I’m still here! I know it’s been ages since my last post, and I NEVER like to let that happen, Tomorrow we turn the calendar over to May and it will be 13 days and counting before I leave for Portland. My head is swimming with things I still need to do! I’ve been up at 5AM every day working on patterns, and FINALLY the early hours are paying off. I am starting to see new patterns arrive from the printer, quilts coming back from the photographer and a bedroom stacked with things that will be going with me. Oh my, the chaos before a market is something to see (:

For the next few weeks, in the middle of all the chaos, I’m going to give you peeks of what’s to come. Little bits of new patterns, market preparation, and what it takes to pull off International Quilt Market. It’s so much work to get there, and I’ll show you some of “what’s happening” at Bunny Hill!

This Sweet Dreams pillow is part of this…

…stack of pillows waiting to be packed to go.

One more and they all come tumbling down!

Stay with me, I’ve got lots to share! It’s the events before the event and it’s a bit crazy.

It’s a new day at Bunny Hill and I have to say it feels SOOOOOOO good! So what happened to make it such a great day? Well, my friend Mary Jane sent me words of wisdom…”you don’t have to do as many patterns as you said”. Who would have ever thought those words could have so much power? Thank you Mary Jane! You’re my little angel (:I’ve spent the weekend locked in my studio, up at 5 AM every day, fabric messes all over, paper after pattern paper laying who knows where. Then yesterday it happened. I was rushing to get another tote bag pattern done (notice I said another?) I sewed the lining together and forgot to add the interfacing. Rip, rip was the sound you could hear. Then I added the interfacing. Sewed it again, squared the corners and then realized I had forgotten to add the pockets. By now I’m looking around for the men with the straight jackets to come carry me off.

And then Mary Jane sent me that email. Oh the power of words! The tote bag has been put aside until after market when I can enjoy making it. What a HUGE relief! To think that I don’t HAVE to finish it now! You aren’t going to leave me if I don’t, right? What was I thinking? It’s that thing that takes over every designer’s head just before market. MARKET BRAIN! If I could just get through one without it! Just one!

And to remind me what is important in life, I talked to a customer last week who runs a bunny sanctuary. Yes, a bunny sanctuary! She takes in bunnies from the shelters. I loved talking to her, it’s a cause after my own heart. Then look what she sends me in the mail! Carrot cookies! Are these not the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? Needless to say I’ve munched a few (:

Not to mention that spring is here, and I live in farm country! It’s the area where a lot of your fresh produce comes from. There are “fresh strawberry” signs all over right now and look at what my husband brought me! Beautiful berries, fresh picked, right from the farm. Oh what more could I ask for?

Like I said, it’s a new day at Bunny Hill!

Yesterday was the start of the four week count down to Quilt Market. It’s a shock when you realize how little time is left and how much you still have to get done. The only reason I have a chance of arriving with finished projects, is because my friends come to my rescue when I need them. As market approaches I get offers of help and their friendship pulls me through.

Kris and Bobbie have my little winter quilt.

They are stitching away on snowmen!

Hope she doesn’t give her any trouble! (:

Anne has the stack of baby flannel and she’s making two baby quilts.

Nireko is finishing a tote bag for me.

Nireko and Heidi are working away trying to applique my Christmas blocks.

And I am writing patterns, assembling Christmas blocks, finishing little projects, trying to plan my booth, working on brochures, order forms, and all the things you need for market.

I always wonder if I’ll make it and then my friends show up.
Nancy will be here in a few weeks to pack me up and get me organized.

Sue my graphic artist helps me with pattern writing and diagrams.

My printer and my photographer are working endless hours.

And Chelsea is sleeping next to me in her new little bed. What a dog! Wish I could teach her to sew!

It takes a cast of thousands to get me to market! LOL!

So, when you buy a Bunny Hill Pattern, be sure and look on the back to see the list of friends that helped. When I show you the market pictures, you’ll be able to put faces to the names. Thank you, thank you to all my friends. I couldn’t do Bunny Hill without you!

I found this photo of Anne Bryson with Blackbird Designs at Fall Quilt Market last year. She’s the one in the middle (:

I know she’s my best friend because she LOVES Blackbird Designs and yet she still comes back to my booth to be with me!

Here she is in the Bunny Hill Booth…third from the right. Notice the smile? It’s one of the things I love about her!

OK, I admit it. This was from my grand-daughter’s birthday party. A slightly used clown but you get the idea right?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about our friendship and what it really means to me. She’s been my friend through all my failures and success. She’s the one who is always there to laugh or cry with me, and even more, she’s the one who lifts me up when I need it.

In honor of Best Friend’s Day I found these little quotes:

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. ~Oprah Winfrey

An ordinary friend would try to mend your heart once it’s been wounded and poured out. A true friend would try to refill it as well.”… author unknown

A friend can tell you things you don’t want to tell yourself. ~Frances Ward Weller

Everyone hears some of the words you say.

Friends hear all of the words you say.

Best friends hear the words you don’t say.

…author unknown

Do you have a friendship quote to share today? What about your best friend? Maybe a funny story?

Today I went shopping for her birthday. If you go here http://store.stonehouse-publications.com/ you will see what I got her. Anne is getting a magazine subscription to Australian Homespun Magazine! If any of you have thought about a subscription, this is the best place to find one. They carry all the hard to find magazines.

It’s Best Friend’s Day! Happy Birthday Anne!