Quilters get ready to Shop Hop

I can hardly believe that the 9th Annual Western Washington Shop Hop is almost here. The fabric's in the shop, the blocks are cut and assembeled, the samples are coming in and the excitement is growing by the hour. We've taken care of those gas worries by providing a bus trip this year that will be a ton of fun for quilters and friends. The 2007 postcard print fabric is gaining momentum now we've had the chance to play with it. Wait till you see all our samples from our creative quilt shop staff hanging on display. So, just to give you one more reason to pick up your passport and get ready to shop hop this year, I want to share with you a picture of the poster that will be available at the shops and on-line too. Now, you can see why shop hop is The Biggest Event of the Quilting Year. Hope to be seeing you in June at the hop. Susan

Seattle Snapshots

Local Quilter Commemorates Seattle, Mountains and Sound

Anita Peluso wasn’t born or raised in the Puget Sound, in fact, she’s an Iowa farm girl, but she moved to the region 20 years ago after receiving a textile degree from Iowa State. Anita has a love of quilting and computer technology that translates well from image to completion. When asked to design a special, “one of a kind” project to commemorate Western Washington, she took on the challenge as a serious commission. Anita’s original quilt design titled, Seattle Snapshots, is a true representation of what we all have come to recognize and appreciate as the icons of the Puget Sound. The Space Needle and downtown of course, the mountains, woodlands, fields, sea and sound are all carefully pieced into the quilt that features snapshots of the region in a slide show fashion. The fantastic colors we often take for granted in the quilt are the sky blues, forest and sea greens, pinks and reds accentuated by black and white film strip. The quilt is encased by a blue border, which becomes almost soothing when you take it all in. Truly, a very special quilt for any friend of the Pacific Northwest, native or new. Congratulations to Anita for bringing this quilt design and pattern to quilters of our region.

More from Market

Lakehouse! Those wonderful clear crisp colors so fabulous to work with. Here's a snapshot of my favorite booth at Quilt Market and a sneak peak of the next collection coming this fall: La Belle Rose.

To Market To Market

Quilt Market was exhilirating this week in Salt Lake City. All of our quilting industry icons under one roof sharing ideas, expressions and excitment. Topping it off was Marie Osmond and her new fabric line from Quilting Treasures with the tender stories of her family and love of heirloom quilting. Marie shared a memory quilt of her Mother adorned with personal treasures such as pearls, crocheted lace, pictures and dresses. A sight to behold this week before Mother's Day and testament to just what we can do with our love of family and fabric. Alex and Ricky, Lynette, Debbie, even Dick and Jane were there. We're all on a first name basis and we know them all. But the best was getting together with all the shops, vendors and teachers as we gear up for another great season of quilting. I have lot's to share, so come by for a personal edition. Susan