Two items checked off list

1.  museum order done

9.  Phillies clinch NL East

Countdown to show...I need help!

How interested do you think 15 year old twin boys might be in handsewing binding on quilted ornaments?  Yeah, I thought so.  Here's what I have on my to-do list:
1.  finish binding on 4 ornaments which will complete museum ornament order (tonight)
2.  Prepare for October 16/17 show--finish quilting and binding as many quilts and ornaments as possible
4.  get booth display, tags, business cards, etc ready for show season
3.  Sew hanging sleeves on quilts and finish ornaments for Handmade Home by Oct 21
4.  Prepare for North Penn Show November 20 more quilting and binding
5.  Prepare for PA German folk art show at Mennonite Heritage Center item drop off Nov 24
6.  Design and make quilts for artisan shop on Carole's Country  Store website by Nov 1 http://www.carolescountry.com/ I'll be doing more primitive designs just for her site
7.  Write instructions for a quilt to be sent to a magazine
8.  Work full time day job
9.  Watch the Phillies clinch the National League East tonight
So if you ever drop in, you'll know why my house is a mess.

Why pink binding?

Here's why I suggested pink binding on a blue and white quilt to Taryn http://reproquiltlover.blogspot.com/2010/09/baltimore-album-redux.html

A 19th century crib quilt.  I think it's a great combo.

PA Guild of Craftsmen Lancaster Store

I just found out that my quilts have been accepted for "Handmade Home"

In the Pennsylvania Guild of of Craftsmen Store in Lancaster, PA 

for more information:  http://www.pacrafts.com/5878101295599983/blank/browse.asp?a=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&c=51643

Projects Everywhere

I have one month to go until my first show of the season (October 16 and 17).  I finished all the piecing I wanted to get done, so now it is quilting time, stuffing time, and binding time.  I get cross-eyed doing machine quilting for too long, so I switch to hand sewing, like binding, or stuffing ornaments to take a break.  I can also sit in a cozy chair and watch the Phillies play (i.e., trounce their opponents on the way to their 3rd consecutive world series) while I sew.  Needless to say, there is stuff everywhere.

Quilt pile in the living room, ready to stitch down the binding.

Another quilt pile, waiting to be quilted.

A loner quilt, waiting to be quilted.  Now how did that one get over there?

Ornaments in progress.

Stuffing ornaments with the eraser end of a pencil.

Flat ornaments waiting for binding.

Flat ornaments waiting to be quilted. 

My new best thread friend (BTF); Aurifil 50 wt thread.  I love machine quilting with this.  I've tried others, but this is my favorite.

A busy day at the quilt show

I spent the morning at the Pennsylvania Quilt Extravangza in Oaks, PA, outside Philadelphia.  It's an easy drive from my home.  This is the second year the show has been in this location and I think the show has improved from last year.  It was quite busy today with several traffic jams in the aisles--people and wheeled shopping bags.  Though mostly geared to new quilt making, there are a couple dealers of antique wares.  I found a few pieces of antique fabrics to add to my stash.  The green/aqua is an unusual color to find.  I have never had a piece this color, though I have seen it in antique quilts.  I picked out several neutrals to compliment the brights that I already have.

I also found this really cool piece of chintz in Material Pleasure's booth.  Check out their website http://www.materialpleasures.com/.  At some point in its life, the fabric was made into a little pillow cover.  There is a very slight glaze left on the fabric.  I'll have to study up on this to establish the date of this fabric.

I also found two great books to add to the Quilt Lab library.  World War II Quilts by Sue Reich is really interesting and beautifully illustrated with lots of color photos.  It just came out this year.  I saw Sue's  presentation on WW II quilts at a Mid Atlantic Quilt Study day in NJ 2 years ago. 

The other book is called Small Blocks, Stunning Quilts by Mary Elizabeth Kinch and Biz Storms.  It is not a brand new book, published in 2008, but this the first time I had seen it.  The authors love small scale blocks (me too) but they make large quilts with them.  The quilts in the book are lovely, lots of antique influence.

PA German Interpretation...and celebrating 100 followers

You might normally see this eagle quilt design done with a white background, maybe with eagles done in combination of red, green, or gold.  Here is the PA German interpretation of this design.  From my collection, (photo from Marie Miller Antique Quilts website, from whom I purchased the quilt several years ago).   This just in...I have 100 followers now!  Thanks to everybody for their interest in my blog!!!

Is it confetti?

No--it is fabric trimmings on the floor in the quilt lab.  I have been busy, busy, busy. 

The weather has cooled off, thanks to the hurricane that moved up the east coast.  I should be outside but I have a lot to do.  At least I have the windows open in the quilt lab and am enjoying the nice breeze. 

I finished two quilt tops this morning and and now I am working on ornaments for the upcoming show season.  These pieces with go into Ohio Stars.

Besides sewing I spent time working on a new marketing angle for my work.  My sons and I brainstormed and came up with a catch-phrase to help me describe my business to potential customers at shows.  I made up new business cards and an artist statement.

So, here it is, drumroll please...

Ann Hermes Quilts...from Antique to Unique

I am going to display this little suitcase filled with antique fabrics and quilt blocks.  It will also hold my business cards and display my artist statement.

I did find some time to do a little fall decorating.  I love a long weekend!