THE SIMPLEST THINGS

Oh dear, it's so close to Thanksgiving, my imagination is running ahead of me. I can already smell the turkey in the oven, even though it's still in the frig. For the first time in years we have invited a larger crowd. Today I am juggling work with prepping for tomorrow. I bet many of you are busy as well, but I just had to pop in to say hello along with some important news.

First of all, drum roll please. I want to give you a preview of my soon-to-be released quilt pattern called Woodland Delight, of course. I have had several requests for it since Quilt Market, so somewhere between projects I have been working on this. Designing patterns is time-consuming, especially for a perfectionist. But alas, I'm coming up to the home stretch. I had hoped to have it ready when my Woodland Delight fabrics hit the stores, but I've had several indications that fabrics have been arriving this week.

I know Fat Quarter Shop will be offering the pattern and fabric kits as soon as I get the pattern to them. Theywill accept pre-orders, just email them and ask to be notified when the kits are ready. The pattern by itself will sell for $9.00. If you are interested in pre-ordering just the pattern, email me. I also know some e-stores plan on carrying the Woodland Delight pattern, so this is your official heads up, with gift giving season in full swing.

Speaking of the release of Woodland Delight fabrics, Hawthorne Threads (previously Fabric Supplies.Etsy.com) is having a Woodland Delight giveaway: Three Fat Quarter Bundles. For details click here. But hurry. You only have til Sunday, November 30!

Now see why I had to interrupt your busy schedules?

We got a huge Wyatt and Amelia fix on Sunday. We had them all to ourselves. Their request for dinner is always the same. Get this: salmon, couscous and edamame. Yeah. My kids would have accused us of trying to poison them. Anyway, W & A want to say the blessing. Amelia bows her head and starts, "God, don't you just LOVE this day"? Then she dives into a litany of simple, yet profound thankfulness. Now, don't you know it melted His heart? Oh, to be more childlike in my praises and wonderment.

So as I head back to my To Do list, I just have to let you know just how thankful I am for each one of you. Your comments are such a blessing to me. When you take the time to nod your approval at my quirks and weird humor is so good. When my last post talked about how I still love to embarrass my grown kids for the things they did when they were little, you understood. In fact, Nancy from A Little Bit of Heaven sent this poem that you might have read before, but it could come in handy these next few family holidays:

When I'm an old lady, I'll live with each kid,
And bring so much happiness...just as they did.
I want to pay back all the joy they've provided.
Returning each deed! Oh, they'll be so excited!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

I'll write on the wall with reds, whites and blues,
And I'll bounce on the furniture...wearing my shoes.
I'll drink from the carton and then leave it out.
I'll stuff all the toilets and oh, how they'll shout!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

When they're on the phone and just out of reach,
I'll get into things like sugar and bleach.
Oh, they'll snap their fingers and then shake their head,
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

When they cook dinner and call me to eat,
I'll not eat my green beans or salad or meat,
I'll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table,
And when they get angry...I'll run...if I'm able!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

I'll sit close to the TV, through the channels I'll click,
I'll cross both eyes just to see if they stick.
I'll take off my socks and throw one away,
And play in the mud 'til the end of the day!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

And later in bed, I'll lay back and sigh,
I'll thank God in prayer and then close my eyes.
My kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping,
And say with a groan, "She's so sweet when she's sleeping!"

Thank you Nancy, and thank you to everyone who reads my posts. May you all have a Thanksgiving filled with wonderment and praise over the simplest things along the way.

WEIGHING MY WHINES

What has happened since my last post, you ask? Hhmmm, let's see. Oh, I know...the freight company destroyed our booth upon return from Quilt Market. Here's the booth at Market:
Did I tell you that Tim (MacGyver), my husband/engineer, devised this booth to fold up into itself? Pretty ingenious, right? Think about furniture that comes to you either blanket wrapped or in a cardboard box. Now here's the booth I received back.

While these were taken with a cell phone, and I'm only showing a few shots, I imagine you get the picture. Holes were poked throughout. So now the burden is on us to try to get compensation.

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Let's see, what else? My business credit card has been compromised. Someone went on a shopping spree soon after Quilt Market. Then we had the water department come out to fix an underground leak in our yard. They came to the door a few minutes later and proudly announced they'd fixed the problem. At 6:oo pm I went to make dinner. No water, not even a drop. Turns out they never turned my water back on. My mother-in-law's Altzheimer is getting worse. She sometimes calls 6 times a day to tell me the exact same thing. She's afraid and lonely and we're 5 hours away.

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Truth is, these are really nothing more than inconveniences. I get frustrated, but am quickly reminded of how blessed I really am. It truly changes my perspective when I choose to turn my attention to what a wonderful opportunity I had to be at Quilt Market.. and I was only without water for a couple hours, etc, etc. My friend Don's inoperable Stage 4 brain tumor; now that's an inconvenience. Don't get me wrong...I love to gripe with the best of them. And if I'm truthful, I most likely won't change. But what I'm trying to do, at least, is put it on an imaginary scale, and these whines all added up to about an ounce. Sigh.

I know you were wondering what Tim and I were on Halloween, so here's the big reveal:

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Tim as a Canadian, and I as someone who works out. Amazing, huh?

I know, I know. We have pulled off some amazing costumes in the past though. It was so much more fun when we could royally embarrass our kids, but that doesn't have the same effect now that they aren't teenagers.

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Oh my gosh, once Tim dressed as the Godfather. Not THE Godfather, but one of Peter Sellers disguises from a Pink Panther movie. Do you remember how he stuffed his cheeks with cotton so he could look like Marlon Brando then choked on a drink? Then got in an elevator with these tough guys and passed gas? So I found a double breasted black pinstriped suit, black shirt, white tie and Fedora hat...I mean the works. But before we got to the huge Halloween gathering at our church (yeah we weren't bible characters) we stopped at the mall to find a whoppie cushion. We had the kids with us. I was also dressed in an elaborate costume...oh I wish I could find pictures. But the kids wanted absolutely nothing to do with us and walked way behind. Of course, being good parents we made sure to turn around and yell to them, by name, to hurry it up.

I frankly have no trouble embarrassing my kids, sometimes unknowingly. Here's another opportunity for me to pull out that imaginary scale I was talking about. I am reminded of all the times they threw themselves down kicking and screaming in the grocery store. Or the time Jennifer ran giggling, pushing the shopping cart with Jonathan in the seat, barrelling into the end cap of cereal. Oh, and how about them hiding inside the clothes rounders to scare unsuspecting shoppers. I'm the mom who left the cart in the isle and promptly escorted them home. So my thinking is ~Hey, I'm still in make up mode, don't you agree?

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Now as we grow older we will undoubtedly truly embarrass them. To that I apologize now:

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Sorry. I swear, I won't do it again.

LEMONS THREE - VERY PRETTY

Did I ever tell you I love lemons? I love their color, texture, the way they reflect light, the fresh smell, shape, taste. I love lemons. Earlier this summer I designed my first art quilt for Quilting Arts Commemorative Issue of the International Quilt Festival Quilt Scene Magazine. Say that five times! The magazine finally arrived today. I'm honored that my first attempt is among so many beautiful award winning quilts and amazing projects. Seriously. I do give full instructions on how to turn a photo into fabric art. Oh, on the back of the quilt I used the selvage from my fabric as my signature because I don't have tags of my own. Just wanted to give you a peek. If you'd like to order your own Quilt Scene, go to Quilting Arts.

OKAY. I STEAL

Maybe while others have moved on, I'm still thinking about Houston Quilt Market 2009. What a blur it seems now that I'm back and still cleaning up the debri. I somehow didn't get my fill, so recently looked around and found more photos I wish I had. Well I do now. I asked Mary, er, I mean TOLD Mary I had to have this picture of us two being so good. Love that gal!

Now who wouldn't want this photo? Found it on Patty Young's blog. Thank's Jon for a great shot of fun at the Michael Miller 10th Anniversary Party. What a happy evening.

I snatched this from Kathy's blog. Only I know just how much is missing in this photo. I had big plans for the booth. Oh well. Let it go Paula! Just let it go.

I took these on my iPhone of my Tim (MacGyver) Prass doing what he does so well. By the way, I'm sure you're wondering how many husbands can actually fit their entire bodies inside the frame? No pictures of me that evening because I was literally lying on the floor staring into space after way too many hours without sleep. Every once in awhile I'd say "Lookin good, hon," or "Great job, MacGyver (yawn)".

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On another note, in a very short time I found these three items made from my Flights of Fancy fabrics. Jona told me at Market that JoAnn's had sewing baskets using my Papillon fabric. I kind of didn't believe it at first, but then realized Jona sells all my fabrics and uses them herself, so she could spot the real deal. When we all got back home, Jona Twittered this picture of the basket. Yup, that's mine, sittin right next to my buddy Sandi Henderson. How fitting. So, I made a trip to the JoAnn's here and they didn't have it...yet?


Then I was clearing out the stacks of mail and flipped quickly through a trade magazine and found this diaper bag with my Zinnia Path fabric (Flights of Fancy). How fun was that?


About as much fun as running into these pj's from The Cat's Pajama's! They are flannel, but that's definately my Fretwork Stripe. Darned if I wouldn't love to be wearing these while using that coordinating sewing basket (above). You can see that, right?

THE END!

HOUSTON QUILT MARKET 2009

What a whirlwind tour. Set up was not so fun, especially because I had pulled an all-nighter, and that just doesn't work for me like it used to, oh thirty or forty years ago. But alas, my husband put on his McGuyver hat and here are a couple pictures of my booth. I went for clean and uncluttered; a place to kick off your shoes, ya know, (I sure did!) and visit with everyone. That's my favorite part. And hearing the response to my new Woodland Delight and upcoming fabric patterns.

We stopped and ran off to Schoolhouse where Sandi and I both talked about creating fresh shop displays. The room was packed, so most of the photos we saw were too far away or the back of peoples heads. But alas, Mary Abreu and Jona came through with close-ups. I want to scrounge around to find some other shots, because I want you to see the back of that jacket I'm wearing. It's one of my upcoming patterns and I love it!

Here are are some of my lovely neighbors: Patty Young in her very cheerful space. She makes me feel so tall. Then Anne Maxfield and Val Pillow of Pillow and Maxfield. Their booth was 3 thumbs up in my book (oops, I was trying to keep that 3rd thumb of mine a secret). My closest next door neighbor was Sandi Henderson, and I have no idea why I have no pics of her booth. We still haven't looked through our cell phone or Jennifer's camera yet, but this is a good start.

Now I had lots of visitors, but the photo's were just plain crappy (sorry, just being honest). Patty gave us a photo lesson using an awesome flash, which I must purchase ASAP. That's why her photos are always so bombdalicious and Jennifer used her flash to take that picture of Patty and I. Anyway, I only have one so far that I can share. Weren't Missy and Liz of Sweet Funky Vintage were ever so matchy in my booth?!

If you've read other blogs, you might have noticed that Michael Miller Fabrics set up an elaborate, uh, how shall I say, trailer park called Camp Michael Miller. At one point Kathy walked "across the street" into my booth and commented on how our side of the street was so sophisticated. We all had fun with it, but before we left for dinner one eve, Tim got this picture of the raccoon "roadkill". I think it was playing possum because next day the raccoon was fine.

The gnome and Christine (MMF) paid us a visit. Actually, Christine came to visit our comfy chair and we enjoyed her company. Oh, and the jacket Jennifer is wearing is another version of the pattern. The back is pleated, and you're not seeing that in my pictures.

I didn't wander away as much as I'd wanted, but made it a point to go find my Twitter friend and fellow fabric designer Michelle Engel Bencsko. We have never met in person, so here we are in her lovely booth!

Quilt Market would be incomplete without dinner one night with Joey and Jona (Fabritopia). Tim is taking the picture, but he was there cracking one joke after another with Joey. We just have to get together more often.

Okay, here are the winners of the GIVEAWAY I posted before I left for Market.

Trillium:
Paula, Seriously! You need to do something I hate for a change - my budget cannot keep up with you. This is TDF!I think it's my fav yet! I love those large scale flowers - those are coming to live with me. At least they can keep me company since my hubby will likely move out after this!

Julie @ Joy's Hope:
One, no scratch that, one hundred yards in each print please. Or some fat quarters... I won't be picky. ADORE IT!!! Need to build a new cabinet to hold the yumminess. My husband will most likely have words with you.

Robyn:

Oh my...you are amazing! These are stunning! How could you out-do your last line - it's stunning! And these are gorgeous! I love the brown and pink line - so perfect for my daughters room! Ok - I'm officially in love - when oh when will these be available? :) :)

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Just send me your address and we'll send the goodies. xoxo

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I want to thank everyone for such incredibly loving comments about my new collection. You all certainly make doing what I do more rewarding!

Woodland DELIGHT!

As usual before a show, the to-do lists are longer than the hours in a day, and whenever possible we multi task. As we were finishing up some photos of some upcoming clothing patterns I had the idea to have Jennifer take some quick shots of me. I picked up a stack of fabric and started playing around. Amelia was "helping" us, as four year olds do, so I asked, "Mia, make Mimi laugh". That's all I needed to get a couple good shots. Now knowing that you really do care about the behind the scenes around here, I am going to reveal why Jennifer was able to get this delightful laugh out of me....

I WAS GOOSED!

Here is what we were really photographing...my Audrey and Petite Audrey upcoming patterns. Frankly, I am DELIGHTED again. Hmm, does anyone smell a theme here? For those coming to Quilt Market you will see these and my other patterns made up in the new Woodland Delight fabrics. When I return from Market I will add additional photos of the other patterns, then dive into the written instructions. As for when these patterns will be ready, I promise to keep you posted.
I adore Simone and her impeccable handbag making skills. She made up the Jackie bag for me as I showed you in my last post AND now my larger version pattern called Oh Jackie! Here it is. I was so tempted to use it as my carry on. Maybe on the return flight.

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the wonderful comments you left on my last post. Some of what you said made me laugh, confirmed why I love what I do, and a time or two brought tears to my eyes.
If you are headed to Market I hope you will come to the fun Schoolhouse with Sandi Henderson and I. There will be giveaways...OF COURSE. If you aren't going we will take lots of photos for you. I will choose the winners of the Woodland Delight giveaway in my next post...hope you can wait. xoxo

WOODLAND DELIGHT IS HERE

Well here it is. I'm feeling ever so fashionably late in posting my Woodland Delight reveal. Sure, I could lead you to believe that. Truth is I am buried under projects and fabrics and have lost track of days and times. Did I already mention that every surface here is covered? We eat standing and the garage is in no better shape...just another extension of the creative explosion going on here. It's a love-hate thing. I hate the deadlines and pressures, yet love the creative juices that come to the surface when squeezed to the forefront. I do have dreams of showing up at Quilt Market with one sleeve missing. If that really happens please just pretend it's Project Runway and it's a fierce new look.

Woodland Delight is a playful collection of three cheerful colorways; brown, pink and gray. Do you like it like I like it??? Oh I hope so. It's been so fun to work with. Yup, cheery, chirpy fun.
I frankly still have much to do, so I can only give you some snippets of works in progress.

As you may know, I am working on patterns. Here is the Jackie handbag, which you might recognize from Spring Market. Well, my dear friend Simone is making a couple Jackie bags in my new fabrics. She just sent this photo to tease me and it worked. In turn I am teasing you with one of my upcoming girls patterns. If you like this, then hopefully you'll like the women's version, as well. I will be introducing these and my other patterns at the Houston Quilt Market in less than two weeks now!!

{GIVEAWAY}

I would so love to hear what you think, which combos you like...anything. And to show my deep appreciation for all your delightful comments and encouragement, I have 3 stacks of fat quarters that I would be thrilled to share. Just leave your comments.

I have more to tell you. Sandi Henderson and I are are putting on a Schoolhouse during Quilt Market. Just imagine that! Here's the Scoop:

Creating Fresh Shop Displays

ROOM: 372D TIME: 11:50-12:20

Sandi and I plan to share some great ideas and GIVEAWAYS

Just looked at the clock. Yup, I did, but kinda wish I hadn't. Oh well, another late night. Just me and the sewing machine. And some Jamoca Almond Fudge ice cream. xoxo

Note to self: my header needs changed. Another day...

SHEILA HAS SPOKEN

Since the last experience with my husband's GPS, I wanted you to know I attempted to smooth things over. That is, until Tim told me Sheila said, "It's either my way or the highway". Yeah, more like the toll road! I accused her of taking kickbacks. Tim isn't helping. We can drive across town to see Jennifer and the kids and he takes SHEILA. Not only takes her, he turns her on. Why? Should I be worried? Yeah, well the other night I was nestled up close to Tim and was going on and on about you know who, then asked, "You like me better, right?" There was dead silence. Yes, way! His delayed chuckle was not comforting at all!

I also had to introduce you to our retired weatherman, Bob Gregory, that I spoke of in my last post. Don't you just love him? This video still makes me laugh so hard I cry.



I can hardly believe that I leave for Quilt Market in a little over 3 weeks. Still no fabrics and patterns are not ready either. Geez, no pressure! I'm here twiddling my thumbs, tapping my fingers, and.....set myself up on Facebook! Why, you ask? Twitter wasn't enough of a time sucker? No good answer. It appears to be equally addicting though. Started thinking...hope I don't end up in a Twitter and Facebook recovery group. Will you be there? Cool!

Finally, it thrills me to come across images like this. This is a new Pink Fig pattern featuring Summer Soiree fabrics. Go check them out!

When you hear from me again, it will hopefully be with my newest fabric reveal. And may that be VERY SOON, I hope, I hope.

OH SHEILA, YOU'RE BREAKIN MY HEART....

Nothing gets your mind off your funk mood better than the panic of a TV shoot. Oh, just kidding. It was actually great fun. Here I am on set with Pokey Bolton and Laura Gunn. See, we're smiling. But let me back up and give you the lowdown.

Okay, you remember my last post? I revealed four concerns and I have updates to share.

1. Sheila (my husband's GPS) and I are not on speaking terms. My husband programmed her to get me to Cleveland. She likes Tim. They have a mutual respect. He doesn't take her too literally. If she tells him to turn left, he has an inner compass that tells him he should really turn right. I don't have that inner compass. When God was handing out Sense of Direction, I got lost and could never find that line. Hence, I need Sheila to work with me.

I got to Cleveland just fine. But when I hopped in the car to head home, Sheila was missing from her assigned spot. I found her on the floor. Asked her if she was hiding from me, then placed her back and set her up to take me home. Once I'm on the highway in heavy traffic she jumps ship again. This time she unplugs herself! The little snot! I "had speaks" with her. Had to pull off, get her repositioned and reprogrammed. However, she clearly received a concussion during her fall. She told me to get off on the Ohio Turnpike (a toll road). I didn't come in that way. Hmmpphh.

I put a call in to Tim to tell on her. He told me to just ignore Sheila. That was easier said than done. She tried to get me to turn off at every exit. When I refused, she began tacking hours on to my drive home. She was relentless. I began singing "Oh Sheila, you're breaking my heart, You're shakin my confidence daily". By the time I stopped I was 2 hrs from home, but she had tacked on an additional 6+ hours; clearly punishment for disobeying her. I reprogrammed her again. This time her concussion subsided and she quit hounding me and admitted i only had a couple hours left. When I got home I told Tim he could get Sheila out of the car. Poor Tim is in an awkward situation. He likes both of us. Sheila and I don't like each other. Puts him in the middle. He did take me to dinner and left Sheila home. That's a good sign.

2. I think I did okay. For me, it was like the first time driving a car....so much to remember all at once. Here I was trying to act casual and easy going, but my mind was swirling with thoughts like, "Am I hunching over? Are my boobs resting on the table? Has the iron automatically turned off (YES, it did!)? There were no retakes, so that's a good sign. Thank you for all the incredible advise. What wonderful friends. More than one suggested Depends in case I got to laughing too hard.

3. Don't know how I looked on the screen. I know I felt bloated, but I chose to sit instead of stand, eliminating the need to suck it in. I brought 3 different pair of Spanx and contemplated wearing all three, but was concerned that might restrict blood flow to my brain.

4. Being a newcomer, I took the whole list of rules so seriously. I could just see me showing up in black and having them pull an old, dusty beige shirt off a rack and tell me to change. But, Pokey wore a black cardigan for one of the segments and another gal wore a black jacket in her shoot. Next time, right?

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It was fun. Everyone was so kind. I met several highly creative women and had a great time with my fellow Michael Miller designer, Laura. We had some good laughs, usually at my expense (go figure). As far as when our segments will hit the air, all we know is it will be sometime after the New Year. I'll let you know.

I will also have a project and article in the Fall issue of Quilt Scene. I understand that magazine will be available during Quilt Market. I'm very pleased with how this turned out and can't wait for you to see!

Now on to some Summer Soiree inspiration. This first tunic is from none other than Simone.

Then I found these lovelies in my Summer Soiree Flickr group; made by Georgiapeachez. Lots more where these came from! Go check these gals out.