My friend Marilyn Foreman from Quilt Moments convinced me to join her and two other friends last March at the Spring Mystery Weekend at Glad Creations in Minneapolis.  Glad’s is where is took my first quilting class in 1983.  It was like coming home!  And even better is that I got to sew just for me!

There is a Fall Mystery Weekend too; it was my turn to do the convincing and tomorrow is the day – Mystery Weekend #48!   “Civilian Sewing” is what keeps coming to my mind….I’ll be “off-duty” so to speak.  Not teaching, not designing, not responsible for anything but my very own seam allowances!

There is show and tell each time and earlier this week I though maybe I could get a few more blocks finished from the Spring Mystery…unfortunately, this is where my progress stopped…but I got everything out again and reorganized it so I can keep going.  Not like I’ll finish this queen sized quilt before I go tomorrow, but I made an effort!

This is the quilt that the Wednesday Quilters at Fabric Town in Apple Valley, MN made when they tested Tranquility, a new pattern that was just released.  They had a great idea that I thought just had to be shared. They put their heads together and organized the test class into a quilting bee of sorts to make a quilt to donate to Quilts of Valor.  I think it turned out really well – thanks guys!

Market was busy and lots of fun – and I’m always glad to get home.  I was there without a full time helper – but had some really good friends make sure it all went smoothly for me.  Susan Marth (Suzn Quilts) and Robin Koehler (Nestlings by Robin) drove from the St. Louis area and brought booth supplies for me, made sure I got fed and drove me all over creation.  Susan Knapp (The Quilt Branch) spent hours helping me set up my booth, with school house and then came by frequently so I could walk a little bit of the show and eat lunch.  Pam Mathews (Pam Mathews Designs) helped with booth set up and school house.  I couldn’t have done it with out them!

One of the coolest things I saw at market was The Binding Tool by the Quilter’s Mercantile.  I’m not sure when it will be up on their website, but I know that Quilted Treasures in Rogers, MN thought it was cool too.

A few people have asked about the pattern for the large quilt in the picture. It’s the queen size quilt from the Great Expectations book.
Click here for more information.

This is a favorite time of year for me.  I love the Minnesota State Fair!  I’m sure you have things like this where ever you are from.

Most years we go as a family – teenaged kids and all.  We eat ourselves sick on anything and everything, especially stuff on a stick.  There are certain things I like to see each year at the fair.  I love going through the Fine Arts building and looking at the quilts and all of the other fabulous needle craft items.  The Grand Stand is where there are hundreds of vendors selling amazing magical things and Heritage Square is where there is a quilt shop booth!  YES… A QUILT SHOP AT THE FAIR!!

Rosebud’s Cottage has been at the fair for several years now and it is always a treat to stop in a say hi. Check out Roseann’s blog to see all the preparations.  I’ll be hanging out with Roseann in her boothThursday August 27th about 5:00 – stop by and say hello! Here’s a link to a map, she is in Heritage Square.

I have been busy working on a few new things for Fall Market….this is a sneak peek at a tote bag that will be released in October…stay tuned!

Last Tuesday I had the pleasure of spending a day with fellow Minnesota designers.  We met at Rosebud’s Cottage Workshop in White Bear Lake,

had lunch at the most delightful spot

then went back to the workshop and made paper covered journals.

And this is mine!

Remember to stop by Monday when we resume the
second half of the MN Designers Blog Hop!

Remember to stop by the G.E. Designs blog on Monday for the launch of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop.  Gudrun will start off the hop with a free “Quilt As You Go” placemat pattern for you that is simple enough and quick to whip up before the 4th of July weekend.

Be sure to tell all of your friends because they certainly don’t want to miss this event. Not only are you getting personal advice from 10 great professionals, free patterns and demos, but you can be eligible for a fantastic grand prize. If you comment on all 10 blogs, you will be entered in a drawing for the following gift bags, filled with fabulous quilting goodies from all of us:

GE Designs, Anka’s Treasures, Perkins Dry Goods, Rosebud’s Cottage, This ‘N’ That, New Leaf Stitches, Atkinson Designs, Cedar Canyon Textiles, Scrap-Bags and Quilted Treasures.

1st Prize    A gift bag worth $200

2nd Prize    A gift bag worth $60

3rd Prize    A gift bag worth $40

Many of us will also be having individual prize drawings, so there are a lot of chances to win.  See you on Monday!

Mark your calendars for the Minnesota Quilt Designers Blog Hop June 22 to July 3!  Each blog will have a project or tutorial on the days listed below.

Leave a comment here during the hop and you will be entered in a drawing for my new Great Expectations book!

June 22 Gudrun from GE Designs

June 23 Heather from  Anka’s Treasures

June 24 Celine from Perkins Dry Goods

June 25 Roseann from Rosebuds Cottage

June 26 Sherri from This ‘N’ That

June 29 Kari from  New Leaf Stitches

June 30 Terry from Atkinson Designs

July 1 Shelly from Cedar Canyon Textiles

July 2 Jamie from Scrap-bags

July 3 Mary from Quilted Treasures

Here’s a little bit of what I was up to last weekend….

The Perkins Dry Goods booth!

Sue Daley and hubby from Patchwork with Busyfingers.

Kathy Mack from Pink Chalk Studio.

An early birthday at Buca in Station Square.

Getting around town after dinner Saturday night with Beth and Carol from Quilter’s Garden, Susan and Mary Jane from The Quilt Branch, Jane and Tammy from Thimbles in Lockport, IL and my college roommate Barb from Charlottesville.

I didn’t have much time to run around but I was able to get pictures of a couple of other friends in their booths.  Here are the Late Bloomers gals – Elizabeth and Pam (aka PamKittyMorning).  They were just down the aisle from me.  Elizabeth outdid herself with new designs this time – I just love that soft look!

Another friend, Susan Marth from Suzn Quilts was there too, she had neat new things – be sure to check them out at her website.  It was great to catch up with so many long distance friends.

I splurged on new flooring for this market.  Standing on concrete for three days is painful.  I loved the cushy foam floor tiles – and they even had them in a wood look!