Here is Mel, Me and Linzee after we finished setting up the booth-actually, we ordered two darling girls from Minnesota around and they put up the booth while we told them where we "thought they should put things." I loaned samples that Mary Linfesty did out to the buttons companies and didn't get photos to show. Mary is very talented in quilting, teaching school and being a great Mother to her darling boys. She did the quilt above that has the little bit of color and all of the black and creams on the table. It is an awesome quilt! All Hoochy Mama and inspirational too!

Here is Pat Sloan and I before we went out and got lunch and chatted about all of the exciting things that quilting has to offer to us and you. She is alot of fun and knows how to get creative and have fun! http://patsloan.typepad.com/

One of the nice things about working for Benartex is that they have awesome people who work for them.As we set up the part of the booth that had "Happiness Is" fabrics of mine, Rafael helped out every time we asked. he has a lovely strong accent and he is pretty hunky too. It is nice to see someone like him be so thoughtful to us older gals. :0) I told him you all would love his photo on my blog. :0)

This is a photo of my dear friends from Tennessee Quilts. It is absolutely one of my MOST favorite shops and I order online from them all of the time. Tall Linda, me, Brenda and short Linda are chatting about the new things they ordered. I already have my list of fabrics I have to have! These girls made many samples out of my line to have at their shop and if you can't find "Happiness Is", they will have the whole line. http://tennesseequilts.com/

Talk about being at the right place at the right time! Cary Breshnahan (the Grand Grand Poobah of Market-she owns Quilts Inc.) came by Lizzie B's while I was chatting with them and she gave them a first place ribbon on their booth. It was so exciting for me to see how thrilled they were along with one of their Mom's and a husband. We all were grinning ear to ear.

Check them out and all that they have to offer! http://www.lizziebcre8ive.com/

The two girls (Lizzie B) girls are Sister in law's and the ladies on each end are Mother and daughter. I think this is very sweet....do you think since they don't live in the same state, that they fought over the ribbon??? Nope, look at their faces...you can tell they get along great.
This is one of the best parts of Market,meeting new and old friends.

Some highlights of Market

This fun photo is of Mel McFarland, Amy Butler and me. Mel and I just bought Amy's latest book on sewing for babies. Amy and I became friends when we attended the AQS creativity workshop. She is so much fun and so talented. I am an avid fan.

http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/patterns_top.php

This is me and none other than the real Pam (kitty morning). I know this is a stupid photo of me but it is the best I have. Pam made purses for me out of my fabrics and she made me the purse I am holding. She is helping her friend Elizabeth Scott and all of the quilts behind us are Elizabeth's designs. Very very pretty. If you would like to visit Pam's blog please go to Pamkittydesigns.blogspot.com and if you would like to visit Elizabeth's site, http://www.latebloomerquilts.com/about/index.php She designs for Moda and has very pretty things.

Tortilla Soup at the Four Seasons in our room. Both Mel and I were exhausted from our flights and getting everything in place for Market. I just noticed this photo is upside down but that's pretty creative. Anyway, it was a nice quiet dinner as we waited for Linzee, an writer for AQS to come and share our room for the week.

There was alot of evidence of hurricanes in Houston downtown. These buildings were next to ours so I took photos. There were thousands of windows blown out for miles. As we flew over we could see rooftops on homes missing and they all had blue tarps covering them. It was a good reminder that if your home is in tact and you are enjoying the day, you are blessed. My good friend Peggy lost her wonderful job she had in Galveston because of the hurricane. Her building is gone and her job (it went to another city in Texas). Aren't we blessed if we have our homes and jobs and family in tact?

Regina Muli sent me this good recipe-it's a perfect time of year to try these and I would frost them with white icing

MISS AUNT REGGIES RED VELVET COOKIES
1 BOX RED VELVET CAKE MIX
1/2 CUP SUGAR
2 CUPS QUICK COOKING OATS
3 EGGS
1 1/2 TSP VANILLA
3/4 CUPS OIL
1 CUP WALNUTS
MIX ALL TOGETHER
USE COOKIE SCOOP
BAKE ON UNGREASED COOKIE SHEET,
BAKE 350 DEGREES 16-18 MINUTES IF YOU USED SCOOP
I ALWAYS DOUBLE THIS, SINCE USING THE SCOOP ONE RECIPE
MAKES ABOUT 25 COOKIES
Mary Lou's Frosting of:
Icing sugar (2 cups), real butter-2/3 cup, add cream until right consistancy of frosting ,then add vanilla (about 1 teaspoon) If this needs more sugar then add until it is right-this is how Mary Lou's cooks and bakes :0)
NOTE- this recipe did not call for frosting but I have found that when it comes to chocolate, I like to soften the taste with white icing, maybe this came from my childhood, I am not sure

Too cute not to share...thank you Nancy

Can you believe how cute this is???

"Happiness Is" fabric by Benartex and Mary Lou-please ask your shop for this happy fabric!

here are a few small things we are working on for Market out of my new Happiness Is fabric. I have purses to show you, more wallhangings and fun things-this line is pure joy to work with and in these times, the colors and theme are upbeat, positive and joyful. All the things one needs for great quilts, purses and other fun projects. I love working with these colors...stay tuned for more. The above quilt was made by my friends Brenda, Marilyn and Mel while we were at the ocean and being happy.


The blocks above are mostly out of my Flower Power book and the dogs are a new pattern I am offering in workshops I teach that features dogs and cats. Mari Lindesty my friend put the blocks together and I am going to finish them off in a fun way for samples. I wanted you to see the fun prints though and how happy and colorful they are. Mari is good at hoochy'ing.

The above quilt was put together by Brenda Asmus and now it is being quilted and getting black and cream binding from the line. Very fun for a little baby quilt.

Hope you like what you see so far....stay tuned for more....."Happiness Is"

This is so silly it makes one wonder who has time to do this kind of thing

On the other hand it just occured to me that someone had to drink all of the beers etc., next to the pumpkins so I guess that explains it. A group of drunk people did this photo........Haha