They're DONE ! We have a line up of 8 new patterns that will be Stunningly Simple to make -- in whatever fabrics you like. We happened to love them in Batiks. Curious ?? The page just went up: http://www.animas.com/AQPpatternsF08.html

Now I'm concentrating on packing for two teaching trips and getting the trunks for Market packed. My sewing room is full of luggage AND piles of things for each venue. I'll be teaching at the Pacific International Quilt Festival (PIQF) in Santa Clara, CA next week. Then off to Quilt Market and teaching at Quilt Festival in Houston.

In the meantime, the weather man is forecasting snow for us on Friday evening . . . . geez! it's early October. Glad I'm heading South!

When it gets close to Quilt Market (our wholesale show), my days are all consumed with the new designs. We'll have 8 new Batik patterns, 2 with Cowboys & Indians, and one Rooster. I thought maybe you'd like a preview today of the two new Cowboys & Indians .. . . . the top left is my new Boot Scootin'. And the one to the right is Stampede by Kay Handy.

The feather stripe we've both used is absolutely drop-dead outstanding! These are new fabrics from Maywood Studio . . .

The new page on the web is in the works, but until we get a few more photos for it, it looks a bit too bare to publish . I'll keep you posted!

When I begin receiving emails from friends asking why they can't find something in particular on this Blog -- I KNOW I'm behind! While I haven't any good excuses, the truth is it's been a bit of a treadmill lately, and will continue today.

So -- in a nutchell . . . . I went to StLouis for Labor Day to visit my son, Serge, and to meet his lovely new lady, Misty. We found a couple of festivals to enjoy -- and a lovely afternoon in Augusta tasting some devine wine from a pretty blue bottle.

Since I'm playing catch up on posting, the next photo is from Valdez, Ak. This is the Columbia Glacier --- well, sort of. It was too overcast to actually see the glacier. This iceberg is from those which have calved and floated out toward Prince William Sound. The first day in Valdez was spent on a boat -- seeing the glacier and some wildlife. The classes began on Thursday -- and were terrific. I do thoroughly enjoy the Alaskan quilters!

And to get to this past weekend, Jery & I had a brief and delightful 4-day vacation in Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta. It's really quite close to us -- just north of Glacier National Park. We hiked, enjoyed the company of friends who joined us from Iowa, ate extremely well, and saw TONS of wildlife. The Elk are starting to Rut, and have gathered in a valley near the village where they can easily be seen at dusk and early morning each day. The bears were out and foraging as well, and quite easy to spot. Moose stayed hidden. The weather was the best we'd seen all summer! A lovely brief get-away!

And today, Sept 22, we begin stitching on the new quilts for market. Help arrives soon, and I need to return to the cutting so I'm ready for them!

Jery had a terrific opportunity to offer Fishing lessons this weekend. We went to a lovely lake, blew up the float stuff, and they spent some time getting the 'hang' of casting from the bank before going afloat.

It's not often that I manage to capture one of Toby's spectacular shakes in motion! In fact, I believe this was a first. Note the flying water! Toby decided that swimming was A-OK and ventured beyond his previous comfort zone into full-fledged swimming. Toby is the King of Shaking -- it must absolutely feel devine !

Jer & I were enjoying our morning cuppa when the power went out, followed by a muffled' boom'. After checking for puffs of smoke, we called the power company. With amazing speed they located the problem . . . . an Osprey had dropped a stick on the transformer, creating the short.

We have several Osprey neighbors. They are grand and elegant with a huge wing span. The game dept. has placed poles with platforms every couple of miles near the river. Our favorite is about 1/4 mile from here, along the road we take to town. We enjoy watching them return each spring and build their nest. Then, we see little heads -- and after a while the flight lessons.

So? What are the odds that a random stick, in the mouth of an Osprey, will fall exactly on the tranformer pole across from us and create a short?? Obviously, pretty good today!

The MOUNTAIN is OUT ! ! ! What a fabulous 2 days we've had getting to and enjoying Denali NP. We stopped at Mary's Roadhouse and shot some photos, but they aren't as good as this one taken today from Eileson Visitor Center -- many miles into the park. Ree Nancarro has a fabulous quilt hanging there. I can't share it until I get her permission.

On the way back we met this FABULOUS FELLOW. It was a terrific day for wildlife - - - Moose, Grizzly, Caribou, Golden Eagles.

Kay is a great travel companion. Tomorrow we head back to Anchorage, and I suspect we'll stop in a quilt shop or three. Heading home on the Red Eye Friday am.

Petersburg, AK absolutely sparkles!! It's a darling town, nestled in the Inside Passage, and boasts its Norweigian heritage. Downtown buildings are often decorated with Rosemaling. It's SO pretty.

Our flight here was beautiful. We were on the Alaska Air 'milk run' which stopped first in Ketchikan, then in Wrangell, and after a low and fast 13 minutes, landed in Petersburg. When we head on - on Monday, we'll stop in Juneau before going on to Anchorage. From Wrangell to Petersburg -- I'm not certain what altitude the 737 reached, though I can assure you it was intentionally NOT much. We could see the individual trees the entire way!

We enjoyed downtown Petersburg on Wednesday afternoon, including their quilt shop, bead shop, and galleries. Then Thursday we went with Captain Ron on a Whale Watching trip -- all day -- and roughly 50 whales were seen, including one who came over to our boat to 'check us out!'.

Today my workshops begin. I met some of the quilters at the lecture last night, and know this is going to be a terrific experience!

The Eureka Montana Quilt Show was this past Saturday -- and it's the reason I've been silent. It's absolutely incredible the amount of preparation involved, though WORTH every minute! Our little town SPARKLED. We ended up with 366 quilts covering the historical buildings in the park and then along Dewey (the main street) for 4 blocks. It was WONDERFUL! This year's show was the largest crowd yet, and again we know that our efforts are working to help our community. In addition to our quilts this year we also had a display and sale of the Alzheimer's Initiative quilts.

Jery & I enjoyed house guests through yesterday morning - then worked at wrapping up the details yesterday.

Today is a FULL day. I'm off to 'kidnap' a girlfriend early. A friend is 'kidnaping' another friend and a small group of 6-7 of us will celebrate the the 'kidnap-ees' birthdays with breakfast. These friends - here in Eureka - are such a fun group of women!!

Then, I'll finish packing for my teaching trip to Petersburg, AK tomorrow. Kay is going with me. She's never been to AK -- and it's high time! We'll be in Petersburg for the weekend with the quilters, then on to Anchorage and a rental car - heading to Denali Park. Depending on the internet access I find, I'll post some pics along the way . . . .

A quick update, that begins with Thursday. Jery & I went to Kalispell to look at an Independent Living facility for his Mom. And - to visit my folks. We found a lovely place for Mary, complete with a quilter behind the desk! Well, she wasn't quilting . . . . she noticed the t-shirt Jer was wearing -- a t-shirt I'd brought home from an event, and she asked him if he quilted. That conversation opened the door for a first rate tour of the facility!

My folks are doing really well. Each day finds Daddy a wee bit stronger.

AND -- I bought a bicycle that afternoon. It had been at least 10 years since I'd been on one, and probably 20 since I've owned one! I tried it out in the parking lot to determine with my wimpy knee could handle it. Answer is yes, if I don't overdo. I've found I just can't make it up the 2nd hill between here and the lake - and back - and that of course, gives me a goal!

The quilt show is coming along. All the quilts are assigned a position and that info is listed and printed in this year's new show booklet. Quilts are beginning to arrive. The big labeling / sorting begins on Wednesday.

Today I'm walking with Barb, hopefully later making it closer to the top of hill #2, and packing for a teaching trip to Petersburg, AK. I leave a couple of days after the show, and need to be organized!

So -- that's the week in a nutshell . . . . quilt show, parents, bike . (and riding) . . . .

Gosh -- I'm truly amazed that I've been home nearly 2 weeks, and quite honestly I've been on the go almost constantly during that time.

First it was checking in with my folks, who are doing better and better with each passing day. Daddy is so thin -- but his memory is working MUCH better, and he's learned how to totally get around their house, and they've done some 'out and about' shopping -- MUCH better. The sad thing is that he doesn't remember anything about his experience in the hospital and care center -- just shy of 3 months -- and he's wanting to get the knee replaced. Mother & I are both cringing, as we know what he's been through, and we're really not certain that he's strong enough to do it again.
Time will tell . . . . we're trying to keep him on hold until he fattens up a wee bit.

(photo from the '07 show) On the Home Front - it's getting close to the annual Eureka Montana Quilt Show, which I chair with a group of dedicated women. All the quilt registrations are in, and listed. I have my 'maps' of the buildings (their walls - hanging space) and this morning I'll begin the layout process. We have 370 quilts this year, and of those most are LARGE so it's going to be a challenge. I think I'll put some soft background music on . . . clear the decks on the back side of my sewing table space, and have at . This is generally a 2-day process. After the initial layout, I need to re-work a few things to make it fit - beautifully!

The show this year is August 2 --- you might want to plan to join us - there's still time!