A Fun Visit At Libby's House!

I know some of you are waiting to see my photos from Libby's house. As afore mentioned, I got to spend some time with

Libby from Sweet and Simple blog. 

Libby is so much fun! It was a delight to meet her after all these years and all those promises of getting together.

The first thing you see when you arrive at Libby's house is the quilt hanging on the gate next to the house. Yes, it is outside! This is California, and I hear things are different there. And this IS the house of a quilter! Of course I love that, don't you? 

I hardly know where to begin, there were darling little vignettes and quilts displayed all over the house. Look how cute on this old ironing board!

A quilt ladder is becoming almost a quilter's 'must have' and Libby has one. 

She also has a fun quilt rack made up of curtain rods. Love it!

This is the bedroom and her gorgeous hexagon quilt that we watched her make on her blog. Also this beautiful log cabin with really small strips--it's to die for! And LOVE the pillows! She is a folk art genius!

Libby is also a big Cheri Payne fan and has made numerous projects designed by Cheri. Wonderful stuff here! 

Libby also pulled this little Christmas quilt out of the closet that I designed and she made a few years ago. Love her version. This is a free pattern on my website, PatchalotPatterns.com.

This little basket is stuffed with little quilts with the crow and flag taking the center stage. So Cute! 

I felt so inspired after leaving Libby's house. But most of all I felt so happy to have spent the day with this wonderful woman! It was just like meeting up with an old friend, even tho our whole relationship has been through blogging. Thanks Libby for a great afternoon! 

If you want to see Libby's projects from over the years be sure to visit her BLOG and just peruse her posts. If you haven't been there before you have a lot to catch up on!

 I forgot to post this picture of Michelle Joyner from Fat Quarter Quilts Shop in Vista, CA in my last post.  She is a doll! By the way, her shop has free shipping on their website. Good stuff!

April Activities

The Month of April has been full of fun activities! Our granddaughter Mary's wedding was the big event that we planned everything around.  Mary and her husband Mike were married in the LDS Oakland Temple on April 4th. We were so delighted to be able to be there with them! My husband Mike is on the left, and I hope Mary and her Mike are blessed with many years of happiness as my husband and I have enjoyed. The newly weds are now on their honeymoon in Hawaii! 

Here is a little selfie of me and the bride's younger sister. Some of you may remember Kathryn when she was a baby eight years ago.  I called her Plumpkin back then. She is not that anymore! I think she has my teeth, what do you think? Seriously, where did I put them? (No, not seriously, I still have my own teeth, thank heavens.)

I think my husband figured we drove about 2200 miles on our trip this month. Before the wedding we drove from Mesa, AZ to San Diego. We stayed with one of my oldest and bestest friends. We had so much fun, mostly just talking! I should have taken more photos of her house because it is charming and happy and colorful. She collects all kinds of fun things, including old quilts. She gave me a darling little ladder that I will show at a later date when I find the perfect little quilts to display on it.

I was delighted to visit two quilts shops in San Diego. I know there are lots of them, but time and money limited my visits. The first one I went to was the Fat Quarters Quilt Shop in Vista, CA.  This shop has long been a favorite and the owner, Michelle Joyner,  buys my patterns! On top of that, Michelle is the most friendly and the sweetest person ever. Her energy keeps that shop running at top speed and it is full of wonderful things. While I was there Barbara Brackman, Ladie's Album line was delivered and as Michelle was unpacking, I was buying! It is beautiful! Also, pictured below you will see our wonderful blogging friend LIBBY! From Plain and Simple blog. We met up at the shop and after that we went to a cute Mexican place for lunch and then to Libby's house. That will be the subject for another post--with photos! It was a delight, and so is Libby! what fun!

I wrote the above yesterday, but as today falls on Easter Sunday, let me wish you a beautiful day with thoughts of the Resurrection and our Savior who, through his sacrifice, provided the way for us to live again. Live each day in gratitude!

Cocheco IV Fabric and Kits!

I just came home from the grocery store and am collapsing for a few minutes. My husband is expecting an apple pie. But before I begin that I need to catch my breath. I left several bags of groceries at the foot of the stairs by the garage. Our kitchen is on the third floor and it about kills me to carry heavy bags up there. I just carry the frozen and refrigerated stuff up and then Hubby gets the rest later. What a plan, huh?

 Here it is again, Old Elegance. I am excited about this quilt being displayed at the Marcus Fabric booth at Quilt Market in Houston. I know you have all heard this before, if you read my blog. The additional great news is that there will be kits available at two fabulous shops. Coincidentally, both are AP&Q top shops!

When I called Michelle Joyner of Fat Quarters Quilt Shop in Vista, California she was very enthusiastic about my pattern because she had ordered this fabric line from Marcus. She now has the fabric and the pattern in stock so hopefully kits are in the works! You can reach her shop at 760-758-8308. Also see the link to find out what other great things are in the shop. I had the pleasure of visiting this shop several years ago and love it! 

Another great shop, and closer to home for me, is Millstone Quilts, right here in Virginia. Millstone Quilts was just featured in the most recent issue of Quilt Sampler magazine. You probably have the magazine so you can take a look at how darling the shop looks. Regina Simmons is the owner and when I spoke to her she decided to order the fabric so she could make up kits. You can contact this shop at 804-779-3535. Wow, make my day!

I can't tell you how delighted I am to have these two great shops kitting up this pattern! It gives me the opportunity to share this pattern with you kitted in the original fabric pictured in the photo. I hope you love it and give one of these great shops a call!

Also, you can purchase the pattern individually at the Patchalot Patterns website, or ask for it at your LQS. I am always happy to take shop orders!