Mary Covey Designs

Under the Sea

 

I spent a few days attending the 16th Annual Machine Quilter's Showcase in Overland Park, Kansas.   The show is presented by the International Machine Quilter's Association and is the largest show of its kind devoted to the business of machine quilting.  Each year, I try to take a few classes to keep my skills current, watch demonstrations, and listen to lectures from nationally known instructors.  The theme of this year's showcase is Under the Sea.  Many of the quilts in the show exhibit that theme. Here are a couple that caught my eye.  Aren't they great?

 

Surprise Balls

For a bit of Easter fun, we made surprise balls for the girls.  If you've never made these, it is a wonderful, cheap gift for kids and perfect for any holiday.  It is easy to cater to different themes and ages.  For an excellent tutorial, check out "Not Martha" at the address below.  Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.

www.notmartha.org/tomake/surpriseballs/

Follow-the-Line Quilting Designs Volume 5

I am excited to announce that my new book is being released in March.  This volume of the Follow-the-Line series includes 21 pattern sets featuring contiguous-line motifs of authentic Civil War designs.  I enjoyed writing this volume so much and hope you enjoy it too.

Upcoming Guild Appearances

I will be speaking to The Calico Cut-ups quilt guild in Bella Vista, AR on June 25,2012 at 1:00 pm. The lecture will called Stash Busters. I will also be speaking to the Pryor Patchers quilt guild in Pryor, OK on July 24,2012 at 6:30pm. The lecture topic for the Pryor Patchers has not yet been determined. I am looking forward to meeting these ladies (and gentlemen). I would love to come speak to your guild as well. Please contact me to set something up.

Calendar Girls

Please check out the American Patchwork & Quilting 2012 Calendar. The quilt for the month of April was designed by Glenna Hailey and quilted by me. It is titled Tulip Festival. The quilt features bright spring colored tulips with rickrack stems and appliqued hearts. The light airy applique foundation squares and border showcase the intricate quilting. It was a pleasure to work on this one!

Merry Christmas

A rare glimpse of Abby posing for the camera.  Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday.

Tis the Season

Can you believe the holidays are already here?!?!  Parker can't either.  

Butterfly Effect

This was a really fun booth at quilt market.  They used their new line of fabric to create flowers, butterflies, and all sorts of wonderful things.  I enjoyed visiting with the designers.  I love seeing everyone's creative ideas!

To Market, To Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the view from the balcony overlooking market hall.  From this angle, you are only able to see half of a few aisles.  If you want from start to finish down every aisle, the pedometer reads 4 miles!  We had such a great time meeting new people and catching up with old friends.

Heat Wave

It seems like we have gone from one weather extreme (16 inches of snow!) in winter to another (105 degrees!) in summer.  There are only two ways to beat the heat around here.  One way is to quilt indoors in the cool air conditioning and the other is to go outside and have fun in the water.  On this particular morning, my granddaughter's and I chose the water. Oh, the joys of being a kid...