Girls Weekend and St. Patricks Day Give-a-way

The winner of the Quilt Diva fat quarter give-a-way from last Friday is Deb G in VA
Thanks for all your Diva comments, I so enjoy reading what everyone is working on!

Mom and Princess Rowan putting together a puzzle

Mom turned 75 last July.  I asked her what she wanted for a party and she said another girl's weekend like I had for my 50th.  Due to scheduling difficulties of 7 busy women and one retired birthday girl we just now are getting together this weekend!  The party is on!  We loved when we got together before for my birthday .  We laughed, cried and shared.

Whenever we need all the guest rooms.  My daughter Ashley and I go into folding mode in the room where all the quilts are stacked.  I am so glad that a bunch of quilts are traveling around in trunk shows or there would be more folding!!!   No one is ever going to be cold in the home of a quilter!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day coming up we are giving away a kit and pattern to make this small wall-hanging next Friday.  Remember "Pat" in the old Saturday Night Live" episodes.  That's what I think when I look at this character that I designed.  Is it a she....or a he?????   Tell me something green that you own that you really like a lot, and then post to this entry before next Friday March 16th to be entered in the giveaway.  Spinach would not be a thing I would write about!!!

Have a great week!  Amy

Quilt Diva Quilt by Julie plus another Give-a-way

Happy Friday!  The winner of last week's Happy Howlidays give-a-way is: Sharon B
Thank you for all your comments.  This week I want to share an amazing quilt emailed to me by Julie.  Julie named this her Alter Ego quilt and used my Quilt Diva fabrics.  I love it!

   

Each border she did something different.  Super Creative!

The back of the quilt is amazing too! Not only did she not have to buy a backing fabric but she used up her left over blocks!  This is so much more interesting then a plain backing.

You can read more about Julie's quilt on her blog here:
http://quiltdivajulie.blogspot.com/2012/02/alter-ego-quilt.html

The original Quilt Diva pattern below. It is still one of my best selling patterns.  I have had ladies do this pattern with leopard skin, fake fur, real charms and real spools around her neck to name just a few things.  I have had ladies pin all their pin collections in the borders of the quilt.  One lady said it will be her coffin quilt....oh my goodness!  One lady hung it up in her hospital room and all the nurses and doctors thought she must be a fun patient.  Shops have had Diva Days.  One quilt show had a Diva Alley because there were so many made up.  I just love hearing all the stories!

http://www.amybradleydesigns.com/abd170.html

In honor of Julie's Alter Ego quilt, I want to give-a-way a fat quarter pack of Quilt Diva fabrics this week.  Anyone that posts to this entry by next Friday March 9th will be entered to win the Quilt Diva fat quarters.  Let's share any projects you have made lately that make you a Quilt Diva (or anything else you want to post).  We will announce the winner on Friday March 9th as well as our next Friday give-a-way. 
Happy Quilting!!  Amy

Keys and More Keys

My new keys

Twice a year I get the postcard in the mail advertising the Pilots Antique Sale here in Lawrence Kansas.  I start saving my money.  This year I was very good though and didn't spend much.  I did just get back from Hawaii a week ago.  I just bought five little things.  One of the things I bought were these skeleton keys on a ring.  I love multiples.  They also sell lunch with homemade pie at the sale.  I get the antiques and my husband John gets pie.  He told me to buy him just one piece.  I bought him three.  They looked soooo good.  I told you I have a problem with multiples!  I also met up with Nan, Terry and Kathe for lunch at the sale.  We are all quilters/antique nuts and it made for a fun morning!

My jailhouse keys. The biggest one measures 10" long.

My car keys

I told you I have a problem with multiples! 

Happy Monday!  I hope you all have a great start to your week!

Happy Howliday Show & Tell Plus Friday Give-a-way!

I wanted to share a quilt made by Lori using my Happy Howlidays fabric.  Lori is a veterinarian (just like my husband).  Here is Lori's blog: http://quiltingunleashed.wordpress.com 

I love how crisp and clean it looks with the white.  It makes me want to go get into my stash and make one!  The Happy Howlidays fabric came out in winter of 2008.  What a cool way to use fabric from your stash.

Please keep emailing me photos of your finished quilts, it really makes me happy!  In honor of Lori's quilt, I'm going to give-a-way a stack of Happy Howlidays fat quarters.  I will choose one person at random from anyone who posts to this entry about fabric stashes or ufo's or anything you want to share.  We will pick next Friday March 2nd.  We are going to try to do a give-a-way every Friday for the rest of this year so keep checking back.  Thanks to everyone for reading and happy quilting!  Amy

Teaching in Hawaii

The pineapple pin cushion and name tag that we each received for attending the retreat.

I just got back from teaching at the "Quilting on the Beach Retreat" in Kona Hawaii. The retreat participants and all the teachers had a WONDERFUL time!!!  It was put on by Pat Yamin from Come Quilt With Me and Quilt Passion Quilt & Needlework Shop. They did a great job from planning classes, a shop hop tour of eight local quilt shops, designer trunk shows, a big island tour and a luau. They also had lots of free time to work on all the projects. It will be hard to replace the GLORIOUS conditions that we had looking out our classrooms.

One of the ironing stations on the patio just right outside the classrooms.

This is a photo of Pat Yamin teaching a snowball quilt using only 2 templates.  We had a hard time getting these girls to stop for lunch.  They were definitely in the "Quilting Zone".  Below is the quilt they were working on.

Below is the atrium right outside the classrooms.  So we had this view going into the classrooms and  floor to ceiling views of the ocean and a walkout patio from our classrooms.

After teaching I added on three extra days for fun!

One day I took the 12 hour bus tour around the big island.  One of our stops was Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and I took this photo of the Kilauea Volcano.  It is the worlds most active volcano.

I went snorkeling besides Captain Cook's monument.   This was fun since I left 14 degree weather in Kansas and it was 82 degrees when I was jumping in the ocean.

This is me getting ready to zip line for the first time.  Wow, was it exhilarating.  You all have to do it!  I was with eight others and two guides and we bonded high above the tree!

I was so excited to see this sea turtle coming out of the ocean very sloooooooooooowly on Punalu'u Black Sand Beach.  This is how I am feeling today...very jet lagged....

My husband John gave me an orchid for Valentines Day before I left and he sent these to my room on Valentines Day.  Needless to say I felt missed and loved!!!! 

This is the view from my hotel room balcony that I left to come back to Kansas.  Sigh....

This was the first year for the Quilting on the Beach Retreat.  They will be repeating it because it was a huge success!  I hope everyone can schedule to come next February 1 - 14.  What a nice way to quilt, learn new techniques, meet new friends and escape the cold!!!!  You will have memories for a lifetime!

Show and Tell

Judie Butler gave me permission to share her email with you all.  I just love her jacket!  I have seen my "Quilt Diva" pattern reduced on jackets but never my "Everyday is a Shopping Day" pattern.  She did such a great job.  Now I want one! 


Hi Amy,
 Well, I finally finished the project that I started in your class at KC in Saratoga Springs last year.  I have attached two pictures and hope they receive your approval.   The jacket got a big laugh at my guild meeting Tuesday night.

 

I enjoyed you and the class so much.  This type of quilting was a whole new world for me, just wish I had chosen an easier pattern.  I am the classic piece quilter, but your subjects are delightful.  I will not be able to take the class you are offering at Kc this year, but wish you good cheer.   Judie

New Doors

Old Doors

New Door

Sometimes a business has to spend money on very unexciting things.  This is my latest.  We needed a door on our warehouse that is air tight, insulated and doesn't let in mice.  Sometimes the little things make you happy.  If we don't have the occasional mouse I will be happy!!!!!!