Spring Quilt Market - Day One

Yesterday was the first official day of Spring Market. I had several meetings booked with editors and customers and always exciting to show off the new collections.

I have my favorite collections from the new release and it's always fun to see which ones are liked by others.  I did get another quilt picked up by a magazine. Yeah - but there isn't an immediate rush on that - fabric isn't even made yet. 

I have another round of appointments today.  I did manage to get out and see a little bit of the show. Hopefully, a little bit more tomorrow and then tomorrow which is a shorter day, but I only have two appointments so I should be able to get out and see the rest. 

I've run into shop owners from back home and we've had some good visits. I think that's what I'm best at. I'm a talking head. I love talking - just like my dad and his dad.  The gift of the gab!

Oh, shoot - just realizing that I haven't posted any pictures on Facebook/Instagram (except for my food) so I'll try and do that today so you can see what I've been working on. 

The day passed by in a whirlwind and next thing you know - it's time to go back to the hotel. I had yakked about the BBQ place so much that Shirley wanted to go and so the two of us were off to the BBQ place.  The line was even longer than the previous night but it went quickly. The food looked equally messy but was very good. And I ran into several people there from Market. One group was there because of my picture I posted the night before!  

We had a good chat and a good catch-up since we don't get to see each other that often. Back to the hotel where it was only 8 PM.  The rest of my group was just going out. I just can't do that anymore.  OK - it's not so much that I can't, as that I don't want to be eating at 10 PM.  Too late.  

I see that it is raining this morning and there have been some spectacular claps of thunder and lightening. I will have to make quick work of getting over to the convention center which is about a 1-minute walk so I don't get too wet. I have a class at 8 AM so I'll be there for that. I don't even know what it is - I did sign up for two and I can't remember either. That's why we have schedules and agendas!

On that note - I'm off to get ready and have breakfast!

Have a super day!

Ciao!

Motivation Monday (yes - I know it's Tuesday) and PUBLISHED!!!

I'm sure we've all been in this position. Loads of work and we all look calm on the outside, yet on the inside, the wheels are spinning, the thoughts are processing. Yep - we've all been there and for some reason, I can't seem to slow down! Just when I say, "just one more quilt and I'll be caught up", something else pops up!  

Nothing new on the radar (at least not last week - but maybe this week!).  I'm getting loads of stuff done, just not necessarily on my own stuff. But I've got hope!  July - that's when I can get back to my own stuff - July!   Of course, that will depend on other people's schedules.  

This past Saturday was a UFO sewing day with my guild.  I wasn't going to go, but then I thought - "why not?  I'm just going to sew at home by myself. I might as well go and be with the group."  I'm so glad that I did. It was a lot of fun, I got loads done and was worth the hassle of going there and coming back!  And did you know that it is at UFO days and workshop days when you really get to know the members of the guild? NOT at the meetings as those are meetings and not a lot of time to socialize. 

I had done a lot of prep work the night before so I was ready to sew. I got one quilt top done, made the binding and the backing. That was all in the first hour (the top was almost together before I went). 

One quilt top - done and ready for quilting

When I got home later that afternoon, I couldn't load it on the long arm as I had this small quilt that needed to be done first.

But it's quilted and just needs to be trimmed and bound. It's part of Canada's Big Quilt Bee and will be donated to Ronald McDonald house.

Community projects quilt - DONE!

Then I got the other quilt loaded on the long arm. That was Saturday night.

Quilt loaded on the long arm

Sunday after my volunteering session, I was in a funk. But there is no time to be in a funk when Spring Market is looming on the horizon. I managed to get the quilt quilted and off the long arm. Of course, I can't share it with you, but here is the back.

Quilt - DONE

I got the quilt trimmed and the binding is now on. I'll be putting on the label and sleeve tonight. One more done and off the list for Spring Market.

On Saturday after I finished this first quilt, I started another quilt top that has to be done for Spring Market. I made good progress on it. I managed to get more of it together and all the cutting and half square triangles are done (or almost done).  I think there are three more rounds/borders to put on and it's done. I MUST remember to get backing today so it can go on the long arm. This one will be carried in the suitcase because there are a couple of other urgent things to be done. Like the quilt that has to be in the US for Monday.  It's for a magazine and I started assembling the quilt top this morning. Nope - you are NOT allowed to make any comments!  None!!

I must remember to get backing for that one as well. I have a pretty wide open schedule for the next week so I'm not worried, but again we are in a situation where NOTHING can go wrong or I'm in trouble.  And then there are still the two bonus projects that I would like to take to Market as well.  And prepping the blog posts for QUILTsocial.

One of my magazine projects is now out!   It's in the latest issue of A Needle Pulling Thread - see the cover below.

Spring Issue 2017 - A Needle Pulling Thread

And I have TWO items in the magazine.  One is a quilt project and the other is an article on scrap quilting.  Be sure to rush out and get your copy!!!

Two items by me!

I seem to be motivated by a deadline - at least in the quilting world.  Although that housework story from the other day did motivate me to tidy up a few things on Sunday night. I'll be making a trip to the donation center this weekend and I spent a bit of time last night deleting e-mails. I deleted thousands of e-mails.  You know you have all the intentions of reading them and I get duplicates of some of them at work, so I just happily deleted a bunch. I really need to go in and unsubscribe, there are some which I want to keep being reminded of the product so when I need it, the info is there!  How silly is that!

So while I'm motivated by a deadline, how are the rest of you doing?  Thankfully I have my Task Master list because if I didn't, there would be a lot of items that would be totally forgotten!  I'm still plugging away at them and I guess I know what I'll be doing at the next sewing retreat which is just a couple of months away!  I can do it!  Just need to keep on track.  NOTHING new is to be added to that Task Master list except stuff that has a deadline!

There is ONE more trade show after Spring Market and there are a number of items that I need to have done for that. One for the booth and several for my demos.  But I have a funny feeling based on the appointments that I have booked for Spring Market that I'm going to come home with a HUGE list of things to do. Maybe not immediately, but - well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it!

Do any of you watch Your Morning??  I don't, but someone alerted me to yesterday's episode.  Have a look at this link and go to minute 37:15.  Don't be horrified by what the lady says when introducing the segment - it will make you cringe! We so need to educate the world about quilts.

On that note - have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!

Sew Fest

Oh, my god - the rain has stopped for the moment!  Actually, the pavement is dry in parts meaning that it hasn't been raining for a while. My kitchen floor looks like a mud pit. Those girls love to be in and out even in the rain and well - they're having a riot. Dogs are like kids - the dirtier they are, the more fun their having!

I'm embarking on a Sewing Fest for the next couple of days. Nothing official, just my own personal Sewing Fest as I attempt the impossible. How to get FIVE projects done in a few days!

I know - this has to stop because it's getting old.  OH NO - did I actually say that?  It's not that I'm about to give up quilting, it's just that every weekend, every evening, there seems to be something urgent to do and I'd like to mess around for a bit!

But I'm OK with that.  Spring Market is mere days away and that is the reason for this round of sewing.

I had a cutting session last night and here's the scrap basket.  Lots of pretty fabrics - brand new - you can't get your hands on them yet!

Pretty scraps in the basket

And here is my project box. There are four quilts in the box and one 3-D item.

Project box

One quilt is almost together, the backing and binding are cut and need to be sewn together. Perhaps one hour for that one. Needs to be quilted, bound, sleeve, and label by Friday.

Project two has been cut and parts of the fiddly units are sewn together. I've been doing it as enders and leaders and will continue. It has a very urgent deadline, has to be in the US by May 15.  Hopefully, finish piecing the top tomorrow.

Project three is cut out - lots of half square triangles which I hope to make today. Technically it should also be quilted and bound by Friday, but if not - TUESDAY next week.

Project four is partially cut out. It technically doesn't  have to be done by May 16, but I would like to take it to Spring Market with me. Of course depending on what it looks like. It's an experiment.

Project five is the 3-D one.  It doesn't have to be done, but I would like to take it to Market as well. It is super cute!

Wish me luck!!!!   We have a guild UFO day today and why not sew with the group than sew at home alone. I'm all packed!

The other day, I was rooting around in one of the closets upstairs where (YES) more quilting stuff is stored. Guess what I found?  Something that I wasn't even looking for.  A pair of scissors for clipping rag quilts!

Rag clipping scissors

 I knew that I had a pair and knew that I had no idea where they were, so I bought another pair when I needed them a couple of months ago.

Two pairs of rag clipping scissors

I know - that's what happens when you don't put your tools in their HOME location.  Both pairs of scissors are now with all the other scissors.  I wasn't so much into the organizing tools and notions when those scissors got put with the project that they had been designated for.

I'm smarter now (well maybe just a little!).  I have no choice, I can't afford the time to look for things!

And once this Sew Fest is over, the next one is lined up as I have a couple of lectures at Quilt Canada in June and there are a few projects that I NEED for the booth and for my demos. After that, a couple of quilts for magazines and then a breather for the summer!  Yeah, summer!

Speaking of summer, what happened? Did I miss something?  It's freezing outside and I'm about to go to the dog park. I guess I had better dress up like it's winter! The girls - they don't care!

Have a super day!


Ciao!!!!

Spring Market - Day Four

Well, it's all over.  Spring Market 2016 is done and our crates are packed up!

Currently sitting in the airport at some ridiculous hour.  I got up at 3:00 AM.  Downstairs to meet the others at 3:15.  The airport is not far from downtown and so here we sit. Our flight is not until 6 AM.  Do not ask me why we have gotten here so early, but I was not the one to choose the time and when the taxi left - I had to be on it.

Anyway, yesterday was a pretty decent day.  I did have one more appointment which I had completely forgotten about so when I arrived at the booth to find that someone had been waiting, I felt terrible.  Fortunately, she left her card and through the wonders of cell phones, I was able to track her down and we had a super meeting.  I think she will be a great designer to work with in the future.

I also had a class in the morning with Tammy Silvers from Tamerinis.  It is a no-sew bracelet and is very cute.  I think I will have to make some more and it didn't really take very long.  Can be embellished to death.   Can't wait to try some, but I need to find a particular product in order to make it. I'm sure someone back home has some.

Then I spent the rest of the time walking around and taking pictures.  The last day of any trade show is always the slowest and many vendors are visiting other vendors as they check out stuff that they had no time to check out the days before.  Oh yes - I did manage to scoop some good stuff and well - no need to chat about it now, but I want to be home sewing NOW.  I have so many ideas that are running through my head, I seriously need days - no I need weeks in order to make it all happen.

I'm happy to report that we had lots of help for the take-down and within three hours, everything was packed up and in the crates.  Yeah!   It's always chaos with everything coming down, and we have to wait for the crates to arrive. Fortunately, the crates arrived in a timely fashion and so we had no downtime.  I think the crates arrived one at a time so that helped to space out the work.

Then all fourteen of us went to dinner and by ten, I was in bed.  It turns out that I missed a lot of nocturnal activity in the hotel.  On one of the first nights we were here, the power went out and there was a huge rain storm. Then the other night, there was an alarm and Christina had a water leak in her room.  Apparently an alarm sounded and people were told to evacuate. But it turns out that was only on the top couple of floors and the 10th floor was not affected.

Oh my god - I hate selfies unless they are pet selfies!  But here is one that was taken the other night in The Cheesecake Factory.   Not by me!

Elaine and Deborah

And here is one of the photos of our booth.

Northcott booth at Spring Market 2016

I went back to the hotel just before the show shut down so I could get my big bag of stuff to put in the crate.  I had contemplated leaving my camera at the hotel but then decided to get a couple of pictures of tear down.  As I was going down the escalator, I banged the camera and then it wouldn't take pictures.  CRAP!!!!!   The lens wasn't focusing and I thought the end was here for that lens.  The way I treat cameras, I'm surprised it hasn't bit the bullet much sooner.  But all it needed was a rest it seems because I think it's focusing and taking pictures properly.  I'll check it out better when I get home.

On that note, I'm out of here. Not that I have anywhere to go - it is now 4 am - two hours before our flight.  I have no luggage to check, I have TSA pre-check in and well, I guess we just play the waiting game now.

Have an awesome day!!!!


Ciao!

Spring Market - Day Four

Wow - what a whirlwind day!  All of my appointments were booked for yesterday and I spent the day hopping from appointment to appointment.  Met with numerous editors of the magazines - I KNOW - that sounds so flipping surreal.  In all the years, I've read the quilt magazines, I never imagined that I would be meeting with the editors, discussing editorial content, patterns, etc.  I'm walking away with a LOT of work and follow-up to do. I can't wait to get started.

And look out world because EQ7 and myself are going to get a bit more acquainted as I propose more and more content for the magazines.

I did spend a bit of time walking the floor one more time - this time with my camera.  There is so much to take in and I want to remember some of the stuff when I write up my notes.

This is one of the items that I MUST find when it becomes available.  It's called Pet Selfies and is by elizabeth's studio.  It's absolutely precious.





Can you just imagine the thoughts going through their heads?  Oh yes - it's a keeper for sure.  I now, here I am promoting the competition, but honestly - this is just too cute to not mention.

I also saw a new dog panel by Lorelei and it is also to die for.  Oh - do you see a theme here?

My day started off by attending class with Helen Stubbings from hugs n kisses.  I just love her embroidery patterns - they are cute, cute, cute.  I do have several of her patterns and alas no time to work on them. When I retire!  We did a different method of English Paper Piecing - the templates are made from fusible interfacing.  I'm not sure that I'm sold on that method, but I'm going to give it a try.  We got a kit for a small little bag and it's all hand work, so I could get that done!  But I have to say that I was a bit of a dolt because I couldn't find the room even after I looked at the number.  However some lady who had downloaded the Quilt Market App directed me to the right room.  No - 155 ABC is not the same as 255 ABC.  Ooops - everything I had done prior was in the two hundred series and not the one hundred.  The good news is that I managed to find my teeny tiny scissors that I keep in my little sewing box. The darn things were in the teeny metal tin and have escaped my scrutiny on several occasions.

Hopefully, I'll find my room today as I have one more class this morning.

Dinner plans are always pretty chaotic.  Some like to eat late, some like to have a drink before dinner, some don't mind to wait (wait times were close to an hour last night).  It's crazy as people sort themselves out.  I have managed to eat dinner with different people every evening. You know, it's been great as I've gotten to know more people in the organization and different points of view on various aspects.  I love that and it's definitely to my benefit. We had a super engaging dinner conversation last night and we even stayed at the restaurant until 9 PM which was late for us. Every once in a while, you get into a great conversation and well - you just can't stop and that was last night. After we got back to the hotel, I spent further time chatting with Shirley (who is also a quilter) and well - it was late - 10:30 by the time I got to bed.  That was very late for me, but so worth all the conversation.

Our booth was super busy again yesterday and we were all playing musical chairs to find a spot to meet with our customers and marketing contacts. But that added so much to the air of excitement - I would much rather see that than to have a huge booth that is half empty. Again, we had customers right up until the end of the day and the booth looks like a tornado went through!

Our Stonehenge end of the booth  (Northcott)

Today is the last day of the show.  It closes down at 4 PM and then the mad scramble to get everything down and into the crates.  We also have a very early flight tomorrow morning so we're going to arrive home exhausted!

There are a few more designers that I want to chat with personally about a couple of issues, going to stop by Zebra Patterns (the designer of the plates for Row by Row) and then just take a lot more pictures.  My job will be done!

I have to say that I feel guilty, but just a teeny tiny bit.  Coming to Market is like sending a kid into a candy store except that you can't buy anything. And honestly, you almost don't want to buy because there is so much. To be here and see all the big names in person, to see all the new stuff and to do it while you are actually working and getting paid - well that is just the best. So many of the people here are doing this because it's a job for them. To be here and to be so passionate about the industry - well that is just sinful and I love it!

On that note, going to see if I can check in for the flight tomorrow (yes - it is dreadfully early!) and then off to get breakfast.  I've kept my room pretty tidy - my teeny suitcase and my big tote bag have contained all my stuff. I confiscated one of the smaller tote bags (made by Tish) as my carry around bag. We didn't have enough room to hang it in the booth.  Well, this morning, I needed to find the charger for my laptop and my Fit Bit and well, let's just say that EVERYTHING is now strewn everywhere. I must get it all back in the proper spots because the big tote bag is going to be put in the crate for the way home.  I'm NOT carrying that on the plane.

Have a super awesome day!

Ciao!!!!


OH OH OH - one of the most exciting things I discovered yesterday - the license plates are up on Zebra Patterns website.  OH yes - if you want to start planning your travel or see all the exciting plates, you MUST go to the link for Zebra,   Hold me back!!!!!

Spring Market - Day Three

Or is that day one?  I don't know, but it was the first day of the show being open. What a day!!!!

I forgot that we had a sales meeting first thing in the morning and so I had also booked a class with Helen Stubbings. My first priority was to the meeting and once I had said my spiel and listened to most of the stuff, I hustled up to Helen's class and picked up my kit.  At least I was going to get the kit!   It was on redwork embroidery and she has a beautiful, new block of month (13 small embroidery blocks) that are fun. We got one of the blocks to work on in the class.

Razz-a-dazzle by Helen Stubbings - hugs n kisses

I think I have another class with her this morning on English Paper Piecing.  Can't wait.

Technically, I don't have a job here. No need to man the booth and that is wonderful.  Although, I have helped out with some of the customers, showing them quilts, answering questions and bringing in a sales lead or two.  My main focus is to walk the floor, getting ideas, new patterns, new pattern designers, etc.  I know - it's a tough job, but someone has to do it!!!  Seriously - it's hard work - chatting to everyone. 

I'm not sure that I can even describe how it works.  But a lot of companies have designers that design a line of fabric for them. Often those designers did something else prior to designing fabric - like design patterns or teach quilting or something.  So I got to meet a lot of people yesterday - yes - all those big name people are here!  I met Amanda Murphy, Helen Stubbings, oh gosh - I'd need to go back through the literature that I picked up in order to remember it all.  Some of the designers who work for a competitor, while I like their stuff - probably not in good taste to ask them to work with us. Didn't stop me from picking up their stuff.  Some for me, some for work!

Remember that panel that I posted yesterday - the alphabet one?   Well, I got to meet the designer. Marcia Derse. 

Marcia Derse with the coolest alphabet panel EVER!!!!!

OH MY GOD - I just love her stuff and she gave me a charm pack of her fabric because I gushed enough over her work!!! But she is friends with another designer that I'm going to be working with.  It's such a small world!

Remember all those squares I was sewing???  Well here is one of the walls. I made four of them. 

Fabric wall at Northcott booth at Spring Market

It comes in two colorways.

Second colorway of A Stitch in Time

 It is such a fun line of fabric and based on Stonehenge.   I quilted the two quilts on the left of this picture above. I think I ended up quilting 5 quilts for the booth, 10 for my trunk show and made all the squares for the walls.  A totally crazy job, but it's done (until next time!).   And if you want to check out the total collections for A Stitch in Time, go to Northcott's website. 

Got to meet some of the designers that we are currently working with that I had not met before.  I didn't really take any pictures, my hands were full of literature. I have a number of meetings today with the magazine editors and so not sure how much time I will have to wander the floor, but my goal is to get out there and take PICTURES.  There are lots of great ideas, color combinations, and many other things and I want to capture them all!  

It's funny how some of the designers work.  Some of them will throw patterns at you when you walk into the booth.  OK - I'm exaggerating, but literally, one designer gave me four patterns. I've admired her work for years and I told her so. I think her patterns would work extremely well with what Northcott has to offer.  I met another designer and during our lengthy discussion, she ended up giving me two different patterns and a third designer whom we currently work with, wouldn't give me a pattern ($3) - told me I would have to buy the minimum of 6 patterns to get that price. Wow!  Anyway, I don't want to collect patterns from everyone. My principle goal is to pick up the names, get their brochure (with pictures) and then go home and sort out the entire mess.  I need those names as soon as we get home, so I may end up writing down names or emailing myself the links because I am NOT carrying all this literature home with me. It's going in the crate, along with other stuff that I won't need right away. 

Dinner is always a crazy affair - some like to go late, I like to go early so I can get to bed since I get up so flipping early. Oh yes - I've met up with Susan Claire from Town and Country Block a Day quilt.  Always a hoot and so we had dinner together with Deborah. It was a hoot to hear some of her stories about traveling across America from Paducah to Utah.  How fun and I'm quite envious that I didn't get to go with her!  Next time!

Well, I guess I had better do a bit of sorting this morning. I do have to find the paper with my class list on it so I know how to find my classroom. 

Yes - I'm having a blast.  Yes, my knee is doing OK. It's just tired and we're all dehydrated. It's hard to keep hydrated here. 

Oh yes - when I met with the others yesterday morning, people were asking if the power went off?  Nope - it was on all night.  Well, little did I know that in fact, the power was off and there was a huge rain storm.  I heard nothing!  While the others were on their way home from wherever and got totally drenched, I was tucked safe and dry in bed.  I'm not the party girl for sure.  I'm saving all my energy to glean as much information from the vendors/exhibitors.  That is why I'm here!!!!

On that note, I'm out of here.  

Have a super awesome day.

Ciao!

Spring Market - Day Two

Today is the first day of Spring Market, 2016.  Well, the first day of the main floor being open. Yesterday was Schoolhouse presentations.

Before all the craziness of the day started yesterday, I took a walk to Temple Square which is less than five minutes away.  A big imposing wall surrounds the temple, but two gates open at 6 AM.  I took some pictures which of course are on my camera and some day, I must figure out how to get them from the camera to the internet and sized for the internet.  There is an easy way I'm sure.  I don't have Photoshop with me to edit them - that's my problem.

Anyway, the gardens were very serene and it made me want to sit and reflect life. However, that brought up moments of sadness and well, I did have a little episode which is OK.  It is a beautiful place to just reflect life.

As I walked around, I noticed a couple of things.  The entire complex is huge - there are office buildings for the church, there are beautiful and well-tended gardens and loads of water features. Loads of them including two infinity pools (not the kind you swim in, but water features).  They were all very beautiful. I also noticed that MANY well-dressed business people (mostly men) were headed into the various office buildings and it wasn't even 7 am yet.

I did walk into the temple entrance and there was a guard checking IDs. Hm - can't go that way. Then I saw a couple of people dressed in religious garb (priests?) that were tending to the other entrance and well - I thought I didn't need to go any further. I needed to get back to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, we were back over to the convention center. And I must say that it was all hands on deck. Almost to the point of being too many hands, but the booth went up fast and it looks great. I'll try to post some pictures on Facebook later today.

I have to say that Deborah, Joyce and myself skipped out of the prepping to attend a couple of Schoolhouse presentations.  Personally, I would like to attend Schoolhouse all day as I think there is valuable information to be gathered. And let's not forget that most of them hand out free stuff!!!  Deborah very graciously gave me all her free stuff!

My goal was to get to some of the competitors booths to see what they were doing for Schoolhouse. We saw Elizabeth Hartman and Heather Jones who are designing for Robert Kaufman. Both were OK, but not sure how educational they were. These presentations are not supposed to be a sales pitch, but they usually end up being that way.  Ours were NOT. Both were shorter than the 30 minutes as well.

Then back to the booth where we prepped for our Schoolhouse presentations.  Joyce Hughes, who does amazing things with panels, did a presentation and then Deborah and I did the presentation for Northcott.  Both were well received which is the important thing. Both presentations were filmed, so hopefully that will go up on the Northcott YouTube channel in the near future.

In the big leagues!

Back to the booth, where by this time, everything pretty much had been done - a bit of tidying up and we were good.  I think it was 4:30 PM.  And guess who I ran into?   I knew they were there because they had a Schoolhouse presentation right after ours, but no time to get to it.  Jeanne and Shelley from The Quilt Patch in Moose Jaw.  How fun to see them - it's been a while.  And two of the girls from the store were also with them - Jo and Colleen.

Barely had time to put my stuff in the room and then four of us, Shirley, Deborah, Joyce and myself headed out for an early dinner.  We hit The Cheesecake Factory which is just minutes away and had a fabulous dinner. While the rest of them had a dish called Bang Bang, I had an omelet and a beer.  I know - why not!  Life is too short to get caught up in what's right and what's wrong. At least, the omelet and beer were for dinner, not breakfast!

Then Shirley, Joyce and I headed back to the convention center for Sample Spree.  I've heard a lot about Sample Spree but had never been.  Oh boy - the place was a ZOO.  First, because we are not buyers, we can't get in with the rush which is good because the line was insane - it was HUGE. So we sat and waited and then paid our $10 to get in and then we were in the insanity. Instantly, we were sucked into the crowd and I lost sight of Shirley and Joyce within seconds. Many of the booths were swamped - OK - all of the booths were swamped.  People were coming away with HUGE shopping bags. Not one, not two, but multiple shopping bags filled with FQ bundles, and other pre-cuts.

There seemed to be many fabric manufacturers there and some pattern designers. I think the origin of sample spree was for shops to purchase samples made by the designers to hang in their shops for classes and to sell patterns and other supplies.  Now, it's just a fabric buying frenzy.  I went around several times and I thought long and hard about what I wanted/needed.  Did I really need another FQ bundle that I would probably never use? Nope - so even though several of them were calling my name, I wasn't really in love with any of them. So I didn't buy any.  But I did buy things that were unusual - a gorgeous panel with the alphabet on it, but this is NOT a kids alphabet panel.  It's by Windham and well - I love it.

Studio Alphabet panel by Windham

I bought a pack of BIG hexagons from ME + YOU (Hoffman) and I bought some mesh and a bundle of new patterns from byAnnie. Before I left home, I threw all my US money (bills and coin) into my bag. There was a lot of coin - well a couple of dollars worth and it was getting heavy to carry.  I found a Mini Charm pack (2 1/2") squares for $3.  There are 84 charms in it, matches the ones that I got at the Schoolhouse earlier in the day and I unloaded most of my change.  Whew - that was a cool purchase. Did not use my credit card once! And I still have cash in my wallet.

Thanks Shirley for letting experience Sample Spree to its fullest. They should sell T-shirts that say "I survived Sample Spree".

Not that I'm a name dropper, but I did see Eleanor Burns at Sample Spree and as the room emptied, I went to her table to thank her. She came to the Hobby Horse many many years ago. 16 to be exact and I took a class from her. (She even remembered that Dwight was getting married that year - I had forgotten that!)  She was the one that taught the importance of using a quilt stiletto for sewing. I thanked her for that - it was one of the most valuable quilting tips I've ever learned. Oh by the way, I've seen Alex Anderson several times, said HI to her yesterday and she's staying in our hotel.  Oh Susan - if only you could be here. I do have an extra bed in my room!

Back to the hotel room and to bed.  Of course, getting to bed early (9 PM) means waking up at some ridiculous time. But that's OK - I just relaxed in the fact that I had nothing to do. No quilts to quilt, no bindings to sew.  I was just content to relax. Imagine!  But I had computer work to do, so while I'm still in bed, I've been on the computer for hours. Got hungry and dug out my chocolate bar and ate chocolate in bed while blogging.  Love it!!!!!

Gosh - I still have a couple of hours before I need to be at the booth and I'm signed up to take a small class with Helen Stubbings this morning. It's going to be a busy day of checking out the booths to see what interesting things are there and see if there is anyone I want to work with for future projects.  Thankfully, most of what we see isn't available for sale.  Yeah!!!!   I may take another reflective moment in the beautiful gardens at the temple.

The floor for Spring Market 2016

On that note, I'm out of here.

Have a great day!!!!

Ciao!!!

Salt Lake City - Spring Market - travel day

Life marches on and I'm now sitting in my hotel room in Salt Lake City waiting for the rest of the world (on the west coast) to wake up!   

I did manage to get my new Everyday bag together on the day before leaving, but what a struggle. My heart and my head just weren't into sewing. I even managed to get everything packed in my carry-on luggage.  I'm not big into bringing tons of stuff with me on a trip - the more I bring, the more chances I have of leaving something behind! 

Getting to our seats on the first leg of the trip was an experience.  First, I have to say THANK YOU NEXUS.  I got through the security line and the customs line in no time flat.  I think I waited about 5 minutes in the security line and zero time in the customs line and I was through. My biggest issue was that I hadn't had time to check the monitor to find out what gate we were at so I was wandering down the aisle until I could find a monitor.  Two of my non-NEXUS colleagues were stuck in the lines for about one hour. Spending that money on the NEXUS was well worth it.  We can only hope now that not too many people get a NEXUS card, otherwise, that process will get bogged down as well.  But in the meantime - I love it!

Then we got on the plane.  There were four of us travelling and we ended up in the LAST row on the plane.  I got the window seat!  Yeah - except there was NO window!  Just a blank wall.  So now I'm jammed into the corner and nothing to look at.  Fortunately, there were three empty seats in front of us and I was allowed to move up.  Yeah - a window seat. OH - there is a big honking engine outside my window and I can't see a thing!!!  But at least it was a window seat!

We had to change planes in Minneapolis which went smoothly except we were again at the back of the plane.  This time, we were one row from the back, but a long walk to get on and off the plane.  No big deal, however, we sure kidded the person who booked our tickets - not mentioning any names here (to protect my job), but it wasn't me!!!

My knee did NOT like sitting in one position for that length of time and was pretty stiff, but after taking a few steps, it seemed to be OK.  Made it to the hotel, rooms were ready - yeah.  A quick lunch and then we were off to the convention center which is right across the street.  I love when it is a quick walk to the venue.  I hate having to rely on a shuttle or waiting for the others.  Independence is the name of the game!!!!

Was nice to meet up with the others from the US and then we were off to the races to assemble the booths.  I hate those metal structures and despite my best efforts (why did they all look to me to make it right?) and I goofed up again.  However, I think I now have it figured out how it all goes together so the next show in the fall will be a piece of cake.  I can hardly wait!!!!

 

We won't have a ton of time here in Salt Lake to visit around, but I can see the Salt Lake Temple from my hotel room.  I'm not sure why I was expecting something more modern looking.  This reminds me of the Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal.  

Salt Lake Temple

Notre Dame Basilica

OK - I know the scale is off, but this is more what I was thinking the temple would look like. 

Church in Reykjavik, Iceland

The good news, Salt Lake is a very friendly bike city or so it appears.  There are dedicated bike lanes with dividers, cool bike racks and MAY is bike month.  There is also a bike share program here.  

I would load some pictures, but I'm having trouble getting my phone connected to the internet in the hotel.  Will try later.

Had a good sleep and now I'm ready to rock n roll today.  We made good progress putting our booth up.  The structure is up, the lights are up, the big signs are up. Today, the rest of it has to happen - we have lots of hands so that is good and it is also School House.  I'm heading over to the convention center early to get my hands on the schedule to see if there is anything that I would like to listen in on and then we have two presentations later in the afternoon. It's going to be a whirlwind day. 

If I was better prepared and not wasted so much time on the internet, I could have visited the temple.  Hmmm - there might still be time for that before breakfast.  

Have an awesome day!!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Done!!!!

I'm not sure how that happened, but the crates are gone!!!!   Everyone was working on stuff right up until the final moment when the door was closed and locked shut!  I have visions of it exploding somewhere along the way!  The crates aren't that full - OK - all three are them are chock a block full.  

I went to post my blog yesterday and where or where did those pictures go???  No idea. I swear that I posted them on the blog, but alas, no pictures when I went to write.  

So you remember the pile of quilts that had to be trimmed?  Well, those quilts got trimmed and now look - a huge mess of quilt cut off pieces.  

Quilt cut off scraps

I have started to sort this out and pitch the scraps, but it isn't a priority for the moment.  Nope - once I got home last night, I had to get my block ready for the round robin at the Grand River Modern Quilt Guild.  From the moment, I got the project, I knew what I was going to add.  Let's just say there is a bit of improv, a bit of tradition and a bit of curved piecing!  Thank goodness it was improv, because I messed up trimming the small paper pieced section!

Anyway - once those quilts were trimmed, they were rolled into three neat bundles and ready to load on the crate. 

Quilts ready to be loaded in the crate

Now if you look closely, you'll see how I managed to get those "bindings" on so quick.  Yes - ALL of them have a serged edge. 

Serged bindings!!!

What a time saver that is!!!!!    I might think of this for future quilts!   Actually, these quilts are for a presentation only so I'm not worried about them not having binding. But they will get bound!

And here is the floor where those quilts were.  YES - there are projects under there and those need to be addressed, but not until the weekend!

More projects that were hidden

And the next project on the cutting table - trying to get rid of the scraps for the pet mats. I was trying to get one of the mats serged this morning and jammed up the serger and broke a needle!

Pet mat construction

And here is my off-cuts from the two collections and two different colorways.  Which reminds me that I need a smidgen more of a couple of them to make my project this weekend!!!!

Scrap bags!!!!

On that note, while things have calmed down, I'm still prepping stuff for market. Things that I will take with me or meetings to set up.  And after a lengthy meeting this morning, time is running out.

Have a great day!!!!!


Ciao!!!!

With a little help from my friends!!!

If you are one of those people that mention how tired you get by reading my blog, rest up before you go on because it was a marathon day yesterday.  I think I ran four marathons, but I got a LOT accomplished.

I did take note that no one showed up at the Northcott offices on Friday to help out, however that doesn't mean that I don't find ways to get help!

I RIPPED, not cut the backings. 

The day started very early and I prepped 12 backings for quilts that need to be quilted ASAP.  The quilts are technically "in the mail" and I hope they arrive on Monday. NO - they WILL arrive on Monday.  Must be remain positive - there is no time to panic! Anyway, the backings are prepped.  Now some of the quilts are small enough to fit on a single width of fabric, so only the length needed to cut, but most backings had to be cut and joined.  I think the largest quilt is lap size. That's my new motto for our designers - NOTHING larger than a lap quilt.  

And YES - I ripped that fabric for the backings.  I had lots of fabric and let's not get too pretty here - it will get trimmed off the quilt.  This is called SPEED quilting.




The binding fabric is sitting there and I'm a bit hesitant to cut into it.  Susanne will be putting the bindings on and I don't want to get the wrong width (I think she uses a slightly narrower width than I do) and GOD forbid that I have to machine stitch all those bindings on because I screwed up the width.  Not going to happen!!!!  Hania is going to prep all the bindings on Monday.  Yeah team!

So back to the help - after the backings were prepped and sorted, I started on the next project which is one of our fabric walls.  There are 63 big squares in each of the four walls. I had sewn them (one wall) on Friday, but they needed to have fusible fleece ironed on and then turned.  Hmmmm - a great sit down job for my class.  So I fused the fleece on before the class and the four people GRACIOUSLY "offered" to help.

Stack of fusible fleece squares

Stack of fabric squares that need fusible fleece ironed on

Square with fusible fleece attached

Group of four "turners"

 Notice, I didn't show them to protect their innocence - they can deny they ever helped me, but I will have a nice peace offering for them at the next class.

All 63 squares were turned within ONE hour

I cannot thank the ladies enough for all their support and help - that saved me a LOT of time.  I still have to close up the opening and then 8 of the squares need to have a panel fused on both sides.  That still has to be prepped today as it needs to be ready for first thing tomorrow morning, so the "grommet girls" can do their thing.   I'll be cutting and sewing the last wall (63 squares) this afternoon and I have a helper coming in to do the turning and finishing tomorrow.

We did have a great, but small class and I've prepped the pictures for another post later this week.

Of course as I was prepping thoses backings, I had to clean off my sewing table.  It was a mess and pretty hard to sew anything in the tiny space available.   As I've been working, I've been doing some thinking about how to get more storage space and I've come up with a good solution. Just won't happen for a bit. And I know, more storage isn't the issue - it's get rid of some of the stuff!!!!

I won't even go into the numbers or the story - it's just too complicated.  Bottom line - LOTS of quilts, very tight deadline and only about 1/3 of what is coming will get on the crate (hoping that it arrives in the morning).
The rest will have to be shipped. There is only so much one can do!

The quilts are being preprinted on fabric.  I know - that's a bit much to comprehend (and it is strictly for DISPLAY purposes).  In addition to all the display quilts, I have ten different ones that I designed for my presentation.   Anything that is wider than the width of fabric comes in two parts and has to be pieced together.  Yes - think about that for a minute.  It's like we took a big picture  (10" by 12"), printed it out on 8 1/2" by 11 paper and then attempted to put it together so it looks like one piece.  Does that paint the picture for you????

Of my ten quilts, SIX of them needed to be pieced together.  Not an easy task, espcially given the fact that I'm a perfectionist.  I do let things go, but not this. It takes me about ONE hour to do each seam of about 60 inches.


OK - then what happened??  Oh yes - I got back from the class, had lunch and at 2 PM, I hit the long arm. The first quilt was already loaded, I just had to fire up the long arm and away I went.

Quilt number one - DONE!

Normally, I would take a break after finishing a quilt, while I worked up the energy to load the next one. Sometimes that would takes days or even weeks!!!  But no, the next backing went immediately on, then the top and the batting - had to join the batting for this one - got to use up all those cut off pieces.  I had to trim the first one to get more backing before I could make the backing for the second one.

Then I wanted to try a different thread color.

Is there enough thread???

 I say, let's live dangerously and go for it!!!!   I didn't have a back-up plan, but I would have found one if I would have needed one.

Second quilt - DONE

 Remember - I'm only showing you the backings!  Not the front. That reveal is for my presentation in Salt Lake City.

Loads of thread - this is what is left over!!!!!

Then I loaded the next quilt and ripped through that one as well.

Quilt number three - DONE!!!!

 Gosh, if I did that with my own quilts, I could be done in a month - well a bit longer since there are more than 100 tops that need to be quilted!!!   I'm learning to love my long arm  - not that I didn't, but I'm having way more fun with these than customer stuff. I'm not sure why.

And what happens to those tops when I'm done???  A big pile on the floor!!!   That's my physio therapy - I need to step around and over that pile. It's a great way to stretch out my leg!

Pile of quilts to be trimmed and bound and labelled and a sleeve

 After I finished the third one, I loaded the next one but I was getting tired - it was 9 PM and I decided to call it quits for the day.

But now it is ready to go for this moring. And what have I done this morning?   I managed to get the last two quilt tops joined. A hateful job, but they look not bad.  I wasn't super happy with the last one, but it's not bad.  Can you tell where the seam is????

Where is the seam???

 In total, I'm working with two different collections in TWO different colorways and I have scraps and cut off pieces that I need for sleeves and other various stuff.  It was getting messy, so I employed the help of four bags. Each colorway/collection goes in it's own bag.  Easy as pie to sort!!!

Bag sorting system

 I haven't started cutting the last colorway, that is for this afternoon, so the bag on the right is still empty!!!

One empty bag on the right

It'll be easy to just wing those four bags into the car to take to work on Monday and as I need a particular fabric, there it is!!!!   I love organizing!




Happy Mother's Day by the way to everyone.  I did get a very beautiful message on Facebook from M this morning.  Although she is currently home and has been all week (missed her friends!).  See what she wrote:

MY MOM ROCKS and even though I live 5000km away now I'd be nowhere without you.

Top three things I've learned from you (directly and indirectly)

Me and M

1. Find your passion, work really hard, succeed
2. Negativity is crap, be positive
3. Enjoy the ride (life)

I guess as a Mom, I couldn't ask for anything better than those words.  Love you M!!!!!

And on that note, today's agenda is just as heavy as yesterday and I had better get started. 

Have an awesome day!!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Sleepless......

Just when you need the sleep, it doesn't come.  Another crazy long day at work, but the good news is that while we're still waiting on stuff to come in, we're still insanely busy trying to process what came in the day before. That is a good and bad thing.  It's all hands on deck and everyone (OK - not everyone) was cutting fabric.

When I offered to show our "grommet girls" how to iron binding, I was told NO, they would have other things to do.  HEY - it's good for everyone to learn to iron!

Anyway - at one point, I was going to take a picture of the mess as I spill out of my office and realized I left the darn camera card at home so got a photo with my cell phone.

The spillage

Let's see, now there is an ironing board outside the office. That's my stuff on the table and of course those real estate signs are mine.  There isn't a spare inch of flat surface in my office and still haven't unpacked the boxes from our Paducah trip.

FIVE more days before the crate leaves.  FIVE - but I'm not counting and there certainly isn't time to panic.

I cut fabric for four bags yesterday - two tote bags and two craft bags.  The pattern called for foam core to stabilize the craft bags, but of course with a garage full of corregated plastic, I chose the plastic.  And can you believe that those real estate signs were the right width - I just had to cut the length.  That was EASY!!!!

The four bags have now been farmed out to sewers - thank you!!!!!!   OH - the last one is being picked up this morning.

I went to see the surgeon yesterday and I was doing a bit more research.  Yes - it would appear that it really isn't the meniscus that is causing me trouble in my knee - it's arthritis.  Well the two together.  Anyway - I'm not even thinking about the arthritis and as far as I'm concerned, the repair on the meniscus is going to make everything rosy and it will be!   I told the surgeon that I had already been to the gym and his eyes bugged out.  Wait  a minute! I'm not that stupid.  I told him what I was doing and he was fine with that and told me to start quad exercises already.  Did I want physical theraphy? or would I do it on my own?   I think you know the answer to that one!!!   I didn't tell him that I parked my car on the 8th floor of the parking garage and walked up and down the stairs.  Not even winded because at my turtle pace on the stairs.  But I'm getting better - going up is way easier than going down.

However, I have to say that after an entire day of standing on the leg (almost 16,000 steps), I was tired.  I dropped off stuff at the guild meeting and came home. Iced the leg and then back to work.  Got the next quilt ready for the long arm and it is loaded waiting for me later today.

After a terrible night where between my knee which wasn't hurting, but it wasn't happy either and my brain going a thousand miles a minute, I really didn't sleep much.  So today is a new day.  The knee is feeling not too bad, but I'm taking my big sewing machine to work so I can sit down and sew on bindings (anyone want to join me - come along - I've got 10 of them to stitch on at some point), bindings to make and backings to sew.  Seriously - the door is open today at work - if anyone wants to take me up on it.  We can have a party in that space and really liven the place up!!!!  

After a bit of  sitting down, then I have cutting to do.  So I'm alternating and since I'll be alone (yes - I know no one will come to my rescue although I could try the Tom Sawyer trick! - it's so much fun to sew on bindings by machine - it's so much fun to cut fabric!).  Anyway, I'm working by myself today so no pressure, I can take a break when I need. Yeah!!!!!  

On that note - I'm out of here. Off to work with my quilts and my fabric!

Have a great day!!!!

Ciao!!!!