Sunday Stash

Friday I went to Fabric Depot with a girlfriend. It was my first outing since I caught that bug from my DH.
I went in search of solids for my "project improvisation". The 2 browns on the end are kinda "non-colors" or "shadows" meant to help "show off " prints. I was really looking for grey. They had about 3 but they were all wrong. Amy Butler Solids were on full display, but at 11$ yard minus 35%, I'm sticking to Kona and RJR, which is 5.99 yd minus 35%.
If you live in the Portland Metro Area and don't go to Fabric Depot- go now! If you don't live local you can visit them online. It's like a costco sized store and it's all on sale.

Sample Spree Con't. Free pens and candy from the Threaded Pear / Quilters Buzz.com

freee pens and candy from the, originally uploaded by 2ndAvenueStudio.
Around 7:30pm things picked up in line and vendors started coming out and handing out coupons and flyers.
Threaded Pear Studio came out and asked us to sing happy birthday to the burnette on the left. I was so happy to get that breath mint I really needed it. We were let in to shop and boy was it exciting. There are great pictures at the JollyJabber and of course, Quilters Buzz.com of what went on inside. I don't have any. I was shopping, my hands were full and it was a crush!

Here is a picture of our haul.

we were parked in the garage, which could not have been further away if we tried. Mercy.
SewDaisy hauled most of it herself, because of my back. But really I seemed fine the next day, so I guess I was just sore, not injured, from BSR class/handiquilting. She was great and I am so grateful for the help.
Here is a picture of my haul

It includes Anna Griffin's Alix Collection (which I got on the exhibit floor Saturday), Hoffman Balipops and Pappillon, Some Batik Textiles and another fav - Art Gallery Fabrics. From MODA we have : Mary Engelbreit's Recipe for Friendship, Fig and Plum, Cotton Blossom, Butterfly Fling and Nest . Some of this will get used as "give aways" so stay tuned.
Here's a picture of a favorite jewel. Sometimes, It was hard to keep a clear head.

Its Amelia from timeless treasure.... so summery and fresh. I bought this because the colors
were "good" and the price was right, stuck it in my bag and moved on. When I got home and have sat with it for a few days, I am in LOVE! Turns out my Local Quilt Shop is ordering the line, I am gonna make a class sample with it. So happy. Its really lovely.

The other discovery I made is local and kinda off topic. After Spree we were so hungry, thirsty.
We drove around to Burgerville - which is local and I don't eat there usually, I like Wendy's chicken and McDs fillet o fish , when I have to drive thru for food.
Burgerville Halibut Fillet Sandwich!!! it was a big, fat fillet of lovely halibut that tasted so good and it came with lettuce instead of cheese.... Delish! I am now like "Mc-y who??"
I just went and looked at the nutritional info and maybe I won't always choose that sandwich but they have other choices. Its sustainable, uses local ingredients and it was GOOD! There you go.

sample spree line at 5 pm

line at 5 pm, originally uploaded by 2ndAvenueStudio.

This was way too early to get in line!
The week before market I went to my last required class for new Bernina owners. Doesn't matter that it has been months since I bought it, so long in fact, that the oil light went on after 180,000 stitches. It was BSR class, and I don't know if was the class or the 8 passage quilts I handiquilted after the 2 days after the class but my back went out. It was so sore, and tired, it spasmed and I was betrayed by my body and bedridden.
DANG, it's official folks, I have gotten to the age where I can feel my age.

My husband was a dream, he took real pity on me and brought me meals and snacks upstairs, I think he felt bad since I have been talking about this so long. The night before, the night before sample spree, Tuesday, he actually volunteered to go to sample spree for me, then he said he would just wait in line and I could go... he really didn't think I could do it and neither did I. We had grim tragic faces on all night. Sad.
Wednesday I got to thinking, maybe my girlfriend could handle it, I do need some help. I have an unrivaled group of quilty-girl friends, one is SewDaisy. She has what I call the "Lucy Gene". She loves a good Lucy and Ethyl challenge. I called to talk to her about what to do and she became available.
Thursday, the day of sample spree, I woke up feeling "Grrreat!" . No back pain, no soreness, nothing. 2 days of bed rest had paid off. hurray!
So we get there really early, too early. We sat on couches for a while
then we moved. SewDaisy just laughed at me for being so excited.
We could have waited till 6pm and still easily gotten in, but we did have to drive from Hillsboro on the 26, so better to do it before rush hour. right?
Thats my red bag on the floor in the photo.

Inside the hall, which we visited more than once, we checked to see where the vendors were located. This is a photo of this huge hall with no people in it. later it got so crowded and hot.

I am on Quilters Buzz!

I am on Quilters Buzz!, originally uploaded by 2ndAvenueStudio.

In my little book of goals and dreams I have written "be featured on www.quiltersbuzz.com" . I know its a stretch but here I am, 6 months old in my little business and there I am on www.quiltersbuzz.com!! Okay I know the QB post isn't about me, but I can see myself in this photo and I know its me.Gina said I could copy it to my flickr(see links) so I could note my face. Red faced from fright that I might miss some great fabric opportunity! 

 Seriously though, I know I am grasping at straws but it counts right? woohoo!
Since Gina put me on her blog: here she is in all her glory handing out candy, pens and thread beds. She looks great, on her blog she said she was gonna slim down, she did, and it shows!

Threaded Pear has great goods coming which is so exciting! Next time I will share my sample spree story and peek at some goodies.
using the ASL sign for "I Love You" and bobbing my head here's a heavy metal
"Quilters Rock! "

Quilt Market Saturday

salad, originally uploaded by 2ndAvenueStudio.

Im so tired all I could do was pick a little spinach and a couple of onions and I cut out an entire lettuce plant out because its getting really crowded and I didn't want to just pick leaves.
I didn't make dinner with it, I just sat outside a while and am going to bed early.
I saw all the stars I wanted to see and snapped a slew of photos that will be coming I promise.
Its so hot here in the PacNW that I really am consumed with keeping my plants alive and hoping my lettuce doesn't bolt.
That wee radish was left over from last months radish crop it must have been a stray that finally took root.
I found out today I am a non-branded quilt designer, I learned this from a puplisher. There is a title for what I have been doing and want to do more of!
HaaZaa!
I can also be called a "creative" as in "we always looking for more creatives to help market a line(fabric)"
I got some great leads to grow the business ... so overall it was a great time and I am so excited.
Its been super scary to be putting myself out there. But also really validating at the same time. Feeling really connected to the community is hard for me sometimes.

More on Quilt Market tomorrow or Monday (more likely).
Say it with me now! "Quilters Rock!" *head bob*

A plug for the plant people www.farmingtongardens.com

Sample Spree favorite score!!

IMG_0505, originally uploaded by 2ndAvenueStudio.

I was lucky enough to score some great things, but this was the best little jewel!
Cupcake Fabric! by Susan Branch its called Tea Party and a got a 5.5 x 22 inch roll. the other fabrics show tea pots, teaballs, flowers and hearts. It was a total surprise to me,  I hardly looked at it in all the excitement of "sample spree".  When I got home, I untied it's little ribbon and "Blam!" I was assaulted with its cuteness. Some how it screams pin cushion, baby quilt, and has hints of Japanese cuteness all at the same time and I love the strong colors. That green is pretty acidy. I also was so excited because I plan on playing 'tea party' with some friends real soon.

I did get to the Moda booth and scored some real lovelies so please come back soon to get the scoop.

Spinach doesn't mind the heat

Spinach doesn't mind the heat, originally uploaded by 2ndAvenueStudio.

I spent the day trying to save our new landscape from the heat. It was 95 degrees in Portland, Oregon today and we have only been in this house for 9 months. 6 months ago we had yard put in with drip irrigation.
Everything has been unused, until today, when I realized I better get out there and water.
Everything looks distressed!
I should have taken a photo "before" I watered - because this was some sad, limp spinach. But it bounced right back.
The yard man came over and discovered things were broken, not set right, etc.... and helped me straighten out my "getting it started" process.
I didn't go to Quilt Market today, but am planning to spend the day tomorrow.
this post is really a test of my blogging from flickr
I hope it works.

Blogga' PLEase!!!

I cannot believe I am blogging! I fought this moment for so long. Do I really have anything to say?
and for how long?We'll see.