SHOWS - IT'S NOT ALL WORK

Pretty Little Tires    All In A Row.

I'll tell you more about them later . . Probably.

You could call it paradise . . i'm sure the people that live there do.  The Oregon Summer Quilt Expo was held in Redmond Oregon with Sisters and Bend nearby.   I hadn't been there in over 13 years when i attended the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.  Amazing.  There I took the one and only class i've ever taken . . Rughooking!  Wool.  Wonderful Wool.

This time I rented a house at a nearby resort which two other vendors and our helpers shared.
And now we know.

This is the way to go to a show.
The show . . it was very very slowwww.
More about that later.
Maybe.
But together at the house - every one of us -
best time ever.
Laugh-til-your-cheeks-hurt best time ever.

Located on a golf course which didn't matter to us except for the lovely deer that roamed from green to green.  Funny . . i do not call them lovely at home as they munch around the perimeter of my flower garden.  But here . . soulful eyes and graceful stroll.  So easy to admire.

After the jacuzzi you might want to wine and dine  on the deck.

Storytelling went on into the darkness and way beyond the emptying of the glasses. 

I led everyone on a walk to the top . .  of a hill . . that did not make a loop . . as I had thought.

On and on we climbed.

It began to get dark.  The beautifully landscaped lawns, awing us one after another, no longer visible.

I pretended to continue leadership and insisted that just up over this next little knoll

the way down . . would appear.    That did not happen.

But this did. 

     

   

Have you been to the Pine Tavern?

It is in Bend.  Why have you not been to the Pine Tavern?  Would you like directions?

Just along the river . . look for the umbrellas in their pronounced gaiety, tilting this way and that. 

Listen for the cheerful chatter.

And forget that day sitting in your booth at the very slowwww show.  Before i tell you about that, something else . . I stole 2 delectable mushrooms from Diane's plate. 

She never knew it. 

Until now.

Thank you Diane.

Sally, Laurie, Janet, Barbara, Charlene, Reets, Diane

We forced the waiter to drop his tray and take our picture . . We felt charming and did not want that to escape.  Tips were promised.

Three of our house roommates did not make it here so we all laughed for them.

Someone said

"My . . they are boisterous!"

But we did not hear.  We were busy discussing the days' events.  Which means the vendors were not discussing because their day was uneventful - more later on that.  But Janet and Sally and Diane could not be unbubbled - Told us all about their Sue Spargo class that day at the Sisters show.  The busy one.  

I tried to disguise my pouting as i secretly wished, that i had been there too.  I love Sue Spargo. 

As you know . . she is a lady of wool . . gathering flocks of followers as she goes.  That is supposed to make you think of sheep some how.  Did it?  I love eating out with girlfriends.  I hope that you can join us some day.  The subject is often
wool.
the love of wool.
wool gathering.
and where did you get that piece.
I want it.

Well now it is very late and time has run out and I must rise it up early to prepare for our local quilt show coming up in just one day . . very much looking forward to this one.  Small yet very wonderful.

I will try to do better with some picture taking.    

Oh and I must finish up on that Redmond show . . 

and then there is the Art 101 shop and its magnificent tires.

To be continued . .                                             

LOLLIPOP HILL QUILT PATTERN

Lollipop Hill Pattern

Did you let your freedom ring on this Fourth?

Good!

The results of our random drawing and the winner of this Lollipop Hill pattern is . .  well since it has been way too long since there has been a drawing . . the WINNERS are . . 

 Number 8 - Rose of Three Sheep Studio

and

Number 20 - Anonymous - Carole -  who said

"I love elephants and my sister loves rabbits" . . 

Please email me so we can get your mailing info.

Congratulations to you both and thanks to all for the very entertaining and thoughtful comments.  It was fun and each comment was very much appreciated . . thank you.

Better do this again sooner than later.

Have a fun stitching weekend.

RED WHITE AND BLUE

The Red White and Blue

that brings peace into every day.

Sharing them with you.

JUDY'S LOLLIPOP HILL

Lollipop Hill Pattern

 I knew that our Lollipop Hill quilt pattern would not stay all neatly packaged in its taupes and subdued colors.  They are pleasant enough colors but the designs were begging to be experimented with. 

And so they were.

A few of the very same fabrics were used but Judy Dillree
of Pioneer Quilts

gave her version some added zap!  I love it don't you? The fabric choices and color combinations are terrific.  Super elephant block and look at the fantastic quilting.  Love how the circles were created.

Not sure who did the quilting but what an incredible job.  

 Isn't the bunny funny?

Liking the birds too.

I'm thinking I had better give away a pattern here.

My friend Janet of

Art Journey

 was so great to send these pictures.  Thanks Janet!

Oh and look . . 

it's the lollipop hill.

More great color choices Judy.  Thank you for sharing your wonderful quilt with us.

I almost want to stop what i'm doing and make up antother one.

Well, who would like to try their magic on this pattern?  See below for your chance to win a free pattern.

TO WIN LOLLIPOP HILL PATTERN

OR if the winner already has this pattern you can pick from any of our other designs.

Leave a comment to this post . . anything about lollipops or the Lollipop quilt.

We will draw a random winner from the comments.

Since there is a holiday, i'll give you plenty of time to win.  

Comments close on Friday, July 5, 2013, at midnight.

Ok . . Thanks again to Pioneer Quilts and Judy and good luck in the drawing.  

BLACK WINS AGAIN.

Black . . or Midnight Blue?   Tried hard to like the Midnight better.  And I DO love Midnight Blue but alas, the little snowman spoke up louder on his Black background.   Well this will be only one ornament in four.  So Midnight still has a chance.   

Needs some snowflakes tho right?

Must have these done soon for the next show in Redmond Oregon.   It is only two weeks away.

Thursday July 11 thru Sunday July 14

It runs for four days and is the same time as the nearby Sisters Outdoor Show.   First year for this vendor-rich expo.  Click on the picture below to go to Oregon Summer Quilt Expo's website . . and there they will provide you with a coupon for a $3 discount - $12 for the four days.   Classes available also.  Please come visit us in our booth and unbury us from our piles and piles of hand dyed wools and bolt wools and wool flosses and yarn dyed woven cottons and hand dyed woven cottons . . and a few other new surprises.   Going to be a fun weekend in Oregon.  Love that place!

Oregon Summer Quilt Expo

Also working on a larger project using some new wool colors.  It is challenging me . . to say the least.

Tweaking this and tweaking that and stir the pot and peek and stir and peek again and in the end will this days tweakiness bring on a happy face or will a pout come out. 

You just never know for sure.

The magic . .  of the hand dyed pot.

TEAR DROP ??

No . . Teardrop!  And in this case . . .

it is Raindrop.  The Little Teardrop That Could.

But back to the beginning.  Thinking quilt shows from the past, many might remember

Collett Fenske Hand Dyed Fabrics.  She knew how to splash up a booth in a few easy steps.          Color

Color

Color

Now you remember?

She has since gone on to take over a local Honey Business.  The honey with the yellow lid . . not abandoning her colorful ways of course.  Another long time dream of Collett's was to own and roam in,  a teardrop trailer.  I have known Collett for many years, and she has always been one to pursue her dreams.   So please meet

Raindrop . . and her owner, Wilderness Woman

Oh and then there is Camper Sue . . who had to admit to feelings of envy.

Raindrop Arrives!

First outing - Test run at Kamp Klamath

 A peak inside?

She may not sell hand dyeds anymore but has certainly not stopped dressing up her life with them.  Accessories. . All Vintage!

oh . . . well . . . those feelings of envy I mentioned?

i'm feeling them.  

Oh yes . . take me to a

Teardrop . . NOW!

What are you feelin'? 

MARKET PICS

You don't mind me catching up a bit i hope.  Portland Market was nearly a month ago and we have already gone to and returned from another show.  But Market was fun and I meant to share.  So . .

 We were set up the first day so were fancy free all during day two.  Debbie and Jeff (Wooden Spool Designs) directed us to Monticello.  GO!  I was so excited that it never occurred to me to take a picture of this marvelous place, until we were driving away.   Huge and with the entire backside of the building being their antique garden center.  Oh my . . bring me a semi will ya?

Joan and Debbie and John headed back to the convention center for Sample Spree but wine and dinner sounded better to Kathi and I.   Visited one of my favorite McMenamins in Troutsdale - Edgefield.  The Poor Farm.  Quite a history.   And thank you Troutsdale Historical Society for preventing the county from completely demolishing every single building.  Imagine that.  Go visit and you will thank them too.

This is the main lodge.  And in front,

a very intriqueing sculpture. He wanted to come home with me. . . I'm quite sure of it.

Yum - One of the numerous dining places
at Edgefield.  Was soooo good!

Kathi and Primitive Man

The Enchanted Path

Botanical Fortress

All fine evenings deserve a work day to follow . . i guess.   Off to Market next morning.

Home sweet home for the next three days.  And lots of terrific eateries in the evenings!

We were all booth neighbors.  More fun that way.  My camera did not make it very far.  Wooden Spool's awesome booth was just down the way and you should kick me for not getting you a shot.

Suzanne - Suzanne's Art House

Kathi & Joan - Bits & Pieces By Joan

Kathi - Heart To Hand

and me too - Reets

Market just amazes me.  Wish there was time for more pictures. 

Hope you liked!

A YEAR GONE BY

Oh . . hey . . HI!

No one can believe it .
but we are already one year old.

Mommy gave us first dibs . . she's the BEST!

Hey . . Who took that cake?!

What?! . . yer sayin' another whole year?

BACK TO STITCHES FOR LAURIE

The repeated days trapped in my booth finally got to her.  I could tell something was up when those jaunts to the restroom grew in length.  Ah hah!  Finally she returns with her finds.  Bitten by the Fabric Bug at last . .  and we all know what that nip feels like.   I loved her choices.
Fresh !
And more impressively, not long after I returned home from the show I received these pictures.

Made from our pattern  - BAG IT.

 

Laurie is thee greatest help in my booth when I travel to the North West.

But never did she let on that she was such a proficient SEWer girl.  Just casually mentioned that she had not sewn in years.  Isn't contagious a good word in this story?

And I was warmed by her added note . .  

"Thanks for bringing sewing back to me."

The kind of thing that makes you want to keep the fingers to the drawing board.  And the needle to the cloth.
The spirit of sewing shared.
Stitch _ _Stitch _ _Stitch _ _ _
Hear the heart sing.

MAKE YOUR OWN SHABBY RIBBON

I really do have some other patterns started but i am still finishing up the dolly.  She is of the primitve sort so the lovely hand dyed rayon ribbons from Auntie Em's were not a good fit by themselves.  Yummy tho huh?  I keep them tidy in this yellow French bowl that i picked up in a little shop in not France . . boo hoo.  The hot chocolate cup became chipped and was then discarded.  Someone was silly.

 Her worn muslin dress needed something . . a bit more raveled . . tattered . . . ratty.

So I grabbed from my stash of tacky nylonish type sheers, the kind that freak out when cut . .  and ravel wildly all along the edges.   Isn't this one just so eeeek gaudy?!!

Grab a similar textile from your stash and make some shabby ribbon with me.

 Cut a strip a bit wider than your desired ribbon.

Gently tie knots about every 3 or 4 or so inches.

It is begining to ravel some now isn't it?  In a little plastic cup mix together some liquid matte medium and some brown antiquing medium.   I was too impatient to continue painting it onto the strip with a brush so I added just a bit of water. Moosh the ribbon into the mixture and gently squeeze out the excess liquid. Then dip a couple of fingers into the mixture and dab here and there on the strip. Maybe wear a pair of gloves like I didn't.   Squeeze the strip in a paper towel and hang to dry.

Mellowed to my liking now.  How is yours looking?

Might be added near the bottom of the dress.  Possibly on top of the brown hand dyed ribbon . . that will bring it down a notch.  More befitting to an aged old doll.

Then perhaps a scattering of some small worn buttons??

EVAN FROM HEAVEN

What do you think of this?

I think of my youngest daughter's, and now son-in-law's, wedding.  

A warm and lovely summer afternoon and evening.
In a beautiful garden.  On an organic farm and vineyard. 

A very unique land.  Flower and vegetable gardens scattered and hidden all about.

Oh and you could hear them whispering . . asking themselves . . you could . .  

"What will I find down this twistting narrow path, or through that gracefully fetching arbor,

or over this little beckoning bridge?"  

Follow me.   And behold.  A marvelously mellowed yellowed roadster in all of its retiring glory. . 

EVAN FROM Heaven

Coincidently, the best man's name was Evan.  He - a bit too wonderfully hellish to have come aboard this little heaven train.

Was it a memorial? 

Was it hiding . . its tarnished body not quite up to the constant parade of stylish gardeny guests?

Were orchids about to burst up from its center and do their tranquil dance as only orchids can do?

Well, what do You think?

HORRIFIED FRANCES - MORE UFDBs!

 Poor Frances.

Once again dismayed . . no horrified . . at the site upon the shelf.

More Unfinished Doll Bodies have appeared.

She without her own legs for soooo long now, has lost her faith in me.

Even though, Frances,  I have completed a number of doll patterns since I long ago abandoned you.  

Have a little faith why don't you.

Frances. 

So with all of the patterns I need to complete, I decided to spend my time on a new doll.

I think it will be the goofier one on the left.  Gotta hurry.  

But poor Frances.

Send her your sympathies if you feel so inclined.

Or . . perhaps some legs!