.....well to be perfectly honest ... I am not so little after making sure I was so very well fed during the winter months ... but that's a whole other story!!!!
Anyway as I was saying I had my very first stand at the Australian Quilt Market held here in Melbourne last weekend .. and you would have to say that it was a very successful weekend.
I could not have found a more supportive or enthusiastic helper than I did in the gorgeous Jan from Sewjourn ...
Set up was interesting & exhausting .. it took 3 attempts to finally have everything looking OK in the small space. Saturday was an incredibly busy day and if it wasn't for Jan I would never have managed! We met so many people that I have gotten to know through blogging and through Don't Look Now!
Before the show started I thought I saw Rosalie walking past my stand ... but I didn't want to behave like an absolute groupie so I just smiled like a doufus ... so although I got to see Rosalie many times I didn't actually meet her! I did meet up with the amazingly talented Helen, Jo ...
Sandy ...
Corrie (I am going to be teaching for Corrie in Sydney next year ... let her know if you are interested as a few spots have already been taken!), Andi, Jodie & Annie (who always cracks me up!), Lynn, all of the gang from GJ's (who still don't have a blog!!!!!), Melly, Anni, Di, Sarah & I'm absolutely sure I have forgotten to mention many of you ... please forgive me if you are one of them as I spent most of the two days in a daze!
A group of us got together and had dinner along Southbank after the market finished on Saturday night ... I really enjoyed the evening getting to know everyone a little more. Mind you I don’t think that any of us managed to take a photo .... :( ... not very good bloggers are we!
By the end of the day on Sunday Jan & I were both totally exhausted ... but I am very excited to say that there are now 36 more Australian retailers that are stocking Don't Look Now patterns!!!!!! Obviously this is fabulous for me ... but it was also fantastic to meet the shop owners and go through the products that I use and work on making sure that they are able to access them .. including the Floriani Stitch & Wash Fusible & Lite Steam-A-Seam 2. They were also able to ensure that they can access the wide linens & white cottons that I have used in many of my projects and something I find even more exciting ... some of these retailers have just placed their first order of Kaffe Fasett fabrics!!! I will list all of these retailers on the weekend and then over the next few posts I will tell you a bit about each of them state by state .... and do the usual new retailer giveaway.
It's about time I also got off my bottom and sorted out my class list for next year because after last weekend I have been virtually booked up entirely with teaching for next year ... but I'll let you know once that's done.
It was also nice to catch a glimpse of the latest quilt that I made up for Homespun at the market .... an advanced copy even found it's way into my letterbox today ...
... this is Little Monsters and I will be able to show you more when it hits the magazine stands early December.
So what have I actually been doing since the market ... well there were a lot of projects that I should have made a start on this week but to be perfectly frank I have felt totally zapped and have managed to make a start on just one ...
this year I am planning to have a candy coloured Christmas ...
Now for our Joseph's Coat over achievers!!!! Well as for Marielle ... what can I say ... 24 hours after posting the last tutorial she had finished her first block!!!
And only a few days later she had finished all 7 - enough for her first row!!!
Absolutely amazing! Well done Marielle! She chose Meg's Garden as her prize for finishing 7 blocks and has already received How does your garden grow for finishing off the first block.
Janet from Quiltsalot, Good 4 Once & Quilts & Threads have also finished off 7 blocks. Quilts & Threads is actually planning on making a king sized quilt .... yes I think we will need to arrange psychoanalysis for this poor girl!! (guys if you have blogs please send me the links so that I can add them)
So ... in light of all of these over achievers in our group I thought that I might toss in one more pattern for one of you who has shared photos of their progress on flickr ....I figured that it best to just choose a random number which turned out to be 17 ...
which was posted by Mary on Lake Pulaski ... I would love to send you a copy of How does your garden grow? Mary ... email me your snail mail details please.
Well done to you all for such a great start & thank you all for being so very enthusiastic. Please do make sure you take great care to make sure the points on your petals are true & that you take care when positioning your shapes ... the placement sheet needs to be your best friend!!! Shelly has kindly made up a little 'helping hand' for us on her blog to help those of you that might be still having problems making pointy points. Thanks Shelly.
A couple of other stars have made buttons for our side bars but I have 'miss placed' their emails in the sea of emails that I have been getting lately ... I will be able to find them ... but it was taking too long to find while I was writting this post ... next time :(
OK ... so for the incentives for this coming week ... I will select one random photo & one other person who has posted a photo of their first 6 blocks ... which is what our goal will be by the end of next week.
Please also remember that the Flickr page is intended as a sharing place for projects involved specifically in this quiltalong ... please save photos & descriptions of other methods for your blog or own Flickr album ... don't place them in the group pool please.
***********************************************
OK that's it ... I had stacks more to share including a peek at Buttonberry stand at a recent market and some photos of other peoples things but as my internet has dropped out on me three times while I have been writing this post ... meaning that I have written this post three times ... I trust you will understand my need to salvage a little of my sanity and sign off for now!
Enjoy your weekend!!!
Kellie
Congratulations Kellie. I remember reading your blog when it first started. You have come such a very long way and deservedly so.
You must be pretty chuffed with yourself, and exhausted.
Posted by: Tamara | November 20, 2009 at 07:48 PM
Quilt market did sound exhausting, how great that you did so well and met so many contacts. Congratulations on your success.
The monster quilt is absolutely adorable, I'll make sure to get that issue.
Posted by: Janet | November 20, 2009 at 08:13 PM
Your stand looks fantastic! Love, love the circle monster quilt!
Posted by: Kate | November 20, 2009 at 08:34 PM
Wow! Market looked like fun! Okay, I have some of my shapes cut out but I have not gone beyond that yet! Still on my to-do list! Have a good weekend!
Posted by: upstatelisa | November 20, 2009 at 08:39 PM
Good on you Kellie and a huge congrats for your success at market. I am totally in love with your gorgeous designs and obviously so is everyone else. Cant wait to see what you come up with next. Go girl!!! Jo xox
Posted by: JoJo | November 20, 2009 at 08:42 PM
Kellie your Monster quilt is absolutely to die for, how very cute!!! I can see another of your quilts on the "to do" list for my little GS. Well done and congratulations on your success at the quilt market. I was too busy doing other things to get there this time but maybe next year.
Posted by: Bernadette B | November 20, 2009 at 09:23 PM
You are so talented. I love your style. The Little Monsters quilt is just fabulous.
Posted by: Rochelle | November 20, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Your stall looks fabulous Kellie. You must have been so tired after all of that. I LOVE your monster quilt and did spy it on the last page of the most recent Homespun. I cant wait to buy it in December. It will surely be a popular one. I have enjoyed seeing all the wonderful Joseph's Coats pics too, they all look wonderful.
Posted by: sue | November 20, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Congratulations! Take a snap shot baby 'cause like tamara said 'you've come along way' and I have throughly enjoyed the ride! Thanks for letting me 'tag' along via your blog. Good on you!
I will be rushing down to the book shop to get that mag as soon as they have it in. This one will be added to the ever expanding list of quilts I have to make. It is the perfect quilt for my wee Noah (have been looking for a boys quilt that doesn't involve an ark for obvious reasons) - hopefully I'll have it started and finshed before he graduates to a bed!
Posted by: sewstitchedup.blogspot.com | November 20, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Your work is incredibly beautiful! I bet you had no trouble selling those.
Posted by: Manasi | November 20, 2009 at 11:47 PM
Your stall looked lovely; I'm glad you had a great, although very busy time. Again, love the new quilt; fab colours. As for the quilt along: I haven't been able to make much head way as our impending move is getting in the way of quilting. But I do hope to catch up when we are all settled again.
Posted by: Vreni | November 20, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Well done at market. Fortune favours the brave (and the very talented)!
Little monsters is fabulous. I'll keep an eye out for the new Homespun.
Posted by: tracey petersen | November 21, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Your quilts are gorgeous. That monster quilt is enough to make me want to have another boy just so I can make it.
Posted by: Robyn | November 21, 2009 at 12:25 AM
OH. MY. GOSH!!!! You MUST tell us what you're smoking down there!!! That monster quilt is FANTASTIC!!! YOU ARE AMAZING!!!! Your booth looks fabulous (eeeek -- there's the tree looking so perfect among your quilts -- you can't possible part with it!) WOW!!! I'm SOOOO excited for you Kellie -- your success is so well deserved. I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL YOU COME TO THE STATES TO TEACH CLASSES!!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | November 21, 2009 at 12:26 AM
The monster quilt is awesome! Any little boy, or girl for that matter, would love to have such a fun quilt
Posted by: Norma | November 21, 2009 at 01:36 AM
WOW - I love that little monsters quilt, but it looksl ike alto of work - amazing!!! I can't believe how far people are in the quilt along - I haven't even started yet - eep!!!
Posted by: Heather | November 21, 2009 at 02:15 AM
I removed the photos on Flicker that used a different technique. I thought I could play along although I was using a different technique, but the same pattern. Sorry. Please remove me from the list, since I am doing something unique. :(
Posted by: Andee | November 21, 2009 at 02:30 AM
I love the monster quilt me and the kiddos think it is a must have! So I will have to order the homespun magazine, the want me to make this quilt (after I finish Megs garden and the quilt along) So I have to go of the computer now, to get quilting
Posted by: Mariëlle | November 21, 2009 at 05:19 AM
you impress me with every quilt, can't wait for the monsters to be out in the market. It's hard to find good projects for boys!
Posted by: Patricia | November 21, 2009 at 06:12 AM
Beautiful stand Kellie, Congratulations! and the monster quilt is gorgeous, I was inspired by the circles and wanted to make one for my grandson but the monsters are just adorable! When are you coming to Perth??
Posted by: Jenny | November 21, 2009 at 06:49 AM
Well done Kellie - the amazingly positive response to your patterns is well deserved. 'Lite Steam-a-Seam 2' has been going through my head all week........I almost got it right by the end of 2 days. Have a great weekend.
Posted by: Jan | November 21, 2009 at 07:46 AM
Hey there superwoman ! it sounds like a huge success - (I believe I did actually predict that ). I am so thrilled for you .
I hope you have booked in a little rest among all that teaching ....
Posted by: jodie | November 21, 2009 at 08:29 AM
Your monster quilt is fabulous. Is that Homespun Magazine that it is going to be in? I must have that pattern! Congratulations on your success at market.
Posted by: Carolld | November 21, 2009 at 09:44 AM
I love the monster quilt!!
The blocks that everyone has completed are amazing! This is a bit beyond my skills, but I am enjoying following along.
All I can say is wOw!
SheilaC
shecarita(at)yahoo(dot)com
Posted by: Sheila Carita | November 21, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Always awesome and I agree that your work is amazing and it was only a matter of time before you were in the limelight. I personally am excited with the thought that you are heading to Sydney just as i am with every design you bring out.
Posted by: Pennie | November 21, 2009 at 01:22 PM
Your booth looked fabulous!
Posted by: wishes, true and kind | November 21, 2009 at 01:50 PM
So lovely to meet you and Jan! I had a great time at AQM. I fell in love with the Monster Quilt, it's so bright and fun!
Congratulations on a successful show!
Hugs
Jo
Posted by: Jo in TAS | November 21, 2009 at 02:45 PM
I have found a shop in the netherlands where I can buy homespun magazine and I have orderded this issue
Posted by: Mariëlle | November 21, 2009 at 10:04 PM
It was good to catch up. It's really good that the weekend was a success you deserve it for all the effort you put in. Great to meet the gang. See you Friday.
Posted by: Leanne | November 21, 2009 at 10:59 PM
You are one talented lady. That monster quilt is wonderful! My eye is roving all over the happy colors and playful monsters. All those circles! Wow. It really is like nothing I've seen before. Just wonderful! I liked seeing your booth from market too. It's fun seeing your work all lined up. Even your table skirt got the Kellie treatment. ;) It looks great!
Posted by: Adrianne | November 22, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Kelli, your stand at quilt market looked fantastic! I have not been able to participate in Joseph quilt due to being sick but will try to catch up when I am feeling better. I am getting jealous seeing all the beautiful color combinations popping up!
Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Lynn Taylor | November 22, 2009 at 03:24 PM
Your post made me smile. So impressed by your work. The stand looked amazing...:0)
Posted by: jill | November 22, 2009 at 08:45 PM
So glad to see its all taking off for you in a big way! You are much deserving. I LOVE the MOnster Quilt! Cant wait to get my hands on that issue. Awesome job.
Posted by: Leah | November 23, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Your stand for quilt market looked fab!
I can't wait for the next issue of homespun, the Little Monsters quilt looks great, my boys would love it! Another project on the to do list!
Posted by: Jessica | November 23, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Hola buen dia !!!
He visitado su blog.. sus trabajos... encantadores !!!
Gracias por el tutorial pues las explicaciones son muy claras.
Mi pregunta es si el pegamento que ud. usa es especial para telas o si puede ser cualquiera.
Gracias por responder mi inquietud.
Un abrazo y bendiciones desde Colombia, sayda
Posted by: sayda sanchez bonett | November 25, 2009 at 08:04 AM
What a fabulous booth you had .... your quilts showed so well.
I finished 6 blocks of my Joseph's Coat and have posted them on my blog.
Posted by: Rose Marie | November 28, 2009 at 02:33 AM
Congratulations Kelly,
Your work is fantastic! I am very interested in your monster quilt pattern...and would like to purchase it from you if possible. Please give me an idea of the price...of course I'm in the USA. lol...but I want what I want and am willing to pay!
LOVE ALL YOUR "TREE" BUTTERFLY PATTERNS!!!!
hugz
Posted by: Pam | November 28, 2009 at 11:25 AM
wow, I just *love* the monster quilt! SO hoping I can find it here in the States!
Posted by: nanann | November 30, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Hello
My name is Iris, and i am from Belgium. Where can I find the pattern of little Monsters.
Posted by: Iris | March 25, 2010 at 04:04 AM
Hi, I just started quilting and I loved little Monsters.. Where can i buy the pattern online? I live in Mexico and cant find the pattern here.
Thanks.
Posted by: Ale | March 11, 2011 at 12:33 PM
oh my god
they are the eighth wonder of the world
I congratulate
Posted by: Nilgün Komar | October 26, 2011 at 08:14 PM