Houston Quilt Market...2010

What a great time. I had such a wonderful experience. The drive from Minnesota to Texas was a long one but having my husband along for the ride made the trip a breeze. The books on tape helped too! Once we had arrived at the George R. Brown Convention Center, in Houston, TX, it was hard to get my head around the next few days in such a gigantic place. It looked like 7 football fields fused together.

Set-up went well. No problems. I had wonderful booth neighbors and fantastic quilts to

look at. What an experience.

The time flew by with excellent possibilities coming my way every day. The quilt I designed for Windham Fabrics, Calico Garden Medallion, will be in May's edition of Quiltmania Magazine.

My newest patterns are the last 2 pictures...Laura's 1870 Cradle Quilt and Cottage Fair. They were very popular at market. Quilts Remembered patterns are now available in the USA, Norway, Great Britain, Canada and the Netherlands.

Some new friends were made and hopefully some new business connections too. It was truly exciting - I can't wait until next year!!!

Working Vacation…

Up North, near Alexandria, MN I found peace from the phone but not from the hummmm of the sewing machine(s). The ‘retreat’ cabin I visited with 5 of my quilting buddies buzzed from the constant whirl of our sewing machines…mostly Berninas. Everyone was working on their own project(s). No one came with less than 3 projects to work on. Quilted bags, pillowcases, baby quilts and large quilts, we did it all. Of course there was way too much food…cookies, candy and crackers…dips and daiquiris…burritos and beer. Ok, we didn’t have any beer but it sounded good. Pictured are the quilts I worked on for 2 days…all 3 quilts are from Quilts Remembered patterns. I started quilting the new samples of Divided Stars and Olive’s Table Runner. I began piecing the Soldier Album Quilt from fabric I received as a gift. The fabric called ‘Miniatures’ is a new by Julie Hendricksen and printed by Baum/Windham textiles. There’s still a lot to do on them so I better get busy!!! So until later my friends…

Happy Living!

Annemarie

Gardens in Bloom

Yesterday, I went out into my gardens and took a few pictures. So many plants are in bloom right now. Some are just finishing up, some are at their peak and others are just beginning to flower. I enjoy all of the flowers; they really turn my yard into a special place for me. My hydrangeas are coming along nicely this year but unfortunately some of the plants don't have as many flowering heads on them this year. I wonder why??? The ferns and impatients are growing like they are living in Jersasic Park. All of the rain we have had has kept them very happy. The bees and the butterflies are very busy in the Russian Sage and Hostas. All these pictures need are a few quilts hanging among the flowers.

Enjoy,

Annemarie

Antique Quilts..just a few

I thought I'd share a few of my antique quilts with you. So first I have a Carolina Lily. It is small, maybe for a twin size bed. I rescued this quilt from a lawn sale. I don't think the owner's cared much for it but I did. Now it has a comfortable life. Second is a red and white Hearts and Gizzards quilt (what a terrible name) from the late 1800s. A wonderful buy from my favorite antique resource...Ebay! Last but not least is a President Wreath. This quilt has fabulous tiny quilting in a half inch grid. It was found in a very old house (mansion) in Stillwater, MN. I hope you enjoyed my little antique quilt show.

Best and happy quilting,

Annemarie

Thoughts for Today!

What's a mom to do? My son says my husband and I work too hard. That's probably true but how else do you get everything done. Should somethings just wait and never get done? Shouldn't you just do something when you know it's time? For instance...when the grass is mid-calf - you mow it...if the pet hair tumbleweeds are blowing across the floor - you sweep...if you're out of underwear...you do the wash. All of these things take priority to having fun sometimes. I know he is young and hopefully will 'get it someday'. The old adage, "fun is wasted on the young" or something like that is oh, so, true!

Tonight is the last in the Jo's 'Little Women' Club series. The sample is quite patriotic. A good sample for the summer -Memorial day, Flag day, Independence day and Labor day. You just can't beat Red, White and Blue!!! Here is a picture of my last quilt in club #9, Daffodil Hill. Enjoy!

Happy quilting,
Annemarie

Back at Home

Spring Market is over and I survived! What an experience. It was definitely a learning experience. I am so glad I did it. Everyone was very nice and encouraging. All of the preparation made everything run smoothly. Now come the aftermath of it all. What a mess I have. The house has piles as tall as me everywhere. Boxes, props, rugs, and all the other stuff I lugged to Market. In addition my husband decided to refinish the porch floor while I was gone. The dust is everywhere and the furniture that was on the porch is partially in the house or covered with plastic. It looks like we are either moving or we are in need of a dumpster. (The dumpster might not be a bad idea.) If by the end of the week this house isn't back to normal I just might move and start over!!!

Shipping patterns, unpacking, bookwork and grocery shopping is the order of the day.

Hope you enjoy a few more pictures of my booth at market...Now do I go to fall market in Houston or not...that is the question.

Happy quilting,
Annemarie

P.S. I updated my website. Take a look at the new patterns! They are now available from coast to coast!!!!!!

2010 Spring Quilt Market (Days 1 & 2)

Market set-up started at 1:30 on Wednesday. What a lot of work. 7 loads of stuff toted in from almost a mile away. That $16.00 unloading parking lot started to sound really good. Unfortunately, the tickets are sold out for Sunday tear down.

The old adage, "you can't get here from here" stands true during set-up. There were boxes and mammoth crates in every isle. My wonderful helper (Dale - husband) started calling it Quilter's demolition derby! When we were done and left at 5:30 the booth looked great and there were just a few tweaks left to do. I have to admit...I was exhausted....but couldn't wait for the next day!

Schoolhouse was today. Quilts Remembered had a minor role in the Passport Minnesota presentation. I walked on the stage of a very large ballroom, showed one of my quilts (Olive's Table Runner) which is my prize donation for this event and toured it around for 250-300 people to see. A lot of people seemed to like it and wrote down my booth number (#2340). I'm keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow. Friday is the official opening of Quilt Market and I'm very excited. Better get a good night sleep.

Enjoy the pictures of my booth set up and of Schoolhouse - Passport Minnesota. I will post more pictures soon.

More later,
Happy quilting,
Annemarie