Here and There

 Last week I was busy with these cute kids.  Aren't grandkids the best?!
   

Then, on the weekend I went to Michigan to teach a workshop.  I was at the Creative Loop in Paris, Michigan.  They have some beautiful quilts displayed in the shop.

We worked on the Trellis quilt.  This has been one of my most popular workshops.  We worked a little on piecing, learned some good tips and tricks, then we worked on applique and I shared my method and helpful hints.  Then the quilt is finished off with prairie points.

We had a nice BIG workspace!

 That piecing is coming along nicely. . .

 I didn't remember to take a group photo until some of the ladies were gone, but here is part of the group.

During my trunk show, I showed one of my newest quilts, Around the Town.  Guess what?  Several of the quilters there had already made this pattern.  (They got it from the magazine, American Patchwork and Quilting.)  The single pattern is now available on my website.

Two ladies had used my fabrics from the Elizabeth's Letter's line--didn't they turn out great!  I really like the green stripe as the border, don't you?

 One quilter had done her version in different fabrics.  I LOVE this one!  The dark houses and flowers on the light background really pop.  I can't wait to see it with the border on.  I hope she remembers to send me a picture!

 If you have made up one of my patterns in a different color way, I would LOVE to see it.  After all, variety is the spice of life!

LOST and FOUND

I lost two quilts this week.  Not surprising with all that has been going on.  Thankfully, someone picked them up for me at the retreat and brought them home.  I went to Bonnie's house today to get them.  "Carousel" and "Wildflower Melody" were neatly folded and ready to come home, along with a sewing machine cord that my sister left.  (You'd think we were related or something.)

I can't believe I forgot them!  They were hanging up in a vendors booth, and I left before she did, so I completely spaced it.  All's well that ends well.  They are back home again.

And, there was a bonus--
while I was at Bonnie's, I noticed this hanging on the wall...

 Isn't that the cutest bunch of buttons you have ever seen?  Each button is sewn onto two small pieces of wool.  Just imagine using some of the buttons from your mother's button jar, or some from your children's clothing.  While we're at it, lets use wool from dad's suits and bits from that Sunday coat your mom made every year.  (As if we had any of those things any more.  But after all, we are imagining!)  We could even use cotton of course, but the wool is so textural, and you can see the fibers.  Well anyway, I just loved this and thought you might like to see it.

**Now leaving the imagination and back to reality**

This has been my reality this week.  I have been a kit machine!  I had so many orders for the Around the Town Kit in American Patchwork and Quilting, and I thought I was all ready, but alas.  I was short on a couple of fabrics.  I had planned to substitute a different fabric, but everyone who ordered wanted it "just like in the magazine."

So I searched and found,
ordered and waited,
for fabric.

When it finally came, I was gone...first to the retreat, and then to visit my new grandson and his family.
So now that I am back to reality, I have been cutting and shipping like crazy.  (Incidently, if you are one who is waiting, thank you so much for your patience!)

These kits are just too cute!  They look good enough to just leave as is--you won't even have to sew this kit up to enjoy it!  Perhaps I have been looking at these too long, but I think they are just darling!

 Especially when they are all tied up and ready to go. 

On another note, I want to say THANK YOU to all of my readers!  I so appreciate you taking the time to visit with me here and especially when you leave a comment.  I received so many kind words over on the Stash Manicure post, and it really means a lot to me.  Please let me know if you ever have any quilty questions or ideas.  I would welcome the input.
Remember, the prize drawing is tomorrow at NOON.  Enter on the previous post.
Talk to you later- 
Jill