Totally Twitterpated with This New Tool!

I spent last week at the AQS show in Paducah.  It was my first time attending that particular show and we had such a great time!  "Work" is awesome when you get to spend your time with great friends!

 

In between the crazy rushes of customers, I did get an opportunity to get out and check out a few other vendors and came across this new tool that I just had to bring home with me!

 

I own two "rotary" style cutting mats and hate them both.  One has a metal base that is glued on and not only falls off, but has a major dip in the middle, so makes cutting a challenge.  The other is a smaller one that falls apart every time I use it.   I won't mention any names of who they're made by...but lets just say they both leave a lot to be desired. K?

 

But look what I found at the Come Quilt With Me booth!

 

 

 

This rotating cutting mat is solid and made with ball bearings and spins like a charm!...There's no dip in the middle or falling apart when you spin it as with the other "not to be named" products I own.

Working on a Row by Row Experience project last night for a local shop I just had to test out my new tool!  I am 100% twitterpated!  I snapped a few pics,  and if you need to see it in action, Pat at Come Quilt With Me has a short little video on her website.

 

I know this tool is going to get a lot of use in my studio!

 

 

Graphic Garden

After spending a week at AQS Paducach, I got home last night to my preview copies of the next McCall's Quick Quilts June/July issue which features a quilt named Graphic Garden designed, made and quilted by me using the REcollection line by Katarina Roccella for Art Gallery Fabrics....as well as another quilt designed by the fabulous Gerri Robinson (Planted Seed Designs 2) that I made and quilted using her new fabric line called Steel.  (Red Rooster Fabrics)

 

 

My quilt can be found on page 42 of the magazine and is also being offered as a kit if you'd like to make one for yourself!  This is another quilt I designed using EQ7 and to create those great angles I pulled out my 45 Degree Diamond Dimensions Creative Grids Ruler.  I love having such great quilting tools!  If you've not tried Art Gallery Fabrics yet...you must....run to your local quilt shop and get yourself some!  The feel fantastic and will certainly feed your fabric petting addiction.  Quilters what I'm talking about....

Gerri's quilt, Gold Dust, can be found on page 12 of the magazine, and is a stunner!  Her new fabric line, Steel, is a fabulous modern metallic line that is nothing less than swoon worthy!

Half of My Heart Quilts - An Update

What a thrill today to be able to spend the afternoon with my favorite  MN second graders.... the ones who with me created the "Half of My Heart" quilts that were sent to a deployed couple serving in Iraq this past February.

We had a big surprise for the kids...our soldier couple, Brian & Jenna, were actually in town visiting family and planned a stop at the school to see them! 

Brian & Jenna also had another big surprise for the kids...they brought them the gift of an official American flag that was flown on the base in Iraq, and a handmade plaque with a certificate of authenticity. 

The kids got to ask all kinds of questions about what it's like to be in the military as well as being deployed ...and of course a few silly questions asked as only second graders know how to do... ie: Do you like pink fluffy unicorns?  Are you Australian? (Brian is from Georgia and has a bit of a southern drawl y'all) , Do you have to wear your uniform to bed too? 

So exciting for the kids to get to meet Brian & Jenna in person ( they had met Jenna via Skype once before while she was in Iraq)  They brought their quilts along too so of course we had to get a picture of everyone!

Such a special day....one I'm sure these kids will remember for a long time to come... I know I will.