Saturday, October 30, 2010

1st Market Post & Blogger's Quilt Festival

Good Morning!  Today is the first official day of Market.  Yesterday was Schoolhouse (I didn't go) and Sample Spree (I did!).  Schoolhouse is where new products are shown in 15-30 minute increments.  You'll see pattern and tool designers, authors and fabric designers showing shop owners how their products can be used and marketed.  It's awhirl with people running from one classroom to the other trying to see everything on their list!  Sample spree is where vendors set up in a big room and sell products usually at discounted rates so shop owners can get a product in their shop quickly.  The fabric companies are swamped!  It's great to be able to pick up some fabric and get a model made before the bolts come in.  It is CRAZY and people line up for hours to get in!  You will be so surprised when I tell you that I bought NOTHING!!

It's really nice not to have a booth and be tied to a time schedule this time.  I'll mosey over early afternoon and begin walking the aisles.  So today I'm going to take the opportunity to post a blog for...


Amy does such a wonderful job of putting together a wonderful virtual quilt show for those who aren't able to attend in Houston.  Thanks so much, Amy!

I had told you earlier that my first love is working with vintage pieces.  This is actually how I got started in this business.  There is nothing (NOTHING) I enjoy more than to take an old piece that is not usable in it's present state and give it a new life.  I have made and sold many of these small pieces over the years, but when I got into designing fabric and patterns, that all took a back seat.  Now I'm hoping to find time to do more of my rescue quilts again.  This is a pretty early one and one of my favorites.  Unfortunately, this was made before I thought to take 'before and after' pictures, so you only have the after.  It was a ratty old quilt top that was falling apart, but I found 4 blocks to salvage and turned them into my "Four Seasons Quilt".  I hope you like it!


I want to do some more quilting on it, but this gives you an idea of what I love to do most.  My friends thought all I did was take things apart!  They were almost right! 

Have a great weekend and we'll see you in a few days~