Saturday Samplings

I thought I would stop in for a quick blog visit this afternoon. It's been a bit of a whirlwind here the last several weeks....I have had an abundance of crazy work deadlines, a miserable head cold, and I have been preparing for the Komen 3-Day event that takes place in less than two weeks. Thank you to those who have checked in to make sure I'm doing okay - all is well, I've just been over-the-top busy and feeling under the weather.

This weekend is the International Quilt Market in Houston (a wholesale trade show that is not open to the general public) and I have been working on a plethora of top secret projects. I can't share anything with you just yet - but I have been designing and creating samples - basically sewing/quilting round the clock for the last three weeks...probably why I have been suffering from a nasty head cold/virus. I still have five quilts, a table topper/set of placemats, and a tree skirt left to complete before I leave for Dallas to walk 60-miles in less than two weeks. All of these projects are in the works...in fact, I am taking a brief break from the sewing marathon to write this post.

Also going on in my world...some VERY FUN new stash arrived over the last several weeks. I won an incredible giveaway from the Therm O Web Blog for National Sewing Month - the package consisted of 7 Deco Foil colors of my choice, Deco Foil Hot Melt Adhesive, Liquid Adhesive, Spray Adhesive, along with a selection of Kona Cotton Solids (5 charm packs) and collectible canvas tote bag from Robert Kaufman! I about fell over when I got the e-mail - what a treat to win this incredible giveaway...and I can't wait to try the new Deco Foils. Then, believe it or not, the very next day I won an Instagram giveaway from Robert Kaufman Fabrics -  21 Small Cuts (Fat Quarters) from the new collection Naptime 2 by Darlene Zimmerman - they are ADORABLE 1930's reproduction fabrics featuring kitties, elephants, and bunnies. I should have bought a lottery ticket - that is the luckiest I have ever been - someone knew how badly I needed a pick-me-up and the stars aligned TWICE! Then if all of that wasn't enough, I received an incredible surprise package earlier this week, just when my head cold was in full swing - it was packed with bright and cheerful fabric yardage, several needlework kits, and a couple special owl gifts. Friendship and fabric is truly the best medicine - this package from a very dear friend brought me comfort and love when I needed it most. I may be feeling under the weather, but I am definitely feeling blessed.

Other than that, when time allows, I have been walking and working out at the gym...taking Schatzi on my long walks and playing with her at the park. I have been taking in the beautiful autumn scenery and enjoying the cooler weather...getting prepared for the Komen 3-Day....and of course, nursing my head cold. I am also looking forward to getting out on the water very soon on my husband's new bass boat - it will be a nice break from the chaos...

For now - I'm off to make another cup of hot tea and then it's back to the sewing machine...I'm going to be chained to it until I leave for Dallas (and that is just fine with me!)....