Whew!!!

This is where you could find me since we got back from Market. Notice the distinctly modern chair. That's what enables me to work at the computer for long periods of time writing instructions for patterns with my bum knee. I tore the cartilage in the back of my knee and sitting for long periods became pretty painful (as did walking, yada, yada, yada). My great husband did some research and ordered the chair for me. It is a godsend.

I got the patterns finished and moved on to this year's Girl Gang instructions - the quilt is called "Wisdom House" Here it is in tan. It's shipping to the Girl Gang shops as we speak with only a slight interruption because Tara's son and then Tara got sick.

Occasionally during the last month I got to leave the computer and walk up to the office.

Lillies, coneflowers and marigolds were showing off.

Walking through the garden finally made me remember to have Shannon post Garden Kisses and Hugs on the website. This isn't a "Club" quilt so it won't go out automatically. You have to order it. I really like it so we decided to offer a few kits.

And finally today I got to play a little. I went to the loft and got "Ring Around the Posie" to put on my bed for the summer. It's red and green which is usually Christmas, but right now I think it looks summery and gardeny and like the 4th of July - even without the blue.

And then I went back to the loft and made two of my knot pillowcases to go with it.

I brought down the rest of the 4th quilts yesterday so that part is finished. On to cleaning and cooking. We always have a full house.

Have a good one, ladies.

Home Again, home again

Dueces and Bully were ever so glad to see us when we got home. Pep unloaded a few necessities from the van (it was a little after midnight) and then sat in his favorite chair. As soon as he made a lap there was a cat in it (that's what laps are for, isn't it?)

Right now, I'm uploading pics to my blog and doing my usual multitasking. Yesterday was sunny but it's supposed to rain tonight. Pep got the peppers and chard planted and I've been unpacking and doing laundry. On the entryway railing are the dry clothes to be ironed and a basket of wet clothes destined for the clothesline. In between folding and hanging clothes I upload a picture or two and I took a lot of them.

Here are Pep and Bruce Gervais (and Pep's newfound friend) the first day. They're taking a well deserved rest after the hard work of set up.

One view of my booth. For those that don't know, most of the Moda designers have booths that ring the central Moda booths. So I'll try to take you around the circle from my booth.

Camille - one half of Bonnie and Camille. Across from their booth is

the section of Moda's booth with my Morning Song quilt. Moda's Lissa Alexander is smiling as usual.

Stan & Sandy Klop - American Jane.

Laurie Simpson and Polly Minick. And you all have a great treat coming in the awesome quilt Laurie is making (not seen here) and the great rug Polly is making that will be the basis of a KC Star book. The quilt is applique and both the quilt and the rug are "to die for". I've already told them they need to kit at least the quilt if not both and that I WANT one. It's not my project so I won't say more but keep watching their blog for word of it. It probably will be awhile but well worth waiting for.

Edytka of Laundry Basket with her usual awesome booth full of quilts.

Lynne and Robert of Kansas Troubles Quilt - longtime friends and consumate quilter.

Kathy Schmitz - love her Crackle basics as well as her latest line -

Sandy Gervais and her Lollipop line. The airconditioning was really going the first day and we were all freezing.

And full circle to my booth. I do apologize to the designers that weren't in their booth when I made the route with my camera - Joanna of Figtree, Sweetwater Bay ( you were there but my picture turned out lousy and I try not to post bad pictures of people), my great and longtime friend Deb Strain and finally Me and My Sister.

And here we all are for our group photo - they're going to do something on the Moda website similar to the Brady Bunch - that's why we're all looking different directions. I can't wait to see it.

To keep from going stir crazy

I take a break from doing brochures and binding quilts by periodically going outside. It keeps me from going stir crazy - I think :). The last quilt shipped to Lori on Wednesday. The first one came back to be bound Tuesday.

If April showers bring May flowers, we certainly deserve these.

And while we always order babies from a hatchery, once in awhile one of our hens has her own ideas. She has decided that our male duck is a menace. Poor guy - she chases him all over the place.

Luckily, sewing on the binding by hand is one of my favorite parts of quilting. I get to sit in my chair and listen to music and be cozy under a quilt. Good thing I like it. See you after Market.

The fabric's in!

But before we go to the loft and start playing - we get to go through the garden on the way!

With all the April showers we've had - we'd better get lots and lots of May flowers!

And really, we've already been playing. The flat folds came straight from Korea so they had to be unfolded (they're 44" wide - not 22) and redone to stack on the table. They're just easier to work with that way. So yesterday afternoon was spent folding fabric and stacking it on my table. Here's a glimpse of one side.

Now the real work begins. We're trying for 6 quilts before Market. Well - 2 quilts and some wallhangings.

Meanwhile, just in case we weren't busy enough, Tara and Kelly decided to have a Spring Fling Sale. Here's the email Kelly sent out if you're interested. And if you want to be notified of our specials you can go to www.janpatekquilts.com/ and sign up for the emails if you haven't already..

Well - off to the loft to play with fabric!

5 Fabulous Days at Jan Patek Quilts!

StartingMidnight! Greetings! We have a very exciting event to share with you! Starting at midnight tonight we'll be offering a daily email special! For the next 5 days (skipping the weekend) we'll send an email at midnight announcing that day's Fabulous Sale! There will be 1/2 price sales! Buy one get one free sales! Sales with free shipping! Sales too Fabulous to miss! Each special is for one day only and starts at midnight cst. Quantities will be limited (first come, first served!) so you'll want to order quickly. Ladies, this is gonna be fun! 5 Fabulous days at Jan Patek Quilts!

While we wait for fabric

The fabrics not here yet but the babies came Wednesday - and were made all cozy and snug in their brooder house.

And to take breaks from sitting at the computer working on patterns and directions for the sewers, I get up and walk through the garden a couple of times each morning and afternoon

This is such a beautiful time of year around here! The divinity of God shines through the diversity of creation.

Amen!

And there will be apples this fall!!!

Dried apple strings for the mantle at Christmas and before that

apple pies, apple cobbler, apple tarts and Pep's hard apple cider that tastes like champagne. Yum!

I need to get out my Apple Tree Lane quilt.

It's been awhile .....

I've been a pretty bad blogger lately. I pulled a muscle in the back of my right leg shoveling snow about six weeks ago. It got inflamed and either sitting at the computer or driving makes it worse as does a lot of walking. Even now this is going to be short. The small amount of time I spend at the computer is spent working. But today it feels good enough to do a little. It's so beautiful outside I just need to show you some pictures of the garden.

This of course, is not the garden. This is our Easter Lamb Cake. Both Pep and I spent part of our childhood back East and remember Lamb Cakes each Easter. This year we got a mold and started the tradition for our grandchildren.

This obviously is the garden. Tulips & hyacinths.

Golden Poppies.

Bleeding hearts

And just one of our many forsythia.

There's lots more going on - it's great just to walk out to feed the birds and see what's new each day. Life is pretty good - now if my body would just cooperate more :)

Hope you all had a great Easter and have a good spring.

Fabric due at the end of the month!!! Yay!