Disneyland Humor

 Some days

are happiest when started with a

Smile :)

Because a trip to Southern California

is not on today's agenda,

Disneyland Humor 

is a good second best.

 If Mr. Cactus

had an ECG

there is a good possibility

this might show up.

And this would be me :)

*images found on Pinterest

Studio 180 Designs

 When we first arrived at

International Quilt Market

in Houston

and began setting up our booth

we met our next door neighbors

Deb and Jeff Tucker of

Studio 180 Designs

What a great company to be placed next to!

When they learned this was our first year

as Vendors at IQF

they gave us a lot of tips

 and helpful hints

to navigate our way through

such a large convention.

Doubly Charmed

 A neatly organized 

and well designed booth space.

*I took a lot of notes!

 Deb has a background in Education and Architecture

and started her company when she created a series of tools

that make the Hunter's Star quilt

easier and with better accuracy.

I stood in admiration as I watched her demo 

for hours on end each day

during the 2 weeks 

of both Quilt Market and Quilt Festival.

A very professional

and hard working lady!

Last year alone Deb presented at 20 Conventions.

 Have you seen or used the rulers 

that Deb has designed?

I was hoping the 

Tucker Trimmer

offered a magical solution for weight loss :)

 I loved their

Flying Swallows

by Sager Creek Quilts

where the block looks 

like detailed English Paper Piecing

but instead 

is made with a much easier technique

of strip piecing and specialty ruler.

For more information you can visit

Studio 180 Designs

at their web site

HERE

Thanks Deb and Jeff for helping us newbies.

We hope we have the opportunity

to be neighbors next year.

Creating World Peace, One Quilt At A Time

 One of the wonderful things about attending

International Quilt Market and Festival

is that it is truly

INTERNATIONAL

As I sat in my booth watching people

walk by,

or as I roamed the aisles

I listened to several languages being spoken.

It was very exciting to see so many 

countries and talents

drawn together 

for one premier quilting event.

Even the quilts that were hung

represented a nice blending of cultures.

As quilters, I felt us doing our part

to unite countries.

Perhaps we are creating 

World Peace

one quilt at a time:)

Hani-bi

(Flowers in the Night Sky)

by Yoshiko Kobayashi

Katano-City, Osaka, JAPAN

 I found Yoshiko's inspiration quite multi-cultural

"While I was thinking about ideas for my quilt,

I was impressed with a scene in an old American movie.

The scene was that of two old men

speaking while seeing distant

Hani-bi fireworks on the horizon.

I thought I might be able to express the fire trail

of hani-bi with a sawtooth pattern. 

Hani-bi are common to the Japanese since olden times.

Now in Japan, we frequently have hani-bi shows

in various parts of the country every year,

especially in summer."

 Technique: 

Machine pieced, quilted, appliqued, embroidered

Something More Magical Than It Ever Was

 I've been home for a week now from

International Quilt Market and Festival

and I'm still enjoying moments

 of going back over pictures

I took from the

Quilt Show

I've always been drawn to the Traditional Log Cabin quilt.

Each block is so simple to construct

even a beginner could attempt.

And yet,

in all my years of quilting,

I've yet to make one.

With so many potential variations and designs,

it's been on my to-do list for some time. 

Something More Magical Than It Ever Was

Made by Judy Martin

Sheguiandah, Ontario, Canada

was a wonderful example of a 

scrappy Log Cabin

I liked her use of small thin strips

with pops of bright reds, orange, pinks and even greens 

to contrast with 

the darker purples and blues. 

 Technique: 

Machine pieced, photo transferred,

painted, hand quilted, embroidered.

 I also found Judy's insight equally intriguing:

"This is about a memory and how it is so personal

and fragile.

The same events are remembered differently by each of us,

and over time we eventually

create our own personal myths.

The time remembered in this quilt

is of my early days as wife and mother."

 Seeing these blocks 

makes me want to pull out 

my scraps and play :)

It's Iron Man for Dan-O

 Our Son In Law Dano

and daughter Amy

have been in Lake Havasu the last few days

where Dano competed in an

Iron Man

He thinks it's fun to

swim 2.4 miles

bike 112 miles

and then run 26.2 miles

all in one event.

Oh my

I admire Dano's
discipline
and
 hours of training

while he continues to run a business 

take good care of  his young family

and serve in his church.

Lake Havasu

lays along the California/ Arizona border

and is home

to the historic London Bridge,

which was included in part of the run.

We were happy to support Dano's quest

by taking care of the grandbabies while their parents

have been gone.

A few days were packed with so much! 

School programs 

honoring the Veteran's in our community.

Beautiful, sweet voices that brought tears

to my eyes as they sang

"I'm proud to be an American,

Where at least I know I'm free,

and I won't forget the men who died

who gave that right to me..."

There were trips to the park

in the perfect Arizona sunshine,

building

Childhood memories 

of climbing trees and riding bikes.

 Saturday morning baseball

games for Isaak

 And Flag Football

for 5 year old Noah

 While Kayla 

danced and sang around the trees.

 An afternoon spent at a 

neighborhood Fall Festival

 hours of bouncy rides

Hamburgers, hotdogs
and candy

 There was wall climbing for both Noah

and Isaak

I'm not sure who wins the prize for sleeping 

best at night.

It just might be me :)