Monday, September 28, 2015

New Beginnings



A door closed the last Saturday of September.  A door I have passed through for 20 years, the quilt shop where I have worked and taught, owned for while, laughed and cried, and built some of the most cherished relationships of my life. It began as Nostalgia in 1993. Then a new owner changed the name to Abram House Quilt Shop in 1997. I bought it in 2002, and for health reasons, sold the shop after 9 short months and it became Lone Star House of Quilts. The shop, its customers and its place in my life will be missed. Many years of Memories remain. 
 
As I look for a place to teach my club, I'm certainly not lacking things to do! Quilt Market in Houston is a few short weeks away. I'm busy with market samples for the next line, Lizzie's Legacy for Moda. Named after and inspired by the rich quilting history  my great great grandmother Lizzie Carpenter wrote of in her journals. Once again, an antique quilt from my collection, provided the prints for reproduction. 
Patterns to write for market quilts.  Quilts to design, and make for upcoming books  

I recently gave a program for the Edmond Quilt Guild on Just Treats, No Tricks. What fun! And a fun group of ladies. Did you see my post on Instagram or Facebook? Here it is in case you missed it. You do follow me there right?

Perfect time to 'talk' Halloween! Time to decorate here! 
But for now, back to sewing!

Have you found the Quiltmania issue? They are available now. Will post about Eliza's Indigo next post. 

Ok, now you can't find me at Lone Star any more...but you can here, Instagram and on Facebook. 
I'm looking forward to opening another door, to continue my club and teaching. But until then, Sew many ideas, sew much to do! 
Until next time,
~Betsy 


Thursday, September 10, 2015

Just One More Thing, an Update, long overdue



It's a crazy world we live in. I'm not telling you anything new, but sometimes, it's just crazier! Always busy, you are too. So how is it, just one more thing, works its way into an already full lineup??? Does it put you over the edge? Or do you roll with the punches? Freak out, or go with the flow?
Being the contradictory person that I am, I can swing either way. So tonight it's blogging...that one more thing that I work in, often freaking out because I promise to blog more, but don't. My apologies. I can have time to post on Instagram, which does Facebook at the same time, a twofer! Lol but those are short and sweet posts. I need time to talk , compose my thoughts for the blog, so I do that in the shower then forget what I decided to blog about. Lol. 

Here's what's new...that I can remember!


Look for me in Quiltmania Issue 109. I'm featured in the Enchanted Quilts and Home section, well my quilts, my home, and Molly. That cat's ego! She'll be impossible to live with! Im pretty excited, anxiously awaiting arrival of my copy.

Molly.  Relaxing before the  cataratzi appear at the door. 


So those 'one more thing' things that happen are sometimes really good! Photos were taken last October. At Spring Market, I asked Carol Veillon, publisher of Quiltmania, if she would like a quilt for the issue from Eliza's Indigo...'sure', she said, 'something small'. So I Race home from Spring Market to make a small quilt for the article...no problem , it is small. Right?! No problem. Didn't do laundry, hardly cooked, Got it made, shipped to France, and on time! One more good thing!
Can't wait to see the article myself, Molly can wait. You have to wait too...

Another 'one more thing' thing... I do it to myself, sometimes a great idea, great plan, get it done, works! Unfortunately there are times It's a 'what was I thinking' thing. Oh well...that is me. 


Me in my booth at Moda's Open house...this was planned, a very good thing. On the table, pretty much covered up, is the 'one more thing' I thought to make 2 days before the event. A 'what was I thinking' moment, that worked out, thanks to assistants Molly and Hudson. 



Hudson questions placement. 


A quick Jellyroll project from Eliza's Indigo. Fabric will be in the shops in October. If I can figure this out, before fabric ships, I want to have this pattern on the blog for you as as a download? Ok, stop laughing, stranger things have happened. I am going to try...'nuf' said. 

Hmmm I'm thinking I should change the 'just one more thing' to 'another spontaneous event'...and some days the phrase will be 'spontaneous combustion'. 
Fall Quilt Market crazy sewing frenzy starts soon....what spontaneous events await???

A very good spontaneous event ... Miss Madison arrives to spend the day. A wonderful treat, a good thing... a 'just one more thing' to do, and I loved every minute! 

Until next time,
~ Betsy