Finally getting my head back on straight after a week away from home at the glorious Road to California show. My goodness, what an extravaganza! The Mayor of Ontario (California) said it is their single biggest event of the year.

This year, about 50 more vendors were added, located in a structure that was variously referred to as the Bubble, the Big Top, the Tent, and officially, The Pavilion. My pal Debby, whose shop is The Quilter’s Faire in Palm Desert, was the last to get a space and it was wonderful to have a chance to visit with her in those few minutes a day when we are not bungee-corded to our booths.

Debby had been telling me that she was going to make up my pattern
A Spin in the Garden, and there it was!

A whole new look, so fresh and adorable! She had kits for the happy spring-like fabrics, and I think they sold out. If you’re interested, you can contact the store to see if they have more. The Quilter’s Faire.

The Appliqué Self-Help Brochure went over well. :) I didn’t hand out that many, because in general the visitors to the booth had lovely, positive attitudes. When I did fish one out and hand it over with a smile, it was taken in good spirit, so I think it’s going to work.

A few of you stopped by to see the new Teapot quilt, thanks! it also was well received and fit into the booth “like butter.”

I didn’t get the chance to take many photos of the show entries, but what I did notice were several variations of the good ol’ Dresden Plate, one of my favorite blocks. There were more, but here are just a couple.

Fancy Dresden Plate by Cheryl Beckendorf and Leslie Guyton, quilted by Heidi Stagno

Bloomin' Cogwheels by Janna Thomas

There’s something exciting coming to Appliqué Book Land, quite soon! Stay tuned!

Until then,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

First of all, thank you so much for all of the nice words about the brochure. The encouragement is highly appreciated, and I’ll let you know how it goes over!

Those of you who have visited my booth have seen the nine-block teapot sampler that I hang to show some of the designs in Teapots 2 to Appliqué.

That quilt has been universally loved. People exclaim over it, and those who get the book want to take photos of it, so they can “remember the colors.” (I point out that it’s red, white, and blue LOL.)

In the last little while, those teapots have started to whisper to me. “Mackenzie,” they say, “We’re tired. We want to stay home.” It’s true they have done a yeoman’s service. So over the holiday hiatus I made a new nine-block sampler. Here are a couple of the new teapots.

As you can see, they’re still red, white, and blue, but in a richer scheme. The white is now ivory, the 30s and toile prints now French and Civil War. I hope this new collection will hit the spot for viewers.

The quilt will make its debut at the upcoming Road to California show. If you’re planning on attending this quilting extravaganza, come on by and see it! I’ll be in the ballroom.

I’m on the road to Road on Tuesday, for a week. See you when I get back, if not before!

Cheers,
Kay

A couple months ago, I floated the idea of creating a hand-out to give to visitors in my booth who expressed appliqué fear or hesitation. I so appreciated all of your responses and support! I’ve been working on it ever since.

To those who said they liked the graphic, thank you so much! It’s the same as the header for the blog. They are three of the designs from Easy Appliqué Blocks, my first book with Martingale.

It’s also on my business card.

I now have the brochure printed, packed, and ready to debut at the first show of the year, Road to California later this month. We’ll see how they go over. :)

Someone asked if they could purchase one… heavens no! I’ve modified the format so that it’s all one page, nicknamed the Appliqué Self-Help Flier, and I’m posting a pdf of it here for anyone to print. The information is all the same, just rearranged to go on one page instead of a two-sided half-sheet.

Just click on the image below, and the pdf version should pop up for you.

You’ll note that the copyright statement includes permission to distribute the flier at will, provided that it’s not modified and remains in its original form.

Up with appliqué!
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

The winner of Nature’s Beauty in Appliqué is Helen Lebrett! Congratulations! Helen, be sure to reply to my email so that I can get your prize sent out to you.

I subscribe to the Checker News Blog. Checker Distributors is one of the largest companies supplying our independent quilt shops with everything they could need and more. Their news blog is geared toward retailers, but reading it is a great way to see what’s new, cool, and groovy in Quiltland.

Penny Haren, author of the Pieced Appliqué series of books, is a consultant for Checker and does most of the blogging. Recently she posted the story of an old appliqué top that was relegated to the closet for a number of years after the fabrics faded, and how she was able to bring it back to new life. I found this fascinating!

Penny’s Appliqué Repair

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mckenzie

A very happy New Year to you all!

Susan Taylor Propst is the author of a series of wonderful books on floral appliqué. Here on the blog, we previously featured her titles Beautiful Blooms and Another Season of Beautiful Blooms.

For this month, courtesy of Martingale, we have Susan’s third book, Nature’s Beauty in Appliqué.


Subtitled “Pretty and Practical Projects,” this book gives instructions for a variety of different things you can appliqué and sew, from table runners to place mats to tote bags to zippered cases.

Campanula Neck Roll

Tulip Place Mats


Petunia Case

Also blooming in the designs are irises, daffodils, dahlias, and ivy. Add in Susan’s instructions for her methods of needleturn hand appliqué, prepared-edge hand appliqué, and fusible appliqué, and this is one fantastic resource!

If you’d like to enter the drawing for Nature’s Beauty in Appliqué, please leave a comment below by 7:00 p.m. California time on Saturday, January 5.

Open to U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only. Heads up! If you get this in an email, do not reply… it will not enter you in the drawing. Leave your comment on the blog, on the internet. To get there, click on the title of the post in your email feed.

See you Saturday!
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie