I know it's been a while since I had a meaningful post.  You know other than a recap of my photo a day challenge.  It's just so much has happened -- both good and bad -- and it is kinda' hard to combine the two, so I will try my best.  You'll just be reading along, me on the other hand will be going through an emotional roller coaster over here...

We'll start with the bad - Mabel, our most loving fur-girl! ...and here come the tears.  Some of you know how hard this past year has been and how much we have gone through.  But, everything turned for the worse back in the end of January and we had to make the hardest decision ever...

Mabel was just shy of her 9th birthday.  Mabel was my favorite dog -ever.  Mabel was diabetic.  Mabel was full of both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors.  Mabel lived a great life.  Mabel never knew she was a dog -- she thought she was one of us and Peaches was our pet.

We will miss you Mabs!

Here's why I said roller coaster... where do I go from here.  I always like to start with the bad news - it's done, it's over - now on to the good!  Me, I'm taking a quick break to get a cup of coffee -- you all can keep reading...

Yummmmm, that's a good cuppa' coffee!

Where to start... 

Wonderlust and The Choice both hung proudly at Road to California.  No ribbons, but I'm sure lots of people enjoyed looking at them just the same.  Which leads into more good news.  Two of my quilts, The Choice and Stella Luminosa, will be traveling in a special longarm exhibit with Original Sewing and Quilt Expo for all of their 2013 shows - how freaking exciting is that?  What an honor to have been asked to participate.  So, if you're at any of the OSQE shows (and there are a lot of them) make sure you check out the exhibit!

AND.... as if all of that wasn't big enough news.  Here it comes -

I am now a Gammill Quilting Artist - whoa, this is big fantastic news!  The formal announcement has yet to be made, but you can visit my artist page on their website and check out all the other good stuff as well!! They have a great new forum which is fantastic for those needing help and advice.  Click here to check it out!  And, if you happen to be visiting Gammill HQ you can visit four of my quilts while you are there -- yes four, Oliver, Clouds in My Latte, Iron Acanthus, and Simon's Folly -- they are living there for a little while.  Lots more big news coming up about this awesome-ness so stay tuned!

Article coming up... soon!

Last week was a crazy deadline.  Well, the deadline wasn't crazy, I was.

A while back I was asked to write an article for Machine Quilting Unlimited.  Sure, why not, sounds great. Meanwhile, I got back from Houston/Quilt Festival, managed to survive through Thanksgiving without gaining 12 pounds, and began writing.  Writing and quilting and writing, oh, and a little more quilting.  Well, I managed to not only be on time with my article, I was actually one day early... whew!

I can't share too much, you'll have to wait for the article to publish, but it will be well worth it.  It is a fantastic magazine and if you aren't already a subscriber, you should be!  It is everything machine quilting -- hmm, maybe that's how they got the name?!!  My article is scheduled to be in the May 2013 issue -- make sure you watch for it!  You can buy single and back issues here (if you remember, Clouds in My Latte was in the September 2012 issue).

Until then, here are just a couple of tiny peeks to keep you on the edge of your seat:

Flies and Weeds (detail)

Flies and Weeds (detail of back)

Flies and Weeds (detail of back)

Okay, now that you've seen the pretty, let me share the horror...

Yes, that is a 4" tuck in my backing.  Now to fix it!

All the stitches in and around the tuck get removed.  And then some fabric manipulation occurs.  Then the area gets re-quilted matching up all the stitching lines.  Fixed!  And yes, I am human (pinch myself every morning just to double check)  I make mistakes, things go wrong, and I share these things to let you know it happens to the best of us!  Don't ever get discouraged, almost everything that goes wrong can be fixed... almost!

And just to keep it fun... here was my Gammill on Christmas night -- it is kind of dressed up for the holiday wouldn't you say?!!  Yes, with deadlines comes quilting on Christmas!

Home from Houston

Home from Houston.  Festival was a blast!  I was there three days and it totally feels like a few hours.  Everything has blended into one giant blur.  Glad I managed to take some pictures, it helps to jog the memory.

My day started at 3:30 am on Thursday.  Honestly, Wednesday never really ended I just took a short nap and started Thursday super early!  I get to the airport only to find out I could have slept longer -- like 2.5 hours longer!  So, I sit... and sit... and sit some more.  Finally they let us board the plane - one step closer to Houston.  I really shouldn't complain as there were many people in the NE not flying at all thanks to Superstorm Sandy!

Pictures -- I took a few - some I'll share and some I won't (those that received these via text are probably still giggling).  Anyway, I'll start with candids, you'll have to wait for another post to see some of my favorite quilts from the show.

So anyone that has walked through the Hilton Americas Lobby has seen this fountain wall... Nat and I being the curious bodies we are just wanted to see if you could actually touch the water... yup!

So then I had to rush over to the Gammill booth and formally meet the Gammill peeps.  This is Betsey - isn't she just the cutest - a truly wonderful person!

 So while I'm there I've got to stitch, right?

That's Betsey and Dave watching.  Once I'm truly in the zone I don't even know anyone is there.  And no, I don't normal hunch down like that when I stitch.  The tables are set for "normal" peeps -- you know me, not anywhere near normal - LOL... no really, my table is set much higher than these.  It was great meeting the Gammill family!

Then a quick run over to the Purple Daisies booth to visit with Cristy and Sharon.  Oh and see that super cute purple sample behind me... I stitched that for Cristy using Sharon's embroidery designs and then quilted the background fills.  I didn't get a picture with Sharon (strange I know), but here she is creating her magic!

From there it was over to the Meander Publishing booth to say hi to Clouds in My Latte - she was hanging in their booth making people stop in their tracks (at least that's what I've been told).  You can also see and read about Clouds in the Sept/Oct issue of Machine Quilting Unlimited magazine.  Here I am with Vicki Anderson in front of Clouds.  And a big shout-out to Lisa for schlepping my quilt in her luggage so it could be there in time for Market and Festival (((HUGS))).

The rest of the day is a blur... I do remember hearing my name from across the second floor... Bonnie McCaffery was calling me.  I'll share more on that later.  Then we caught up with Candace (a facebook friend) and spent the afternoon wandering the vendor booths.

And we even managed to run into a good friend, Eyvonne, one of our Journeys Thru Art members:

Then off to dinner...

Good times - great company!  And the scenic journey back across the street...

 

Day two started similar... in the Gammill booth.  Seriously peeps, I can't go a day without stitching!  And who wouldn't want to stitch on these brand new beauties!

Then Nat and I walked through all the quilts... beautiful, amazing, inspiring quilts.  More on that in a separate post.

Then it was time to meet up with Bonnie McCaffery.  She wanted to film Wonderlust to inlcude in her vidcast of Festival.  Of course, I was totally honored!  Here she is setting up and the both of us in front of Wonderlust.

Oh, and Bonnie totally taught me a new stance -- Lisa calls this the "hot mama in front of your quilt" stance!  Thanks Bonnie standing like this is way cheaper than plastic surgery and makes you look amazing!  Yes, all the rolls and chins are still there -- they're just hiding while the picture gets snapped!

Here's a pic of Natalie and me with Gail Thomas (wonderful quilter and friend) in front of Belief, Intuition, and Faith a collaborative quilt by Sharon Schamber and Gail.

And, back in the Gammill booth -- Alex Anderson decided to try out the new sit-down Gammill.  Oh, and make sure you visit Gammill's facebook page.  They are having a name that baby contest.  If they pick your name you could win a brand new sit-down machine!

And finally back home, my hubby is happy that I took more pictures than spent dollars!  Here's a peek at my purchases -- not too bad, very proud of my controlled-spending self!

Some amazingly wonderful things happened while in Houston and I can't wait to share them with you -- soon, but, that is all for today.  Another post soon with some of my favorite quilts from the show!  Happy Day Quilties!

Floating on Cloud Nine

No, it's not the name of a new quilt... it's how I'm feeling!

For those of you that are facebook friends this is going to sound like bragging.  It's not... well, it is, but it's not! Really!  I have a lot of people over here in blogland that want nothing to do with facebook, so I've got to tell them all the fantastic news too, right?  And it's not bragging - it's tooting.  Yep, if I don't toot my I'm-so-freaking-proud horn who will?

Okay, back to cloud nine...
Over the past couple of days was a quilt show in Portland, OR... MQX West to be exact.  Wow, just to be accepted and to hang at this show is an amazing accomplishment.  BUT (there it is), to win a ribbon... honor!  Hold on... it gets better... two ribbons!  Both of my quilts took ribbons -- I am beside myself with joy.  BUT (another one) hold on again... it gets even better than all that!  I persuaded one of my customers (Cathy) to enter her quilt and she took a ribbon as well!  OMG... three ribbons - two of my own and one on a customer's quilt -- the quilty angels are definitely looking down on me, and I do believe they might be singing!

Here's a peek at all of them (again, thank you to Teri Lucas for taking the photos and for sharing them)!!

Stella Luminosa - 1st Place Wall Hanging Small

some older posts about Stella Luminosa:

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2011/11/world-quilt-show-florida-iii.html

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2011/10/not-quite-as-crazy-but.html

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2011/05/over-challenged-under-idead.html

Clouds in My Latte - 3rd Place Wall Hanging Large - Traditional

some older posts about Clouds in My Latte:

http://karenmarchetti.blogspot.com/2012/08/super-secret-1-revealed.html

http://karenmarchetti.blogspot.com/2012/06/tribute-honor-credit.html

http://karenmarchetti.blogspot.com/2012/03/quilts-shows-and-schedules.html

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2011/11/world-quilt-show-florida-iii.html

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2011/10/not-quite-as-crazy-but.html

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2011/08/quilts-shows-ribbons.html

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2011/05/another-mqs-ribbon.html

http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2011/03/name-finally.html

Lavender Bouquet  (Cathy Landon, quilted by Karen Marchetti) - 3rd Place Custom Heirloom Show Bed

Click here for a post on my customer blog about Cathy's quilt

The MQX West winners list is available here.  Congratulations to all the winners, there are some amazing quilts and quilters on that list -- I am absolutely honored to be included!  Also, make sure you take some time and visit the MQX website -- they have two shows East and West.  I must send a shout-out to Teri Lucas, she graciously took and posted photos of my quilts (as well as Cathy's) as I couldn't be at the show and now I get to share them with you!  Take some time and swing by her blog and check out her winning quilt, Tilde (photo to left) - gorgeous!  I borrowed this picture from Teri (I don't think she'll mind)!

See, now you understand why I'm floating!  Happy Day Quilties!

Oh, and I almost forgot!  Right after MQX West Clouds in My Latte is getting overnighted to Lisa and hitching a plane ride to Houston!  You'll be able to get up close and personal as it will be hanging in the Machine Quilting Unlimited booth at both Market and Festival!  Make sure you swing by their booth and check out a really great magazine and take a peek at Clouds while you're there!  Oh, and my other quilt, Wonderlust, will be hanging on the other side of the Brown Convention Center - on the show floor!

Okay, now.... Happy Day Quilties!!!

Super Secret #1 - revealed!

I can now share Super Secret #1

Back in the end of June I received an interesting email.  It was from Machine Quilting Unlimited, you know, the super-awesome machine quilting magazine!  If you don't know about this fantastic magazine, just click the link and go check them out.  It seems that while Clouds in My Latte was hanging at American Quilters Society's show in Paducah back in April, a couple of super nice ladies from MQU were checking it out -- the words "stopped us in our tracks" were used.

Holy crapola, gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!  To think that something I created had the ability to do that.  So I've been teasing and wanting to share with all of you, but didn't want to blurt it out until it actually happened, so.... now that the September/October issue has been printed, I can officially share!  Clouds in My Latte can be found on page 78 under the Noteworthy section.

Make sure you get your copy!

Wonderlust... on the road

On Monday I shipped Wonderlust off to Hershey, PA.  Next week she will be competing at Quilt Odyssey - a fantastic show.  If you're anywhere in the area, make sure you stop in and visit, you won't be disappointed.  It runs from 7/26-7/29.  Here's the website for more details.  I was honored to take two ribbons there last year, a Third Place on Oliver and a Second Place on Clouds in My Latte.  Surely this year's quilts will be incredible.  Unfortunately I won't be able to attend... busy here quilting away on customer work.  If you do happen to go, feel free to snap some photos for me!

Once Wonderlust is finished at Quilt Odyssey, she's being rushed home, and immediately rushed back out for a super-secret something.  I can't share yet, but don't you worry. As soon as I can, I will.  I also have some super-secret info on Clouds in My Latte... to be shared at a later date.  Oh... loving all these secrets -- feeling so spy-esque!

But the best news happened this afternoon.  Wonderlust is going to Houston!  WooHoo!!!  I received my Finalist Notification late this afternoon.  I am beyond thrilled.  This is my second year in a row competing at Houston.  You'll remember, Oliver was there last year.  If not, read about it here, he even made it into International Quilt Festival's 2011 Quilt Scene magazine.

Let me tell you, my stomach had been in barfy-butterfly mode all afternoon.  So many talented quilters were posting on facebook that their quilts had been rejected.  I was so nervous, anxiously awaiting my email... whether it would be an acceptance or a rejection.  The levels of anxiety today were off the charts.  Thank goodness I had a guild meeting, it helped to keep my mind off it, if only for a little while.

And don't worry, I'll keep you informed about all that super-secret stuff real soon -- I promise!

Tribute-Honor-Credit

Did you ever have one of those little things that drives you absolutely insane.  I have a few -- really, you don't say?  Anyway, one of them is giving credit where credit is due.  Especially due to the fact that I am a longarmer... not only do I create my own art, I also quilt for hire (you can follow all my customer work on my other blog here).  Now anyone that thinks a custom longarmer does not add anything to a quilt might as well stop reading right now.  Go ahead, be gone... the stitches that WE (custom quilters) add to the quilt most definitely CHANGE the appearance of the quilt, most usually for the better.  A good longarmer sees beyond the blocks and creates magic.  The stitches can make an ordinary quilt create movement, interest, and make the quilt come alive!  For example, here is one of my quilts, just after piecing - a very simple strip quilt cut into diamonds with setting triangles and a plain border.  This was pieced together in a  weekend - simple quilt, right?

Well, look what happens after a custom quilter get their hands on it:

"Clouds in My Latte"

detail of "Clouds in My Latte"

So please go ahead and tell me that the machine quilting on this super simple pieced quilt added NOTHING.  The custom quilter ADDS their own individual ART to any quilt they work on.

Most longarmers want to be recognized and acknowledged for the work they do.  If they don't want the recognition, you probably don't want them stitching on your quilt.  I could go on for hours showing before and after pictures, but I won't.  I think you get the idea... I HOPE, you get the idea.

To get back to the point of this post...
I was at guild last night, we had a speaker.  I'm not naming any names, but she showed many quilts.  She mentioned on some "I quilted this".  On others see mentioned nothing.  This was tolerable for maybe two quilts -- were we, as an audience to assume that she had quilted them all?  My table was "shushed" multiple times, we were discussing several things, including WHO quilted them.  Finally on the third unmentioned quilt, one of my lala (longarmer) friends asked, "Did you quilt that?"... she replied "no" while looking at the label.  She did mention that she belonged to a very large guild of 250 or so women, with at least 10 longarmers.  She mentioned this in a stern voice.  I got the impression she was trying to make this sound impressive.  Well, little did she know, in our group of about 50 last night there were quite possibly close to 10 longarmers in the room, there were 3 just at my table!  Needless to say, this really bothered me.  It does not matter how many longarmers are in your guild, it does not matter how many longarmers you use... YOU GIVE CREDIT to the person that stitched on your quilt!  PERIOD!

Honestly, I feel this bothered me soooo much, because I have been to multiple quilt shows and looked at a quilt that I had quilted and yet nothing about me, my name is not listed on the card, not in the show program, nothing.  Did this customer think that she was going to enter this show as if she had pieced/apppliqued, and quilted this quilt?  WRONG... both piecer and machine quilter deserve recognition, the piecer for creating and the machine quilter for adding to.

Another of my customers emailed me just last week telling me I never have to worry about this.  She always gives me credit (which I know she does).  She had the same thing happen to her, except that a family member claimed her work as their own.  Seriously... people, what is wrong with this society!

So, all I'm trying to say is give credit where credit is due.
I'm done ranting... for now!  Happy Day Quilties!

Journeys Thru Art *NEWS*

I think you all know I belong to an art group - Journeys Thru Art.  And what a great group we are!  You remember back in February when I told you all about the class with Bonnie McCaffery and the dinner and the vidcast... no, then you can read up on it here.

Here's the great part, the VidCast is done and edited and is up on Bonnie's website, along with a bunch of other amazing vids.  Please take the time and check her site out, loads of amazing fun things.

Here we are, Journeys Thru Art, with our door challenges, along with some of our other quilts:

Check out these previous posts on our doors along with posts about my door quilt's process (they are from the other blog):
http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2011/11/world-quilt-show-florida-iii.html
http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2011/09/omg-she-types.html
http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2011/08/door-challenge-update.html
http://creativelongarmquilting.blogspot.com/2011/06/door-challenge-update.html

Quilts, Shows, and Schedules...

So it wasn't until last night when someone asked that I have two competition quilts going to two different shows that I realized I haven't filled you in on all the goodness that has been happening.  Yes, I let FB know everything and neglected my blogger peeps... so sorry!

So, to sum it all up:

"Wonderlust" has been selected as a finalist at MQX-East, April 11-14, 2012 - Providence, RI.

"Clouds in My Latte" has been selected as a semi-finalist at AQS-Paducah, April 25-28,2012 - Paducah, KY! 

"The Choice" (along with all the other door challenges) has been accepted to NQA - June 14-16, 2012 - Columbus, OH.

Woohoo, how freaking sweet is all that?! I know, bring it down...  thank goodness that we don't have blog posts via skype because you would have a hard time watching with all the excited wiggling and jiggling. Believe me, there would be a lot of jiggling with all this extra weight... LOL 

Told you, loads of goodness!  I think that is all the show reporting I have to do so far... if you happen to be at any of the shows, feel free to snap a picture of my quilt and send it to me and/or post it on my facebook page!