Look at these wonderful flowers designed by my buddy Cathy Van Bruggen and executed beautifully by Linda Aydelott. This quilt was hanging in the Sierra Quilt Guild show in Sonora that I just came back from.

My Love of Appliqué & Flowers by Linda Aydelott


I also loved this quilt. Those are totally my colors.

Morning Glories by Ann Carr


Two days at home, then up the road again to the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California, for the Quilt, Craft, & Sewing Expo. It’s a Thursday through Saturday show, three days of fun with all kinds of sewing and crafting stuff.

Here’s a coupon for free admission! (I think you may still have to pay to park).

It’s the same weekend as Quilting in the Garden at Alden Lane Nursery in nearby Livermore, so why not swing by both? A twofer!

Hope to see you this weekend!

Cheers,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

Had a fun weekend in Walnacrick oops Walnut Creek. (When we lived in central Ohio there was a town over in Amish country Walnut Creek but they pronounced it Walnacrick so that’s been a running family gag ever since.)

Nancy S. Brown was the featured quilter and I’ve been a huge fan of her work for years, so it was great to have the chance to meet her in person and chat. As she put it, “Us appliquérs have to stick together.” Here are a couple of the fabulous hand-appliquéd quilts in her display.

Jaguar by Nancy S. Brown


Giraffes by Nancy S. Brown


One of Nancy’s most famous quilts is the incredible “Sunday in the Park with Mittens,” which you can see on her website, upper right. I took a closeup of the papillon, the happy little doggie who reminds me so much of my dear departed Willie.

Sunday in the Park with Mittens, detail, Nancy S. Brown

There were more spectacular appliqué quilts in the show.

A Matter of Morris by Mary Mix


Sabor Latino by Laura Fraga


Woodland Animals by Sue Mead

Woodland Animals, detail, Sue Mead


A good time was had by all at this biennial show put on by the Diablo Valley Quilters.

Next stop… Sonora! The latest word is that the Rim Fire is under control so no worries. We’ll be there this weekend, with bells on. All the info is at the Sierra Quilt Guild website.

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

The reader who won a copy of A Batch of Quilt Soup is…. No. 18, Dora! Congratulations Dora! I know you will enjoy Barbara’s designs.

I have a busy September, but Max is busy every month. :) Dana made a video proving that Cats Can Fetch Too!

Just like last year, September is packed with quilt shows and I’m on the road every weekend. Here’s my schedule:

Sept 7-8, 2013 Los Banos Arts Center Quilt Show
This nice show is put on by the Pacheco Pass Quilters in Los Banos, California. Special preview plus wine and cheese tasting tonight, Friday night, September 6, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m! Find out more at the Los Banos Arts Council.

Sept 14-15, 2013 Diablo Valley Quilters Show
This biennial show takes place in Walnut Creek, California. The featured quilter is the renowned appliqué artist Nancy S. Brown!! I’m so excited! You can find out more about the show at the guild website.

Sept 21-22, 2013 Sierra Quilt Guild Show
A lovely show held at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in beautiful and historic Sonora, California. All the information is at the guild website.

Sept 26-28, 2013 Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival Pleasanton
The super-nice guys at Rusty Barn put on this show devoted to quilting, sewing, and crafting held at the fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California. All the info at rustybarn.com. Here’s a free admission ticket!

Cheers,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

I’m a big admirer of the designs of Barbara Jones of QuiltSoup. There’s something about her work that’s eye-appealing, soothing, comforting, fresh, and beautiful all wrapped up in one.

I’m so pleased to say that this month, courtesy of Martingale, we have Barbara’s book A Batch of Quilt Soup.

This fun book is full of pieced and appliquéd charmers. For the appliqué, Barbara personally prefers needleturn, but stresses that you may use any method you like for the designs. She gives complete information on the method she uses for hand appliqué, from template preparation to cutting out motifs to positioning to stitching. The appliqué shapes are relatively large, and full-sized template patterns are included.

As Barbara says, “These patterns are easy to finish in this lifetime!”

Summer Cottage

There are soup-to-nuts, illustrated instructions for nine “fun patchwork and easy appliqué patterns,” plus information on supplies, quiltmaking basics, and finishing.

Summer Runner

And if adorable quilt patterns weren’t enough, there are also recipes! How does “Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake” or “Amaretto Scones” sound?

Ellery's Smoothie

If you’d like to win A Batch of Quilt Soup, please leave a comment before 7:00 p.m. California time on Thursday, September 5.

Do not click “Reply” to your email feed! That will not enter you in the drawing. You have to leave the comment on the blog itself on the internet. Just clcik the title “Quilt Soup” and you’ll be whisked over to the post.

Drawing open to U.S. and Canada mailing address only.

Good luck everyone, and thanks for reading All About Appliqué!

Kay
By Kay Mackenzie