Perkins Dry Goods

Spring Market is this week.  The festivities start today with set up at the convention center in Kansas City.  I love that I can drive to this market rather than trying to figure out how to get everything there when I fly. I’m lucky to have my daughter Molly helping me this time.  We leave this morning….I’ll let you know what’s new when I get back – stay tuned!

It’s time to announce the winner of the 100 Blocks Vol. 5 magazine!……drum roll please……

And the winner is…..QuiltSue! (sue.a……@gmail.com)

I also drew names for a few more prizes – each of the following people will receive one of my new patterns being released at Spring Market in Kansas City….

Bonnie (bonn…..@hotmail.com)
Mary Ellen (mequilt……..@comcast.net)
mo (byron……@gmail.com)

Email me with you snail mail address ASAP!

Thank you all for the lovely comments!

Patti Carey from Northcott Fabrics has worked some magic over on her blog Patti’ s Patchwork.  She has created some great quilts with blocks from Vol. 5.  Here’s what she came up with using my block (#491) and in combination with blocks
from Theresa Eisinger (#497) and Laura Blanchard of Plum Tree Quilts (#449).

She used Northcott’s new Stonehenge Stars & Stripes fabrics.

There are more quilts on her blog – be sure to stop over and see them!

My Block – Home Again #491

My block with Laura’s block #449

My block with Theresa’s block #497

Click here to go to the Quiltmaker Magazine Blog to see who else is on for today!

Wow, can you believe there have been Five, yes FIVE issues of 100 Blocks magazines?  I am happy to have been included in this volume.  Quiltmaker has given me a copy to give away, so be sure to comment on this post before midnight on Friday May 4th!

This is my block – it’s called Home Again.

For a quick project, make four blocks and add sashing.
The cornerstones in the borders add some interest.
This measures about 32″ x 32″.

Ohhh~ look what happens when you make the light background dark and add another color. This fabric is Farmer’s Market from Moda.

And the same four block topper – what a different look you get!

Be sure to comment to be entered into the drawing for your very own copy of 100 blocks Volume 5… And I’ll be throwing in a few giveaways of my own….stay tuned!

Be sure to stop by on Monday April 30th – that’s my day!  I’ll have my Vol. 5 block on display for you to see along with some fun ideas for how to use it!

There will be a prize drawing too ~ don’t miss out!

The Kansas City March website has been updated! The Passport is now online for you to
see and print if you like. It will also be in the Buyers Guide which is available at Quilt Market.

If you are a shop owner attending quilt market in Kansas City, I hope you will consider doing the March (Booth Hop). We have been working hard to make it a fun and worthwhile event. Remember, there is no purchase necessary to qualify for access to the BOM pattern, you just need to turn in a completed Passport by Noon on Sunday May 20th.

Attention Shop Owners!
I am pleased to announce that  Perkins Dry Goods will be a part
of the Kansas City March at Spring Market.

Join the 16 Kansas City March Designers for a uniquely exclusive program. Visit 16 designer and participating sponsor booths while at Quilt Market, and get your Passport stamped at
each for a great opportunity to win
the Grand Prize – The Legacy Sampler Quilt – shown here,
and lots more prizes!

Come to our Schoolhouse in Kansas City
to hear all of the details and meet all of the Designers!

All of the shops that complete their Passport and turn it in will receive the FREE downloadable Block of the Month Program featured here in the Legacy Sampler Quilt.

What could be easier, or more fun?

Drop your completed Passport off at the Andover Booth on Sunday May 20th by Noon.

One entry per shop, please.

Be sure to visit our Sponsors!

Can I get it done today?

These lovely red and white prints have been calling my name.

Best of all, I found a project that will be a perfect show case for them.

And it needs to be ready for the quilter before Friday!

What inspires you?

It’s true.  I am afflicted by Bright Shiny Object Syndrome.
My kids used to try walk between me and the displays at the store so I wouldn’t be distracted!

Remember, my word for the year is FOCUS?  The Professional Quilter Newsletter arrived in my in-box this morning and I swear that Morna was writing this article for me!

As I formulate my list of to-dos for market in May, I see that there are three teaching engagements, a trip to the East Coast, two kids graduating (High School and College) and at least six projects that have to happen before I can get in the car to drive to Kansas City on May 16th. Holy Cow!

Making a list is key and a great organizational tool that my friend Susan Nelson shared with me is what she calls a T&A.  Tasks and Activities, just to be clear . It’s a wonderful chart that lists all of the quilt projects that need to be organized – fabrics chosen, quilts made, quilted and bound, and photographed.  Patterns to be written, tested, printed and pattern covers to be designed.  I live by it.

The other thing that has helped me stay on track – believe it or not – is taking up knitting!  Don’t worry, I’m not crossing over! My BFF Jenni opened a cute little yarn shop last fall.  Now the only time I get to see her is if I take a class or hang out at open knitting.  Anyway, what I discovered is that knitting feeds my creative soul.  It is not work or work related (you know – the QUILT stuff!).  It’s something I look forward to doing after the studio closes down.  It gives me a reason to switch gears at the end of the day.  It has actually helped me FOCUS on what I need to get done.  I’m making my first sweater!  Who knew?