in the mail

My letterbox seems to be bringing lots of print surprises lately. This book arrived last week from Country Bumpkin. I have never before worked for Country Bumpkin but I got a hasty request for this project earlier in the year. It was only ever designed and stitched as a teaching project and wasnt meant for mass publication but they begged! and they drew up the design from my sketches so it wasn't a lot of extra work for me... Of course I have always loved how they photograph everything so beautifully - thats why I have every single issue of Inspirations, quite a few Smocking and embroidery and many many A-Z titles in my bookcase.... The photos are just to drool over. I am so excited to have finally made it into one of their beautiful books.

Anyway, I think they have done a lovely job of photographing Victorian Virtuoso although I dont know that I'd hang it in MY bathroom!

So watch out for it at your newsagents or visit Country Bumpkin if you want to see more. I am assuming it is available now.

Dont forget there is still time to leave a comment a few posts back to win the AQS calendars. I will draw the winners on Friday.

We have been busy being inspired at the Tasmanian Guild exhibition and craft show over the weekend. I think the girls fell in love with Stamp it up so looks like a party happening here soon!

I was a very proud mum seeing my girls first quilt entry in the junior textile exhibition. Molly (11 at the time) had done all of the cutting, Tess (now 10) all of the machine piecing and their cousin Sarah (9) had quilted it with a panto on her mums longarm machine. They used the Turning Twenty pattern and the fabrics I had brought back from Des Moines 3 years ago - yes it took them this long to finish it but it looks great. Sorry I dont even have a pic of it finished as it was a rush to the end to deliver it. Sadly it did not win a prize but the school quilt - if you remember me blogging about it, did win an Honourary mention from the judges. yay.... well done kids.

hugs, Helen

Jo's Boobie buttons

You may remember that my lovely stitching friend Jo spent one week madly stitching some Boobie Button samples for me before I headed to the US. They were a hit and really helped to showcase the boobie buttons and how they can be used. Thanks heaps Jo. Here are some pics as promised....
hugs, Helen

book update

Well the Neenie's Garden pattern and shop kit is finally finished and patterns are being folded and packed as I type. So my head can come up for air and I can reaquaint myself with my family, my garden and my blog friends. It seems so long since the US trip which I know I have not told you much about and my last book update. That is because nothing much has happened there! However, there is now some movement and some evidence of progress. So back to the beginning of this instalment.

When we arrived in Salt Lake City last month for HMQS Peggy (our host) received her copy of the latest Unlimited Possibilities magazine. She strategically left it near my breakfast - imagine my surprise...

The article was actually on my sister Tracey who quilted Blessed Baltimore but it my first big cover and was very exciting! And the photo looked fantastic showing up the quilting so well. So Vicki hung the quilt in their booth for the show which was perfect as I was teaching the technique at the show and students could see it up close and personal.

When browsing the internet at Peggys Tracey discovered this. Scroll down to 'upcoming releases'. Yay its really happening...

Moving on: next we moved onto Portland for Quilt Market. Now I had had suspicions that something was going on at AQS as all mention of my Editor had disappeared from the website so when I ran into her on setup day my suspicions were confirmed when she advised me that she had left AQS and they hadnt yet replaced her with an Editor - eeek - my book is supposed to be out in 5 months and I havent seen a thing to proof nor sent anything for photography. However she also told me that she had released 24 books in her 12 months there so they do manage to get a lot of books out in short time spaces so hope was still there...

I then met with Marge the Marketing and Sales Director and picked up a copy of this which was handed out to all stores at market-

eeek... there I was in all my glory (and I must say several people said I looked much different and should re do my photo - I really dont think I've changed that much in the past 10 months but I did appreciate one person who said I looked much younger in real life :) )

That brings us to this week. I have heard from the new Editor and projects and products have been requested for photography so it really is moving along now.

This process has been so different for me having previously been a selfpublisher and been so in control of the process. Also having very short deadlines - when I have finished a quilt or project I want it out there now - not two years down the track, so it has really taught me about patience.

So - preorders are already being taken on the site, I will soon have something to 'see' and then the fun starts I guess.

Thanks for following on and for being so patient - I will keep you updated still as to future outcomes.

hugs, Helen

Calendar girls

having a little cleanup here and have come across two spare half used calendars. It was so exciting when these arrived in the mail seeing us as Miss December's -we had no idea they were coming or that our quilt was even going to be in it. Grandmas got one, dear quilting friends got one - but one can only have so many calendars and I hate to see them go to waste.
So there is still 6 months use to go and of course after that you have some spectacular quilt pictures to drool over and inspire... So.... yes I am leading up to it....... leave a comment and mention this on your blog to be in the running for an American Quilter's Society 2008 Quilting Calendar.
Hugs, Helen

just a quick one again

Instead of writing the pattern I have wasted some more precious time looking at this great new free online magazine called 'Inspire'. Go take a look and spread the word. I think it looks great, Nicole of Buzzy Bee Buttons is the Editor and she does lovely work. Download, have a read and see what you think.

hugs

Helen

home again to stay

Well I am finally home to stay awhile much to the delight of the girls. Its tag team here however as my DH left this morning for the first of two trips with his work.

Market was wonderful in Sydney over the weekend albeit a little slow and quiet. Wonderful to catch up with not only friends and my store customers but also other like minded passionate and very fun designers.

It was great to meet (for just a minute or two) the lovely Natalie at her first show - I hope to get to know her better, you would all probably know her as she has been around for some time, I have just never been close enough to meet her. I also met Lisa from Megelly bears- and I have to admit not being a bear maker did not know her bears but look at her blog, they are gorgeous, to die for bears.

I had the chance to really talk to many as 'everyone' wanted to sit at my table to colour a free boobie button - yes, they were a hit! and I ran out by Sunday lunch time but I am sure you will see them in your local stores soon.... its so refreshing taking grown women back to their childhood and watching them really get absorbed in colouring in the lines.... silly me however, did not get my camera out so I have no pics to show you of either the booth or boobie button colouring this time.

On the Saturday night this year the organisers arranged a dinner to present the inaugural Quilt Industry awards. I did have my camera there to take a quick snap of Australia's best quilt fabric rep (well it was actually QLD title but we all know she's Australia's best) and she really does deserve this title with all the extra effort she puts into her job. Congratulations Di.

and do you think we could stop Lilian talking after she won a most unexpected award for Tasmania's best merchandised store. Well done Esmes...

I can show you what I finished Wednesday morning before leaving after a marathon quilting effort on little Bernie. 6 hours Monday, 14 hours straight on Tuesday and she was ready for binding. Now I have to write up the patterns and shop kit so if I am absent for a little while again I have my fingers glued to the keyboard and my head pointing towards the monitor....

Presenting - Neenie's Garden

It will be on the website with local store listings very soon

hugs, Helen

just checking in

just a quick note to let you know I am home safely and the trip was full of exciting and fufilling moments. I have so much to share with you but must keep my nose to the ground until I get through Quilt market in Sydney this weekend. I hope to catch up with many of you there. Until then you can see some pics of our trip here, here, here, here (yes she is sitting in my booth colouring a boobie button!) and here.
hugs
Helen