Market Recap

So we're finally home! Ben and I were supposed to be home Monday afternoon, but we made it as far as Atlanta before our flight home got cancelled. Here we were racing to catch our next flight which ended up not even existing. All delays aside, we were safe and sound and I'd rather have it that way. The worst thing that happened to us was once our flight was cancelled, our checked bag was kept at the airport and went on the next flight home whether we were on it or not... So we spent the night in the hotel with half of our toiletries and the clothes we had on. Yuck! We were on the first flight home with our airline, but our luggage must have hopped on another carrier because it made it home before we did, it was there the night before... Explain that one to me...

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who are still trapped in airports or hotels with no way to get home. We met many people during our travels that are not sure there is anything waiting for them once they are able to get home. I also pray for all of those who stuck it out through the storm. I cannot even imagine the devastation some are experiencing.

But, we made it to our first Fall Market.

 We walked and walked and finished the whole thing on the first day. The first day we skim and take all sorts of pamphlets and brochures. Then when we can't stand anymore we head back to the hotel and sort it all out and get a gameplan for the next day. It seems to work. The picture above is a view from the center aisle looking from one end of the booths to the other. Behind the wall in the back was the International Quilt Show. Amazing quilts in there!

 I also stopped by the Martingale booth and got my awesome Author badge with the cover of my book on it! It's starting to seem real! It might not be truly real until I have a book in my hands, but it's getting there. Oh, and I did have dinner the first night with several other Martingale authors and I had so much fun. I didn't take my camera, but if I get my hands on a photo I'll be sure to share it with you all!

Ben and I also got to go over to the Moda Party which was Western themed. Including a mechanical bull. I guess this was just supposed to be a photo-op, but once a few people started riding it, the party continued and the bull got to bucking! The Moda party was a great time with a country band, a Reba look-alike and really great food.

Sad to say I didn't get many other photos while I was gone. I am proud of myself to get this many photos because if you remember back to Spring Market... I had my camera in my pocket the whole time and only took one photo the whole trip...

I got more photos, but they're more for me rather than sharing. However, come Spring Market in Portland, I will be sure to get as many photos as I can!

So now it's back home, back to quilting and reality and laundry and all those wonderful things. Maybe even including a new pattern... I'll keep you posted later this week once I get my head back on straight.

Prior to Market: Mariner's Compass Quilting

So before I left for Market I got to quilt an absolutely wonderful project for Cottonpickers Quilt Shop.

My Mom, Beth, owns Cottonpickers and traveled to Montana this past June to certify the shop in Judy Niemeyer's techniques for Paper Piecing. While there she started this beauty:

 I don't know if it officially has a name yet, but this will be the new Technique of the Month from Quiltworx (Judy's Company) for 2013. Each month you will work on a different part of the quilt so you can learn all the areas over a gradual period of time. The quilt we made is with the queen extensions on it, but it can be made as just the small square (from the light blue border in) or as an octagon (just the white areas in).

 So this week I loaded it up on the good 'ol Gammill and went to town. I decided to try and incorporate nautical/boating themes into the quilting.

 Here's the center almost complete, just the purple areas left to quilt.

 The afternoon sun was setting and it really lit up the details in the quilting. As you can see I quilted waves, ropes, swirls and some line dancing here. The brown feathered star got some seaweed (or as I'm calling it - ring of fire) quilting shortly after I took this picture.

 I used all sorts of quilting techniques in different areas as you can see. The brown rope is a bit chubbier than the copper rope towards the center of the quilt.

 I put in some wood grain detailing in the striped areas that reminded me of the decks of ships. The navy blue in the borders got a mix of waves and seaweed fronds...

 And after much effort I'm glad to say it's done and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out!

 Here's the center fully finished.

 More details.

 Here's a better view of the outer borders. Overall it took me three days and seven different colors of thread to get this quilt done, but it was soooooo worth it! I wouldn't change a thing!

 We chose a wide backing in this sage-ish green color. If the light was just right, from the back of the machine I could really see the details in the quilting.

I love how that rope stands out so well on the back! I have yet to see the back all at once to show all the quilting. Once I got the quilt done I had to rush off to meet a customer and head off to the airport. Mom is working on getting the binding done now, so maybe I will get to see it before it gets sent to Montana for photos.

As mentioned before, this is a pattern by Quiltworx that will be available starting in January. But there's a catch - you won't be able to get this at just any store. This pattern is only available through Certified Shops or Certified Instructors. There's only 16 Certified Shops between the U.S.A. and Canada, but they have all made this quilt.

Not only have all of the shops made this quilt, but they're all different. Different colors, different color placement. You can check them all out on Judy's website. Even better, if you want to make one of the quilts just like one made by a Certified Shop, they will have kits for their version available too!

If you'd like to get on the list to reserve a kit of the quilt shown above, please e-mail Beth at CottonpickersQuiltShop (at) gmail (dot) com and tell her I sent ya!

This quilt in particular by far has got to be the most intricate design Mom has pieced and that I have quilted. It feels great that we were able to be a team effort on this one. So proud of ya Mom!

Now I've got to jump in the shower and get ready for Fall Market Day 1! Yippee!

Off to Market!

So here my trip begins. Ben and I are spending the night at a hotel room so we didn't have to get up at four in the morning (or earlier) to catch a plane. Trust me, me and four in the morning tend to not be on speaking terms...

So as I travel I will update you all as much as I can and share some other exciting news in the meantime. Like how tomorrow I get to have dinner with Kim Diehl. Yes, THE Kim Diehl!!!! Tomorrow will be mostly travel, but I'll keep you posted! Promise! Til then, goodnight!

Cat Officially Out-of-Bag

So, I've been keeping a secret for some time now, but I can't keep it any longer!

 In the Martingale catalog you will find information about my new book, coming to stores in February!!!

Seamingly Scrappy features 10 new quilts made with Fat Quarters or Precut Fabrics that look super scrappy, but are much simpler to make.

Ben and I will be heading to Houston for Fall Market for the first time ever and I'm so excited to meet some of the other Martingale authors! It's all starting to fall into place and I can't wait for February to be here!

Let me assure you this is just the first glimpse into Seamingly Scrappy and I will keep you posted on when it will be available and when you can Pre-Order a copy for yourself.

Cactus Flower Progress

I've taken a small break from my Bali Wedding Star to work on new patterns and smaller projects that are needed sooner. The Cactus Flower pattern from Quiltworx is one of those smaller projects. I have all of my larger spike pieces done and trimmed, now I need to make the center sections and put this top together.

I haven't been able to show much of what I've been working on, and even though this isn't complete, I thought you all might like a small glimpse of it.

As I continue to work on this quilt I will show the progress. It's coming along nicely!

House Seasoning Recipe!!!

I'm sharing yet another recipe today, and this has got to be my favorite of all. This seasoning is one I created when I was tired of rummaging through my spice cabinet (and yes I have an entire cabinet for spices, see below) when all I thought I needed was one thing.

 Now granted there are other things in here besides just spices. We have several vinegars and other mixes... But it is mostly spices. (Sad to say this picture was taken earlier this year when Ben rearranged the kitchen and this cabinet has grown since then. The top shelf now houses all of the vinegars since there's no room down below - thank you very much Penzey's Spices...)

So with this entire cabinet why on earth would I create another one??? Well, I have spices that you use only during certain seasons. I have those things you use in only one recipe a year (usually Christmas Cookies). And we have specialty seasonings like Blackening Spice, Barbecue, Chicken Spice Grinder, etc.

I like them all, but sometimes I just want a simple seasoning. Like a steak, or roasted veggies or potatoes. Just a little something something to give it oompf, but not overwhelming flavor. This seasoning (used sparingly) is so simple it just compliments the flavors of whatever. I will actually use it in combination with the specialty seasonings if needed. So here's what you'll need (pardon the industrial size packages, I'm making a bunch of batches for Christmas gifts):

 A container of some sort (remember for gifts, the more practical the better. Something with a wide mouth works best like this jar)
Kosher Salt
Seasoned Salt
Black Pepper
Onion Powder
Granulated Garlic (Or Garlic Powder works too)

WARNING: This is one of those recipes where it's not exact, but I will try to make an exact-ish plan at the bottom of this post.

2nd WARNING: Once you make this, plan on making it for everyone who tries anything made with it - you've been warned!

I like to make this in small batches. I use whatever container I plan on storing the seasoning in as my measuring cup so I know that it will be well blended and fill it perfectly.

 Here's how it goes, fill the container just less than half full with Kosher Salt. Next, put in about half that amount of Seasoned Salt. Put about half of that amount of Black Pepper in. Lastly, put about half of that amount in of both Granulated Garlic and Onion Powder. So now it just about fills the jar.

 Dump the entire contents into a bowl. With a whisk, put it directly into the center of the bowl and start circling in small circles widening the circles with each pass until you've reached the edges of the bowl. This will pull up the seasonings and will blend it perfectly in no time at all.

Pour it back into the jar and seal. It is now ready to give as a gift or to keep and use as needed (which will be often I assure you). Just remember to keep this seasoning stored in an air-tight container since it contains salt, it could become lumpy if it sucks in moisture from the air.

Now I know some of you might be asking some questions like:

* Why not just put on the top of the jar and shake it until it's mixed?
I've tried it and it does not end up with the consistent mix that whisking does.

* Why make individual batches rather than one large batch?
Even with whisking, I cannot be confident that once that batch would be divided that each jar would contain the same mix. One might have more pepper, one more garlic. This way each jar is the same(ish)

And as promised, here's a more accurate recipe for those that would like one:

1 cup Kosher Salt
1/2 cup Seasoned Salt
1/4 cup Black Pepper
1/8 cup Onion Powder
1/8 cup Granulated Garlic

Give it a try. This makes excellent inexpensive gifts for Christmas. Think about it. All of those people you would normally give Christmas Cookies, give them this instead! Leave a container in the mailbox for the mailman, give some to your hairdresser, etc. It would be a nice change from the "norm".

Last Cruise Port

So on our last day in port we were at St. Thomas. Ben found this amazing all-inclusive resort where you can get a day pass and enjoy all the perks of the resort. All the food and drinks you could possibly want were included.

 When we docked in St. Thomas, the view from our room on the ship was picture perfect!

 At the resort, there were several cranes flying around, but to a bunch of us they looked more like Pterodactyls!

 The lobby in the resort was gorgeous and just a hint of what was to come.

 I liken St. Thomas to a tropical West Virginia. If it's not on the top of a hill or at the bottom of a hill, it's in the hill. To get to the pool from the main lobby you go to the next building, go down 2 floors in the elevator and then go down these 99 stairs...

 The really weren't that bad though. They're gradual and it's not all a straight shot either.

 See what I mean about the hills?!

 Oh yeah, and there's a ton of iguanas roaming free around the beach and the pool...

 They're so used to people they're not bad or creepy at all, just don't try to pick one up.

 We had access to the beach...

 The pool had this amazing grotto...

 Ben was trying to get cozy with an iguana... Nice try, hun!

 But it was amazing and I would go back in a heartbeat. The food was great and the swim-up bar was fantastic! But the day came to a close and it was on the ship for two days at sea on our way back to Florida, but wait!

There's this rock in the middle of nowhere that we saw on our first day at sea back. Nothing else around for miles, just this gigantic rock.

We made it back safe and sound, just in time for the temps to dip into freezing temperatures at night and a high of around 50 during the day, but it makes those warm days that much nicer. Aaaahhhh, vacation. Now where to go next?!

I'm still getting settled in here and working on all sorts of quilts so I will have pictures to show soon!

The Shop is Open!

Just to let you know that the three newest patterns:

Alphabet Stitchery: Bundle of Joy

 

Alphabet Stitchery: Sea Creatures

 

Prima

Are now available in the online shop! To celebrate the new additions, enter the Promo Code:

NEWPATTERNS

And you'll save 15% off your entire order, but it expires this Thursday, the 18th at midnight EST, so hop on over to the shop soon!

Cruise Port #3 St. Maarten!!!

Just saying, if you didn't notice by my ancy demeanor in putting up the video from Maho Beach shortly after we got home, this was my favorite port for this cruise. Ben and I had heard of Maho Beach before since it's been featured on the Travel Channel in a few of their countdown specials. Even seeing it on TV did not prepare me for the day we would have.

 We left the port to head over to Maho Beach. Mystical wonderful Maho Beach.

 We got there just in time to see the updates for the flight schedule for the day.

 It's right above this beautiful stretch of the beach...

 And just happens to be across from this sign (there are several of these signs, FYI)

 I found some shells on the beach along with the other girls we were traveling with. No matter what type of shell, they are almost all white. The water is so clear that the sun is able to bleach the color out of them all.

 But the sun was hot and food sounded good so Ben and I headed to Sunset Bar & Grill.

 Where this was our view for the afternoon.

 The drinks were cold, the food was good. Oh, the food! We had the most amazing wood fired pizza. It was all hot and bubbly but it was sooooooo good that even though my mouth was being scorched, I couldn't stop eating. It was a shrimp and garlic pizza on a pomodoro sauce with lots of cheese - Yummy!

 The views were great and I have NEVER EVER seen water this color before. Granted the color of the water in the Caribbean is gorgeous no matter where you go, but this was incredible.

 It looked like it was glowing. I couldn't stop staring! So I'll let you do the same over these next pictures.

Did we "see all the sights"? Nope. Did we go on an adventure? If you consider taking a cab to a beach near an airport an adventure, then no. Was this my favorite day of the whole trip? Yes Yes and Yes. I want to go back already... I probably would be a beach bum hanging out at the local bar from dawn til dusk, but it's paradise... One last port!