Hello!

Welcome to American Homestead. I'm happy you have found my blog. Make yourself comfy and see what's been happening around here. I write about the things that interest me ~ creativity, travel, food, nature and a happy life. I'd love to read your comments.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Market Report

 
Here are some more photos from the
Fall 2012 International Quilt Market.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It was a great adventure!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, October 28, 2012

To Market, To Market, Day 2

 
I finally got out of my booth today to take
some photos, hope you enjoy them!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
My neighbors across the aisle ~ nice guys!
 
 
 
 
Our final day in Houston tomorrow...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Exciting Times at Quilt Market


Here are a few photos I took this morning
as I was arriving at day one of the 
International Quilt Market in Houston, Texas.


If you look just above and behind the 
Janome sign on the right ~ that's me!
American Homestead!


I can't believe these are the only photos
I took all day...  It was very busy, meeting
old and new colleagues and shop owners from 
all over the world.
At one point I was looking out of my booth at 
all the big name fabric companies, sewing machine 
companies, famous designers and realized how 
happy I am to be here among them ~ it is very
exciting.  Just last week I read the fascinating
new autobiography by Kaffe Fassett and this 
week, his booth is a stone's throw from mine.

I am arriving at a place where I only dreamed
about in the past and I'm loving every minute of it!

I promise to try to take more photos in the next
two days ~ stay tuned...


Friday, October 26, 2012

Galveston, Oh Galveston


We had a free day today and decided
to head to Galveston.  I spent the day
walking around taking pictures of old 
stuff ~ what I like to do most...

Here is a tour of the historic districts
















The flowers were still in bloom.


Sadly, the beach was not very nice.

Back to work tomorrow!


















Thursday, October 25, 2012

All Set In Texas!

 
Started the day in Texarkana, had a long
drive through the scrubland of East Texas,
finally arrived in Houston about 2pm and
got to work.  We were all set up by 8pm,
drove around for an hour and a half trying
to find the hotel... Finally checked in, about
to take a hot bath and by then the pizza
should be here. 
We have a free day tomorrow ~ what should
we do in Houston?
 
 

Monday, October 22, 2012

Oh Autumn ~ How I Love You!

 
I missed the best of the color in the
area I live in because I was traveling,
but I still got to see a bit of the majesty.
 
This is what Autumn looks like in my
neck of the woods.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Please Autumn, stick around for
awhile, don't send Winter too soon.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Honoring Women's Rights ~ Week 8

Rocky Road to Kansas
 

We are quilting along with Barbara Brackman's
Block of the Week, Grandmother's Choice.
 
 
I must state again, Why Oh Why to Y-seams...
I still despise them, but this is what we are
presented with and must work with them.
 

I printed out the pdf file and then
enlarged it at 107% and then cut
out the templates. 
 
 
For my striped piece I cut strips
1 1/4" x 20", 7 strips at this size
would be all you would need.
 
 
Sew these strips together using a
strip piecing method.  Remember
when strip piecing to begin sewing
each new seam from the opposite side.
This will keep the unit square and
straight.  If you begin each seam from
the same end the unit will bow and arc.
I leave the beginning thread tails on
to remind me where I started the previous
seam.  Press seams to the darker fabric.
 
 
Cut out 4 shapes from template C.
I marked 2 lines matching up to seam
lines on the striped piece so each of my
units would be the same.
 
 
Layout units as shown and sew together
in 3 units.  Press seams in center unit to
the inside and seams in outer units to
the outside.
 
 
Place one of the outer units and the
center unit with right sides together
as shown, sew from arrow to arrow.
 
 
Pivot the fabric up until the edges
of fabric meet.  Pin and sew from arrow
to arrow, then repeat on right side.
 
 
Press, the seams will just fall
into place on their own.
 

 
Repeat the previous 2 steps on the
other side.  Square to 8 1/2".

 
And since I had the templates handy, I decided
to redo the Amethyst block to make it more
zingy.  I am running low on these fussy cut
fabrics (there is sooo much waste).  Anyone
have any hints as to where to find out of print
fabrics?
 
 

It is so much fun seeing people from all over
the world participating in this project, please
become a follower to my blog! We are all one
in this world of quilting.

Check out the Flickr site where everyone can
post their work:
 
Next Sunday I will be in my booth at International
Quilt Market in Houston, Texas.  If anyone is going
I'll be in booth 1836, stop by and say hi.  I won't be
able to sew until I get home so I'll be posting later
 in the week.  Have fun everyone!