Holly Blog

My Favorite Things...75...Talented Designers & Beautiful Quilts

We're back from Fall Quilt Market, and things went very well...(more on this soon) We're waiting for booth photos from our photographer, Gregory Case  (hurry please!)... In the meanwhile, some photos that I took at some of my favorite designer's booths...

Here's Barbara Jones of Quilt Soup with just about the most adorable applique quilt I've ever seen...made up in our La Belle Rose fabrics from Spring Quilt Market...(forgive me Barbara, your eyes were shut in all of my photos!)

Here are some close ups...so clean, so clever, so Quilt Soup!

I just love her use of fabrics in this quilt...the daffodils, the pink & black stripe for the flower pots, inner border & bindings, the thin stripes for the leaves...(I could go on and on)

Thank you so much Barbara for thinking "outside the box" and coming up with this really joyful, pretty quilt!

More soon...just getting my feet back on the ground.

Back in two shakes...H2

My Favorite Things...74...Precious Details!

Ladies, I just got this back from Cheryl, and I just couldn't resist a little sneak peak..  The quilting on this little thing is so cute it hurts!  The block with the pink bunny fabric has a little rabbit quilted into it.

The rest of this quilt is equally adorable.  It's a sort of sampler style quilt...with a bunch of different types of quilted motifs in the different "controlled scrappy" blocks. 

I can't wait to show you more after market...Wish me luck!

Back in two shakes...H2

My Favorite Things...73...New Quilt Designs!

Today went like this...Up at 8...big deal, you say? (got to sleep at about 3)...I am from a long line of "big sleepers", so 5 hours just doesn't cut it...unlike Martha Stewart who sleeps 2 to 4 hours a night...people who sleep that little, that would be something called "mania" right?, I'm just saying...

I waited for traffic to clear and then it was off to the printer to proof the project booklet (it supports the salesman sample cards at market).  I got finished there at around 1 or so.  Then, since I was closer to civilization (it doesn't take much since we live on what I like to call "Lake Budweiser")...I treated myself to lunch at Bean Curd...tofu & vegetables with black bean sauce...the Hot and Sour soup was so freaking HOT (as in overly spicy) I could barely eat it...(and I am from a family of "clean-plate-club-types", so you know it was H-O-T).  After that I was in a bit of a holding pattern, because I needed to return to the printers at 4 pm to pick up some things before returning to the studio...so I then I went for a manicure and a pedicure...(this is ultra-decadence for me)...one must not have ragged fingers and toes at market, right?

On the east coast where I live, nail salons are ubiquitous. This particular one I've been going to since I met Paton, has the chairs with magic hands that kneads you from your neck all the way down your legs...(I'm probably all bruised now, it really worked me over!)

After that I checked back in with my printer, dropped off the necessary things at FEDEX and avoided rush hour traffic on the way home, by stopping at Short Hills Mall. I made the grand tour, scouring for interesting new things...I saw a few quirky accessories (like a large round cherry bark mirror)...the longer "CASA GOD AWFUL" takes to finish, the more I get the itch to decorate!

I picked up a couple of large bowls of that delicious Broccoli & Cheddar soup for dinner (it's the most heavenly nectar) and some chewy, buttery oatmeal cookies (for Paton) at Au Bon Pain...(it doesn't take much to make my day!)

Here's a little sneak peak at a design sketch (a la Photoshop) for my new Alphabet quilt...Some of you will remember the Alphabet quilt that I did for the Spring 2006 quilt show in Minneapolis...this one is a variation on that theme, only made with "SURPRISE" a new alphabet...

Those of you who know me, know how much I am fascinated with typography and fonts...this new fabric is 4 " high letters in a 6" block...The background of the letters is a combination of different fabric designs from existing and new LakeHouse fabrics...The quilt is already on it's way to FQM in our crates, so I will show you pics of the real thing upon my return...it is just precious (if I do say so myself)!  Can't wait to show you some close ups of the work...Martha and Cheryl did an amazing job on it.

Now to bed, hopefully for a longer night's sleep.

Back in two shakes...H2

My Favorite Things...72...All Dressed Up!

What a couple of days it's been (so much creativity!), Shannon Martin wrote to show me an outfit she made for her daughter with the La Belle Rose fabrics that have been out in the stores for a couple of months now.

Take a peak, her adorable little girl looks as pleased as punch with her new ensemble.

Thought that I'd also give you another little peak at another of Penny's new creations, called the "Desk Deli"...

It's sized so that a lean cuisine can fit in the bag...it's a perfect size to take your lunch to work in.  Penny suggests that you make a different cloth napkin for each day of the week!

More soon, as time permits.
Back in two shakes...H2

My Favorite Things...71...Penny Bags!

Ladies...I am working fast and furious on a variety of FQM related projects...and like a mother hen, I'm just "bursting with pride" over some of the projects that are being sent in to me for our sales booklet...Penny Sturges of Quilts Illustrated made this with one of our new Charm Packs...Some of you will remember the label from the "Little and Lovely" grouping...if not click here.

This is a new variation on Penny's "Weekender Bag" that has been so popular,isn't it adorable?  I think that it would make the cutest little quickie quilt too, don't you?

I'll try to show you a few more juicy tidbits before we go off to market...as time permits.

Back in two shakes...H2

My Favorite Things...70...Pink & Green!

I imagine that by now a few of you are wondering about my little "Name This Quilt" contest, remember?  If not look here, where asked for your help and I showed you the blue and white version of this quilt.  I also did a second quilt in a pastel version, here.

This is a sketch of the third version of my "square in a square" quilt...it's almost there, but that lower right hand block keeps screaming out at me "fix me, fix me"...I'll re-work it when we get to the design wall phase, at Cheryl's. Cheryl Winslow has been my faithful quilt-maker, long-armer, and all around "things made of fabric" guru ever since we met just before our Pittsburgh market back in 2004. 

The quilt name that I chose was "Around the Block" submitted by Becky on October 3rd.  Becky, please contact me so that I can send you your prize...(when we get back from market, pls!).

Thanks so much to everyone who offered a suggestion.  You all turned a normally torturous process into a really fun event!

Back in two shakes...H2

My Favorite Things...69...Three Wishes Quilt

Some of you will remember this quilt from May market, in several different colorways, if not look here.

I just really liked this little quilt, (you've just got to trust me, they all looked oh-so much better in real life) and I thought that it would look good with the new blue and white version of the Hydrangeas & Raspberries and the La Belle Rose.  I have always had a thing for blue roses, don't ask me why...In cold weather climates, people just don't really decorate with blue very much...(it's more of a Greek Isles thing) but I have always loved a periwinkle blue room with white trim and a white ceiling.  At some point, I'll drag out pictures from my lake house...(the only house I've ever owned).  It was a humble farmhouse style.  A center hall "4 square" layout...I actually made a rather dramatic statement in the center hallway with blue paint...which also became the perfect area to show off some of my antique quilt collection...sometime soon I'll share a little bit of that house with you all. I actually sold that house to someone I later saw as a guest on Project Runway...sort of like my brush with someone who had 15 minutes of fame!

Anyway, lest you think that I am on a blue and white jag (and I am)...I'll have some pink and white (and other color) quilts to show you really soon...

Clock's running out on fall market...

Back in two shakes (that's of a lamb's tail, right?)...H2

My Favorite Things...68...Scalloped edges!

I must say, am having so much fun with the graphics for Fall Quilt Market...
This is a sticker that I am having printed up for the bags that we will use at Sample Spree...

What's Sample Spree you say? For those of you who haven't been to FQM...Here's my description:
1.  It takes place in a HUGE ball room somewhere in the convention center, on the night before the show opens.
2.  I'd estimate that about 100 different vendors are selling everything from...a  20 lb boxes of antique buttons  (I'll take two please!)...to  threads and a whole host of sewing accessories and gadgets...or  books, patterns & kits...as well as fat quarter bundles, charm squares,antique fabric swatches...(kimonos, etc) and last but not least...all sorts of enticing introductory specials...
3.  There is fabric "madness" in the air...

What makes this event so special?
1.  prices are wholesale OR BETTER!
2.  many of the items are being introduced at that market, so it's a chance to get something before it's actually in the stores.

I haven't actually made it to all of the Sample Sprees...not because I am any less of a fabri-holic than anyone else, but because I am usually still back at our booth putting the final touches on our displays...

(The security guards usually kick our sorry butts out of the building at around 10 pm.)

We are having a table at Sample Spree this market to promote the new fabric lines...As I think I might have mentioned before, we'll be offering Charm Square packs...so if you (or any shop owners you know) are coming to market, make sure and come by and say hello.  If you tell them to mention that they've been referred by someone who reads HollyBlog, and  I'll have a little something for them...(till I run out!)

So that's all for now girlfriends...that Fall Market clock is a "tick-tocking"!

Back in two shakes...H2

My Favorite Things...67...And the Winners are...

Well gals, it was a tight race for our Dazzling Dozen Delicious Dessert bloggers...Our little Pam Kitty  inched out Miss Bunny aka Anne Sutton  by just one vote.  In the commentor category, it was as plain as the nose on all of our faces, that Miss Sharon of Red Geranium & "Red Gingham Slipper Fame" stole the prize in the commenter category...(even without counting her vote for herself)!

So gals, make sure I have your respective addresses and our new office manager, the lovely Miss Donna will get your prizes out to you...

But wait, if you want any of the fabrics that are already "in the marketplace" like the La Belle Rose, the DayZ's, the Hydrangeas, etc. you can have your prize sent to you before market.

If you think you want to wait until all of the new fabrics are "published" and available to see on the LakeHouse  website, you'll have to wait until after market. The swatches will all go live on our site in early November, and you can choose your fabrics then. I have quite an assortment of rick rack, so here's to hoping that I have the perfect coordinating color to go on your selection(s)!

Congratulations Ladies!

Back in two shakes...H2

My Favorite Things...66...Pups Wearing Neckerchiefs

I got a memo from our fair Kitty's "representative"...it seems that some of you think that she is a BOY...when in fact she is a TOMBOY. It would also appear that she was bribed by someone in our shameless promotion department, to appear "in costume"...

The black spot signifies the front end...

She wants to make sure that you all can see her new neckerchief...pink bunnies and all...even more reason for a victory lap...

But one can never can never have enough beauty rest...

Back in two shakes...H2

65...My Favorite Things...The Devil Wears a Fur Suit

Some of you will remember my little deaf dog, Kitty when she was a puppy...Here is a picture of her as she looks today.

Today, all 26 pounds of her spotted a black bear.  A 6 foot tall black bear to be more precise...

Picture this:
One small tree with a giant bear trying to hide himself behind it...
(while the bear turns his head from one side of the tree the other) to get a better look at my little pooch...Kitty (who we call "Geeter" aka "the devil in a fur suit") is barking her fool head off at the bear.

Paton who just happens to be outside at the time, spots this and runs over to Stephan (our carpenter, who happens to be about 6 foot 6 inches tall) for an assist.  By the time the two of them get back to the scene, the bear has high tailed it back into the woods, and Geets was then doing a victory lap around the property...(all the while barking her fool head off...she makes a lot of noise for a deaf dog).

I am hoping that this bear will remember to not come back here again.

We were all laughing today at our little minx, and her bravado.  It could have turned out so differently.  Thankfully, the black bears around here (without their cubs) are known to be pretty gentle.

But one swipe of a bear's paw at Geets and I'd be writing her obit.

That's all from camp Boulders today.

Back in two shakes...H2

My Favorite Things...64...More Pretty Packages

I just couldn't resist showing you another label...they just tickle me...(the label is the square on point, the fabric square is behind it)

This one reminds me of so many of you like Bren, Anne & Cyndi.

Back in two shakes...H2

My Favorite Things...63...Pretty Packages

Some of you will remember a new label I showed you a week or so ago, if not click here.

Here's the next one in the series, I designed it yesterday...I just never seem to get tired of scalloped edges, gingham and  _________  (insert your choice here!).

I'll post the new labels as I get them done, just thought you'd like to see our FQM progress.

Counting down till then...

Back in two shakes...H2

Oh, and HZ, this color combo makes me think of you, dahlink.