Quilt Shop Winner!

Thank you so much to all the quilt shops who took the time at Quilt Market to fill out our survey to enter a drawing to win this prize basket full of Amy Bradley Designs goodies! We really appreciate your responses and will take them into sincere consideration. We especially appreciate all the great ideas we got from you! The winner of the random drawing, selected by random.org was Karen Stephens of Speckled Hen Quilt Shop.

More photos from Australia

I didn't get to post all my photos before I went off to market in Houston. These are some of the fun ones I wanted to share.

The sign says: Retyred Highway Crocodile made from road refuse. Created by David M. Jones.
This was at the Kuranda Market near Cairns, Australia

These two stores had these amazing sculptures on top of their awnings in St. Kilda. St. Kilda is a bayside suburb of Melbourne and the best people watching I have ever had!!!!!!!! The shops were eclectic and so unique. We also hit the sunday market which was even more of a bonus! Can you say SHOPPING!

It seemed to us that every 3rd store at St. Kilda was a french bakery full of pastries. Which we all had to try more than once. You can probably gain weight by just looking at this photo!

Can you believe this was someone's fence in St. Kilda. The creativity!

Back Home From Market!!!!

I have been away at Quilt Market in Houston. What fun it was to be back in the action. I missed the last two Markets because of wonderful family events. We had my granddaughter Rowan's birth and my son Adam's college graduation during the last two Markets. Those special events don't happen often!

Now all I have to do is unpack the truck. Why is it always more fun to pack the truck than to unpack. Does it all have to go back where I found it? Sigh...

This was our booth...both the left and the right side.

This is three generations. My mom Dorothy, me and my daughter Ashley. We have way too much fun being together. It's nice traveling with family too because if your tired, goofy or forgetful...they understand. Every night we treated ourselves to a wonderful dinner. We always go to the same restaurants every year. We start dreaming of fresh seafood in Houston as soon as we hit the Texas border.

Me and My Sisters booth is always the cutest booth. That's Mary and Barb, the designers behind their bathing beauty signs. They are always giggling and happy and a lot of fun to be around.

This is a famous duo. Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins of Piece o' Cake Designs. I love their applique quilts. I even got to take a class from Becky last year and learned LOTS!

Heather Bailey's booth. Just beautiful!

A few years ago, I was able to judge the top 10 shops for Better Homes and Gardens American Patchwork and Quilting with Kaye England. Once you have been around this lady she will be one of your favorite designers. She has a personality and wit that is contagious. She is always on the go. I love hearing about her farm and her many animals.

This was at the Better Homes and Gardens American Patchwork and Quilting Booth. I just love the colors and I love how they quilted it.

This is the award winning booth of Minick and Simpson. Hanging on her right is the hooked rug made by Polly Minick which I would also LOVE to make!!!!! I also really like their new quilt that looks like a flag. I enjoy following their blog, too.

This is Sue Spargo beside one of her quilts. Her quilts are AMAZING! I wish this was on my wall.

They have antique quilts for sell. I will take all four of these!

I loved this display. Sometimes I look this bad after long days of sewing!

The Other Side Of The World

I have been on the other side of the world recently with my husband John and my wonderful mother-in-law Bev. We just got back from Australia and New Zealand. Between that and getting ready for Houston Quilt Market I am using that as my excuse for not blogging for a very long time.

Our trip was wonderful and we all want to go back. We are all still a little rough around the edges from the jet lag. I am one of those people that can't sleep very well on planes so I totally respect those business men and women that do those flights often! The flight over the ocean from L.A. to Sydney was 14 hours. That is a long time sitting in a airplane!!!

This is us after our first flight.

We got to do a back stage tour at the Sydney Opera House. Here we are in the orchestra pit. This was a real highlight of my trip. It was so fascinating to find out how the scenery is stored and moved around during performances.

This is in front of the Sydney Opera House.

This is before our ninth and final flight. I have more photos to share later.....