The Book

 Amanda asked each of the members of the Design Team to contribute a pattern to a new book to debut at Market.

 The pictures in the book are stunning. Especially this one:

 And the fact that my quilt is in a book has me pinching myself daily.

This necklace is the first pattern in the book, and we taught it as a workshop during Market. Cute, no? 

So the book is available here, and hopefully at your local shop. It's a fantastic book full of great projects, including my spectacular quilt! 

Anyway, I have a few more pictures to share from Market. And then we'll get on with life. I mean, there has been a few other things in my life besides Market. For example, I now watch The Bachelorette. It's my first time ever watching it. I am hooked. There are crazy people out there, and most of them are on this show! And, it's nice to know someone besides pageant girls are keeping the evening gown designers in business.

Also, I have a sunburn. Summer is here.

The Quilted Fish Booth

This photo was taken by Stephanie. She brought her awesome camera with her. I just had my cell phone, which was great for Twitter/Instagram updates, but not so great for documenting all the awesomeness of market. So, go visit Stephanie to see more pictures of our booth. In the photo above, my quilt is in the upper left. I love that quilt. I don't mean to brag, but at Amanda's School House session, people clapped for my quilt. Well, at least I'm pretty sure they did. My quilt was the last project she mentioned from the book, so it's possible they were clapping for the book. I'm choosing to believe they clapped for my quilt. After all, that quilt rocks.

A Pause

I'm pausing my Market recap for a moment to let you know about June. It's almost upon us, you know. Last year I hosted "Halloween in June" on this here blog, and I'm going to do it again. I think those who took part had a really good time, no? I got a fabulous stack of Sheri McCulley Halloween fabric from the sample spree and can't wait to cut it up and sew it back together! So grab a button (found on the side bar), put it on your blog, and let everyone know you're joining in on the fun. Will there be treats? You bet your sweet behind there will be!

Meet the Butlers

I knew when Amanda asked me to come to Quilt Market that I would get to meet some famous (to me) people. I had a list. I rehearsed in my head what I would say when I met these people that I had admired from the glow of my computer monitor. At the end of Saturday, I had met most of the people on my list. 

Most.

I found myself at the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild meet and greet on Saturday night. I chatted with some friends, old and new, and was prepared to just relax and let my aching feet have a rest. That was until the lovely Tara asked if I knew The Butlers were in the room. Would I like to meet them?

WOULD I LIKE TO MEET THEM? They were on the top of my list and I hadn't met them yet! Heck yes, I wanted to meet them! She took me over, tapped David on the shoulder and introduced me. As Jane. Normally, I would have given her a withering look and been ticked, but I was meeting DAVID BUTLER. I calmly said that my name was Jana, and that I was a huge fan of him and his wife. 

He said: "Oh, you like Parson Gray?"

I said: "Yes, I love it."

He said: "I wasn't sure if people would get it, you know?"

I said: "Oh, I got it."

Then he said: "Have you met my wife, Amy?" 

Then I shouted: "NOT YET!"

He then tapped the lovely and extremely tall Amy on her shoulder and introduced me. As Jane. I thought about letting it slide, but I corrected him with love and said, "Actually, it's Jana." I then proceeded to tell her what a huge fan I was. One of the first quilts I made had her fabric in it. It taught me about the superiority of designer fabric. It's still one of my favorites and is on my bed. Then, THEN, she wanted me to tell her a little about myself. Oh, I was in heaven. We chatted for a few more minutes, and then I said my goodbyes, as many more admirers were waiting for a chance to chat.

And then, AND THEN, Stephanie asked if I wanted my picture taken. I hesitated for a brief moment because, you know, I hate to be a bother. But then I went for it. I tapped David on his well muscled arm and asked if he and Amy would mind posing for a photo. Did they mind? Of course not. 

And then I made a fool of myself. With my arms around the Butlers, and their arms around me, I did a little shimmy shake and yelled: "AAAHH! I'M IN A BUTLER SANDWICH!" 

And then David told me he would remember me for a long time. 

My aching feet were forgotten. I practically floated for the rest of the night.

Such Sweet Sorrow

Saying goodbye to my friends was so hard. I cried. A lot. My shuttle left the hotel around 5 this morning. I think I got an hour of sleep. My kids and Curly are sure glad to have me back, but I feel like I left a piece of my heart in The Quilted Fish booth. I'll do a wrap up soon. I will also share several embarrassing situations I found myself in, involving Canadians and Indians, and famous fabric and pattern designers. I have a real talent for sticking my foot in my mouth. Luckily my besties love me so.

Market

So I'm here. At Market. It's a dream come true. It's also a lot of work. Did you know that? Anyway, I decided to tweet while I'm here. Find me @JanaKigin. I've got some fun pictures already. I've met some lovely people. We've stayed up way too las. It's like the best summer camp ever. Wish you were here!

Craft Shows

Saturday was the big craft show. Even though I consider myself a craft show pro, I still didn't know what to expect from this one. This is the first non Christmas show I've done, and it was a first for the organization. I had sent out a lot of invites, and I was counting on the show being well advertised and therefore new people to fall in love with my stuff. It was the quietest show I've ever done. Some people packed up early because there just weren't many people coming through. I'm glad I sent my invites out, because that's the majority of people who came. 

Anyway, here's my cute table. I was worried about not having enough stuff to sell, but in the end it was the right amount.

 I tried to use a lot of bright colors, since it's spring. One of my favorite things I did this time were these little pouches. There is a pocket inside that is just perfect for an iPhone.

 The earbud pouches were a hit. I love the zippers. If you're in the market, Zipit on etsy has the best selection and  prices.

 And I also had a few toppers and runners.

A big thank you to everyone who came out! My next show will be in November. I have a plan so that I'm not frantically sewing the week before. We'll see if I can stick to it.

Tomorrow I am off to Kansas City for Market. To say I'm excited is an understatement. I am beyond thrilled! I'll be in The Quilted Fish booth, so if you're there, please stop by and say hi! And, practice your dance moves. It's important.

On Food Poisoning

This weekend Flower turned the ripe old age of 13. She really wants a laptop, so she asked for cold hard cash instead of presents. The girl cleaned up. It helps when you have 4 sets of grandparents. Her birthday dinner was held at The Olive Garden.

Let me just interject here to say that I don't care for chain restaurants. I am spoiled to live within walking distance of a vibrant, local restaurant community. You know, the kind that have a chef that designs the menu, not a corporate office. It is a testament to how much I adore Flower that I would agree to birthday dinner at The Olive Garden.

There were roughly 25 people there. We chatted, we laughed, we ate, and then Flower opened all her cards, counted her money, and we were home by 8. At about 8:30, my stomach started to bother me. Then, at about 11, whatever I had eaten started to come out. I was finally done at about 6:30 in the morning. I don't know that I have ever been that sick. Suffice it to say, I will not be returning to The Olive Garden. Not even when Flower turns 20.

Curly was a rock star yesterday. He got the kids up and ready for church on his own. He only came in once to ask me where things were, and that's not because I'm super organized. When they came back from church, he kept the kids downstairs. Mini-me came in my room a time or two to see if she could make me anything. I asked for cinnamon toast, which she then told Curly to make. She's so thoughtful to volunteer other people! I am feeling better today, albeit a little weak and squeamish. I am down 7 pounds. Nothing like a good stomach bug to get you to your goal!

Memories

Today I ate some dried apricots. It took me back instantly to the summer I turned 20. I did a 7 week study abroad program in London. I loved every minute of it. I was there with all fellow Humanities majors, which meant that an afternoon spent lost in a museum was our idea of heaven. Every Sunday, dinner began with a tray of little foods, chief among them were the dried apricots. They were plump and delicious. Don't ask me what the entree was. I have no idea.

Recently one of the Spinster Sisters spent a month in Europe, which included about a week in London. She called and said she had a free afternoon. What should she do? Lunch from Cafe Diana's (hello, Chicken Tikka sandwich!) eaten in Kensington Gardens (preferably at the pond in front of the palace), followed by an afternoon at the Tate gallery, a candlelight concert at St. Martin's in the Field (with bonus points if they were performing The Four Seasons), and ending with a jacket potato and friends in a pub. What I wouldn't give for an afternoon in London. Curly and I hoped for our 10th anniversary we could get over there. Maybe for our 15th.

My mom has been reminiscing on her blog lately. Today is the 40th anniversary of my parents engagement. Congrats to them. My parents are a wonderful example of partnership, respect, and love in a marriage. This Mother's Day marks 18 years since my mom's big MS episode that put her in the hospital for a week. The Thursday before, my dad picked me up from play practice at school. The show opened the following day. While sitting in his black Mazda Miata (that would soon become my wheels and therefore my favorite part of High School), he told me that what was happening to my mom could either be a stroke, a brain tumor, or MS. "Obviously," he said, "we're hoping for MS." 18 years and a few minor episodes later, MS has again reared it's ugly head. If you want a glimpse into the strength of my mom, read this post.

I've had a few bad days and some stressful circumstances. Who hasn't? But if there's one thing my mom has taught me, it's that big girls don't wallow. They take a shower, do their hair, slap a smile on their face, and get on with life. Pulling up some fun memories, like eating dried apricots in London, doesn't hurt either.

For those who have made it through a long post with NO PICTURES, I thank you. I will have photos tomorrow of some of the things I have made for the craft show. I'm giddy about it all.