Worst Vacation Ever - Or, How My Suitcase Went To Paris and I Didn't

This is what we were hoping for.......

Instead the entire extent of our trip to Paris consisted of my suitcase sitting in a room like this for a day.

First of all, before I tell this tale, let me say I AM FINE.  Perfectly physically healthy, but possibly mentally deranged.

Polly and I have been planning our getaway to Paris for quite awhile.  We scheduled, we studied, we prepared in every way we could think of.  And yet it didn't happen.  While I was getting ready to board my flight to New York (where I would meet up with Polly and then fly to Paris) I became ill.  I had the 2 symptoms that if you get them alone they are only mildly disconcerting, but when you get them together - you are trained to take action.  I had chest pains and nausea.  It didn't seem wise to set out on a transatlantic trip with these symptoms so I had it checked out.  

It quickly became clear that our cancelled trip was due to nothing.  The EMT technicians even asked if I "was afraid to fly".  Geesh.  All cardiac tests were normal.  I then was taken to ER and then tested for weird stuff. Still negative.  They told me that I might have a virus.  It's either that - or "you have a virus" is code for mentally unbalanced.  

My suitcase made it to Charles de Gaulle Airport and stayed overnight before coming back home to me.  Lucky suitcase.

Don't feel too bad for me.  We are re-booking our trip as I type this.  Those exotic pictures I promised to take.....sorry.  We'll try to take even more when we go at Christmas time.

Laters,

Laurie

Voyage Avril

We have worked hard with sewing deadlines and proof-reading deadlines to fit in a little fun.

Polly and I are going on a little trip....

Any guess to where me might go?

We will be gone until May.  Our Etsy store is still open, but items won't be shipped until May 1st.


For those that have asked, we have filled our reservations for the Portage Lake Block of the Month, but don't despair!!!!!!  It will be available from other sources.  Just google it and find quilt shops that are signing up for it right now.  There will be more after May when shops will see it in person at International Quilt Market.  We're looking forward to seeing all your progress on this later this summer.

You might remember this little quilt we made in Miss Scarlet fabric - Polly's Stars and Stripes.
Now I have 2!  I had some pre-cuts of Grand Traverse Bay and it works with that too.

Starting this weekend, follow us on Instagram to see pictures of our trip.

Laters,

Laurie

Frivol Winner

Woo Hoo!  We have a winner of the Minick and Simpson Frivol™

The winner is Jill and she has been contacted  Thanks all for participating.

Laters,

Laurie

Frivol Friday!

You know about Frivols™ right? Those adorable little boxes of awesome?  We were so happy to be the second one issued

Beside having a quilt kit inside - this is ours.....

The kit is it's own little pre-cut - larger than a Charm Pack™, but smaller than a Layer Cake™. There are other nifty things in there too.  We can't help but notice that our pre-cuts play very nice together.

We can't get over the cuteness/collectibility/storage factor. The last batch will be starting soon - numbers 9, 10, 11 & 12. Once you have made your quilt you have this tin.

 Oh look, it's just the perfect size for my Star A Day project. This will be in my suitcase very soon.

A trip is coming up very soon for Polly and I.

Comment on this blog post and you could win one of our Frivols™!!!!!! Add your comment before Monday April 11th at midnight and you could be the one.

Just a little reminder, if you have been thinking of reserving a spot for our Portage Lake Block of the Month - we are only taking reservations until Monday the 11th also. 

Laters,

Laurie

New Patterns for Grand Traverse Bay

We hope you are having a relaxing weekend.  There is Opening Day for baseball to look forward to - even though we had a Winter Storm Watch last night. Sigh. There is still snow on the ground, but the roads are fine.  That seems to be the most important thing for us northern folk - it can snow as much as it wants - just as long as we can drive the heck out of it.  Anyway - I digress......

We'd like to introduce the new quilt patterns we have with our new collection that is being shown to quilt shop owners right now.  The fabric collection is Grand Traverse Bay which is loaded with blues and some creams and golds.

First is Martin Place

Martin Place is a king size quilt top - 102" x 102".  It is just a whole mess of blue blocks  - easily pieced.

You can find the physical pattern HERE and the download HERE 

Second is Daleview

 Daleview is 89" x 89" and is easily strip pieced with lots of blues and Bella Solid 272 - Canary.  It's light, bright and cheery.  You can find the physical pattern HERE and the digital pattern HERE

3rd is Miller Avenue

Miller Avenue is 70" x 92" and is Fat Quarter Friendly and is a nifty zig zag pattern.  It uses all the blues and the beautiful gold that is in Grand Traverse Bay. You can find the physical pattern HERE and the digital pattern HERE.

4th we have Ric Rac

Ric Rac is an homage to antique strippy quilts from the United Kingdom.  They are found in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland and were popular in the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. They feature simple graphic linear tops covered in fanciful hand quilting.  Our Ric Rac pattern has the directions to piece the top of course, but also has templates and instructions for recreating the hand quilting.  We love it!

You can find the physical pattern HERE and the digital pattern HERE.

Remember we are also taking reservations for our Portage Lake Block of the Month

Portage Lake is a 12 month BOM that has Miss Scarlet fabric and Grand Traverse Bay fabric and will start shipping as soon as we get Grand Traverse Bay fabric in stock.  You can find it HERE.

Whew, that's about enough for a Sunday afternoon. 

Laters,

Laurie