All caught up!

Nearly ready for Portland.

Looking forward to meeting up with folks!

Just need to think about stitching now!

I will definitely be looking out for the new things from Jen at Amitie Textiles in Portland at Quilt Market next week!

As I pull open the curtains in the front sitting room I often see this though the blinds (when it's sunny!):

And on the arm of my sofa (where I left it last night) some Liberty and Linen:

On the computer this morning I am inspired by Jane and her quilting on this quilt to donate.

I really want to have go at this quilting idea!

It is the count down to Spring Market this week, looking forward to meeting lots of quilters and seeing lots of inspiring stuff!

Enjoy the long weekend!

It is from the cover of this book:

There are some wonderful quilts in this book, but the one on  the cover has always appealed.

I was really happy with the outcome but don't look too closely at the edges!

Now that is out of my system on to other more pressing issues!

I am still quilting my 'square waves'.

I am hand piecing.

I am finishing off some book projects.

I am finishing off some book instructions.

My camera has been looking at this:

Most of my photography has been documenting the re landscaping of our garden. It doesn't look much as yet, but this is about week 5 out of a possible ten! The guys are working really hard and it will be great!

What I can show you though that  are finishes, are the tops from some of my beginners class that finished recently:

Karin:

Denise (and she complete her MA! Yeah!!!!):

Sarah:

Sat next to Sarah (email me your name, as I have a complete blank!):

Stephanie:

Suki:

These look so great! Well done Ladies!

New Beginners will be starting again in September.

And from me, here is a rolling star block:

Hope you haven't had too many distractions from your stitching?

This is the back of a quilt:

It seems to a square version of Amish Waves:

Any ideas where this quilting came from, or if it has a name? All these examples are from American quilts.

I saved the 'spare' pieces as I like the combinations. Whilst having a tidy up in an effort to keep on top of things yesterday, I came across them in the back of the cupboard.

The quilt top I originally stitched has not been quilted yet as I am still in two minds about the way to quilt it. I know, you'd think life was too short, but hey ho, don't want to do something I don't like, and is there a rush?

So when I put these leftovers together I knew how to quilt it even before I laid it on the batting!

I took these pictures after I had just started the basting. I was going to safety pin, but it didn't feel right, and as it is a small quilt, about 50in, I went ahead with hand basting.

I started the quilting last night. Big stitch with Valdani Pearl Cotton no 12. I'll let you see the design in the next post (which I have been obsessing about for years now).

It seems to be a variation on Elbow Quilting, and I have a few vintage quilts worked in it. Just had to wait for the right top to come along to try it out on!

I'll take some pictures to let you have look next time.

If you need a quick project to keep your sewing MOjo up, take a look at what Lori stitched this week. So sweet, might find time for that before the dog walk!

They have been around a long time.

But next time before you sew that traditional block together, have a play before you stitch and see what happens:

It's fun to see what could happen when you you play about with stuff, it doesn't take long and won't hurt!

This week I took the plunge and put some pictures on my Flickr site. 

It has taken me a while to be brave enough to do this, but in the end it is really simple!

So far I have just put up some work from BOM 's that lots of you have seen already, but it is a start.

I hope to put work up from classes and perhaps start a group with pics of students quilts. I often get sent shots, and think it would be nice to have them on view. Also I think Nicky wants another group to join!!

Thanks to Nicky for encouraging me!

Up to date with my Grandmother's choice:

I have also been on Facebook now for month or so. Again, feeling my way around this one, but quite fun!

Have you tried something new this week?

As many of you know I attend Quilt Market in the USA usually twice a year. I am currently preparing to be in Portland, OR in May.

I have been here a couple of times before, and am looking forward to the latest visit. Fingers crossed I will meet up with Lori! Yeah!

Quilt Market is a great Trade show, I get to catch up with some friends, (including Jennifer, Victoria and Jen)  and spend time with Landauer my publisher. I should say this is all work, but boy, is it fun too!

However, this year I will also be at Quilt Festival following on from Market this fall!

As, you might have guessed, I will be teaching!

I am so excited!

Over the next few weeks I will be letting you see which quilts and projects we will be stitching.

At market I do some take and Teach sessions which is a great way for me to spend time with shop owners, but now at Festival I get to spend time with the folks who shop in the shops! Well people like me really, I shop in the shops!!!

Look out on Quilts Inc to see when the catalogue is out, to see how much fun stuff goes on there.

And as this has been quite a 'linky' post, here are some shots of a String Quilt Project I stitched last week:

I just love the way everything gets stitched together from so many past quilts:

These are my usual 6in blocks sewn on a Vilene (Pellon) foundation, and in this case machine quilted in hanging diamonds: