For most quilters, this time of year is a bit early for “Quilt Show Season”, when area guilds have their annual or biennial quilt shows.  For me and Northcott, however, it is full-on quilt shows right now.

Last month my colleagues and I attended Road to California in Ontario, CA, about 1 hour from L.A.  It was our first time at this show.  The weather was unseasonably cool and very rainy, but that didn’t stop the quilters from coming.  We met thousands of enthusiastic quilters from the area and beyond – lots from neighboring states, quite a few from Canada, and even some from Europe.  We were taking sign-ups for our monthly newsletter, chatting with consumers about the quilter-friendly features of Northcott’s website (the Product Finder is the best!), inspiring passers-by with our colorful display, and providing information on where they could find the displayed fabrics at Road to California.  When we had a quiet moment or two, usually toward the end of each day, we would zip around the show to view the incredible quilts in the show, and shop for quilting essentials.  LAGA, a vendor that I had not seen before, was selling beautifully-stitched purses and bags, and I just had to have one.

Ria handbag by LAGA

The bags are made in Indonesia by Tsunami survivors and profits help them rebuild their lives.

Now, I am very particular about my purses – they need to have tons of perfectly-sized pockets for all of my stuff. I am not one to toss everything into my purse, have it fall to the bottom, and then dig for it when I need it.  No, there needs to be a pocket for each item so that I can retrieve it instantly.

Studio Kat’s Encore bag insert

After purchasing my beautiful purse, I stopped by Studio Kat’s booth and bought a pattern for the Encore purse liner. Now I’m all set!

Next week, the Northcott team is heading to Savannah, GA for QuiltCon.  This is Northcott’s 2nd year at QuiltCon, but it is my first time, and I’m very excited.  I am rooming with fellow Barrie Modern Quilt Group member Judi, who is also a QuiltCon rookie and is equally pumped.  I have signed up for 2 evening classes: one on quilting ideas & inspiration, and one on designing modern quilts using Electric Quilt. In addition to taking classes, I am also presenting a demo/lecture on Alternate Gridwork, showing lots of examples from my stash of quilts. I still have 1 quilt to piece for this, and one to quilt as well.  My colleague Elaine is also doing demos – curved piecing and improv piecing.  All of this is in addition to manning the Northcott booth – taking newsletter sign-ups, promoting the special Northcott challenge for QuiltCon attendees,chatting with quilters, and more.  If you will be there, please drop by and say hi.  It will be a busy but thrilling week!

Next month I am once again heading to A Mountain Quiltfest March 21-25 in Pigeon Forge, TN to teach and present my trunk show. Three of my 5 workshops (Stacks of Presents, Easy Lone Star, and Fast & Fabulous Bargello) are already full!  There are a couple of spots in my Simplified Double Wedding Ring workshop, and my Borders, Bindings & More workshop still has space as well.  It is my favorite workshop – the student learn so much!  Mountain Quiltfest is a great event – the teaching faculty is fantastic, and the quilts in the show are amazing.  There are lots of vendors, and the team that runs the show is delightful.  Pigeon Forge is a great town, with so much to offer.  It is an entertainment mecca, with a variety of dinner theaters, attractions, and of course the fantastic Smoky Mountains. Many of the quilters return year after year, and it is so nice to reconnect with them.

Stacks of Presents is my newest workshop, and I am also teaching it locally at Oakville Sewing Centre on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th.  Owner Linda is making a party of it, with everything but green beer!  I’ll be sure to wear green – when your name is Patti, it’s a given that you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

To round out Quilt Show Season, the Northcott team is once again having a booth at AQS Paducah April 26-29 for Quilt Week. We had such a great time last year, and our booth was non-stop busy. I expect that it will be the same this time around. If you’ll be there, stop by and see what we’re up to.

Speaking of quilt shows, I have been busy with the challenge for my traditional guild.  I can’t show you a picture of my entry, since the voting hasn’t taken place yet.  I’ll share a picture in my next post, and talk about my inspiration.

I have also been busy with 2 projects for an upcoming issue of Quiltmaker’s Quilts From 100 Blocks.  As soon as I have some photos from the magazine editors, I’ll share them with you too.  I also made a large lap quilt for my ski club’s fundraiser.

Stacks of Rails & Boxes

I snapped a quick photo before I dropped it off at the club.  It was made with Northcott’s snowboard fabric collection called Freestyle. I backed it with flannel to make it extra cuddly!

I have been doing my level best to get back up to speed with my snowboarding this year.  I didn’t board at all last year, as hubby and I were in New Zealand and Australia for our winter.  I must admit that I had way too much trepidation getting back onto the slopes.  I lost a big chunk of my confidence in my ability to snowboard.  I am so thankful that I put myself into the 8-week adult lessons this year.  It has been the single best thing to give me confidence. Every time I go down a run, I am thinking about the techniques that instructor Tim has taught me – techniques that will help me successfully get to the bottom of the hill, and to improve. I am even trying out a new snowboard that will make my riding easier and more fun.  After all, isn’t that what it’s all about? The same philosophy can also be applied to quilting.  Classes can do so much to teach us new techniques, or to help us improve our current methods.  They certainly give us confidence, and they can be a lot of fun.  Isn’t that why we quilt?

It’s time to give away some fabric.  For a chance to win a packet of luscious Northcott fabric, please leave a comment on my blog by February 20 telling me about the best class that you have taken.

See you soon!

Patti