Time for a long update…..

….so, grab yourself a tall, cold glass of iced tea and spend a few minutes so I can fill you in on all the happenings!

In my last post, I promised I’d be back in a “jiffy” but last week wasn’t quite what I expected as far as getting things back into a routine. In fact, when I came back from Minneapolis and Quilt Market, I brought home something very unexpected and unwanted: germs! By last Monday night, I could feel it coming on and by Tuesday afternoon I was positively miserable with the worst head cold/sinus infection I think I’ve ever had! Seriously, this bug really kicked me in the patootie. I honestly can’t remember the last time I felt so horribly sick! Needless to say, things didn’t get done as I had planned and it took me longer to get back to “normal” around here than I hoped. Thankfully, I’m feeling better today — a little more back to my old self again. It’s a good thing. I don’t think there are any Kleenex left in Tampa.

Thumbstall Quilt Guild

"Thumbstall guild members -- wave hello to all the nice blog readers. Blog readers -- say hello to the ladies of the Thumbstall Quilt Guild."

Before I went to Quilt Market, I had the great fortune to spend the entire day with the fantastic gals of the Thumbstall Quilt Guild in Marcellus, NY. What a wonderful day — from beginning to end! We began the day with a fun group of ladies who participated in my Keukenhof Tulips workshop.

I pack this class chock-full of my tips and techniques; I think everyone learned a new tip or two (or three or four…)

There was lots of laughter and fun, and we even celebrated two birthdays (yep, these gals spent their actual birthday with me in class. I’m honored!) I think we may have found an additional use for rotary cutters……

Maybe not. It would be a really, really bad idea to forget yourself and lick the frosting after cutting the cake. Bad idea.

After the workshop but before the evening meeting, a couple of the gals whisked me away to their local quilt shop, Patchwork Plus. This fabulous shop was featured in the Quilt Sampler Magazine (Spring 2009 issue). Oh my goodness, it was a wonderful quilt shop! I’m definitely going to have to go back there again someday soon….

The super-friendly staff at Patchwork Plus and yours truly

They even had a lovely display of Jelly Rolls and precut fabric packs. Love it!

I presented my new lecture and PowerPoint presentation, Jelly Roll Inspirations at the evening meeting. We had such a great time, but the day passed much too quickly. Really. (Sigh.) I took so many more photos I want to share with you. Simply click on the Photos Tab at the top of the page and check out the gallery labeled Thumbstall Quilt Guild.

Quilt Market!

Quilt Market in Minneapolis was simply amazing. Of course, it was a complete blur of constant activity for three solid days, but I loved every minute. I presented a Schoolhouse for my new book, Jelly Roll Quilts & More, and I’m really excited to be able to share with you that it is the #1 best-selling book for AQS this spring. Wow — this is certainly an honor I never expected, but of course I’m absolutely thrilled!

I had a great time doing some book signings at the AQS booth, as well as several of the distributors like Checkers and Petersen Arne.

I got to see old friends and hang out with some pretty neat folks.

I caught up with my pal, Nancy Johnson-Srebro. She's got a some brand new really cool templates for applique. I can't wait to try them out!

Ms. Jill of Jillily Studio. Her applique glue is the BEST. I heart it!

Everybody's favorite cowboy quilter - Ricky Tims! (And I got to share booth space with him at the AQS booth a little bit every day!)

What a great surprise to run into this lady -- Madeline Shepperson. She's the gal who started it ALL for me. I walked into her quilt shop, Quilt-N-Stuff, in Alexandria, VA back in 1991 and the rest, they say, is history!

What fun to run into Sandy Perdue! She and I knew each other back at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. She is now the proud owner of a world-class quilt shop in Florida -- Quilting By The Bay! (Incidentally, I'll be teaching there next January for their mega-popular retreat. Can't WAIT!)

I think Barb Vlack is amazing, and such a really nice gal. She gave me the inside scoop on the new EQ7 -- can't wait to use it!

This one is for Mary over at Quilt Hollow. I met two other mutual blogging friends who stopped by the booth. Vickie of Spun Sugar Quilt Designs is on the left and Stefanie of Little Lady Patchwork is on the right. Hi, Mary!

I had a blast meeting so many nice people who waited patiently while I signed books.

Seeing all the new and amazing new products and splendid fabrics that will be coming to a quilt shop near you soon was certainly fun. I’m back with some amazing goodies myself!

I can't wait to make something yummy from these....

I've got a date with EQ7 this week to check it out.

And one last — but most important thing…..

I hope everyone will take a moment to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we now enjoy here in the USA. Please remember these brave souls in your thoughts and prayers, along with all the men and women who have served and who continue to serve their country on a daily basis. I’m so proud and grateful for my husband’s 23 years of service to this country and how he continues to serve with pride and honor, even as a civilian in the workforce.

In church this morning, a man read an amazing letter, which was written by Major Sullivan Ballou to his wife Sarah. There wasn’t a dry eye in the sanctuary. Click here to read this, and keep a tissue handy. 

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!