More Purses and Chautauqua

Well, I finally finished making the dresden plate half-block purses for myself and three of my friends. I tried to coordinate the fabrics to each person's colors. I got them done just in time too. Next week is our annual trip to the Quilt Week End at Chautauqua Institute in Chautauqua NY. My friends and I rent a cute cottage called "Bee Haven." It's a very homey place. All we need to bring is clothes and food -- everything else is there.

This is our fifth year going to Chautauqua! I can't believe it -- how fast time flies when you ARE having fun. This year will be a little different, though, because this will be my first real show where I am going to promote my book, Orphan Block Quilts.

I have a very dear friend, Cheryl, who has invited me to be part of her vendor space. I am very excited. I've mad a few pin cushions out of little orphan quilt blocks to sell. I also culled some blocks from my collection. AND I made up some doll quilt kits with vintage blocks and reproduction fabrics. All of these things will promote and support my book.

I am planning to split my time between enjoying the show myself and being in my friend's booth -- it's actually a whole room. There is usually a special guest at the show. This year it is Kay Woods. I'm looking forward to meeting her and going to her lecture/trunk show.

I will make sure to take lots of pictures to share, so check back in a week or so....

Antique quilt

My quilt book is now officially out! WHEW! I still can't believe it, although you would think that I would since I have boxes of books sitting next to me on the floor.

Well, I've done two real book signings now. They went very well (of course I really don't have anything to compare them to). While I had a quilt exhibit of the quilts from my book and a signing at the Venango Historical Society in Franklin, PA, I was fascinated with this quilt from their collection.

It was called a Sampler Quilt and dated circa 1885. But that brief description doesn't do this piece credit at all. The more I looked at it, the more I saw. It really was truly an "orphan quilt." Fabrics seemed to span about 50 or 60 years, from early chintz and block prints to the roller prints of the late 1800's. Blocks were chopped to fit into the space needed. I really love this quilt. I hope that you enjoy the photos, too.