Long Beach Show pictures

My computer is distressed and so am I at this point, as I use my son's computer for this posting. So, rather than sharing pictures with you from the Long Beach show, here is a great link to "The Quilt Show" website daily blog. Scroll down and you will find three sets of photos from the Long Beach show, along with other interesting show pictures, etc.

http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php

I've checked this site several times, trying to decide if it is worth it to be a member. However, at $42.95, I haven't yet parted with the money...here are my reasons not to join...

-The cost seems high for online access.
-I already take 6 magazines related to quilting, so I have lots of resources.
-I have more projects in progress than I can count!
-I'm not a fan of watching TV or other video on my computer...spoiled by big screen TV's!
-I already spend too much time each day on the computer between work and home projects.
-I have more email and newsletters than I can read at this time.
-I'd rather be working on quilting projects...

I'm curious if anyone has become a member and find it worth the cost...

Long Beach Show on Saturday!

First, a few quick China trip photos...so what is a quilter to do when she is not finding fabric to purchase? Buy Pashmina's in every color you can find!! These wonderful scarves were just a dollar or two, depending on bargaining and number purchased! I came home with 40, some for me and many as gifts for friends and co-workers!
You can't be in Beijing without going to the Great Wall. What an incredible experience! So beautiful and so hard to fathom this was built so long ago! We walked between three towers with steps from 1 inch high to over 24 inches. I would love to spend more time there!

Yes, I will be going to the Long Beach show on Saturday, so if any bloggers are going to be there would love to connect with you! Post a comment and I'll check back...

There is so much more to write, but I am behind in packing, writing a paper for school and other homework due on Friday...this is just a momentary escape, as I am tired and distracted after a full day at work, visiting dad at assisted living and over 6 hours of travel to one of our work sites.

Chinese Patterns

Everywhere we went I saw potential patterns for future quilts. Don't you love these circles, set in squares with stars in the lattice!

Patterns, patterns everywhere...textures on walkways, painted buildings in the Forbidden Palace and Temple of Heaven, beautiful tile work...


I'm finally back to blog life, after three weeks in China and another 4 weeks trying to catch up and recover from a nasty bout of bronchitis, asthma and allergies all kicked off during our last days in China, in Shanghai where the air pollution was incredibly thick!

Now it's time to sift through 1300 pictures, capture the designs in new quilts and enjoy this wonderful summer!

OFF TO CHINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for no picture and not posting recently. Life is crazy as always...work, school and family. Haven't been quilting for awhile, but spent time this weekend showing my sister from N. Carolina all kinds of projects she can work on while staying in my house for three weeks...lots of unfinished projects...bindings to stitch down...borders to add... Check back after May 25 for pictures from China!!

Mom's butterfly quilt

Sorry this is a bit out of focus...This is a quilt made about 15 years ago for my mom who always loved butterflies. When she passed away in 1998 it made it's way back to me. Her birthday was just last week, so she has been on my mind, so I decided to share it with you, since I can't find the picture of the red, white and blue flannel star I just finished.

I have finished tacking down the binding on the back side of a flannel star quilt and moved on to the binding on another one. Unfortunately, I'm not finding the pictures as someone has disconnected my external hard drive. In a house of young males...I bet I can guess!

The two quilts hanging on the arms of the treadmill (that is what they are for aren't they?) are works in progress. The one in the front (Blue, green and yellow) just needs two borders added (yes, I got bored with it...see August 27, 2007 post for a full picture of it) and the middle one (bright pink) the top is finished, I'm just wanting to add some words to the outer border.

Life continues to be busy with work, school and family. Hopefully, I will get at least one more posting up before I leave for China on May 6.

One more option

I've experimented with the green option on the previous post, in several different ways and can't quite get it where I want it. Also, I've realized that I really don't have enough of the green except in a very skinny border. I suppose I could try begging to my N. Carolina sister, but have decided to try this option that is currently on the wall. The center border is just the small cherry blossoms with out the cranes...I think the cranes were too distracting (see previous post).

I'm hoping to get the borders on this one over the weekend...but that may not happen as I have lots of homework to catch up on. I have about 300 pages of reading and a 20 minute presentation and PowerPoint to create. Of course quilting would be much more fun!! It will be my reward for staying focused and making good progress!

It's been a crazy month since I last posted. My mom in law has passed away while in hospice care, my dad was to have hip replacement surgery but ended up having a cardiac cath and two stents placed. Now he has to wait 4 more weeks for his surgery. On top of it all we've had a restructure at work and I have added responsibilities. I am thankful to have a job!

I did buy two yards of fabric today, the pink and purple inner border, as I was thinking of using it for the binding too. However, I did resist some wonderful bright red and orange poppies on a black background that were just screaming out my name... I managed to make it out of the store with just what I came for!!

I'll be going to China in a month and would love to hear about any great fabric shopping experiences, quilters, etc. I've not found much on the web, so would welcome any suggestions you might have!

Border Options

Yesterday, I finally had time to finish the main portion of this 9 Patch Pizazz quilt which has been on my design wall since September. With school and the rest of my crazy life, there just isn't much time to sew. I had planned to be gone this weekend, but things changed so I decided I was spending at least one day in my sewing room! It felt so good to be there!

There are 3 border options. If you click on the photo, it should open a larger view in another window. The top left which has two fabrics that are in the quilt, the bottom left with a different inner border and then the one on the right of two similar fabrics. So what's your vote?

Almost forgot to write about my forbidden purchase yesterday. Two yards of a beautiful 2008 Kona floral fabric and 1 yard of a green oriental to go with another project... So I made it two months without a fabric purchase...