Holly Blog

My Favorite Things...237...Roses from the Garden

These SweetHeart Roses remind me so much of the lush flowers in our Penelope series...And by-golly, it's that time...Penelope 4 5 & 6 are being packed & readied to leave our warehouse on the East Coast as I write...

Even better, I have done a few new designs that can use any of your favorite Penelope Fabrics...(1,2,3,4,5 or 6...) These quilts weren't in the latest Penelope 4, 5, 6 sales booklets, so your LQS hadn't seen them until last week in Kansas City at Jennifer's booth...

That's the Big News...Jennifer Bosworth of Shabby Fabrics has graciously taken on the writing & publishing of my quilt designs.  This is a huge relief to me on so many levels...writing patterns has always been a challenge.  I've received my share of hate mail over patterns that took me weeks & months to conceptualize, write, check, re-check & re-check again...And when I am wrting patterns, I am not designing fabric & quilts...Of course those of you who have seen how Jennifer writes a quilt pattern or her beautiful Block of the Month programs...know why I am clicking my heels!

Thank you Jennfier for freeing  me up to do more of the projects that I have been thinking about for years, but haven't had the time to focus on...I am chomping at the bit to do my first Block of the Month...I can't wait.

Here's the first two of my quilt designs that Shabby Fabrics Pattern Company will be publishing that use new Penelope Fabrics.  First, the "Teacup Star" quilt...

 

Second, the Scrap Happy Baskets quilt...

Lots more on my favorite Penelope fabrics, projects & people too, coming up...

Back soon...H2

My Favorite Things...236...The Day After Market

It's been too long...Forgive me.  The last 15 months of my life have been filled with new adventures, new friends, lots of fun :o)  but also the craziness of not one, but two moves...& more things to do than I could do myself or delegate.  I had to put several things on hold...and blogging was one of them (even though it is one of my favorite things to do).  Thank goodness things are settling down a bit now...more details on all of the above later.

For the first time since 2003, when we started LakeHouse -- the fabric company, I did not actually make it to Quilt Market.  I came down with my second bout of the flu (in 6 weeks time) the week before market & it really hit me hard.  Luckily, Pam & her daughter Frankie were there to help out...Kudos & Hugs for stepping up girls!

Luckily, Pam took lots of fun shots of the Pam Kitty Love themed LakeHouse booth in Kansas City...(it's like they asked us what color to make the aisle rugs) -- LOL!

On our side & back walls were a combination of oversized posters that I designed for the booth, as well as quilts made by Pam, Nanette from Freda's Hive & Darla Padilla from Wildflower Quilting.  Many of you will recognize the gingham block quilt on the right (click to englarge photo), it's the one that I designed for McCall's Quilting Magazine, and oo la la -- I just love Nanette's sampler quilt!  The "Come Around For Coffee" quilt on the poster in the middle is a freebie click & print pattern from Pam...it's on the right sidebar on her blog...it's UBER CUTE! (I'll show you more color combinations of this quilt from our sale booklet sometime soon--wait till you see how she designed the handles on the coffee cups!)

Here's a couple of close up shots of the little goodies in our booth, (Is it just me, or do Pam's fabrics put a smile on your face too?)...The adorable bags filled with goodies are by Keiko Clark of K Cotton Studio.

Frankie helped us fold dozens of the heart-fan decorations, & Pam's accessories on the clothesline are just darling, aren't they?...

Before I close for today...Don't miss having your own mini version of the Pam Kitty Love sales booklet...just click on the 9-patch Pam Kitty Love sidebar icon to the right--->  So you can run in to your LQS and make sure that they'll be ordering exactly what your heart desires!

Sorry, but the perfectionist in me needs to mention that the colors on the .pdf are not the greatest. (They are muddy!)  Since you've probably seen the colors of Pam's first collection in your LQS, you already know that her color palette is clean & bright and filled with "good cheer".  Most importantly, the new Pam Kitty Love fabrics due out at the end of this year, will "play nicely" with the original Pam Kitty Morning fabrics...so you can't go wrong blending the old with the new.

Sort of reminds me of the song we used to sing in girl scouts..."Make new friends, but ke-ep the old, one is silver but the other's gold"...Do any of you remember singing that song too? 

Back in two shakes...(promise!)

:oP

H2

My Favorite Things...235...More with my Peeps

Here's me with the lovely Jennifer Bosworth at her beautiful new Shabby Fabrics booth at Salt Lake City.  She had some exquisite new quilts, and of course she pointed out her favorite "shimmer dot" that she used in the quilt behind us.  It's our LH 03035 Champagne -- one of our top 5 best sellers in the history of LakeHouse.

I also got to meet the irrepressible Pat Sloan for the first time...we have so many friends in common, and somehow we've not been introduced until SLC...

Last but not least for today are Pam & I trying to contain our glee (and our fatigue at the same time), at the end of our first day on Friday...it was a labor of love -- it was many months worth of work and we were toast!

still lots more to show & tell...

;o)

H2
 

My Favorite Things...234...And Kitty Makes Three!

Here's a picture of Pam Kitty, McCall's Quilting's Beth Hayes & me (looking dazed & bloated--LOL) at Quilt Market this year, taken by Laura Roberts (also from McCall's -- thanks Laura!)...

Is it just me, or does Pam look like her feline alter ego?

A little bird told me that PKM is on her little quilt retreat, so it looks like she hasn't totally scooped me on photos from the booth (yet)...

Many Thanks to Nadine Woodraska for loaning us all sorts of cute things from her shop in South Jordan Utah...The Material Girls...We love you Nadine!

We had lots of giveaways at the booth.  Pam made up the cutest little fabric strawberries...with a pattern on a recipe card, called Strawberry Delight.  She also made up a free pattern for the circle pot holder...(hint: with googly eyes that pot holder turns into a hand puppet!)  We also gave away lots of little jars of Pam Kitty Jam, and Pam Kitty Candy (cinnamon hearts)...And of course Ric Rac was from our buddy Adam at CheepTrims.com (Oh, and can you tell that these pictures were taken b4 the show actually opened...that's the boxes from our tables & benches in the background ;o(

That's one of Nadine's antique child's sewing machines from her collection on the top shelf.  On the tabletop is the New Pam Kitty Morning sales booklet, and more of that delicious Pam Kitty Jam.

Here's a picture of the large Jars of Pam Kitty Jam we had on display...

Wouldn't you know that the crack security team at the SLC airport confiscated the Pam Kitty Jam that was in my carry on (on my way home)...Wondering who gets the spoils from all they confiscate...The man who checked my bag was rather chubby.  I'm just saying...

Oh, and if you are wondering where the playful pink dotted fabric on the table top & strawberries came from, it's the Annie's Farm Stand fabrics we introduced last fall, that are just hitting Independent quilt shops near you right now!  (Most of you know by now, that we really try to make our fabrics play well with others, so have fun mixing & matching the new "Annie's" fabrics with the "Pammie's" when they arrive in October '11...

The LakeHouse fabric for quilts motto: 

"Matchy Matchy":  No!   "So Happy Together":  Yes!

More pictures from SLC coming soon...so y'all come back now...

H2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Things...231...A Funny Lady

Well, one of you did guess...It's Gina (who will forever be known as) "my dog ate my computer cord" Halladay.

After a couple of days of one-too-many Xmas cookies, and other holiday delectables, I must confess I can barely keep my eyes open between naps to write this post...

Besides, Gina says it best...click here to visit Gina over at her famous QuiltersBuzz blog.

Besides being one of of quilting's first serious bloggers, Gina owns Cranberry Quiltworks for Long Arm Machines, Threaded Pear Studio for Fun & Easy Quilt Patterns as well has her new store:  Fresh Picked Fabrics.

Thanks to all for the enthusiasm & holiday cheer from all who participated in our little Brownie Points Event.

Lots more about the winners & the prizes coming soon.

To all a good night.

Back in two shakes...H2

 

 

 

My Favorite Things...229...Families & Friends at Christmastime

WELCOME TO DAY ELEVEN OF OUR BROWNIE POINTS BLOG-ALONG-ATHON!

This is our second day with Kimberly & her gang over at the Fat Quarter Shop.  Since it's getting so close to Christmas, I'm feeling particularly nostalgic today.  First, I have to show you a picture of Kimberly and her brood, because it is a testament to multi-tasking, hard-working women everywhere...

I first remember meeting Kimberly at the Kansas City Quilt Show several years ago.  Almost every time I've seen her since, she's been walking the show (and pregnant) or she's not been at market because she was too pregnant to travel.

First there was Emma (on Santa's lap), who is looking almost grown up now.  Then the twins (in the matching snowman t-shirts).  Aren't they the sweetest little "toilet tissue" babies you've ever seen?  And in  November, another boy named Christopher.  Yet in the midst of all of all of this "family expansion", Kimberly's created an empire over at the Fat Quarter Shop.

Kimberly, her husband Kevin (who works with her) and all of their kiddles, are living proof that the American Dream still exists. 

As a fellow small business owner, I'd like to commend Kimberly and her "Stay Calm & Carry On" attitude.

Let's all take stock in Kimberly & her success ladies, and look forward to a prosperous New Year.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I'll remind all of you that Fat Quarter Shop is also selling the Fast Flowers Quilt Kit today, and their charity is the Make A Wish Foundation.

I'll be doing a little guest post over at the Jolly Jabber, so click here to go there...hint, more free stuff for deserving fabri-holics.

As we "wrap things up" (no pun intended) for Christmas, one of quilting's funniest is waiting in the wings to be introduced.  Can't wait...LOL

Back in two shakes...H2

PS  if you are here for my stash giveaway, pls leave your comment on this page!

PPS if you are involved in a group that does charitable works, pls click here

 

My Favorite Things...222...New Friends & New Fun!

WELCOME TO DAY FOUR OF OUR BROWNIE POINTS BLOG-ALONG-ATHON!

On Wednesday, I just finished up...

This is a special tip sheet that I did as an adjunct to the FREE FAST FLOWERS QUILT PATTERN.  When I read the pattern that they sent me for my approval, it left me with a LOT of questions.  Plus I thought, OMG all levels of quilters are going to read this pattern, and there are going to be a lot of questions...How am I going to help these people out? 

Being the control freak (that I admit) I am, I turned on the computer and wrote up two full sheets of notes & diagrams for you all.

I'll go through a lot of these tips with you over the next many days of Brownie Points...but if you want a copy right now, just go to my left side bar...it's the icon that says "BROWNIE POINTS QUILTING TIPS"

My next guest is a darling gal from Florida...Here's a picture of me (the smirk & the tired eyes) with adorable Jenny from Sew Fabulous at Quilt Market a while back LOL...

Imagine my delight when I found out that Jenny was not only a quilter & fellow animal lover, but a veterinarian, too.

Jenny is also selling the Fast Flowers Quilt Kit at the Sew Fabulous site.  As with all of the other Brownie Points shops, I'll be donating $5.00 for every Fast Flowers Quilt Kit sold to Jenny's charity:   The Alaqua Animal Refuge.

Lots more fun & frivolity tomorrow with Jenny, her charming blog & pictures of her fur babies.  Turns out that her kids love the LakeHouse line...

LOL

;oP  H2

PS  I'd love to hear your comments on the HOLLYTIP sheets and the Fast Flowers Quilt Kits when you get them in the mail gals...Kristine's studio (she's our designated kitmaker) is like Santa's workshop right now, there's ribbon & tissue & bundles of pretty LakeHouse Fun Flowers Fabric everywhere!

PPS  Keep those warm wishes for our Velda coming in girls!

 

 

 

My Favorite Things...220...More Fun with Tammy & A Giveaway Too!

WELCOME TO DAY TWO OF OUR BROWNIE POINTS BLOG-ALONG-ATHON!

Tammy is selling the Fast Flowers Quilt Kit from her website, click here for the details.

You'll be able to get the FREE Fast Flowers Quilt Pattern by clicking here.

My Fast Flowers Tip Sheets will be available as a FREE download on the side bar by TOMORROW.

We're having a second day with Tammy, so that you make sure to see her blog A Tadd More, and her bright and friendly website as well.  I'm hoping she'll have some more pictures of her fabuloso store as well...check out her online store here.

Rumor has it Tammy's got some goodies to give away today, so check her out!

From the first time I saw her, Tammy has always loved bright jewelry, clothing & accessories, it's no wonder that she loves our Fun Flowers Fabric line.  She's done oodles of nifty bag patterns, and probably hundreds of quilt designs with her mom Velda at her side.

I wanted to share some fond memories from a trip that Tammy took with friends & family to visit me in New York City.

A few years ago Tammy, Velda, Tammy's daughter and a gaggle of friends all convened in New York.  With me as their gourmand guide, we walked for hours & hours in Manhattan's SOHO, Nolita, Greenwich Village & Gramercy Park.  We ate French pastries at a teeny bakery called Ceci Cela (try the Napoleans with Fresh Raspberries). We shopped till we almost dropped and ended up at Les Halles (Anthony Bourdain's old restaurant) at the end of the day for some yummy "Steak Frites". 

Here's Tammy & her Mom below...(see what I mean with the bright accessories?!!)

 

Recently Velda's been battling cancer, and I know you'll all want to wish her the best in health and a speedy recovery, so that she can ride shot gun with Tammy & her posse' on another trip again very soon. 

WE LOVE YOU VELDA!

For Every 10 people who leave a message of LOVE & SUPPORT FOR VELDA, I'll give away a free ribbon-tied fat quarter bundle from my personal stash. 

So let's get to it girls...Let's feel the love & send out our best wishes to VELDA! 

Please, only one get well wish for Velda per person.

When you leave Velda your wish doesn't matter, as we'll be drawing your names from a hat (collected from this blog post) at the end of this event.

I'm guessing this will be in the new year, so keep checking back for the names of the prize winners.

Lots more to show & tell & give away!

Y'all come back now...

;o)  H2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Things...219...Old Friends with New Projects

WELCOME TO DAY ONE OF OUR BROWNIE POINTS BLOG-ALONG-ATHON!

As promised, the Fast Flowers Quilt Kits, are ready in time for Christmas, for your little angel...see more below!

I'm excited to introduce you to Tammy Tadd Designs.  Tammy & first met when our booths were near each other at our first Fall Quilt Market in Houston.  I've seen her evolve from a quilt & pattern designer into a shop owner, blogger & all around bon vivant.  Tammy's got the most colorful little quilt shop in Sycamore Illinois. 

Here's a close up of some of the beautiful Christmas tree ornaments that Tammy has made with our Fun Flowers fabrics.  Leave it to Tammy to kick off the holidays with this charming assortment of hand made & store bought ornaments.  Notice the jumbo ric rac she's using in her tree as a garland...a girl after my heart!

For more pics of Tammy's shop and clever designs, see Tammy's Blog--A Tadd More.

  

 

Tammy will be offering the Fast Flowers Quilt Kit for sale on her website, along with lots more projects that use LakeHouse fabrics.  As mentioned, I'll be donating $5.00 for every Fast Flowers Quilt Kit she sells to her favorite charity:  Tails Humane Society.

Just remember, the FREE Fast Flowers quilt pattern is available online at the Quilts & More website, so click here to see more pictures of the Fast Flowers quilt, and download your free pattern.

I'll be offering a FREE downloadable HOLLYTIPS TIP SHEET in addition to the FREE PATTERN later this week on the sidebar...(because you know how picky I am about quilt construction).

Come back tomorrow for more on Tammy and some of the fabulous freebies & special offers she'll be offering during our Brownie Points event...

So many of you write to us, wanting information on where to purchase LakeHouse fabrics.   So now's the time to see some of the wonderful independent shops all over the US who carry our fabrics.

Join us won't you?

;o-   H2

 

 

My Favorite Things...215...Little Tykes

I just thought I'd share a little fun news with you all...Paton's nephew Simon Hillis who's now 9 years old, is on the front of SKI magazine this month.

I can remember Simon up at the family cottage in the Muskoka's when he was just a baby.  He wasn't old enough to walk, but he could swim like a fish.

Simon has been on skis since he was 2...how cute is that?

:o)

H2