Quilt Market, 2 new sewing patterns and my whirlwind tour of crazytown.

 
I'm not usually such a pill here, but I guess I won't beat around the bush. I totally lost my mojo after quilt market. It seems so long ago, I've almost forgotten it. It was rough. And unfortunately my mom hasn't been that well lately... she's on the mend, thank goodness, but it's been a trial for her for sure. Market was kind of up and down for me partly because she was back in the hospital in Arizona while I was there. Not just for that reason, but if you saw me there you know I was kinda' sorta' ... to put it mildly ... emotional. Apparently that's my natural reaction to not sleeping for days on end and generally being a complete freak. That and The-Great-Chin-Breakout-of-Spring-Quilt-Market-2010 will go down in history as my worst ever. 

To top things off, when I got home I thought I was going to quickly get our house into ship shape for putting on the market (ie: the next morning I painted the front hall), when our "The Ackermans are Moving to Arizona" plans came to a crashing halt. That totally threw me for a loop since I really want to move near family. Had planned on being there before our 14yo starts highschool in the Fall. But alas, it is not in the cards... yet.

Unfortunately, I didn't take very many photos while I was at market due to my disastrous mood, so I hope you'll forgive the lack of detail. I did, however, have the best roommate in the universe... Rebecca Makas from Restitcherator. I can't tell you how she saved me... And we just met! I also managed to interview Amy Butler, Pat Bravo, Kay Whitt and Lizzie House while I was there. So you have that to look forward to through Boutique Cafe. And I did take some limited photos of Country Lane samples before I left. My favorite is this ottoman slip cover. The flounce took some figuring out, so I was really thrilled with the end result.

 

And a pillow... 

 

I mixed some turned under applique with my always first choice: collage. And then, because I can't leave well enough alone, I also did some hand embroidery on the top. I may be certifiable.

 

I also made a Lill Street Messenger (see below... it's one of the new sewing patterns):

 

And, the center of what will be my free quilt pattern... the Bed and Breakfast Quilt.

 

I actually did quilt and bind this... and it appears I took the photo upside down, but there ya' go...

This is a virtual version of what the quilt will look like when all is said and done...

And an alternate colorway of the same quilt:

 

With what was the cut-away fabric for the flounce there was a circle left over, so I made a little dresden plate table topper... this is it before it was finished (ah hem... taken with my iphone):

 

and then I quilted it by hand and put on a binding:

... and then I proceeded to completely forget to take photos of it in the booth. 
 Along with the finished version of this sign:

 

 

Also while I was at market, I introduced two new sewing patterns which are TBD June 30 and are available for pre-order now. They are the Gracie Girl Pincushion and The Lill Street Messenger. They will be available through me and distributors as well.

 

 

Since the moving plans were "revised", the whirlwind tour of crazy hasn't stopped. I have the "flow" for my book (which is the unformated/undesigned version) to get through and approve. And I have another project for which I had have photographs taken of myself. Eeew. And do a sewing project for. Which is altogether exciting, but getting photos taken of myself is not really my dream job, ya' know? I'm also getting prepared for a trip to AZ and then to Sister's Oregon where I'm teaching. And somehow I need to keep my website updated (there are some new things on there and a SALE). So... I know I've made most of the crazy all on my own, but I feel generally insane of late. And I'm going to have to figure out how not to do that in the future. Although if you know me, you know there is not much hope for that. I apparently, like my mom says, "Thrive on Chaos".

 

 
 

Comments

[Alyssa]

1.

Yowza, and I thought I was busy. Sending good and happy vibes your way. Everything will get done and be OK! :-)

[lulu]

2.

Hang in there Bari. I love you and know you will be moving here sooner rather than later. AND I KNOW that it will all come together beautifully, my big sister and forever my idol.

[Sivje]

3.

Oh I love it all!! I love the tuffet to pieces. Yes, I know you called it an ottoman slipcover, but it looks like a tuffet to me, and I love tuffets.
Your new patterns are darling and I am crazy for the Gracie Girl Pincushion!!! Oh my how darling!
And from one crazy chaos girl to another, there is no cure because we actually like it this way.
Happy Chaos!

[Stefanie]

4.

I just love everything Bari-from the ottoman, to the quilt, to the table topper, to the sign, to the patterns! I also think that this is your best fabric line! It is a great marriage of country & modern.

Hang in there! Everything happens for a reason. Somehow that is just how it works.

I'll be thinking of you my friend!

[Trish Preston]

5.

Bari...sorry to hear about the moving plans being put on hold. I know you were really looking forward to getting the heck out of Dodge. Hope it comes back together soon.

Love the new fabrics and super cute patterns...hope it's a big hit for you! So envious you are getting to go to Sisters. Val's event, right? I hear it is AWE.SOME. Take your camera and share loads of photos of all the quilts. I hear they hang them all over town. Too cool!

Hugs! Trish

[Marie]

6.

Love the new patterns! And the flounce on the ottoman is just perfect! Hope you get back in the swing of things soon and feel better!

[Jennwith4]

7.

Love that ottoman! It's so cute! Hope things calm down a little for you. =)

[devon holzwarth]

8.

Love all those PLAIDS!! What fun, can't wait to see it in person. You've got a lot on your plate & you seem to be handling it with grace. Keep on keeping on :o)

[Rebecca Makas]

9.

Oh Bari you are so kind! I had so much fun with you, and told Rob about how great it was staying up chatting with you every night. You were so gracious dragging me around with you, and introducing me to EVERYONE. I'll be your roomie any time!

[Michelle]

10.

Hang in there! Your mojo needs some time to unwind... will be back before you know it. Nice seeing you!

[Pat Bravo]

11.

Hang in there, Bari!
Thank you so much for your interview and for being a true person to me... Sorry to read about mommy and hope she mends completely as an invisible seam! :)
Your collection is showing beautiful!! LOVE the Lil Street Bag and the Breakfast Quilt, the combination with the plaids is beautiful! Talk to you soon :)
Love,
Pat

[Douglas Eagleson]

12.

Bari -

Hope you get your mojo back soon and your Mom is much, much better!!

Aloha.

Douglas Eagleson
President, Kona Bay Fabrics

[andrea]

13.

Oh wow-I love the messenger bag and pillow-what great details-I love all that embroidery meets collage etc.
Have a great weekend~
Andrea

[Melissa]

14.

OMG I LOVE that messenger bag, with different fabrics it would look SO art deco chic! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

[happy zombie]

15.

Mad love for you new fabric, Bari! I love your ottoman cover with it - and love how you used those colors. LOVE. THEM!

Keeping good thoughts for the house, your mom, everything!

[Patti]

16.

Oh, we must be soul sisters. Apparently, I too, thrive on chaos and do my best work while standing at the precipice of craziness. It's maddening...if I find your mojo while looking for mine, I'll send it to you.

Lovely photos and projects!

[Mary Ann]

17.

Love the new fabrics and patterns. And just think of your mojo resting a bit, it'll rebound back soon, sometimes we all have these funks I'm afraid. And good thoughts and hugs for your Mom, glad she's doing better.

[Simone Howell]

18.

Girl- you are one busy woman! Sorry to hear you were in a bit of a funk during market and to hear about your mom- I hope she is on the mend. Everything in life happens for a reason so the fact that the move is being post-poned, it will all work out how it is supposed to work out. I just read your crescendoh writing about art saves and loved it--very well written!
And your book-- Oh I can't wait! I love how everything you do is so you-- you have such an amazing style. The shoe pincushion--LOOOVE! I cannot wait to get my hands on that pattern. I am in dire need of pincushions and will be making and embellishing those to the 9's! Need a tester?? lol.
Anyway, just wanted to send you some love! xo
Simone