It's time...

for the traditional after-Market pattern giveaway! If you'd like a chance to win a copy of each of the new patterns (that's SEVEN patterns) including 3 designed by PAMKITTYMORNING, just leave a comment.
A name will be drawn sometime next week--I'd give you an actual date and time, but I tend to stink at that.

Pretty sure this is the last trip post

So if you followed the more timely and coordinated posts of one PAMKITTYMORNING, you know that we took a slight detour on our way to Houston in order to see the famous Hill Country.

For years and YEARS I've wanted to see Fredericksburg. There must be something in the water in that part of Texas because it's a hotbed of incredible design talent. The Homestead store has been featured in many magazines over the years and I've got enough clippings to make a scary stalker scrapbook. That was the first stop when Pam and I headed out that morning. I ignored the fact that the place is for sale (gasp!) and decided to just immerse myself in the wonderfulness of it.



I didn't really take any pics of the inside...so many shops don't like that sort of thing and I wanted my visit to be perfect. I was so crazy excited to see that the matriarch of the whole creative Homestead dynasty, Rose Hicks, was working. It was great that she's as sweet as can be and really didn't seem at all nervous by my enthusiasm.

I'll be honest--most of the shop's offerings, even on sale, are out of my price range. I knew I'd have to go home with SOMETHING or I'd forever regret it, so I purchased the most expensive pincushion in my pincushion buying history. I love it SO MUCH even tho it appears someone had removed a few of its bits leaving styrofoam gaps. I had to have it and told Pam she could NOT find out how much it cost me. Usually she keeps me in line but in this instance said nothing. At least I think she said nothing. I heard nothing, that much I'm sure of.



Anyway...headed across the street for more shopping, and discovered Haberdashery, which is a clothing shop that I'm actually grateful is too far away for me to realistically pine over. A-MA-ZING. Like arty clothes but just pretty-arty and made for normal sized people.

They even had these incredible flip flops which are beautiful with that Homestead vibe AND they fit!



If you're gasping over the Size 10 on the sole, know that my real size is generally larger than that. "Just think how tall you'd be if so much wasn't turned under for foot!" my father has told me oh, several hundred times.



Had to stop at this wonderful 5 and Dime store...and it is the real deal. Pam purchased some candy cigarettes (SEE how she is??!) and I left with an Aunt Martha quilt booklet.



My new best friend Rose had told us that we MUST eat at Rather Sweet, so of course that's where we went. Took me a minute to realize that this is also a famous place, and it's well-deserved. Amazing lunch and don't get me started on the pastries.




Drove around a bit...found a house to buy...gawked at the urgent care center, and decided that while Fredericksburg is wonderful, it's a tad touristy so maybe we should do some more exploring.

We decided to head over to Bandera, home of Magnolia Pearl, thinking the town would be covered in vintage brocades and trimmings. Well, it isn't. The landscape is simply stunning--but if I had to rely on the town for my needs there would be a problem.



Pam had received a heartfelt request to locate a cowboy and it seemed we might get lucky.



Unfortunately, this is the best I could do. And just so you know, Chris@catsonmyquilts, I did a complete idiot Tourist Move of sticking my camera right out the car window directly at the dude to get the photo. I hope you appreciate my going the extra mile for you.



Finally, here's an example of why I'm the perfect travelling companion: Saw this sign about halfway between San Antonio and Houston. I knew that Pam would need to know just what a "Czhilispiel" is, so was able to google it with my iPhone. In case any of you aren't familiar, it's "...the festival, named after Czech people who like to eat chili."
You don't have to be 1/8 Czech like I am to know that's a darn good reason to go back.

Only a little bit of a Market post

So there are still a few loose ends to tie up regarding the trip to Houston and here's one of them...

It's tradition for Pam to come up with a couple of new bag patterns for each Market. I end up making several so that I can test the pattern--plus it's fun! This time was no exception and "Patchy Pouch" and "Messenger Bag" made their debut this fall.

I decided it would be fun to have a different bag to carry for each day of Market. Like so many others, I fell in love with "Rouenneries" by French General for Moda and it just so happened that I had some fabric left over after I made my "Toujours" quilt...and can't have fabric like that go to waste, right?




I made my Patchy Pouch exactly like the pattern except I added a blanket stitched monogram, used webbing for the strap instead of fabric, and clipped on this nifty antique french bird thingie that Pam gave me a couple of years ago.

I think my favorite bag however, was the Messenger Bag.



Here I went a little nuts--for the back I made a pieced pocket, added antique trim and an antique doily and of course a fabric ruffle (any excuse to get the ruffler out). For the front, I changed the size of the trim panels a little bit from the pattern so I could tuck in some antique French crochet trim that I'd been looking for an opportunity to use.




Then, instead of a covered button, I tied vintage trim to an antique cast iron shade pull...and on the ends of the trim I used an antique button I inherited plus some little bead thingies I got from a jar of "notions" that Pam's daughter Frankie had brought me from the actual French General shop.

So now here's the cool part...when we were in the United Notions booth Kaari of French General had arrived for a book signing.



Now that's pretty cool all by itself, but get this: She noticed my bag, admired my bag, and asked if she could photograph my bag! That was a major thrill for me. If I hadn't had so much crap stowed in the bag I think I would have just given it to her!

Definitely one of the highlights of Houston. And be on the lookout for the next line of French General fabric, "Rural Jardin"...it's just as gorgeous as the first.

Ridiculously Belated Market Post!

I know, can you believe it? Market ended last week and I'm only now talking about it. Well, that's not entirely true--I did do a fair amount of tweeting--but that's not really the same thing.

I took my dad's camera with me, you know, a REAL camera, and turns out I just really stink at picture taking. Hard to tell my iphone pics from the ones taken with the Grown Up Camera. So please bear with me.

Even though we didn't have a booth this time, and only stayed for 2 days of Market, it was exhausting! Of course driving from the bay area to Houston might have had something to do with that...

ANYWAY, one more sign sighting before I get started...I'm sure this example makes perfect sense if you live in the area (Arizona, I think?) but good grief, if I have to pick, I'll take "zoo", please!



First stop was Brenda's booth...we were so excited to see it since her fabric "Celebration" was without a doubt, the prettiest offering at Market!
I did design a small pattern using her fabric and have to say, I want to design something else! Something bigger. It's just beautiful. BTW, yes, this photo does appear to have been taken by a 5 year old but that's only partially my fault. I've cropped it so that you can see Bren's lovely quilts plus preserve Pam's modesty.



The morning Bren left with her dad for the airport, Pam and I were still getting packed up. Her darling Bailey wasn't too happy to see his Mom leave with a suitcase, but Pam and I were at least adequate diversions for him. Bren did NOT warn us that he would cry when he saw us head to the door with our suitcases. Leaving that face was one of the toughest things I've done in ages!

As you've no doubt gathered elsewhere, Market is an overwhelming experience. You can have every intention of taking tons of great pics, but somehow it just doesn't happen.

Here are some random shots:



Always have to stop and see the always adorable Kay and she never disappoints! Had to get one of each of her new patterns. They're up on her site, so go check them out. You'll want them all, too.



Of course by now you've heard about THE CAKE...well, it was more delicious than it should have been. Lizzy is amazing.



I was so pleased to finally get to meet Sherry Nugent, the editor of Irish Quilting magazine! I love that I can purchase it in Dublin, California, but would prefer to go back to the OTHER Dublin some one of these days. No way to stash myself in her luggage so will have to console myself with the knowledge that my project for the premier issue, "Sweetbrier Rose" is in the Irish Quilting 2010 calendar! Can't wait to see it!



Also a pleasure to meet Amanda Herring of the Quilted Fish! She and her designs are adorable and I feel a little guilty for snacking on so many of her swedish fish.




Spent quite a bit of time over with Holly and her girls...her booth was especially lovely and I'm tapping my feet waiting on that bird fabric to arrive! Pam and I both fell in love with the new Dolly Dresses line...I loved the first and I think this one is even better. Lots of adorable prints and my favorite colors.



Got this shot of the sample book before Pam drooled all over it. It got quite embarrassing--Holly finally had to just give Pam the book. But nothing beats falling in love with fabric, right?



Breezed past the United Notions booth several times and it's fun to see familiar quilts hanging there..."Rose Delight" and "Simple Squares" are in the center of the photo.

Which reminds me...if you'd like a closer look at the 7 new Late Bloomer Quilts patterns (including 3 by PAMKITTYMORNING herself) head on over to the website!

Pam gets in trouble (part two)

When you're driving hour after hour through unfamiliar terrain, there are so many signs to pay attention to...

Signs you'll want to obey:



Signs that promise shopping delights:



Signs that give cause for concern:



Unfortunately, Pam saw this sign about an hour too late.

Pam gets in trouble (part one)

You may recall that Pam PROMISED to be good. Well, today was a challenge for her in more ways than one.

More later!

...and we're off!

Not every quilt pattern company has its own tame racing driver.

Some say his teeth are made of carbon fiber.

And that on weekends he steals the family Mini Cooper, picks up his girlfriend and goes joyriding through the streets of Livermore.

All we know is he's called Pig Stig.

when you travel...

It's important to be able to carry all your stuff around.

Lucky for me, I had a couple of Pam's new bag patterns to test.



And clearly, I've lost my head.

more peeks

Is there anything better than getting quilts back from your quilters? I don't think so!
It's like seeing entirely new projects. Always much improved projects.



Here's another bit of the Lecien quilt from the last post...Darla of Wildflower Quilting used the most adorable design--hope you can see the detail--teapots, teacups and little cherries!



Darla also expertly handled the big quilt for Alex...she had her sister Donna Neckritz take care of the binding for me--can you believe those stitches? You know, the ones you can't see? I'm in awe.



Yesterday I drove up to Diana's to pick up the last two quilts and was thrilled with her work (as usual). Yes, the little bird needs an eye and the whole quilt still needs embellishing (not to mention binding) but we're moving forward. Which since Pam and I leave in a few days, is good!