Girlfriend Weekend

Designer friend, Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts, and I have enjoyed a wonderful weekend of antique shopping, stitching and chatting (til all hours of the night). We spent Friday exploring quilt shops and antique stores in the Kansas City area with a stop at Quilter's Station in Lee's Summit and treasure hunting in Greenwood just a few miles south. I found a couple of items to repurpose for the booth at market as Pam searched for the perfect bread board for her kitchen island. Saturday was 105 degrees outside, but a refreshing 72 degrees inside my studio as we both stitched on projects at a leisurely pace, enjoying the companionship. Sunday was glorious, sitting on the porch, sipping iced tea in the (finally) cooler temperatures with a gentle breeze.
Pam is in town for our local quilt guild's lecture tonight and is spending the day teaching a class on her favorite quilting techniques. She's fun to spend time with and is especially good at bouncing ideas around. I am always inspired and re-energized since, as designers, we both spend alot of time alone with our own thoughts twisting in our heads. I appreciate a new perspective and constructive criticism from someone whose opinion I value and trust. So, while preparing brunch Sunday morning, she encouraged me to photograph the egg casserole to share since it is one of our favorites from retreats and is a Robert specialty. She, too, is starting a blog (I'll have that link for you soon) so it was the topic of much discussion. Here's a peek at brunch and a pic of Pam. The recipe for the breakfast casserole will be posted in a couple of days. It's a winner for weekend guests since you make it the night before with simple ingredients and little fuss - after all, even Robert can do it (thank you, dear).

As our time together comes to an end, we're making plans to meet somewhere in the middle to refresh our souls once more before the bustle of the holidays sets in. Take the time to nourish your girlfriend relationships - it's more fun than therapy and saves more money for fabric!

July Winner

Good grief! I forgot to post the winner of the July giveaway. The August contest took over and my brain switched gears without me realizing - unfortunately, that happens more often than I'd like. Deb from Nebraska is our winner of the 5 new KT Stash Society projects. Quilt shops will be using them in their programs from Sept. thru Dec, so Deb has a head start! Congrats! Check out the list of participating shops at ktquilts.com to sign up and get them for yourself.

The August contest went so quickly, what will we talk about the rest of the month? How about another giveaway? I still have lots of KT Favorites, so comment here about your favorite KT collection so far and we'll draw at the end of the month for a KT Fav Jelly Roll! Wahoo! I'd love to know what your favorites are and why. Helps me plan for the future. I was just digging thru a pile of vintage fabric the other day, wondering about next year's collections. Any suggestions? Do you like autumn colors the best? Black vs. brown? Darker or lighter background tans? Can always use your input.

Thanks ladies,
Lynne

We have winners!

Congratulations to our top three winners in the KT Favorites Giveaway -
Carol Brune wins the fat 1/8 bundle of KT Favorites
Nancy Erdle came in 2nd (just 42 minutes after Carol!) and receives a Layer Cake
Kim Hartwig goes home with a KT Favorites Charm Pack and Pattern

Thanks to all the ladies who played. Seems the lines that tripped up even loyal KT followers were the 2 juvenile lines I was able to do a few years ago - Lucy's Feather Bed and Farmyard Friends. It was great fun to make quilts for my grandkids from my own fabric.

Here's 10 years of KT fabric:
Stitches on the Oregon Trail
Stitches on the Oregon Trail II
Kansas/Oregon Quilt Connection
Prairie Moon
Pressed Memories
Seeds of Time
Lucy's Feather Bed
Strawberry Jam
Prairie Christmas
Scrapbook Garden
Simply Indigo
Seasons
Shades of Autumn
Splatter Basics
Meadow Waltz
Farmyard Friends
Aunt Purdy's Parlor
Winter Rose
Bound to the Prairie
Bound to the Priaire II
Snow Blooms
Autumn Journey
Garden Inspirations
Cranberry Wishes
Wildflower Serenade
Wildflower Serendae II
KT Classic Plaids
Kansas Winter
Vine Creek
Butterfly Garden
Wrapped in Paisley
Summer's End
KT Favorites

Thanks to all who took the time to submit lists.
Lynne

Clue #1

First clue for the KT Favorties fat 1/8 bundle giveaway for August: KT Classic Plaids fabric line. I've had several quilters email with lists that are really close. Keep them coming!

Just got home from a wonderful weekend in Grand Junction, CO. If you're ever in the area, it's a great destination for KT fabrics, precuts and patterns as well as a great selection of other fabrics, notions and books. Johnna and Bill Keith, owners, and their staff are all so hospitable and knowledgeable. We met many quilters with stories of families coming from Kansas - very interesting. I have it on my list of places to visit again in the future.

Watch for another clue later this week.
Lynne

Sneak peek at August giveaway

Okay ladies, thanks so much for all the great advice on allergy remedies. I've used a NeilMed rinse pretty religiously for years, just started using the honey and take Claritin every day. Still miserable at times. My latest attempt at relief has been to see a homeopathic allergist. She uses the concept of "the hair of the dog that bit you" plus applied physiology/accupressure. One visit and I'm nearly dancing for joy! My niece has had horrible headaches for years and finally found relief with a sacro/cranial massage therapist and this allergist. I've been to both and love them! Kansas City is three hours away, but I'm dedicated to making the trip once a month until I conquer my headaches. Bio-identical hormones are next on the list.

Enough about my issues (but thanks for listening) and on to the good stuff. Start your list of KT fabric lines for the August giveaway - a fat 1/8 bundle of the new KT Favorites line! The first quilter to email me the 10-years of KT fabrics - at ktquilts@twinvalley.net - wins! There will be 2nd and 3rd place winners, as well. I'm going to give tips each week in August to help out. The first one is: there are 33 collections from #1-Stitches on the Oregon Trail I to the newest #33-KT Favorites Basic line. Good luck and watch for more tips next week!

Lois and I are off to Grand Junction, CO for a visit to Quilter's Corner quilt shop. Come see us Friday night for our program or Sat. for the workshop.

Later,
Lynne

July Giveaway

Sheila Fisher, please send your snail mail address so we can ship your prize for June - a Summer's End pattern booklet and 2 Summer's End Candy Bars.

Time to announce the new giveaway for July. We've just sent the next installation of patterns for the KT Stash Society to the quilt shops - wanna get in on them early??? This month, you will take home all 5 of the latest projects - 2 are pictured at left.

Any advice on allergies? We're living in the middle of a wheat field with a pasture of brome grass next door. My head can't deal with all the pollen flying around in the air. After doctoring through the usual sources for years, I'm seeking some non-traditional sources this week, but would take any help/advice you all can give.
I'll update you later this week.
Lynne

June's Winner....

Congratulations to sheilafisher@verizon.com! You're the lucky winner of a Summer's End booklet and 2 Candy Bars of Summer's End fabrics. Please email me with your mailing address and we'll send them out next week.

Lois and I have been sewing this week on the new KT Favorites fabric, making a quilt and a couple extra projects for a booklet with the KC Star for fall - Border Garden. Sounds like a long ways away, but it needs to go to the quilter next week with photos on the calendar for the first of August. Whew! I'll post a pic before I send it.

Family coming in this weekend and I don't even have my red/white/blue on yet. Better go load up the car with holiday cheer before the gang arrives. Hope you all have a safe and happy 4th.

Watch for the announcement of our July giveaway next week.

Lynne