To Market, To Market, To Market We Go!

The air is getting cooler, the leaves are starting to turn and that can only mean one thing - Fall Market!

There is still so much to do and we are busy little bees getting things ready to go!  Scott is digitizing as fast as his fingers can go; Gary is editing, proofing, and making sure all of our new products are in house and ready to pack; Michelle has restocked our business cards, updated our facebook page, sent out our newsletter and I am stitching, quilting, designing and trying to stay calm!  There are still kits to cut, shipments to arrive, and a mock set up to complete, but I am starting to see the finish line and I'm getting very excited!!

If you have plans to attend the International Quilt Market (Oct 27-29) and/or International Quilt Festival (Nov 1-4) in Houston, we will be at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Booth 956.  Stop by and see us.  We have an entire booth full of all new designs!

We are celebrating Turning Twenty's 10th birthday with a NEW Turning Twenty book!  The 9th book in the series (can you believe it?!) - Hope Chest Treasures introduces our new beginner-friendly "on point" setting as well as the familiar straight setting.  You can take this pattern and use it with any of the other books in the Turning Twenty series and create completely new looks for every quilt!  Happy Birthday!!!

Click to view more details on our website

We will have new redwork designs for both hand and machine embroidery AND we are so excited to be introducing a NEW book series!!!!  It's TOP SECRET, so be sure to stop by the booth and check it out! We will post pictures of everything new from the market floor, so stay tuned.

We will also be at schoolhouse to introduce all of our new designs.  Our time slot is 11:00 - 11:30 AM in room 362D.  If you are attending schoolhouse, we'd love to see you!

Coming to Sample Spree??  We'll be there too.  Table 56.  Oh yes, we'll also be at Preview Night!  Be sure to say "Hi" while you're there!

Whew!  A lot to get ready for.  Gary, Michelle and I hope to see you in Houston...now, I'd better get back to work!

Blessings,

Rocky Mountain Quilt Festival

What a wonderful time we had vending at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Festival last month in Loveland, Colorado!  Everyone was so kind and we had so much fun!

Of course, before the show, we were running around like crazy people getting ready to go.  There just never seems to be enough time and before you know it, Travel Day is upon you.  

Below you can see our last minute preparations...yes, it took a village!  Scott is digitizing the new Snowmen patterns (top left) as Stephen is packing Jingle Jangle Jungle kits while Gary and I cut fabric (top right).  Gary and Michelle sort fabric (bottom left) and just when you think you are done, you realize the count is off and Gary is back to cutting fabric again (bottom right)!   

Gary and I finished getting everything ready to go and loaded while Stephen and Michelle went to sleep early so they would be rested to drive.  At 1 AM, they hit the road and it was Loveland or Bust!  The weather was beautiful.  So much cooler than August in Texas!  We did manage to get one picture of the Rocky Mountains and one of those "Did you get it?" pictures of the bridge as we entered Loveland.  That is the blurry picture below!  :)

Below are some pictures of the booth just before the show started.  We could not have asked for a better location - just across from the Women's restroom!!  Needless to say, we stayed quite busy! 

 We also had fun "warning" women as they were entering the restroom...the MEN'S restroom!  Whomever laid out the building put the restrooms side by side, but in opposite order: Women, Men on one side of the wall and Men, Women on the other.  So, unless you were paying careful attention, you would just walk into the wrong restroom.  Michelle almost made the mistake once herself...and she knew about it!  I wish I could add an audio to the blog of all the "belly laughs" we heard during the show due to that bathroom layout!

We will never forget the Rocky Mountain Quilt Festival or the great friends we made while we were there.  Thank you to everyone who came out to see us!  

We are working feverishly now preparing for International Quilt Market (Oct 27-29) and International Quilt Festival (Nov 1-4) in Houston, TX.  We will be at Booth 956.  We have some surprises in store!!  We hope to see you there!

Blessings,

Fun with Town and Country Quilt Guild

I was honored to share with the Town and Country Quilt Guild of Stephenville, Texas just a few weeks ago. Since the meeting was on a Saturday, we made it a FriendFolks family day.
Gary, Michelle and Stephen all came along to help. I love taking them, I get to spend more time visiting, while they do the work!  :-)  Michelle took these pics and handled sales, while the guys unloaded quilts and products, sweating in the July HEAT.....I'm blessed with a loving family.

I began by demonstrating my 'secret knot'. We handed out needles and thread, so everyone could master the technique. It's so much fun to see the light bulb flash over a quilter's head. I share this wherever I go, and have even had ladies call on the phone to say how they love this simple trick!

I enjoyed getting to share some of my quilts and answer questions.

Shown here is "Strawberry Shortcake" featured in my tURNING TWENTy® Slapplique™  book.

Gary is showing "Sew Easy" from tURNING TWENTy® Simply Sashed 

Gary and Stephen showing Jingle Jangle Jungle

Stephen doing double duty holding Rickrack Reproductions (left) and Rickrack Rooster (right) from Double-Dippin' Quilts!

Town and Country Quilt Guild was such a gracious host and we enjoyed the day we spent with them.  We are looking forward to returning this fall for a workshop!
Thank you ladies for a wonderful day!

Blessings, 

Another Day In The Life Of Mr Bear

A Day In The Life of Mr Bear has become one of our best loved patterns.  This quilt tells the story of a very special little girl, and how she spends a special day with her best friend Mr Bear.

In an earlier post I shared the real story of Mr. Bear, and how his story came to life in the heart of my sweet granddaughter, Hailey.  Her Uncle Scott surprised her with this huge stuffed bear for Christmas when she was 3 years old.  Mr Bear ended up doing everything that Hailey did - yes, every day.
Here is a picture of Hailey the day Mr Bear "walked" into her life.  She was instantly in love!!

Today, Hailey is married and has a precious 4 month old son of her own.
Last week, I received a text from little Miss Hailey with the sweetest pictures
of Mr. Bear with Baby Jude.  It looks like another love connection to me!
I couldn't wait to share these with you.

It's pretty obvious that Mr. Bear has seen better days, but I guess that's ok
if your fur is all worn from excessive hugs and kisses. What a blessed bear he is.
Now Mr. Bear has a whole new generation of love coming his way.
Oh, the adventures ahead for Mr. Bear and Baby Jude!!

Thanks for sharing in the joy of this great-grandmother.

Blessings, 

Pickles, Patches and Babies - Oh My!

I've started wondering exactly WHAT is going on in the world lately! Pickles and Patches has been one of our best selling quilt patterns since I first designed it a few years ago. But lately it's like the Stork is working overtime!! For the past two weeks, we've had so many orders for this pattern. So, just in case you also have a bundle of joy headed your way, this is one easy-to-make baby quilt that works for a boy or a girl.

Pickles and Patches, as shown above, is simply adorable made with wonderful brushed cottons, but I can also envision it with all the beautiful brights and mod 60's fabrics - cute, cute, cute!! It is beginner-friendly, easy raw-edge machine applique and simple embroidered names. Introduce your baby to: Lester the Lion, Ed the Elephant, Pickles the Pig, Marbles the Monkey, Duke the Dog, Betty the Bunny, Dolly the Duck and Georgie the Giraffe. Pickles and Patches measures 57" X 64" and the pattern is only $8!

Click here to place your order and you'll be ready when the Stork arrives!

Our little angels love tummy time, cuddle time, and nap time on their special quilts.
As Great-Grand Minnie, I just have to show you!!

This is our little Lily Grace learning how to sit up on her Good Morning Starshine Quilt!
(pattern is in my Turning Twenty Feelin' Groovy Book)

Lily is such a little lady, sitting on her pretty pink & purple Beez quilt. Lily Beelieves in Sitting Pretty!

Our sweet baby Jude is sleeping all cuddled up under his Jingle Jangle Jungle Quilt!

Looks like Jude's in the dog house now!! He's playing on his Jelly Bean Quilt.

Last week Gary and Scott manned the office, while Michelle and I were making a lot of new "Friendfolks" at the Martha Pullen Show in Arlington, Tx.  It was espeically great seeing old friends again.
We are thankful to be blessed with the most wonderful customers and friends.

There was a lot of energy in our booth each day, of course it might have been the bananas and coffee we kept hidden under our table!
We appreciate all the enthusiasm over our new Embroidery Disks and new Redwork patterns.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by, and for being excited with us as we enter the world of:
                                                  Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Be sure to "like" us, "tweet" us, and "pin" us!  Just search Friendfolks on each site.

To all of our Arlington area friends - it was great to be with you again and thank you for a wonderful show!!

Until next week,
Blessings,

We are exhibiting at Martha's Sewing Market

We are so excited to be exhibiting again this year at Martha's Sewing Market in Arlington, Texas, June 20-23!

I have been very busy designing several new patterns that will be introduced at this market.  You can view and order them now from our site, www.FriendFolks.com or, if you are planning on attending Martha's Sewing Market, we will have them there as well.  We have three new whimsical Snowmen patterns for you:

Each of these patterns sell for $9.50.  They are simply adorable - perfect for snowman collectors, redwork collectors, winter/Christmas home decorating, gift giving, etc.

Be sure to stop by our booth June 20-23 in Arlington, TX at the Arlington Convention Center.  Gary, Michelle and I would love to see you!

Blessings,

My Mama - Louise King

For as far back as I can remember mama worked with her hands.  As children, she sewed our clothes, kept a garden to feed us, scrubbed our dirty faces, and tried to teach us right from      wrong.

Mama grew up during a difficult time, and learned how to make ends meet, regardless of what she had to work with.  There wasn't a job she wouldn't tackle, and not a person that she did notcount as a friend.

I learned a lot from mama.  I learned to sew at a very young age, I could cook by the time I       was 10 years old, and I sure knew how to wash dishes!

Mama didn't take up quilting until she had grandkids, that was when she actually had some timeto do things just because she wanted to, instead of because she had to.

I'm blessed to still have mama with me.  She's 80 years young, facing a few health challenges,but still can play a mean game of Chickenfoot.  As my own life changes, and I grow older, I      only appreciate and love her more and more.  Her sacrifices, love, and nurturing have had an   impact on my life in ways I can't even express.  I'm proud to honor my mama during this          special month.  This world is a better place because she is here.

I love you mama.

Mama - Age 15

Mama - Today, Age 80

Organizing Tips

It's the time of year when birds sing, flowers bloom, and people everywhere are Spring Cleaning!  The cleaning bug bit me a few weeks ago and I began a complete reorganization of my sewing room.  But, as quilters often do, I could not stay away from creating new projects!  The fabric calls me...I know you understand what I mean!  There is just so much inspiration around in springtime!

This does mean I have MANY new projects that will be ready soon; but alas, my poor sewing room is still in disarray.  I will get back to it...soon.  I just have to finish one more project.  Or, maybe two!

I did come across some wonderful ideas to help control the clutter that so often runs rampant in crafting areas.  Enjoy and happy cleaning!

• You can use pizza boxes to store quilt blocks.  They are easy to stack, take up little room and keep your blocks organized.  Just ask for an extra box the next time you pick up your pizza.

• Have an empty Altoid box laying around?  You can make it into a magnetic pin holder!  Just get a peel and stick magnetic strip at any craft store.

• You can use vinyl trading card pages for storing needles.  Just cut felt to fit inside the pockets and insert your needles into the felt.

• When taking quilt blocks to your next class, you can use a large piece from a flannel backed tablecloth to roll them in for easy transport.

• Empty prescription bottles are perfect to store thread spools and matching bobbins.  You can also keep one by your sewing machine to toss used needles into.

• Using a silverware tray is a great way to organize your sewing tools.

• An acrylic suction cup hook on the side of your sewing machine is a handy place to hang small scissors or thread clippers.

• Put a drying rack by your sewing machine to organize fabric strips.

BONUS TIPS

• To brighten colors and remove age spots and yellow discolorations from quilts, combine 1 gallon of water, 1 quart of buttermilk and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.  Soak the quilt in the mixture and then hand wash it with a mild soap for a bright, reconditioned quilt.  The ingredients make it safe and there is no danger of damaging your quilt.

• A wooden cuticle stick is a perfect sewing stiletto.

• Rather than buy an expensive reducing glass, buy a door peephole from your local hardware store.

• Parchment paper works the same as expensive fusible-webbing sheets and also prevents glue from adhering to the surface of your iron.

Blessings,

The newest member to our FriendFolks family

He's finally here!!

In my last post, our granddaughter Hailey, was almost ready to have her sweet baby.  We actually thought he might show up that very day!  He decided to wait just a little longer to make his grand appearance.

With what had to be the easiest labor and delivery in history, Hailey and her husband Lucas welcomed their new baby boy, William Jude Byrd, into the world.

Our sweet little Jude was born on March 16 at 4:37 PM.  He weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.  Mom and baby are perfectly healthy...and Dad made it through as well!

This now makes me a GREAT Grandmother twice over!  And I couldn't be more happy.  We are blessed indeed!

Meet our sweet blessing, Mr. Jude Byrd....

First Family Photo

Our precious little peanut

Coming home from the hospital

Precious little toes

Already saying his prayers...he loves Jesus!

Mommy with her blessing from God