Life and Crafts: A Balancing Act

What a busy weekend we had! It's been a few days since my last post because we really ran around a lot this weekend. Lunch with my parents, trip to a quilt shop where Grammie got to show off the No. 1 Grandchild to her friends, a trip to the store to start our first ever holiday village, with A LOT of input and advice from the littlest among us. Who knew he was such an expert!?!

I was able to get some work started on a variety of projects this weekend, including some work on the next border row for my Lone Robin which is Quiltsmart inspired this year. I can't show you what I am doing, but I can tell you that I am excited about the technique that I am using for this border.

I actually spent a little time throughout the past few days conversing with Mattie and Quiltsmart Mandy about project notes and ideas. So inspirational when you find friends who share the same interests and passions.

There was so much going on event through yesterday and this morning that I am only now getting to sit down and write it all down. In fact, I am sitting here with a fireside seat at La Madeleine, ready to write a book, but I only have time for a blog post or two. Mmm, this tomoato soup is amazing ... Oh, right. I'm on a time limit!!

I also made some Christmas ornaments this weekend and will post as soon as I take photos.

This time of year is filled with so much inspiration everywhere! The past few weeks I have been out delivering the Winter Issue of TEAinTEXAS and I have visited about 5-7 antique shops a week. Just this morning, I visited an antique shop and found a lost treasure that will eventually find a home at my mom's house, but I'll tell you all about it before then.

My list of Quiltsmart projects is growing, but still manageable. There are some quick projects that I will be showing finished soon, and some that will take a little bit more time as my calendar fills with holiday activities. 

Until our next cup of tea ...

The End of Another Quilt Show

We closed out the 40th Annual International Quilt Festival with a bang. O.k., maybe not a bang, so much as a clatter (of tea canisters) and a snap (of the plastic bin lids). It was my first year working at the TEAinTEXAS booth and the first year not working at the Bear Thread Designs booth (though I did help set up the booth).

I was excited to see so many quilters who enjoyed tea, many of them actively looking for us and expressing relief upon finding us because we were not in our usual location. This year we had a double booth instead of the regular single booth because in addition to our 25 tea blends, we had tea pots, tea balls, and strainers. 

We also had a large collection of gift items such as a trio tea chest, a 12 Teas of Christmas, both Texas-themed and Quilter's-themed gift sets, and Celebration cups, a papercraft teacup with a teabag and spoon, perfect for stocking stuffers. 

The best part (if you asked me) was the samples! We sampled at least 3 of our teas each day, as well as our DILLectible Dill Dip perfect for cucumber sandwiches and our scones. So much yummy-ness!! 

There were so many booth there and lots of inspiration. I chatted with quite a few friends such as Tea Time Quilting in Houston and Jordan Fabrics. Of course, once again I got fabric from Jordan Fabrics and I fell in love with an apron pattern from Tea Time Quilting, so that's been added to my project list.  

Tea Time Quilting is a TEAinTEXAS partner and were across the aisle from us at the festival, so I'm quite glad they are close by because I fell in love with so much fabric in their booth but both booths were fairly busy the wholes festival so I didn't have much of a chance to shop. I'm not worried, I have to deliver the Holiday TEAinTEXAS issue this week and hopefully will get to pick up some sweet treats.

I think the most amazing and inspirational part of the festival is the quilt display. There was a collection of red and white quilts commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Festival and it was just breathe-taking.

Well, I'm off to go and reorganize my fabric stash since I destroyed it choosing fabrics for the 4 pattern samples TEAinTEXAS sells at the festivals and craft fairs. I'll post photos of those later ...

Until our next cup of tea ...

A Tea Pot, One Stitch at a Time

Well, we are nearing the end of the layout and design of the Winter Issue of TEAinTEXAS, and we are about to start planning for the Internaltional Quilt Festival in Houston, even as we completed an event this weekend where staff (not me) manned a table and sold many of our tea products and accessories. 

While the publisher and design team finish the last of the issue, I am making samples of some quilt patterns that we will be selling at the Quilt Festival. They are all tea-related patterns and earlier this week, I finished the top of the tea tray placemat. It was a quick and easy pattern, even though I am not a fan of triangles in quilting.

I love that I am able to choose my own fabrics and these three were used in other projects. I'll post the others as I get them finished.

Until our next cup of tea ...

 

What's Your Story?

I had a package waiting for me when I got home today and inside I found this adorable Origami Owl lanyard from my friend, Korin Hardt. First of all, it could've just been a note that said, "I love you face" and I'd be happy but then the lanyard made it even better. On top of all that I'm on a hexagon kick right now, so the boxes were totally a happy bonus!!

As soon as I got my son an afternoon snack, I rushed to my bedroom to find the charms I'd been collecting for my lanyard. Since I wear a Media Badge a lot at TEAinTEXAS Magazine, I knew I wanted it to reflect the journey that had led me  to this place, which qualifies as my dream job (that or book editor).

So I'd been thinking about it and eventually, got these charms, one or two at a time ...

Army Charm: Starting the day I got married, I spent 7 years working with military and military families. I started out as a journalist and photographer with a base newspaper and eventually became the Family Readiness Support Manager for a Military Police Battalion. TO this day I still have treasured friends I met at both of these positions and those 7 years played a pivotal role in making me the person I am today, both personally and professionally.

Blog Charm: It was while I was at the Army newspaper that a co-worker and fellow troublmaker (TC), talked me into starting a blog about my daily life and the adventures of military life. Though that blog is currently inactive, it did serve as the stepping stone for this one ... which is why you are reading this post.

Flower Charm: During the time I was working for the newspaper and for a few years after I left, I was a freelance photographer both in nature and landscape and for family portraits in natural settings such as parks and gardens. It is a reminder to always look for the beauty in life. Even when the blooms are dormant, the rustling leaves across the ground have thier own charms over us, if you just take the time to watch them.

Purple Ribbon: The purple ribbon serves as a reminder by giving of my time, I can help make a difference even if it is one day, in one person's life. The purple ribbon serves as reminders of Adoption, Anti-Gay Bullying, Domestic Violence, and Pancreatic Cancer - all elements that has touched my life. Everyone has a story and by serving others, we may be the weight that tips the scales giving them a better life.

Teacup Charm: That's easy. That one is the reminder of how something I loved in daily life, led to my work at TEAinTEXAS.

Love Charm: A reminder to always love what you do. I am the one who choses to love or hate what I am doing.

Pink Charm: A reminder to always be myself. From an accidental PrettyPinkPrincess login to being named "Viper Princess", the best person I can be is me. Holding true to myself is the best path I can take.

If you don't have an O2 rep, I'd definitely say contact Korin. She'll definitely help you find your happiness!! 

 

Just Another Day at the Office

Today was a long day, but it was still pretty great. We are at the final days of ad sales for the Winter Issue, so we've been working early moring and late nights. Its not too bad, because its only a two week period each quarter. But today was still a great day despite running like crazy.

I had to visit some clients and potiental clients, which in my world is not too bad. Actually, most days its the best part.

One place I visited today was Buttons n Bows, a quilt shop on Memorial Drive in Houston. They always seem to have the perfect fabric for my projects. Though I stopped by for business today, I decided to multitask and pick up more yardage of a green fabric I need for a secret Quiltsmart Project, part of my Year of Quiltsmart. For the same project, I need a yellow fabric, which I had been procrastinating because ... well, I don't like yellows and I'm picky about golds too. 

But, as I was looking for the green and considering pushing off choosing a yellow for the project, Marge said she had one on the cutting that she thought I might just like for the project. Sure enough, as soon as I saw it, I knew it was perfect! 

Another stop today was Rummel Creek Village Antiques, just down the street from Buttons n Bows. I could tell you of how many beautifu antiques there were, or express how hard it was not to blow an entire month's paycheck, but maybe I'll just share some photos with you!

The best part was meeting my friend E.B. for lunch. Her
husband's company recently brought them to the United States and it is fun to introduce her to places here and learn about her international travels.

So despite the busy week, the activity leads to new adventures. Who knew exploring your own community could be so fun? That's what make my work so fun!!

Until our next cup of tea ...

"It is An Honor to Just Be Nominated" and More ...

I have been quite busy lately, but I haven't forgotten about posting all my craft creations! This is what has been keeping me busy ... 

I am so excited about the Winter Issue. I love the holidays and because I work at a quarterly magazine I have an excuse to start early! Yeah!!

I guess our magazine is turning a few heads as we enter our 10th year, because this also happened this summer (if you didn't see on the TEAinTEXAS social media feeds.)

I love this job!! About 2 weeks ago I was introduced to tea blending. First of all, the smell in the office is always A-M-A-Z-I-N-G anyway because of the teas on display, in stock and usually being brewed, but then my first chance to help was with Houston's Hero, a caramel and almond blend that is literally the smell of heaven ... literally!

O.k., I have to get back to the magazine, but if you are looking for some teas, send me an email to EnjoysTeaAndQuilts@gmail.com and ask me where to get TEAinTEXAS teas!

Until our next cup of (Texas) tea,

When Writing Inspires ...

Last week I gave you a preview to the Fall Quilt Issue of TEAinTEXAS. You may have read the stories and looked through the calendars and advertisements, but did you read the Letter from the Editor?

Well, in short, I concluded that often times I feel inspired to explore myself when I work with advertisers or write stories, and this issue the inspiration was instantious. 

Often times, writers and journalists write about something they may not necessarily expereinced first-hand, but by taking with those who have and subject matter experts they can still write an accurate and informative feature. When it comes to quilt shop hops, I was in that catagory.

Now, I have watched my mother and grandmother quilt for years and even started quilting myself, though it was slow at first. But I still am learning and experiencing things. Remember, this past year I participated in my first Round Robin? 

Well, one of the features for this Quilt Issue was shop hops ... what are they, what do you get out of them, etc. Well, once I finished my research, spoke with quilters and interviewed shop hop coordinators I was hooked. Using it as an incentive to get all my features written and sent to the publisher, I vowed to participate in my first shop hop before the issue hit the newsstands!

Well, here is a sneak peek of the article, but feel free to find the digital magazine here and see how you can be inspired! Come back tomorrow, to hear about my shop hop experience and what I plan to do in the future!

Until our next cup of tea ...

It's So Close I Can See It!!

We are just days away from the TEAinTEXAS Fall Issue hitting distributors and newsstands and I am so excited!! As the quilting coodinator this is my favorite issue because it is the QUILTING Issue, as the Assoc. Editor, Gulf Coast I am excited because we have some fun Fall activities and events that roll in with the cooler weather. However, you can PREVIEW it early here at the Teacup Collector's Cottage in a digital format before they hit the stores.

This issue I wrote the Letter from the Editor and took a few minutes to share the power of tea and quilting through my experiences. I can honestly say that each issue is my favorite in that as I turn each page I am still inspired by the stories, advertisers, highlights and more. The staff at TEAinTEXAS have built longlasting relationships with our partners and work to bring you the best that Texas and the Gulf Coast States have to offer, whether you are traveling or exploring your own community.  

This year you have seen some of these inspirations comes to life as I blogged about my crafts, exploring and other random whims, many inspired by TEAinTEXAS. I have spent the past 10 years exploring the communities where military life has taken us and am excited at the chance to explore my own backyard now.

Feel free to peruse the pages of the Fall Issue of TEAinTEXAS and let me know what inspires you!

Until our next cup of tea,