Spring Quilt Market - Minneapolis

The energy at market was wonderful. Everyone was enthusiastic and interested in trying new products in their stores. I was very fortunate as Melissa Becker joined me to help in my booth. It was great to spend time with her as she now lives a fair distance from my home.

At the last minute Lori Baker decided to come to market to shop and was able to share our room. We all had a good time together.

My booth was filled with quilts from my two new books 'Robin Run the Hedge' and 'Contemporary Folk' as well as my wonderful Genziana wool thread that I wholesale.

I love the Japanese fabrics and I am always excited to see what Seven Islands new lines are. You must admit they are always really fun. As you can imaging I bought quiet a lot of new fabrics for my website. These should all arrive late July.

My friend Anni from Australia was at market with her husband Peter. Her booth 'Hatched and Patched' is always full of wonderful sweet designs. We had a great dinner outdoors with them on Saturday night. I will also be teaching at her store in Australia in August.

Melissa and I had a little time out on Thursday and spent the day down town shopping. It was the day of the Farmers Market. The sun was shinning and the streets were full of colorful fresh produce. It reminded me how much I love to garden and how I can't wait to get my hands back in the dirt.

The most amusing sight we saw was the Pedal Pub which passed down the main street each night. It was filled with happy and laughing participants having a drink and peddling down the road. Minneapolis is one of my favorite destinations for market. Everything is very convenient.

I am very fortunate to have be invited to the 'Creative Circle' in Des Moines by American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine so I will be spending the next few days as their guest.

Keep Stitching

Sue

Workt By Hand - Tipp City Ohio

I just spent a great weekend teaching at our 'Workt by Hand' retreat with Melissa Becker, Alice Strebel and Sally Korte. This is an annual workshop which takes place in Tipp City, Ohio. This year we had 48 participants including students from Australia, New Zealand and England.

The theme was a cube using 9 different applique designs. Each one of use used these designs in a different way. I chose to do a wall piece and made boxes to mount on my wall at home. I pieced the backgrounds and used different fabrics and stitches for texture.

Sally made a swag making cubes using different fabrics, cross stitch designs and fun edgings.

Melissa made great slouchy cubes to set in a basket. She then wrapped each one with hand dyed rick rack and ribbons.

Alice stacked hers and made them into a lamp.

Each piece was unique and very creative.

We also do a surprise project on Thursday night. This year Sally designed this fabulous bird pincushion on an olive tray. It was a great success!

Here are a few of the beginnings of the student works. I hope you enjoy them. I can't wait to see the finished products.

I am now at market in Minneapolis with Melissa. We set up the booth today and hope to go shopping tomorrow. Market starts on Friday and I hope to find new and exciting products to embellish my wool quilts with.

Keep stitching and creating

Sue

Contemporary Folk

While posting about my recent trip to France I introduced to you to my new book 'Contemporary Folk'. We have been inundated with requests for it. It will be available on my website www.suespargo.com June 1 but in the meantime if you can't wait to get it you can call or email us to order one sue@suespargo.com or 330-899-9454.

In the 208 pages it features 18 projects including 3 large wall quilts, pillows, purses, table runners, needle cases, pincushions and my funky little birds.

The graphics are fabulous and they truly captures the essence of me work featuring snippets from my journals and embellishing techniques.

Once again I want to thank Carol and here team for a fabulous job. I am so delighted she chose to publish my book.

Can't wait to start the next one.

Keep stitching

Sue

Nantes to Paris

After the show we drove to Paris through the Loire Valley. I could not have thought of a better time to have done this. Being spring every thing was in full bloom and the color of the landscape was a feast for the eyes.

I kept taking pictures of all the windows and doors which were painted in an array of aqua and blue. They were just so appealing to me against the old stone buildings. It just made me want to stitch a new project.

The flowers were in full bloom as well as and the flower markets in Paris. I love to garden and it gave me itchy fingers to get into my dirt at home to start planing for my own flower beds. It was a long winter here at home so I am looking forward to spring!

As chartreuse is my favorite color you can imagine how these fields of mustard were so appealing. There were hundreds of acres of fields all the way through the Loire Valley. I have never seen so much vibrant color in a landscape.

This passed summer I planted two wisteria over my new deck at home. I am hoping that in a few years they look as wonderful as the ones I saw in France.

The food was fabulous in France especially all the pastries. One afternoon we all indulged in this wonderful rhubarb tart. I need to find this recipe as I absolutely love rhubarb and this was a little different with a custard filling.

Kelly also ordered chocolate mouse one evening and was amazed when the waiter arrived at the table with this huge bowl. The idea was that she was to serve herself the amount she wanted.

You can't go to Paris without visiting the Eiffel Tower. Wendy made the comment that every time she visits it she is still amazed at the size of the structure. We thought this picture may give you a better idea if you have not had a chance to visit.

As we were only in Paris for a couple of days we had to decide how to spend our time wisely. The bus tour around the city was a must especially as Cathy and Kelly had never been and it gave them an overview of the city. The one museum we decided to visit wad the Primitive Museum. It was just below the Eiffel Tower where we also had lunch.

We really had a wonderful time together. It was great to spend time with Kelly, Wendy, my Dad and Cathy. It was also wonderful to have them at the show in Nantes and for them to be a part of the launch of my new book. I thank them all for all they have done to make it possible.

It was not possible for Wendy, Cathy and I to go to Paris without indulging in a little fiber. So we managed to find a couple of stores to satisfy our need. Now we need to make time to do the projects!

It has been like a whirl wind since I got back home so I will keep blogging and sharing over the next few days.

Take care and keep stitching

Sue