fantastic and put a smile on my face just like your blog posts always do. You Rock!

I can't even begin to name all the other amazing people I had the opportunity to chat with. Ugh, (*kick myself*) if only I had the pic to proove it! There's always next market.

p.s.- did you notice my new title and background? It still needs work- but I thought it was time for a change. How about a not so blurry pic of my fantabulous clock to start!? :o) See you soon...for a GIVEAWAY!

Shout Out!

Did you see, Angela Yosten of Moda Bake Shop fame (and LOTS of other Moda fame) posted a little bit about COL on her quilt market wrap up post. Check it out aloong with all the other wonderful people and bits of info. she has on there. She is AMAZING! I had the privledge of visiting with her a couple of times during sample spree while I was resting and Shannon was STILL OUT SHOPPING! It was wonderful. Thanks Angela, for helping me endure Sample Spree. :o)

Check back tomorrow for 'Celebrity Sightings!'

sale! Sale! SALE!

I've been so excited about all my great finds at Quilt Market that I have decided to trim the fat a little. Head on over to my Etsy shop for some AWESOME deals!

All Kits (and backing sets) have been marked down 15% from their original prices. That includes the BRAND NEW Flora & Fauna using Sandy Gervais 'Frolic' line, and Maison Bleue using 3 Sisters' 'Martinique' line! These kits are limited. Once they're gone, they're gone. Sale price is effective until June 16, 2010

Also-

ALL QUILTS! Yes, that's right, ALL QUILTS have been marked down 10% from their already wonderful prices. If you've been eyeing one and just couldn't click that button- now is the time. After June 16, 2010 they will no longer be listed for sale on my Etsy Shop.

Happy sewing- and SHOPPING!!

Just so you know...

I'm not stupid. I TOTALLY googled that fabric (mentioned in the former post) and camae up with only a few dead ends. After searching through 13 Google pages- and you know how much that is!- I gave up. As it turns out, it is available at a few selected spots. They just didn't show up when I searched. Oh well. Thanks Moose on the Porch for showing me the light. I've already placed an order.

:o)

Hurry, check your stash!

You know how when a fabric comes along and you LOVE IT and you buy it and you never use it because you're afraid if you do you won't have it anymore. And finally you convince yourself to use it and you're so happy you did because you still have some leftover. So you start another project and realize YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH to finish. And since it's been sitting in your closet/drawer/shelf for over a year it is know where to be found?

Well that's happening to me with an old favorite. It's from SHANGRI-LA by Moda and it's the green/cream damask print. If you love me you'll check your stash :o) I'm such a beggar.

Even better. If you happen to have a yard of this fabric taking up room in your house and you're willing to part with it for my sake- I'll replace it with a little FQ love from sample spree from MARKET!!! :o)

Email me if you think you might have it. Sorry I don't have a pic. BTW- I need it ASAP!!!

Hurry, check your stash!