Hmqs Experience

First - my parents have made it here safely and we are having a great visit! Mom loves her Bible cover too :) Ella's birthday yesterday was a whirlwind of activity, with birthday shopping and cake baking - she's such a blessing to us!

The most asked about quilt in the comments was "A Mother's Love" - It received 1st place in Applique and was pieced by Joyce Stewart, and Ann Seely, and quilted by Sue McCarty. I did a tiny bit of research online and found that Joyce and Ann are sisters and have a book published together, but I did not find a pattern for any of the blocks. It is entirely appliqued - that much I remember - absolutely stunning!! I think of all this is my favorite too - so much love shown and reminders of the everyday, that with reflection, I'm reminded is beautiful in real life too :)

After wandering through all the quilts and photographing them, I started into the vendor booths. I was on a mission to find a easy dresden ruler, since Stephanie's tutorial, and Rita's obsession, I've been wanting to have a try! I also had in mind I needed a few fat quarters of Wonderland, it wasn't anywhere to be found, until I stumbled on Judi's shop! I was excited to find another young mom with an obvious love of fabric! My final purchase was a rotary cutter - I didn't think it was on my shopping list until I got to try it out! This thing is amazing!! It's ergonomic and simple to use. Already my cuts are more accurate and my arm doesn't tire! I cut the straps for my mom's cover - 4 layers of both fabric and heavy interfacing - with ease. No major pressure needed! I'm loving this new tool :)
They had lots of other tools too - worth checking out their site, though they did say that the prices are better at shows :) Apparently they are not quilters, and so they come to it with a fresh perspective and aim for more ease in their tools. I'm sold!

Later, I was watching a demonstration of the Accuquilt system, when I noticed someone else looking at and talking about this little pin cushion with dresden petals on it. I mentioned that I had found one, but had looked for it where we were standing since I saw that pin cushion. She pulled out the pattern, while telling me that she usually sells it but . . . I could have one! One look at the pattern and I knew I was talking to Kari, local Utah pattern designer, I explained that I was a blogger, and then she knew just who I was! So fun! I've left comments on her blog in the past, she checked out some of the links to the quilt festival - and so began our conversation!

In all my wanderings I had passed a booth of a new fabric manufacturer - Kari and I went back to look at the fabrics together at the Riley Blake booth. Also local to Utah, using scrapbooking paper designs, for really fun fabrics :) The flannels they had printed are so nice and heavy weight, and the colors are fun! They have a new line coming out each month and the first is due in stores next week. Check out their site a bit - it's only going to get better! And the velvet ric-rac they are making is beautiful!!! I'm sure you could ask your local shop to look into carrying it, and hopefully they have some good online retailers too.

All in all I had a great time talking and being surrounded by all things quilt! I hope that you are having a great day.
Blessings -
Amy