cindeesartquilts

Winter

2010-11-21T06:41:00.000-08:00

Good Morning!

Early to work on this Sunday morning. As I approach the drive thru Starbucks at 6 am, I notice its 47 degrees. The radio station is playing Christmas music and the trees look wintery with rain in the midst. A beautiful sight. Makes me feel hopeful, inspired and happy.

Happy Winter!

Cindee

Birthday Wishes

2010-11-14T22:24:00.000-08:00

Today marks our baby's 23rd birthday.. I cannot believe that Justin left the nest and headed to San Francisco to discover the city and a new life. It's been 8 months and he has done such a great job! We are so proud of him.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTIN!

Jake

2010-11-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

Our sweet Jake died today.

After discovering a large mass in his shoulder, non operable, we made the difficult decision to have him put down. For those who have been through this , you know what I am talking about. There are really no words for how hard it is, but at the same time, the most humane thing to do. He was in pain, and could not stand or walk without assistance. There is a hole in our heart today, on our 28th Wedding Anniversary.

Love you Jakey boy...

Sewing Room

2010-11-11T23:23:00.000-08:00

What a lovely treasure to add to my very small sewing room. A find for sure from Rooster Creek in Old Town Temecula.

Trading out a relatively large Ikea table for a sweet antique table with yellow paint and the perfect scuff markings. It is sturdy and compact but most of all, Charming. Can't wait to seat my Bernina on top and start stitching!

HAPPY STITCHING!

Cindee

Gypsy's Choice

2010-11-11T00:20:00.000-08:00

Friends are wonderful!
I left Festival in Houston 3 days before the show was over. Unable to see the awards day for myself, I received a phone text that "Charming" (aka as Gupta), took Gypsy's Choice award. The words used were, my doll made it to the winner's table! Yeah!

Pictured are just some of the dolls in the Gypsy's challenge exhibit.

Now it's time to plan for next year.

Until then....

Market Musings Day 2

2010-10-31T20:58:00.000-07:00

Day two at International Quilt Market!
Great day, started off with a starbucks, (of course) orders, and off to visit friends and see what was happening on the show floor. There was a buzz of activity with everything from pattern companies, thread and notions, sewing and longarm machines, the gadget booths and of course all the big fabric vendors with their elaborately decorated booths.

My dearest friend Diane Kleinhans. Helping her in her booth for her Pattern business "Boulder Creek Designs" is a highlight for me. I enjoy spending time with her.

Our very talented booth neighbors Cynthia and Jason Mann of Birch Organic Fabrics are very nice people with creative fabric designs.

Kam and Moneca Shelhoup of Dora's Daughter's Design are new vendors and from Vista of all places. I go to Texas to meet former neighbors. How funny is that? Her Original Punchneedle is scrumptious and check out that crown!

This is a subject near and dear to Diane's heart and her passion called Home of Hope. It is a home for rehabilitation of rescued girls from Sex Trafficing. A horrible situation that is closer to home than we want to know. ALL of the proceeds of the Pillow Quilt shown in the picture will go to the Home of Hope-Texas. Visit http://www.homeofhopetexas.com/ for more information.

I don't know why, I just liked the picture... :)

I am a very patriotic girl, and aside from the dolls, this is one of my favorite exhibits..

It is Halloween, so many vendors dressed up. This is Helene from the Threaded Pear. Gina Halladay, the designer and owner was out on the show floor so I missed her. But I did get my maggot mints, and gumball eyeball Gina! They are from Yorba Linda, and make wonderful patterns. I have many of them, but sad to say, haven't sewn any of them yet.

And... finally, some of the folks from the APQS family who are near and dear to me. (pictured are Heidi Kaisand, Bob Ketcham & Connie Keller) with whom I have been friends with since I purchased my first machine in 1999 and began my business.

TTFN, until Tomorrow!

Cindee

Gypsy Doll Challenge 2010

2010-10-30T21:38:00.000-07:00

The Magical Gypsy Carnival is the theme for this years

Gypsy Doll Challenge

in Houston Texas at Quilt Market/Festival.

After careful consideration, I decided to enter a Snake Charmer. Not just any ole Snake Charmer but an older, wiser, fellow, who shows his wisdom through his eyes. His head is sculpted using Soft Sculpey, baked and then painted. His body made of suede. I used wire to create the armature for Charming and the snake as well. My dolls title is "Charming" but we like to call him Gupta....

Next, I received a letter from Gypsy Pamela inviting me to display a doll in the Art Doll Exhibit.

My entry is "Summer Job"

Eloise gets a job watching animals. Instead of a brisk walk, she takes them for a spin on her bike. The animals are felted to look like my favorite dog, a nutty black and white cat (pictured below) and a recluse maine coon.

Till next time......Cindee

Quilt Market October 2010 Houston, Texas

2010-10-30T20:14:00.000-07:00

Who said Quilt Shows aren't fun?
What an awesome afternoon.
The morning was crazy as we tried to navigate through closed roads leading to the convention hall in Houston TX. Football is big here, so there was a parade for Texas Tech. I guess they didn't care that we were going to be late to our Quilt Show... Got in, got set up with 5 minutes to spare.
Went to visit the dolls that I entered and they needed a little tweaking but all is well. Pics to be added... next.. :)
Opening day is always fun, the excitement, the old friends and new, and the hustle and bustle...

This Saturday was extra special, Ty Pennington was in the House! He was on site to promote his new line of decorator fabric from Westminster. Got to stop in and say hi, we chatted a bit & got some pics. Really enjoyed meeting him. A very approachable, nice person. And no... no megaphone, no move that bus, he was quite reserved and I have a feeling maybe a bit overwhelmed by all of us crazy quilters!

Let's see what tomorrow will bring!

Till next time... Cindee

Tales of Enchantment

2009-09-30T18:39:00.000-07:00

It is that time again.

Quilt Festival is approaching with all it's glory. Quilts, vendors, exhibits, fabric, dolls and clothing, classes and meeting up with old friends and making new. A wonderful experience for which I am so excited to participate.

Last year I sent in my first art doll for exhibit. It was thrilling to finish what I started and loved it so much, I am entering a second this year. This years theme is "The Enchanted Gypsy". My doll is titled "Tales of Enchantment" and features the keeper of the stories, A hip Mother Goose spreading the joy of reading.

Will be attending the show this year and anxious to view all the wonderful artists work who will be participating this year.

Fabulous Weekend

2009-06-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

What an awesome weekend!
Started with Thursday night B52's at the fairgrounds. A fun night of bringing back memories.
Saturday, a visit to the legendary Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach to catch the BroAm after party with Switchfoot/Fiction Family with Jon Foreman, and Sean Watkins. All the bands were so entertaining. Weekend ended with a terrific brunch at Curbside Cafe with my honey!

To Brighten Your Day

2009-06-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

Today, like many lately, has been overcast, breezy and a little chilly. On top of that a summer cold, which is not the most fun thing.
I am sending out flowers from my garden for all of those who are dealing with issues be it cold, gloomy weather, financial troubles, empty nest or on a positive note, for a celebration, as there are many in June. Weddings, graduations. Whatever life is dealing you right now...
Paper thin pink Eden Roses for You to Brighten Your Day!

Gypsy Doll Challenge

2008-11-02T18:44:00.001-08:00

Lady Isabella is my doll entry for the Treasures of the Gypsy Challenge for Houston Festival 2008. The theme is Journey of the Gypsy. The mask and 3 fabric selections were to be used in my creation. Researching different events, I decided on the Venetian Carnivale.

On the Road Again!

2008-08-15T17:33:00.000-07:00

WOW! Life has been so busy since the last post. Thought I would be better at keeping this up.

Took the job with Blank Quilting. Fabric Sales to the So. California area from Santa Barbara to San Diego! I got the job because I quilt and sew and Love to play with fabric! It is just so awesome to visit shops, see and meet wonderful people, and see much of California I have NOT seen yet.

Just got back from 7 days on the road! Starting with quilt retreat at Debbie's home in Big Bear, to the San Fernando Valley and Ventura County to visit shops!

Was spoiled rotten by my friend in Moorpark! Loved it! Thanks Carol. I was quite amused by her bird, and African Grey named Java. (who wants to be in the olympics)! See her as she demonstrates her abilities as we watched the womens gymnastics.

Carol also has a wonderful talent of preparing scrumptious food! The best bagels I have ever eaten! Really! I took a picture so I would remember how to make it. LOL :)

Ta Ta for now!

All Packed Up -May 19th

2008-06-07T11:17:00.000-07:00

This was just too much not to journal! We packed up all of our stuff including the show items that were shipped ahead of time and tried to, unsuccessfully I may add to stuff it all in the infamous Subaru Outback that I previously mentioned. Two trips later and a really nice attendant at the Holiday Inn, we were on our way to the airport.

Until the next show!

By the way, Boulder Creek Designs WILL be at the July Festival in Long Beach, so if you plan to go, stop by and meet Cliff and the gang!

Quilt Market Day 3

2008-06-07T10:07:00.000-07:00

The last time I posted was at Quilt Market in May! Been soooooooo busy and now it is time to get back to it and get caught up...should we say I am "back blog..ging" LOL. The last day of Market was the usual wrap up of sales, meeting with people and getting jobs! Whoops did I say getting jobs.. Leaving market with a possible job with Blank Textiles as the Southern California Rep. Hmmm, I need to think about that. :)

I had a wonderful opportunity to visit with Eleanor since the book , "Victory Quilts" was published. The quilt behind us on the left was one of the ones that I did. It is a really great book. Stopped by to see some long time friends, Joan and Rick Grenke of Bits and Pieces by Joan, and John and Debbie Lofgren of Little Stitches. Finally I leave with a few pictures of the booth and Dianes fabulous designs! If you want to see more of her wonderful talent, go to http://www.bouldercreekdesigns.com/

Quilt Market Day Two

2008-05-17T22:30:00.000-07:00

So...everyone knows how many licks before you get to the center of a tootsie roll pop, right?

Sure, but...do you know how many people it takes to drive a Subaru Outback? Answer: in Oregon at quilt show....three.. yes, I said three. Two quilters and a very nice frustrated traveler who also has the same car. Lets just say, that the Subaru hazards do not blink. Lets just leave it at that.

On to Quilt Market. Are we in Texas or Oregon? It is balmy and hot! Not the usual weather in Oregon. Record high heat. Diane was confused as to her whereabouts since it feels just like home. What another fun day. Each day holds new and wonderful surprises and today was no exception. The usual visiting occurred with our neighbors, like... where did you go to dinner? and Did you get any sleep last night? Oh and Starbucks was NOT, I repeat NOT the first thing we got today. In fact it was later when we needed a pick me up, along with the wonderful snack of the day provided by Diane. She sold 16 cases of Peach Mango Paradise baked fruit crisps by Flat Earth ! Ya know, the commercial with the Flying Pig? Well we are at a quilt show, not a snack show....but when you have the munchies and its been a long day.. these are a welcome treat. The image of her running around to booths sharing this snack is still fresh in my mind. It was very funny.

Went by the APQS booth to visit with my comrades from past shows, and met Heidi Kaisand and a visit with my pal and sisters companion Linda Alexander. (pictured) Followed by Dinner at Sanfords for some yummy dinner with Linda Alexander,Diane and Connie Keller. (An absolute Hoot!)

Our booth neighbors, the crew of LizzieBCreative. They are just too nice and so much fun!

Many wonderful people came to the booth to visit and purchase patterns and templates. It was a good day! God is great!

Hey Tammy! no guilt here...blog, blog, blog...LOL :)

Finally, I leave off with a lovely picture of my son Justin and his girlfriend Heather. It is her senior prom and she is going with all of her girlfriends. You look beautiful Heather! I wish I was there to see you. Thanks for sharing the picture.

Spring Quilt Market Portland Oregon 2008

2008-05-16T20:46:00.000-07:00

Since my last post was in July of 2007!!! I decided after some prompting, to get on and write something.

Friday May 16th marks the opening day of Spring Quilt Market. After 2 days of setup and schlepping boxes, patterns, and big bertha full of quilts, we are on our way. First day is buzzing with fun and (Starbucks) as people meet up with old friends and are introduced to new ones. Having attended shows on and off since 94, I have certainly met some really lovely people and had some great laughs. Ok, back to Oregon! The booth looks great and was hoppin' with activity, and .....starbucks....., The booth, by the way is Boulder Creek Designs by Diane Kleinhans of Texas, and I am here to help and support her. ( Which is always a blast)

Some pictures ahead, a longtime friend of mine, Jane Coscarelli showing another fabulous design. Her coat with new fabric inspirations. Tammy and Sherry with Diane and I in the booth. You guys are just too fun and awesome! We had a visit from Kim and Emily of Starry Night Hallow. Bummed I did not get pictures! It was a long day, but a great day! Lets see what tomorrow brings!

Lazy Days of Summer

2007-07-29T11:42:00.000-07:00

Lazy Days of Summer
challenge #10

The swing and beach appliques were my $5.oo purchase for this challenge. I hot glued the swing together and painted with pool blue paint. In the right hand corner is a cat and mouse and the left hand side is a group of bees. The trees were made using solvy and shreds of assorted green and brown fabrics.