Better late than never...

I'd sure hoped to have my website updated long before now...but all the "new" patterns are on there today. I'd be so pleased to have you go to Late Bloomer Quilts and have a look!

Anybody want to see some pretty fabric?

I sure hope so, 'cause a big 'ol box of it arrived on my front porch yesterday. Forget about ice cream and chocolate sauce, well, I don't really mean that--but gorgeous new fabric is the key to getting the rotary cutter spinning again.

If you aren't familiar with Paris Bebe fabrics, you must drop everything and go to Robin's website. I LOVE EVERYTHING SHE DOES. And you can order from her site! Which is something I really suggest you all do.

I have to apologize for being such a lousy photographer...I figure it's genetic. All part of why I can't get fudge sauce to thicken or begonias to bloom.

But you'll get the idea.



Let's start with this group. That wonderful floral with the white bkgd will be the border for a quilt that's been sitting here waiting for it to arrive. The little pink floral will be in a coordinating pillow...and the red? Well, Robin sent it along figuring I might like it. Uh, good guess, Robin!
I adore that border print...it will find a home in several places including the pink/aqua Christmas quilt I mentioned awhile back. I would love some ornaments that look like that.



Can't get enough aqua. Seriously. The rose swag will be the border for a remake of my Simple Spring Rosebuds quilt with the leftover bits going straight into the Christmas quilt. As will the other piece beside it.



The vintage look floral is for another quilt border...and I'm loving the Paris Bebe, uh, "bebes"...check out the subtle polka dots...but I haven't quite figured that one out yet. The green was another surprise I found in the box.



Now here was a huge treat...isn't this GORGEOUS? Robin had a little snippet of fabric to show customers at Spring Market but that was it. She knew I'd love it and I do. It will make a very special border on a very special quilt that I haven't thought up yet. But you can bet it will have roses...

So I've got the worktable cleared off...the iced tea brewing...and things will be happening! Including more frequent blog-posting...sorry about that but good grief has it ever been dull around here.

Here's to an energy-filled week for all of us!

Cat Days of Summer

Don't know why exactly, but it has been SO HARD to get anything quilt related finished. Or started, for that matter. I think Presley has the right idea--this is how he's been spending much of his time--it's either in that chair (which is MY chair), or in a basket next to the sewing machine. On his back. He looks a lot like the other members of this household--we've all become slugs.

But Quilt Market is approaching...AGAIN...and stuff has to get made. Even if I don't feel like it. Which I really don't.


So in keeping with the Christmas in July concept (which I've never really understood), I actually did plug my sewing machine in today. I love the whole retro Christmas style and hope it hangs around for awhile. This project is fun and really easy. The ornaments will get some rick rack trim and the little hook thingies will hopefully get embroidered tonight--if I can find some house flipping shows on tv. Been loving watching those lately.


I also can't seem to get enough of the pink and aqua color combo so I'm going to do a second Christmas ornament quilt using these fabrics. I won't be doing more embroidery, but I'll have fun with the ornaments and maybe pull out my drawer full of fancy ribbon trims for those. Who knows--it may end up too bizarro to show anyone, but I'm kind of looking forward to giving it a try.



But first I believe a nap is in order.

OLD MAN WILLARD SEZ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAM! I LOVE YOU!

Has anybody seen my Muse?

I could blame it on the heat. And I have. But the horrible heat has moved eastward to torture others.
Regardless of the excuses I make (too many teenage males?) the fact remains that I just don't feel like making stuff. I've got stacks of fabrics waiting, but so far not much is happening.

When I was a kid, my mom would make an amazing hot fudge sauce. It was thick and rich and would brighten up the darkest mood. The leftover sauce would be poured into a tiny pyrex container and placed in the refrigerator. The next day it would have thickened and become almost fudge-like. We'd pull it out of the fridge for lunch dessert and make sure it was divided EXACTLY in half. We'd then eat it with a spoon.

I pulled out that old recipe last night. I don't know what happened--it never did thicken up like I remember it, but it tasted the same. Like heaven. If anything's gonna bring my muse out of hiding, this should do it.

If anyone out there wants to give it a try, just melt 2 squares of unsweetened chocolate with 2 tablespoons of butter over low heat. Stir in 2/3 c sugar and 1/2 c evaporated milk. Continue cooking and stirring until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens. Or kinda-sorta thickens, in my case. Add a little vanilla.

Too HOT

If there was no such thing as roses, these would be my favorite garden flowers. I love the blooms--the only downside is when they become like giant weeds by the end of summer, but they're worth it. I've got lots of penstemon in several colors in both the front and back yards. I decided to take this picture before everything turns crisp and brown from the unrelenting HEAT we've been having.

Ah, but we Northern California gals have dry heat, right? True. But I firmly believe that once you reach a certain level of discomfort, it really doesn't matter how dry or humid the air is. Or how hot it is once you get past the low 100's. It was 109 here yesterday...I don't know what the high was today and I really don't want to find out. Eldest son the car guy said it was 122 degrees in the shop where he's a technician. So I shouldn't complain about being inside an air conditioned house. BUT I WILL AND HERE IT COMES.

So even with the a/c running and even with a ceiling fan directly above me (which reminds me--my vent-gnawin' friend has been absent the last couple days--hope he's found someplace cool!) IT'S TOO HOT TO QUILT. It just is! But gotta feel productive, right?



So here are some blocks I've messed around with...Robin of Paris Bebe has designed some wonderful retro Christmas fabric and I was hoping that the Santa-theme of the project would make me feel cooler. It didn't.



Hmmm...what else to do... Here's a thought...I could make up kits! There are only 2 of 'em due to fabric availability, but if you're wanting to make "Follow Your Heart" exactly like the pattern cover, or in the darling yellow version you can see on Pam's blog, you can get them here. The finished quilt is 21" x 29", altho Pam's version is a little smaller since she didn't use a hanky.


The kit includes all fabric for the top except the binding and the hanky. I've included the wool felt for the tag and a preprinted fabric strip for the lettering.

The kit costs $20 plus $4.60 for postage. And an additional $9.95 if you need the pattern.
The kits are first come, first served, so email me at latebloomerquilts@yahoo.com and tell me which colorway you'd like. And I can send them out right away and we'll just cross our fingers that cotton doesn't melt.

It was fun!!

I know Pam has already discussed the book signing, as has sweet Sandy...but I've got to talk about it as well.

It was no surprise that Leslie and Melissa had worked their magic on the shop...it looked wonderful. While I would have been more comfortable sitting in a little corner out of view, it worked out very well.
The backdrop was "Garden Fresh" from the book and on the table is the "R is for Rose" quilt top Pam made--and the kits sold out FAST, but I believe more fabric is on order (and In Between Stitches does ship, in case anyone out there is interested in a kit.)

Here's the "Sweet Dreams" baby quilt from the book surrounded by darling gift items and fabric.



Then there was my concern that no one would show up...but we had a really nice turn out--with some of my very favorite customers! It was great to see Sandy and so flattering that she wanted a copy of my book because after all, she's written a gorgeous book herself.

And my all-time favorite girl showed up--that would be Frankie, of course!


And did I mention cake?



OH YEAH. Super good cake. With amazing frosting. I heard several people threatening to just slurp the frosting right off--it was THAT good. Glad they controlled themselves otherwise I wouldn't have been able to have THREE PIECES. (Did I just admit that?)

There was one customer who kept following people around with fork in hand...hoping that someone out there didn't want their frosting.

Anyway, it was great except for when my camera died. I really wanted to get a pic of Pam in her amazingly adorable yellow polka dot dress--made from the kind of fabric that makes you just want to grab your rotary cutter and slice border-sized strips right off her body (hey, she was wearing a slip!)

So thanks to everyone who was a part of that terrific day!

Summertime!

It's just plain harder to be productive during these days. Youngest son Jeff is in summer school which means a daily drive to the opposite side of town. I've tried at least 4 different ways to get there and I hit every red light every single time, regardless of my route. Hard to not take that personally!

I also managed to run over a piece of metal the other day and discovered an impressively large chunk stuck in my tire. Oh, why not. It's that kind of a week. We all have them now and then.

But a bit of sewing did get done! Regarding that pile of fabric I showed you a few posts back, uh, nooo...it took a bit longer than an hour to start cutting into it. I also ended up putting much of the pile away. I wanted to make something really simple that could use some of the beautiful big prints that are available now and it seemed better to just stick with a few fabrics. It's gonna be one BIG simple quilt, I'll tell you that--and it's really happy fabric to work with.


I will share one more minor irritation I've been dealing with this week...this little guy. He's decided that vent thingie is the PERFECT place to grind down his teeth. And does he ever make a racket. That vent is on the roof directly above my sewing area. He's up there every single day. Morning and evening.

I guess he's gotten word that we're a rodent lovin' family.

Hope everyone out there is having a good week!

We have a Winner!!!

First of all, I have to say I'm overwhelmed by your response to my little give-away! WOW!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your sweet comments and really wish I could send each of you a book.

It was very important to me that this drawing be held with complete impartiality. Who is my go-to guy when I need someone with impeccable standards of fairness? Why Compton, of course!!



So after mixing up all the papers, I set him loose on the table.



Compton really doesn't enjoy moving around on slick surfaces, but the prospect of all that paper to chew on was motivation enough for the little guy.



And who did he pick? Well, he had a hard time letting go...



So congratulations are in order...but wait!



Apparently Compton is not finished yet. So I guess we have a second winner!






So...if Cottage Magpie and Kathie in NJ would email me at latebloomerquilts@yahoo.com with their addresses, the books will be on their way. And I promise Compton has not had access to any of the pages.

A little light summer reading...

I know lots of you have already seen the cover of my book (thanks, Pam!!) so here's the back.
I happen to have a couple of extra copies lying around here...so is anyone interested? If so, you know the drill. Leave a comment with your name and someone (possibly even a guinea pig) will draw a name Friday evening!

Hot Summer Quilting

If you've been following along for awhile, it may appear that every day consists of having Pam pick me up and drive me to cool places where we can shop. That's
not quite true.

Even when it gets blistering hot here (which believe me, it DOES) I've always got to be thinking quilts. Sometimes even actually making them.

It's not always easy on those triple-digit days...that's when I'm super grateful to the talented designers out there who create dreamy fabric that looks like cool, icy, sherberty goodness.

Jennifer Paganelli of SisBoom fame is one of my very favorites. Look at that gorgeous big old floral! I ordered a few other pieces to go with it as well. How could anyone resist that toile? When I saw the urn with the roses in it I was hooked. I still have plenty of her fabric from last year that is still folded neatly in the closet 'cause I just couldn't bear to cut into it, but I'm determined that this time will be different.



Now check out THIS amazing piece--it's by a designer called Tula Pink and it's from a line called Full Moon Forest that Moda will have available in September. Look at those bunnies!!!!



Next thing you know, I'm hurling random polka dots at the pile...big ones, medium sized ones and those nifty LakeHouse little frosted dots.



I have allowed myself ONE HOUR to stare at my pile and stew about it...then it's time to start cutting!!
Wish me luck!

How a non-quilter sees this...

Late Bloomer Quilts is really a rather low-tech operation. My applique patterns are hand-drawn with a Sharpie pen. That's it.
It has concerned me for awhile that it's a bit risky, especially in this house, to be relying on one original drawing per pattern. So I decided to take all my big drawings to Kinko's to have them scanned and put onto a CD.

Coincidentally, I went to go pick up the CD on the very day my box of books from C&T arrived. What a great day! And by the way--thanks SO MUCH to everyone for your kind words--it means A LOT.

So I figure it would be a good idea to make sure the scans turned out ok...so I pop the CD in...and GUESS what the guy at Kinko's named my quilt patterns! Go ahead, GUESS.

Give up?
"Kindergarten Crafts".

Girly Mornings!

Needless to say, in this house with 4 men, Willard the guy-dog, Presley the guy-cat, and 4 piggy-dudes, Rosie and I are sadly outnumbered.

Rosie copes--she's got her pretty pink velvet Shabby Chic collar (gotta love Target) plus Willard pretty much does her bidding...

But for me, anything girly is a big deal.

The other day, Graduate Nick decided to invite Kari over for a "home cooked breakfast". Right. Nick has many great qualities, but pancake chef is not among them. So Kari took over. And made me a pancake. An "E" pancake...how sweet was that. In all my years I've never had a personalized pancake.



Then yesterday, Pam's AMAZING daughter Frankie comes over with a gift she made for me.


She's decided to get into paper crafting (possibly because it requires lots of cool containers of glitter?). But look at what she made me!!! This is the first time she's ever done something like this! And it's PINK and glittery and ruffly and even has my favorite font.

Girls are the BEST.

Please indulge me...

Yesterday was a big day around here! Middle son Nick graduated from high school. We've logged many hours sitting on old wooden bleachers on his behalf, but yesterday marked the last time. No more cheering him on during football games...or track meets...no more crossing fingers when opening report cards, either.

There were ELEVEN valedictorians...which was a darn scary thought since those bleachers are mighty uncomfortable, but the kids were blissfully quick with their remarks. And there were no boring speeches by district officials either, which was a nice change from the last time we did the graduation thing.

The graduates themselves kept us all entertained by continuing to produce beach balls throughout the ceremony. The officials had made one big mistake--by announcing to the kids that such items were STRICTLY FORBIDDEN, they ensured there would be a never-ending supply of toys sailing thru the air. All were eventually confiscated, but it was fun to watch.

Here they are with the one thing they're allowed to throw!



Here's Nick with his big brother, Eric (LHS Class of '04). Never could grab youngest brother for a photo--he was too busy running around making plans for the evening.



Here's Nick with his girlfriend, Kari (LHS Class of '06). He's been crazy about her since 7th grade.



Finally, here he is with mom and dad. I snagged his letterman's jacket since he's DONE WITH IT. Congratulations, Nick, we're so proud of you!

She's a speedy one!

Remember Carol? Sure you do! Well, she has surpassed even my expectations...she was back in the shop on MONDAY with her "Cottage Christmas" runner top completed and she even had two ornaments to show off! Lovely work as usual, Carol!

Things to Hyperventilate Over (Part 2)

What a super fun Sunday!!
First thing in the morning, I was lucky enough to be able to hop into the backseat of Pam's car and take off for the Antiques by the Bay show in Alameda.



We'd only been rummaging around for a little bit when we ran into Joanna...she seemed thrilled that I was willing to take her picture (tee hee!!) for my blog... she offered to take my picture, but that's not the way it works, is it? That's Amazing Quilter Diana on her left, by the way...
I don't know if they purchased anything in that area...there were many interesting treasures...I left with 3 tiny vintage watch faces. Will I use them? Darn right I will!

Sooo many things to fall in love with...but Pam's real good at keeping me focused. "No, you don't need that." "No, we can do that ourselves." And so forth. But I still found some goodies that were absolute necessities.



Of course we had to stop at Wendy Addison's booth...while Pam was picking out just the right vintage pink crepe paper, I snagged this cool silver paper and the glitter--such a wonderful shade of green! Now as a quilter, do I actually DO anything with glitter? That would be a "no". But if it's good enough for Wendy Addison, it's certainly good enough for me. Plus I'm gonna decorate the lid of the jar all pretty.
"And someday it can go in my studio. When I have a studio." (Any idea how many times a week those words are spoken?)


Next we went to a different Addison. Where I picked up this darling bag of vintage Christmas trimmings for a mere 2 bucks--will I use them? Maybe...and this vintage ribbon. Twenty yards of it, people! Will I ever open the bag? Doubtful--it's so pretty sitting there nestled on the bird and flower bedecked Addison Paper!!



On our way back to the car, I had to stop at a booth I went nuts over the first time through. That's an overall shot of the place in my first photo. Look at my goodies! I got that little painted wood cubbie ("And someday it can go..."), a little paper mache nest with tiny glitter egg, a paper cone with another tiny glitter egg, two wonderful lace trimmed tags, a test tube filled with glittery goodness and a "dreams" tag, an old-rusted-key-and-other-metal-stuff thingie and finally, an old bottle filled with "Pearls of Wisdom". See? Everybody NEEDS those!
Then to top it off, I grabbed the vendor's flier and realized who she is!!! Ohmygosh! If you are a magazine nut like me, for sure you've run across stories about Linda Marcov! If the name doesn't ring a bell, go to her website, click on "publicity" and you'll recognize the pictures.
Her booth was so lovely I could have moved right in. Except for the small detail that the only wall she has is the side of her van...
But still.



Then just before we left for good, Pam wanted to stop at a vintage print place. Pages and pages from antique books--sorted by every category you can imagine. Pam left with nothing--I left with these 3 roses from the December 12, 1896 issue of Amateur Gardening. Again, repeat after me..."And someday..."

So anyway, that was Sunday...and yes, Pam tagged me to share my to-do list. Well, I'll add posting about my to do list to my, well, nevermind.