Boy, time sure does fly!  I hadn't realized it had been 6 months since my last post.  Well, since then Spring Market has come and gone, and I've decided to write a book as a companion to my template set, the Quilter's Toolkit.  I've got about 11 designs so far, and I'm planning to use about 15 or so in the book.  Haven't decided whether I will self publish, or try to contact a publisher, either way, I'd like to have it ready for sale at Spring Market 2014.  I'll post some teasers as I go, so you can see some of the fabrics and such.  Hopefully it will be a fun experience!

Well it's that time of year again.  Time for a fresh start.  To reevaluate our lives and see where we are headed.  Course correct as necessary, or even change direction.  For me, I'm setting myself a goal to be healthier this year.  To eat better, exercise more and just feel better.  After turning 40 this past year, I realized that I no longer have youth on my side.  I have to be more careful about how I treat my body in order to make sure it's going to last as long as I want.  If we all had more time in a day, we would have the time to get everything we want done, and I've always chosen other things (like family or hobbies) over taking care of myself.  So this year, I'm going to take time out for me.  In order to be the best me I can be, I need to be the healthiest me I can be.  This means taking the time to cook nutritious meals from scratch, rather than prepackaged foods full of chemicals and additives.  Getting back to the basics in life.  It's so easy for little things to change into big things, one step at a time.  I'm cutting out the excess and getting rid of the extra.  So, join me this year on my sojourn to Sanitas (Latin for Good Health), and while we're going we'll share a laugh or two, while doing something we love: quilting.  So, I raise a glass to your health and happiness.  Let's make 2013 the best year yet!  Salud!

Finally settled back into the normal routine after the International Quilt Market in Houston.  Had a great time, just like last year.  This time though, I knew to make sure to take frequent breaks, and to make sure to stay hydrated.  If you have never been to Market or Festival, it can be quite overwhelming.  So much to see and do.  I've posted some more of the pictures in an album on my Facebook page for anyone to look at, if you want to see some of the things that were at Market.

Dad and I had our picture taken with Marianne Fons while at Market.  I had done a quilt for them in their Fall 2012 issue of Scrap Quilts called The Stripes of Summer.  Dad had done the longarming for me, so he was also mentioned in the article.  It was a really fun day!

Moda had the largest booth (of course) and also won first place for the multibooth exhibit.  They always have great things to look at.

I introduced a new pattern at Market.  My Small Holdall.  It's the same style as my Quilter's Holdall, except half the size.  It's still perfect for storing and organizing your fat quarters, half yards and even whole yard pieces, but the Small Holdall is also for carrying your tools to class, for small projects, knitting, crocheting and tatting.  Or even for none craft related items, like carrying shoes in your luggage, makeup and toiletries, or even Barbie dolls and Legos.  You can check them out in more detail on my website.  www.LilacCottageDesigns.com

Here's a picture of the magazine design I did for Fon's and Porter Scrap Quilts Fall 2012.  The design is called The Stripes of Summer.  I think they did a really great job with the picture.  Can't wait to do another one!

Gee, Time flies when your having fun, or when you're just busy.  Seems like just a few weeks since I last blogged, but the posts say otherwise.  Well, here's what's going on.  The class in Wickenburg, AZ at M's Quilting Inspiration for the Quilter's Holdall has been postponed to Dec.  The Sleep Mat class is still planned for Nov. 16-17th.  See Marilyn for details.

In other news, the magazine article is out.  Boy, that was fun!  :)  Hoping to do another one soon.  If you haven't seen the article, it's 6 pages, full color, in Fons and Porter's Scrap Quilts.  The quilt is labeled as The Stripes of Summer.  Take a look and then let me know if you like it.

Market preparations are currently underway and I'm working like a house elf ;)  Tons to do, sewing and hand stitching, ironing, printing, labeling, and packing.  Just 2 weeks from tomorrow we'll be heading down to the show.  Can't wait!

More news to come on new products- and I promise it won't be another year gone by before I blog again!

Holidays are Over

Well, the Holidays are over and the rush has died down. Everyone starts back to work/school tomorrow and it's time to get started on a new year! After the financial mess of the last two years or so, I'm hoping that this year will be better than we've seen in awhile. Here in Phoenix, the weather has cooled down for the winter, and everyone is enjoying the sunshine and the chance to be outside. It won't be many more months before the temperature starts to shoot up again, so we have to enjoy it while we can. Winter in Phoenix brings many things to look forward to, but among them for me are the Sewing & Quilting Festival the end of January, and the Renaissance Festival. I look forward to those two events all year and now they are right around the corner! I hope everyone is staying bundled up out there, especially those in the snow areas! It's a great time of year to be working on a quilt!

Sewing Festival

Well, Fall is definitely here and I love being able to have the windows open to enjoy that crisp cool air that is distinctly Autumn. Not only are the holidays right around the corner with all of the color, noise and parties that make the season great, but that means that another event is on the horizon as well: the Sewing & Quilting Festival. Every year, on the last weekend in January, Rusty Barn Promotions puts on the Sewing & Quilting Festival here in Phoenix. I've been going for the last 9 years, and every year it seems to get bigger and better. 3 days of visiting vendors, attending classes and seminars and just generally soaking in all of the creativity and excitement of the Sewing /Quilting world. To me, it's like being a kid in a candy store. new projects to start, new material to buy, new techniques to learn, new tools to play with! I love everything about it (except the 8 hours on my feet, walking) and can't wait for it. If you go to my website, you'll see I even have a counter counting down the days. If you're in the Phoenix area, don't miss it! It's a ton of fun, and you'll come away inspired and with your creative reserves restored, ready to take on new projects!