THE QUILTER'S ALLEY

The battery on my digital camera is charging for the next big upload of amazing quilt tops that have arrived at our shop for the quilting.  Poor thing, really takes a beating from me.  The quilts on the other hand are lovingly brought to life and the results speak for themselves.  

This quilt: I WISH I quilted.  There is something about Suzie Anderson’ s quilts that draw me in.  It’s called color.  And once again, just browsing around Pittsburgh at the quilt exhibit, I spotted this gem and bet myself that it must be hers.  Yes, yes and that much better in person!   

My sketchbook is  also getting a  real workout these last couple  of days, with ideas flying from head to pencil lead.  If only I could just hibernate and draw, but  work is always  calling.  I think I’d be bored, if things were any different.  

Topically speaking, I’m planning a giveaway. I haven’t decided if it  should be one of the many quilt projects  we’re retiring from the shop or a copy of an unpublished Quilter’s Alley pattern and some beautiful fat quarters.  What do you think?

As we made our initial entry into the Steel City, I admitted knowingly that I had been to Pittsburgh before.  Actually, since I was in Pittsburgh last, 40 or so years have come and gone. And I don’t think we ever really drove right through, but bypassed it on the highway as we headed for Youngstown, Ohio.  My mom was born in Youngstown, and while she lived there at times in her life, she left for more permanent roots in Queens, NY.  She also left behind some great aunts, uncles and cousins,  that we visited often throughout my childhood and even once in 2007 – like it was old times. But Pittsburgh was just an exit on the highway, I guess, because I didn’t remember all the yellow bridges that criss-cross the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers that make a giant “Y” at the Ohio.  Or the tunnels through mountains that make the city accessible.  It’s a very cool place.

Here I am with cousin, Lisa, (left).  I also  have cousins in McKees Rocks, right outside of Pittburgh – recently acquired fact.

Spring Market was the purpose of our trip to Pittsburgh this time and for real.  It was about eight hours driving, which is about my limit for handwork in one sitting.  I had packed numerous projects and am happy to say I finished the last stitches on my lollypop trees appliques and and binding on Irene’s NYC/TimesSquare quilt.  We missed a day at the store, but work continued well into the drive, with a short stop at the Julian, PA  P.O. to send Irene’s quilt east again.

We did some shopping and socializing – about even this  time, because we didn’t need that much, so we could really  relax and just scout for new ideas. (My head is full at the moment.)

Our first stop:  Art Gallery Fabrics.  You may recognize Pokey Bolton from Quilting Arts (left).  The designer of Art Gallery is on the right.  The girl (Patricia Bravo) and her designs are on fire!

Notice Walter’s grin.  It isn’t because of our ‘huge’ order, but Stu joking around (out of frame).  There’s my favorite acid green and brown print on the table.The fabrics, if you’re wondering, will be arriving in the months to follow.  We also ordered lots of Kokka, which will also be available at the shop and online.

This was a phenomenal sight and sound.  A waterfall of the two rivers merging.

Westminster is always an important stop on our visits to Market.  Jennifer was chatting with another designer when I shot this, and Nancy took a moment to give us one of her (many) good sides.

Love the new, softer color schemes.  I know I’ll be working with them shortly.

I look good.  I tried to post all three topics in one, but the photos wouldn’t move.  So I am continuing to load the myriad of pictures that I’ve taken this week, documenting the flurry of activity around the shop and elsewhere. Molly Tango Foundation Mothers’ Day Luncheon was a success with about 60 books sold and the auction of Molly’s Story Quilt. The Ridgefield Press had given us a front-page spot in print and online and the feedback was phenomenal.  I got an”Aloha” email all the way from Hawaii: Kona Bay Fabrics president: thanks, Doug.

Here are a few shots from a great event.

The ballet theme says “Molly.”

Lots of Ridgefield retailers donated merchandise to raise money at the luncheon.

And thanks to Brittany for her help collecting the donations.

Later that evening…what a celebration!  

And for Mother’s Day I received a very special gift: Meals4Moms.  Thanks, Ally.

I am so proud of the young women sewists who have taken so beautifully to the craft and the results of some of their first projects is amazing.  We have adapted an Amy Butler pillow to fit a beginner’s skill set.  The lesson includes color choices, strip cutting, top-stitching among other techniques.  I can tell that the women are really enjoying  the Sunday break and the common bonds they are developing. Thanks Jenn, for the Mother’s Day Goodies.  And I’m having so much fun!

P.S. It’s a drop in, so it really works around their busy mom-schedules and anyone can join in at any time.

Look what Debbie made with her scraps!

Post-show and a Monday: recipe to  recover.  But we’ll be in the shop and putting away and planning a sale.  The Northern Star Guild Show was a success in so many ways.  My favorite part is always the surprise encounters that enrich our life beyond selling and sewing.  There were great comments on my work, an unpresidented number of  ”cute”-s  for those darn ducks.  But the kits continue to sell.  Thanks, Mary.  New show friends and some amazing quilts and quilting.  We met the Artgirlz and watched a Sharon Schamber demo on the Gammill.  

 But now back to the grind of  unloading the bins, recreating another Molly Story Quilt for the shop (the auction is this Friday), continuing the latest pattern which still doesn’t have a name(or an in-focus picture to share), uploading some shots of our beautiful booth, which went up easily with the help of some bulletin boards behind our tables and the borrow of Nancy’s beautiful ladders.

Needless to say, we carry  a lot of stuff to shows.  And then we have to put it all back: what does not sell. It’s an opportunity to reorganize, move back into the shop life for the weeks ahead.  

Planning and packing for the Northern Star Quilt Show at JFK HS in Somers, NY

Here are some of the things you can see there:

gabbag: make a statement

Now on sale,  my one-of-a-kind Painted and Pieced totes with a message. Limited quantity, so get yours now.

We’re bringing bolts!  The half yards of Kokka were so popular at the NYC show that we’ve decided to cut yards or more at the NSQG show this weekend. We’ll also have some Daiwabo Taupe bolts.  They make beautiful garment, so yardage is a must.

We will have kits available which include all the fabrics and the pattern to make Tipping Point.   Jennifer blogged us this week, so visit the SusBoom site and read the comments that the quilt is receiving.

We have made up more Molly Story Quilt Kits.  These were also popular in NYC and we’re bringing the newly published book, as well. Personalize the backpack with your favorite child’s name. I have other project ideas for the illustrations, so stay  tuned.