My Last Vending Show

I just wanted to let everyone know that this weekend I will be vending at the North Shore Quilt Guild show.  You can read about it here.  http://www.northshorequiltersguild.org  I will have the Bigfork Bay Cotton Co. quilt patterns and kits with me along with some Toni Whitney patterns and kits and a few from Wildfire Designs.  I will continue to sell these patterns on my Etsy shop.  Or you can call me or email me if you need a pattern.  You can also buy direct from the companies.  I have enjoyed vending so much that who knows if I might go back to it in a year or so.  But, as of now I think the midwest knows about Bigfork Bay Cotton Company and their patterns.  I will continue to lecture and give workshops to guilds.  That is what I love doing the most.  So if you ever want me to come to your guild  just drop me a line or give me a call.  And thanks for all your support these past two years.

October 26 -27th
Nicolet High School
6701 Jean Nicolet Drive
Glendale, WI 53209
10-4PM

100 + Quilts
Quilt Appraisals by Carol Butzke

Curvy And Other Quilts

I'm working on a quilt that I am afraid might take me years.  I saw this pattern Curvy by Mark Lipinski in the Fons and Porter Love of Quilting magazine.  May June 2013 issue.. I was intrigued by it.  And decided right then and there I wanted to make it.  I have been collecting Marcia Derse  fabrics for years now.  I finally have a purpose for them.  Right now I have made strip pieces and have cut out 7 curved pieces from the strips.  I have 280 curved pieces to now sew together.  ( see the photos below) Thank goodness retreat is coming up this month.  That is only one of my projects. 

I am also working on putting the finishing touches on my dog and cat postcards for Houston. 

I am starting a new quilt with the latests Tula Pink fabrics called Acacia.  I fell in love with the Racoons..  

I am also taking along a strip quilt I want to make.  It is in the book Strip Therapy 9 and it is on the cover.  For you locals that book is available at Patched Works in Elm Grove.  My favorite quilt shop!! It uses bali pops and then a background fabric.  Patched Works also carry beautiful Bali Pops.  

And then my final project I am taking along is making a Star Table Runner by Common Bias Quilting . (See my star below)   I met Susan up at a show in Minoqua ( in August) and she challenge me to make a star by the time I see her in Madison ( in Sept.).. I made it and I loved the technique using her easy templates.  The stars float on the surface of the quilt.  

So why am I writing all of this.  I think I am turning into a traditional quilter!!  Just kidding.  I love doing both but, right now I have been in the piecing mode.  And of course these projects are easier to take on retreat than an art quilt.  As far as my art quilts go I am starting one for a challenge with West Suburban Quilt Guilds Show  March 14 and 15th 2014.  I know just what I am going to make.  Remember that photo with the squirrel in the popcorn container?  Let me refresh your memory ( see below) 

I couldn't end this post without reminding you that it is Breast Cancer Awareness month.. Please be sure to take the time ( both women and men) to do a self exam or get your mammogram.  I'm happy to have celebrated 16 years cancer free this summer.  All because I did a self exam.  And that was a long time ago before they were really promoting self exams.  Remember I was only 39 at the time.  So start early!!  

Star made with templates from Common Bias Quilting. 

280 curved pieces ready to sew into strips of 5.