Bloggers at HMQS, and a little blog anniversary

Last post I shared some of the quilts and now I will share some of the people that I was able to see at HMQS. When Gayle (The Middle Sister blog) and I met up a bit ago I forgot to get out my camera. Not so this time. We were able to have a brief rendezvous at HMQS and it was good to see her smiling face again.

Last year I had the opportunity to meet Sandra (Textile Time Travels blog). She was there again this year doing her quilt appraising. She had a full booth, but they exited quickly when I said the photo would be on my blog. Thank you, Sandra, for staying put. : )

Sandra also did a presentation on stage while I was there. Photos from a distance are tricky when it is too far for a flash to help, so here are some slightly blurred shots of a couple of her great "Birds and Blooms" quilts.

 If you'd like a closer, clearer look
at the quilt on the left, go to her blog here.




Robin (Solstice Studio blog) was another blogger I met for the first time at HMQS last year. Not long before my friend and I were going to leave this year, I had a chance encounter with Robin in an aisle of the vendor mall. So glad we made the connection again!

This next encounter was not with a blogger, but a pattern designer. Do you recall a long time ago when I posted this photo?

This is that great Eye Fooler quilt that so many of you asked about. Well, I met Krisanne, the pattern designer. She tells me they will be getting a website soon and she will notify me when that happens so that I can pass the word along. She has more patterns, too. I'm kicking myself for not getting a photo of the quilts in her booth. This was taken in front of the "Opportunity Quilt" where she was stationed when I finally found her.

My last encounter at HMQS of note, was not with a blogger, but with her quilts. I told you that a guild from Rupert, Idaho was featured. Well, Gail (Sewnsews blog) is a member of that guild. She quilted many of the quilts from her guild, but I will just show you her two "Bonnie" quilts on display, which she pieced and quilted.

Click on the photos to get a better view.

Okay, I am having a little giveaway in celebration of my approaching second anniversary of this blog. It has been quite a ride. I have met many wonderful people, both in person and online. I have tried things I would never have attempted without your encouragement, and I have been buoyed up by your comments, insight and prayers. To show my appreciation to all of you who have been a part of that, I will be having a drawing on Thursday, May 16, the day I began this blog two years ago. This is what you have a chance to win, by leaving a comment on this post--my skinny rail fence mini, a fat eighth bundle of neutrals, a bag of my herbal soap, and a little bumble bee magnetic pin keep.

I hope Mother's Day was pleasant for everyone, mother or not. I want to share my favorite present with you. The week before, when DD#1 was in town, we had all four of our children here. They are the best and it was a joy to have them all together again for a time.

Don't forget to leave a comment if you are interested in the giveaway--and make sure you leave your email if you are a "noreply-comment" blogger. (Judy H., your comment today came up with that setting).
Until Thursday--
Janet O.