First Day Down !

First day is always "pick up brochure" day, it seems. Some are ready to order on the first day, but many want to ponder their buying decisions.  Then they come back to buy sometime before market's end.   That way we get to see them at least twice!

Here's our view just across the aisle  - pretty awesome!  Buttermilk Basin!  A beautiful booth!  And look at that red aisle carpet - that should keep all those little feet running & lively!


And look who came to visit - my dear friend Pam Buda from Heartspun Quilts .  I have to get over & see her booth & her new Marcus line!

Got to get going!  Another busy day ahead!

The Booth is Ready!

All ready for the opening day tomorrow! Looking forward to a great first day of market in Pittsburgh!

Coloring bag samples for sale - both child's size & large size - so come early for the best selection.

Booth # 1746!

Mt. Patchwork' s booth is next to us & looking good!  Come see us both soon.

The Market Booth is Shaping Up

This is how it looks when we start; 10' x 15' with a cement floor & that's it!  But slowly the booth is changed.  Here we have already unloaded the van & stacked all the stuff.  I can't tell you how many times we move that stuff around before it reaches it's final place.

Then we put down the floor; our legs really appreciate that cushy floor after a long day.

It's 2' squares that fit together like a puzzle - easy!

Then Sharon's hanging up the curtains;  they really warm up the look of the whole booth!

It's getting better & better!

We're sharing 3 booths with Kathleen of Mt. Patchwork this market, so she & Sharon are putting up a center short wall.  Think it'll look great!

Keep up the good work, gals.  Carrie's helping, too!  I'm busy taking pictures.  Ha, ha

We hung a few quilts before deciding there is another day for setup before the show begins.  So off we went to find the hotel - that was a big job in downtown Pittsburgh at rush hour even with the gps.

After a great dinner at the hotel followed by dessert - flourless chocolate lava cake with raspberry fruit & ice cream -  we shared!  Now we are sacked out; resting up for another busy day.   Have a great evening . . .

Making our way to Pittsburgh

Lots of heavy rain & wind kept us from making very good time today, but we are within reach of Pittsburgh tonight.  We should make it in time to unload tomorrow morning hopefully at 10 a.m.  

We had a very enjoyable stop at Erica's Quilt Shop in South Bend, Indiana, this morning.  The wall of yarn lured me as soon as I entered the door;  &, of course,  the fabric bolts & wools were a strong temptation, too!  Two of the gals working,  Karen & Linda, gave us lots of their time answering questions & showing us all the treasures.

Yes, we were totally happy at Erica's for quite a while & probably could have spent most of the day there.  The customers were even friendly!!

Thanks for all your help & smiles, Karen & Linda!

Little Dresdens

Little Dresdens is also new & ready for the market trip to Pittsburgh!  It is 34" x 42" & makes a perfect size fabric packet for those quilt shops that are in to kitting.

Buttons on the 12 blocks & in the corners make it extra sweet.  This pattern makes a fun project if you just want something to aimlessly sew on - sometimes early in the morning or late at night - when you don't want to think about it - you just want to sit & sew. . . or maybe while watching a movie !  That's a good way to sew the Dresden plates together.  However, the rest of it takes a little more thought!

This pattern is published in the small 4 x 6" size & retails for just $6 - very economical!

Memories - pressed between the pages of our time . . .

Isn't that how the song goes?  Memories - pressed between the pages of our time . . .

Well, that is what this quilt reminds me of because it was made to commemorate the 100th anniversary of our little country club -- that is a little club in the country.  The 100th was actually this past March, but we will be celebrating in August.  We have found past members & family for the celebration & hope to hear lots of the club's history at the gathering.

You may not be able to read the signatures & information on some of the blocks, but the blocks have been signed by all our present members, so this quilt is quickly becoming very dear to my heart.  I have never made a signature quilt, but have always loved the album block, so this one is very special to me now & will remain special for many years, I am sure.

The fabrics are Jo Morton's & the fabulous border print used in both the sashing & the border is from her Savannah line which is still available.

Size of the quilt is 55" x 70" & patterns are available now.  Memories will showcase in the market booth in Pittsburgh in just 2 weeks!  We are getting ready to enjoy the trip & are really looking forward to traveling on to Virginia after market to visit the battlefields &, of course, quilt shops along the way!