Teaching in November

Early in November Cathy and I travelled to Grand Rapids, MI to Smith Owen Sewing Center. I teach here annually and this was our third trip. Many of my students stitch on my projects and it was wonderful to see the progress they had made.

Here are wonderful examples of my 'Flowerbed' quilt. I was amazed at the amount of embellishments on each piece. Susan took my 'Altered Texture' Flower basket quilt class at NEORQC in Ohio and brought her piece to share with all.

Nancy is teaching a class on 'Magnolia' at Smith Owen and many shared their quilts. They are nearly finished and I believe they will be offering 'Mercer Lane' next year.

I taught three classes this year. The first one was the ever popular leaf embellishment class. We stitched with luxurious fibers using wonderful stitched and layering.

The second class was a new class working with circles. It was a great success and fun was had by all.

I also taught my Small Bird 'Altered Texture' class.

It is always amazing to see these little pieces come to life.

On Monday night I gave a lecture at the Light House Quilt Guild in Grand Haven, MI.

We had dinner before the meeting on the lake. This was the wonderful sunset from our table.

Many of the members work in wool and they had a table displayed with some of my patterns that they had made. We really enjoyed visiting with this enthusiastic guild.

This was my last teaching engagement for the year. I am now trying to catch up from a very full and productive year. My dad has been here for 10 days helping us set up a new computer system and working on a business plan for 2011. I completed my 2010 'Crimson Tweed' BOM and now stitching on blocks for the new 2011 'Imperial Blooms' BOM.

The weather here in the Midwest has been very mild and I am hoping to finish putting my yard to rest for the winter this weekend. I then can plan the many quilting projects I have in my head for my new books for Spring Market.

Next week I am flying to Spokane for a few days to visit my family.

Take care

Sue

Houston Quilt Market

I am just returning form a few days in Houston where I visited Quilt Market. Wendy my sister joined me and we shared a room with our friend Susan Day from Portland. It was great to spend time with both of them. The weather was wonderful and each day we left the convention center the trees and telephone wires were filled with black birds. It was a great sight.

We had many great meals down town. I loved this tree sculpture on the side of a building we passed many times. My Australian friend Sarah Fielke and her husband Damien where also at market. Sarah launched her new fabric line 'From Little Things' with Lecien. I loved the quilt she made to show case the line. We also had a wonderful meal with them on Sunday night.

As usual I love what the Japanese produce. Seven Islands is one of my favorite fabric companies. Their display as well as their fabrics are wonderful.

Wendy and I spent Monday afternoon wondering through the quilt exhibit. Here is a sneak preview of the quilts that caught my eye.

'Innocence' Hollis Chatelain from Hillsborough, North Carolina

'The Double Wedding Ring' by Keiko Goke of Miyagi, Japan

'The White Garden' by Akiko Kawata of Osaka, Japan

'Earth Trees, Earth Flowers' by Yoko Kosaka of Misato, Saitama-Ken, Japan

'Sparkling Waters' by Masae Utsunomiya of Kitasohma, Ibagaki-ken, Japan.

'The Wonder of Birds II' by Pamela Allen of Kingston, Ontario

'Grace' by Shin-hee Chin of McPherson, Kansas.

At the end of the show we were all very tired. It was good to walk the show instead of having a booth. I did not find much new and I felt the show was a little slow. I am sure we will be seeing some big changes in the quilting business in the future especially the fabrics.

I have one more teaching trip to prepare for this year then I will be home for a couple of months over the holidays.

Take care

Sue