Just in case you were wondering...

In case you've been wondering what I've been up to... I am deep into market preparation mode. I am going to have a booth at the Fall Quilt Market in Houston this year. I am so excited and a little nervous. I knew it was going to be quite a bit of work, and of course it has been. I have 4 new quilt designs. Sorry, you'll have to wait a little longer for those. In addition to finishing up my quilts, I have been researching everything else that needs to happen to go. I think Honey is going to out together some poles to hang the quilt in my booth for me. All of the draping needs to be fire retardant, so I have had to figure out how that all works. Of course I need to make a sign with my name on it, oh and the pole covers. Sleeves to fit over the poles to make them pretty. You just can't go to a show without those! When I first considered going to the show, I thought, "Well, I've done motorcycle shows before. This can't be that different right? It's still a show." Well, silly me. This show is very similar and at the same time, very different. This show is much more about how pretty everything is and the booths at Market show all the time and attention pretty gets. I'm just trying to make sure my booth doesn't stand out like a sore thumb or like I put up a big sign that said "THIS IS MY FIRST SHOW!" Yes, in caps with the exclamation point. In the end, it will be just fine. I'm very happy with my quilts and my prospective booth layout. Here are the boys, by the way, helping me get ready. They have worked so hard! Bailey Boy has been out helping PaPa. They have worked their little paws to the bone!

The Quilting around Chautauqua show was last weekend as well. I had 4 quilts in the guild room and 1 in a vendor booth. Those will also be going to Houston as soon as I go pick them up. I ran out of the house without my camera, of course. I don't have any great pictures of the quilts. I did have a friend take a picture of me in front of Jan's quilt. It was set up with a copy of Quilter's Home in front of it.

Here's a little teaser as well. This project has so many of those things I like, lime green fabric, bright colors, curves, paper piecing. I'm going to try to use freezer paper for my templates this time. You can buy the freezer paper in sheets to go through the printer. I think that sounds a whole lot better than tracing each plastic template 36 times. They come in 50 sheet packages in both letter size and 12 x 15. I'll have to use the letter size. The larger pages won't go through my printer. C. Jenkins make it. http://www.cjenkinscompany.com/C_Jenkins_Freezer_Paper_s/2.htm

I've been doing some research on batting as well, but that will have to wait until next time. I have to give the bamboo batting a try first.

Have fun stitching!

A Little Sewing Fun

I have borrowed a new book from my guild's library "The Art of Manipulating Fabric" by Colette Wolff. It is so much fun. The book covers many different ways to fold, gather and stitch fabric to achieve 3 dimensionsal results. I have so many new ideas my head is spinning. I think I'm going to have to buy this book for my reference library. Jus tlooking through all the photos has given me ideas. There are also detailed instructions on how to pleat, tuck, gather and fold. The book is divided into sections, organized by technique. Definately worth checking into. Love it!

I also have been working on a little jacket and top for work. This is McCall's 5007 jacket and the top is New Look 6669. Both went together very easily. The top took me about 5 hours to cut and sew. I did lengthen the jacket about 2 inches. I like to weat my tops out right now and I wanted to make sure the jacket come down past the hem of the top. It may or may not be fashionable, but it is a little more professional looking. I think they'll look great with a pair of black pants. In fact, I think I'll wear them tomorrow.

As for my quilts, I have been busy , busy getting reasy for the quilt show in Chatauqua at the endo f the month. I have 2 more that need quilting. I have also been planning what I should take to Houston in October. Sorry, you'll have to wait and see on those. They are only on paper right now, now yet in fabric. I can give you a few little hints though. I love the Benartex Fossil Ferns. http://www.benartex.com/ You can be sure I'll be using some of that fabric. I also have taken some ideas from the book that I think I might use in a table runner. There is still that wedding quilt as well. I'll have more hints and sneak peaks later. Maybe I'll get back to that mirror idea...

Did you know there have been studues which prove sewing reduces blood pressure? http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3831/is_200011/ai_n8921765

Happy sewing all.