Toughest Drawing EVER

I really, really wish I had enough fabric to give each of you a bundle. Melvin feels the same way--believe me.



When he saw the bowl with 149 entries in it, he decided to run away and join the circus. That's just way too much pressure for such a little guy.



It appears Jane has convinced him to stay. At least I think that's the message she was giving him...

None of our winners specified a colorway, so when you email me (latebloomerquilts@yahoo.com) with your mailing address, let me know which you'd like. First come, first served.

For those of you who didn't win, well, real soon there will be a free pattern so while that's not the same as new fabric, hopefully it'll ease the pain a bit!

So here are the winners:

Marmite Toasty
Nurse Payne (hey, I know her!)
Vickie E
Elizabeth (Creative Breathing)

Congratulations!!

Fabric Giveaway!

Please tell me Pam wasn't the only person who noticed that darling retro fabric that was the backdrop of the gravy bowl in my last post!

It's from a new line called "Momma's Apron Strings" by RJR Fabrics. I just finished a few projects using the fabric and happen to have some leftover pieces...and I thought there might be a few of you out there who would enjoy having fun with some fat quarters! Actually, it's a half yard of the windowpane check with the fruit and fat quarters of the other pieces.

There are 3 colorways:


Classic blue


Reddish pink (my favorite!)


Green and orange

The fabric won't be in stores until July, so I can pretty much guarantee you'll be the first in your neighborhood to play with it!

You know the drill, leave a comment, blah blah blah and someone, or something will draw a name next week sometime.

I can't guarantee you'd get the color of your choice, but if you have a strong preference, let me know in your comment.

Why I love eBay

That little bowl belonged to my grandmother. She always used it to mix the flour and water together when making gravy. She was a wonderful cook and made the most incredible gravy--smooth and creamy, rich yet somehow light. I tried many times to get her to show me how, but it was something she claimed she just couldn't teach--so much depends on the individual piece of meat. I know she felt badly that she couldn't just give me a gravy recipe, so when she moved into a retirement home she gave me the bowl.

I treasured that bowl and like to believe it helped every Thanksgiving when it was time to make turkey gravy.



Well, probably 15 years ago, tragedy struck. My husband felt terrible and did his best to repair the bowl...but its gravy making days were over.

One recent evening I was having fun looking at old dishes on eBay and guess what I found! A couple of bids later and it was mine. All the way from Petal, Mississippi.



I'll never get rid of the official gravy bowl, but it's a relief to know that I again have all the tools I need.

I'm not gloating. Honest.

But this weather we've been having is so amazing! Usually January in this part of California is cold, damp, and gray.



It's hard to stay inside when the temperature is hovering around 70.

I have lots of pretty printed blooms that I really should be turning into quilts.


(Sumptuous Living by Robyn Pandolph)



(Aviary by 3 Sisters)



(The word for "french bakery" that I don't want to look up to see how to spell by Fig Tree)

But my real blooms are still busy--my front porch is full of true late bloomers!

Show and Tell

Hmmm. I'm not doing so well with my blog resolution, am I? Well, I hope to make up for it with quality, which is so much better than quantity, right?

Take for example this beautiful version of the central block of my "Flight of Fancy" pattern.

It was made by Gretchen Crozier, and you can see more of her amazing work here.

She used oval beads to make the baby's breath...I think the whole composition is so original and elegant!

There are few things I enjoy more than seeing what creative people do with my patterns.

Irish Quilting Magazine

I know some of you were wanting to know where you could get the magazine I talked about here...it's at Equilter.com!

I know those aren't actually Sweetbriar roses, but the photo was taken in the appropriate locale.

Happy New Year!

Whew! For awhile there, I didn't think this post was going to happen. I don't usually go for the whole "new year's resolution" thing, but have decided to try it for 2009. And increasing my blog posts is way up there on my list! And you'll all see just how well I do...

Besides quilting, there are some other things I really want to see happen around here this year...
I've bought some paint (wow, gotta love all those Martha Stewart colors) and now just have to get it up on some walls. And ceilings (ugh!).



I've got some plans for fabric as well. I'd like to give my kitchen/family room a cheapo redo this year and I've got new fabrics to play with...



Old fabrics to play with...along with some fun vintage shelf paper and other goodies...



It would be great to learn to make some pretty slipcovers...



And maybe even sew up a dress from a fun vintage pattern!



I hope each of you has a wonderful 2009 filled with beautiful fabrics, creativity, and whatever else your heart desires!