Long Time No Typey!

Oh Wow!!  It's hard to believe that I haven't written here in over 8 months.  Please forgive me, but man let me tell you what all has been going on...
I've been doing lots of traveling since my book came out.  I've had a ball lecturing at trunk shows, giving classes, going to book signings.  I've traveled to Quilt Market in Minneapolis, MN, then to Madison WI for Quilt Expo.  I just got home from Evansville, Indiana where I was asked to teach at IEC (International Embroidery Convention).  I've met folks from all over the world and to me, that's the hi-light of my "job"! 

I'm happy to report that over 10,000 copies of the book has been sold and I've been asked to write another so look out.... #2 will be in the works next year with hopefully a 2012 release date.  I'll keep you posted on that.

Now to top off all the travels, I recently moved back to my hometown of Woodville, Texas.  I didn't realize how much I missed it and all its beauty until returning.  The kids love it and have taken to it like a duck to water. 

Right now, I'm gearing down to getting things lined out for Quilt Market & Festival in Houston.  My booth numbers are #2019 Market & #859 Festival.  I hope you stop by for a chat.

To see all the places I'm going be sure to save MY CALENDAR for your records.

I have a new set of designs coming soon called ROWS OF COUNTRY.... yes it's a row by row quilt with lots of western designs.  I'll be posting pics as soon as the top is complete.  It's full of applique and Piecing in the Hoop. 

Well enough pulling on your ear, I've gotta get back to work.  I do my best to stay in touch cyber neighbor :)

Today's Inspiration

This is one of my favorite treats for the FALL! I found these Creme Brulee Gourmet Candy Corns at Wal-Mart the other day. I think the originals are still my favorite though.

I have a useful, silly project coming up so stay tuned...................

Two New Additions....

I've been waiting on these two little babies for 6 weeks now to be weened and today we got to bring them home. Meet CoCo and Perry, her brother. Linsey was beside herself and Talon was jealous a little of the attention they were getting.


What a cute little addition to our lil family. Thanks Aunt NaeNae!

Stocking "Pieced In The Hoop"

I had a request by a dear friend, Barbara B. asking for a stocking. I drew one up in CAD last night and devised a way to make this ~7" x 12" stocking in 2 5x7 hoopings!

It's all crazy pieced which means you can use of those reds or Christmas fabrics from your stash. You can also have fun with your sewing machine and add decorative stitches to the seams as done in Victorian Crazy projects.


A use of a sewing machine is also required for minimal sewing. I'll have it uploaded as soon as I type up the instructions. Until then.. Happy Piecing!

UPDATED: We now have it ready for downloading.

Quilt Market was a SUCCESS!!

With over 2000 booths setup, it took me 2 days to go through them all. I wished I had time to visit more but man... what a spread!

Driving into Houston was a little dreary but after entering the George R. Brown Convention Center all the gloom disappeared.



I had a fun time in the Krause Publications booth with my fellow authors and F+W Staff. Getting to see Nancy Zieman again was quite the treat too. I wore my sporty lil apron all over an folks stopped to ask me what it was about and I was happy to explain.

I was excited to meet so many interesting people. I met Hoodie, the designer of the chicken fabric used on the cover of my book and my PITH handbag. I finally got to put faces with names too. I went to all the booths, shook hands with my suppliers, and thanked everyone who helped me with my book. I'm so humbled to have so much support from a community that doesn't accept strangers. I met with Electric Quilt and we will have a CD out sometime next year with them so that's a HUGE announcement. I will be doing exclusive digitizing for Tricia Cribbs, author of Turning 20. What a dear, sweet woman she is! I picked up more sponsors too, one of the perks for writing a book. I'm so blessed and thankful.

Jamie Gehring & Myself in the Krause Booth

Jamie also wore the apron I stitched for her too. I really hope my book does good! It's set to be shipped out 12-31-09. I'm taking pre-orders on my website and I'll ship to you ASAP!

Here's to making more great memories and to a successful journey!

Hmmm...what-cha got planned with those?

I went to "town" today and I spotted a few items and my mind went off in 10 different directions. I settled on 2 ideas and here are the beginnings of them.


Mystery Project #1

Mystery Project #2

Join my blog and follow to see just what I'm going to do with these 2 mystery projects!!

Blessings from the Mount

I have a new set just uploaded called Beatitudes, taken from Matthew 5:3-10. I had a blast stitching them out. It was fun to do simple Piecing in the Hoop™, applique and stitching text and lil embellishments to each block. VISIT WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS on this set.


Happy Stitchin,

Gift Reminder Software

I stumbled upon a software that I thought was a neat idea. The Gift Reminder Maker (TM) creates gift reminder personalized pop-ups to help you remember to make/buy a gift for an upcoming event. You can store birthdays, anniversaries etcs.

Sometimes we all need a little reminder.

Photo Shoot in Cincinnati

I just wanted to share a few pics from my trip to Ohio. I went there to take the still shots for my upcoming book. I brought my sister Sandy with me and we took a 9 day trip. We left a few days early to enjoy some scenery in Pigeon Forge, TN. Yes, I drove and loved it!! We crossed over 9 states and took all in that we could. We spent Mon-Fri in Cincinnati and the Krause team was GREAT!! I actually drove 16+hrs home after leaving at 2am Saturday morning cause we were missin' home. It was not boring to say the least with my silly sister by my side.

Christine (photographer), Me & Vanessa (editor)

Me and my sister sporting no makeup on the long drive but still having a ball.

Hugs,

Day 3 of Shooting is Done!

Man I have been stitching like a mad woman! I'm sewing out all the projects in step by step process of still camera shots. It's pretty interesting seeing it all come together. The Krause folks are really nice. Tomorrow the "big wigs" are coming in to watch me demo the PITH technique. I'm really excited about meeting all the buyers etc. I still have stitching to do tomorrow. Each night I've had "homework" in preparation for the nexts days shoot so that means lated nights and tylenol PM to shut my brain down from thinking! LOL

I sure miss my kiddos.....

PITH Book Photoshoot

Wow! The temperature here in Cincinnati is awesome compared to our hot, humid Texas days. The photo shoot is going great. Day one of 5 was successful. I was able to finish 5 of 21 projects. Tomorrow will go much faster now that everything is setup and organized. Thanks to my sister Sandy for her tidy organizational skills! We left Friday from Texas about 4am and set out to enjoy 2 days of vacation before a long week of work. We traveled through LA, MS, AL, TN, NC, VA, KY and now in OH. We enjoyed 2 nights nestled in the Smoky Mountains taking in all the beauty then traveled through the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. The views have to be as close to what heaven looks like. We even reached the end of the Cumberland Gap in Virginia on our way to Cincinnati. We traveled 1500+ miles since Friday and we have a little over a 1200 left to go home. We'll take a different route home just to get a few extra views in. Well I'm gone for now have a great evenin'.

Hugs,

Going mobile!

I'm setting up my blogger so that I can keep updating when I'm out of the office.

Hugs,

Photos of my trip to WI

A day of a lifetime!!

I just had one of the best career days of my life!! We just finished taping the DVD that's going with my book. I never felt so welcome! Nancy, Deanna & Lois are true jewels. My dear friend Sandy Kent went with me and the two of us will never forget this moment. I can't wait until January when we can see it all come together.

Oh Happy Day!

Great News!!!

I received a call on Friday from my publisher letting me know that the scheduled book release is being moved up by FOUR months!! The new release date is January 1, 2010. I will be taking pre-orders later on in the year for autographed copies (tee hee). My last deadline is May 15th so please keep me in your prayers that all goes smooth please. I will then fly to Cincinnati for a week for a photo shoot so I can show step by steps etc. Finally I have a week in Wisconsin with Nancy Zieman so we can tape the DVD that will go with the book.

I'm pumped!!!! Thank you God for ALL my blessings.

Quilty Hugs,

My product find and it's new use!

I found the most amazing product to clean my car! I know you've seen the commercials but let me tell you what it does for an automobile.

1. Takes water spots off of glass and make them sparkle
2. Shines chrome like new
3. Removes those nasty love bugs that stick to your grill and paint
4. Removes tar and hard to remove stains
5. Cleaned the exterior leather

I love using this for cleaning my car.

Oh BTW, I know you've seen me sign my name using my nickname and I've decided to use it from now on. I need a new change so why not start with a new name (tee hee).


Hugs,

I'm back...

I have missed writing in my blog but life has it's little ups and downs. I'm finally on the "up" again. (smile). I hyper-extended my ring finger over a month ago and I'm just now able to type without pain. My finger is still sensitive, but it's not going to stop me from my goals.

Thanks to the help of MJ, Sandy & Angi, I was able to meet my first deadline on the book. THANK YOU GALS!!!! Today I uploaded over 25 single quilt block designs. I received several requests to take the Ida block sets and make singles from them so that's just what I did. I made rows 4-6 available as singles.

Tomorrow I work on photographing and writing instructions for the Lonestar quilt block. This is a new way of Piecing in the Hoop and I have to make sure the directions are clear. By figuring out how to make this block, I opened the door to several other types of quilt block designs that are not easy to paper-piece... but I DID IT!!!! Below is a glimpse of the Lonestar project that will be available March 31st.


Happy Sewing Y'all!!

I'm THANKFUL for you!

Here I am, alone on Thanksgiving Day because my kids are at their dads. I'm sad to not be with them, but I'm not sad to be alone. I just have soooo much to be thankful for. On days like today, I'm thankful for YOU!

Because of you....

• I've kept my mind busy today thinking, planning, designing new items for you. It feels good to be wanted.
  
• I'm able to be a Work at Home Mom (WAHM).
• I'm able to be with my children full time as a mommy and because you buy my designs, I can be daddy too and support us.
• I can use the talents God gave me and enjoy what I do for a living.
• I can feel confident in my work from all the sweet emails I get from you that encourage me to do more.

I am most thankful for your friendship(s). May God bless each of you.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Oh I "love" the UPS man!!

Well besides him being sexy in his cute brown uniform, I like to see my UPS man coming because he has goodies for me.

I received my donation box from OLFA and June Tailor. They sent me products to test and use in photography of my instructions. June Tailor sent me the largest cutting mat and an ironing board cover that has measured markings on it. It'll be helpful when pressing quilt squares.

I got all of this from OLFA plus an extra large cutting mat!


Christmas came early for me!!

FREE Dr. Pepper for everyone in America

Well Dr. Pepper is holding up to their comment about promising everyone in the USA a FREE Dr. Pepper. You can call 1.800.696.5891 or log onto their website at www.drpepper.com and register so they can send you a coupon for a free 20 oz. drink.

Ahhhh, I love my Dr. Pepper and I want it full strength and not the "unleaded" version. LOL