Goodbye Fall Market 2009!

The Bunny Hill staff had so much fun at market! It’s like coming to a party after all the hard work getting everything ready. So many friends, memories, laughs, tears, and exciting things happen.

Brigette and Nancy were on a mission to find a Michael Miller Nome tote bag. As always, when they combine energy, success follows. Here they are in front of the Nome at the Michael Miller booth. I’m really surprised this guy wasn’t on the airplane with us on the way home!

This market was also a bit sad for me. I said goodbye to Henry Glass Fabrics. My last line of fabric with Henry Glass, “Petite Maison” will be in the shops soon. It’s a sweet line, and the little houses on the main print were all adapted from my Autumn House quilt.

As we close one door, another opens. I have a line of fabric, premiering at spring market, with a new fabric company. More on this as we get closer to market.

Walking the aisles reminded me I never tire of market. Never. There were fewer exhibitors this time. Sad to see, but the ones who were there, put their hearts into everything they did. The booths were amazing!

Kaari Meng from The French General, came by to see the block of the month I designed with her fabric. I heard she was out visiting all the designers who used her fabric. Isn’t that sweet?

She named her newest fabric line “Rural Jardin” and my quilt is Le Jardin. A complete coincidence I swear! She left me with a beautiful flower made from her new fabric! It’s now on my inspiration wall in the studio! Thank you Kaari!

We flew out of Houston Tuesday morning, with suitcases filled with so many things. When we got to the airport I was frisked. Yes, me! They said it was random, but pleeeeease. My iPhone was around my neck when I went through security and it set off the alarm! I was doomed.

While I was being frisked, Brigette (who, I might mention, had rice vinegar in her carry on and it went right through security), was dancing around taking my picture.

And so we said goodbye to Fall market 2009. It’s good to be home after market. The exhaustion sets in for a few days, and then the planning for the next market begins.

I bought a treat at sample spree for one of you. I’ll be giving it away soon so stay posted.

And if you’re in the “market” for wool, all of our Weeks Dye Works wool is on sale at 25% off on the web site. I’m streamlining and making some changes. You benefit, but quantities are limited.

Back soon,

Hugs,

Anne

Yoko Saito Visits the Bunny Hill Booth!

So, I’m in the Bunny Hill Booth, and two lovely Japanese women walk in.  They start talking and smiling to each other about my Scottie dog quilt.  I leaned over to get them a pattern and when I came up I saw the name tag;  Yoko Saito.

First came a gasp, then tears, and then the bowing started.  Back and forth we went, bowing over and over.  I wasn’t sure when it was polite to stop, so I just kept going and so did she!  I felt so graced just to have her visit my booth!  She is, in my humble opinion, the best appliqué designer ever. 

There she was, this fashionable lady, dressed so nicely with a beautiful scarf around her neck (note to self; get a scarf for market and try to remember to wear it.)

A picture was called for, in front of the Scottie dog quilt of course! Note to self; think about red glasses too.

For those of you who are not familiar with her work, I’ll share some close-ups with you.  Think itty, bitty tiny pieces of fabric, appliquéd, and then hand quilted with rows of quilting 1/8” to 1/4” wide.  It is amazing to look at her work! 

Not only is she known for intricate work, she is also known for her light hearted whimsical style!  Just look at her little appliqué tote that was on display at market!

I am fortunate enough to have almost all of her books in my personal collection.  A very special friend has given me one of her books for almost every birthday.  To have met Yoko, and own her books, is a dream come true. 

Have a safe trip back to Japan Yoko.  I loved meeting you! 

Next post I’ll wrap up my market pictures. 

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Hugs,

 

Anne

We loved it!

We arrived home yesterday, landing in a huge storm. The passengers all clapped after landing. It was bumpy, rocky and the pilot flew right through the thick clouds on a wing and a prayer. I’m so glad to be home!

If you have fun, meet a lot of new people, and laugh a lot, it’s a successful market! We had a great market! Here’s a few of my “cutie” pictures from market.

We ran into the APQ girls the first day, wearing PAJAMAS! They had a kick off going that was clever and creative. Slippers too, oh my how cute is that?

And remember that cute trailer with the red dots I showed you in the Michael Miller booth? Look at the finished version! The back is open and filled with water bottles! It’s surrounded by large trees and I swear you’d think you were camping. It was darling!

I ran into Pat Sloan in the hallway. She’s as cute as ever. Don’t know how she does it!

Then Mark Lipinski came along. I’m sure he’s been called cute way too often! Must be the eyes. Looking good there Mark!

And speaking of cute, just look at my friend Kimberly , owner of The Fat Quarter Shop! She is just so dang cute and can you believe she just had twins?

And Jennifer from Shabby Fabrics! She’s another friend and a “cutie”.

Here we are packed up and ready to leave. Anne B ran over and addded the pumpkin. Cute!

And just before we left Anne Bryson handed me this birthday card…

Chelsesa’s not so sure how cute it is!

Next post I’ll share the one person who I admire so much I cried when I met her!

Hugs to everyone!

Anne

Sample Spree and Day 1

Quilt Market is the treat after all the hard work. It’s just so much fun to see everyone and you can’t imagine the creativity and production that goes into making all this happen.

We spent the day trying to assemble our booth. Brigette and Nancy were in charge of putting up the bed.

And remember the chandelier with the missing candles? We tossed the candles and added jelly strip bows.

And slowly our booth came together.

Lynette Anderson came by with the cutest Keds ever! Did you know you can have shoes made out of your own photos or fabric? This is from one of her fabric lines! She promised to send me a link to the site. I’ll share when I get it.

Then it was off to sample spree…

Here are my bunny helpers setting up our table! And see the crates of boxes at the end of the room?

That’s Moda fabrics and bundles just waiting to be unpacked.

Fabric…

and more fabric…

and then the tables were empty,

because of a certain person who shall remain nameless, but she did come to market with me and we do have the same name.

She’s helping the economy!

Hugs,

Anne

Dogs at Market?

They allow dogs at market!  Can you believe it?  Who knew?  No food or children allowed, but dogs are fine!  As long as they’re stuffed!

Meet Allie, the newest addition to Bunny Hill!  Isn’t she sweet?  She’s from our new line of patterns called “Petites”.   The patterns are tiny in size (they fit into a greeting card) and so much fun!  Small projects you can make in a day!

We have lots of these little dogs we’re taking to market.  They’ll be decorating our booth and we’ll be selling samples at sample spree! 

Lots….

and lots…

and lots of dogs!

 

 

I guess you could say Bunny Hill is going to the dogs!  Tee hee!   Oh, and the last little dog with the pink bow?  She’s not for sale.  She’s going to be hanging on my Christmas tree this year. 

Hugs,

 

Anne

And Now Some Fun!

I just looked up the weather in Houston…it’s awful!  Hot, humid and raining… but not on our parade!            Houston weather

I may never leave the hotel.  We’re staying at the Hilton and it connects to the convention center.  Hotel to booth without going outside!  It’s the little things that make me happy!

  Our weather!   

Here at Bunny Hill it’s been a lot of work,  but I can see the finish line. New patterns coming, along with LOTS of new blog posts and so many fun things to share with you all!  I am really excited about this market!

Everything has a photo, the patterns are written and I’m waiting on the final proofs and brochures.

So how about a week of show and tell!  Are you ready?

Here’s a new quilt from Bunny Hill called,

Bitsy Button & Friends

Here’s Bitsy…

She’s  feeling so “young” and frisky!   And the words on the fabric fit my little dog perfectly! 

Bitsy has lots of friends on her quilt!

Just after last market, one of my blog readers emailed and asked me to design a dog quilt.  Carolyn had just lost her sweet little dog named Rosebud and she sent me Rosebud’s picture.  There was something in Rosebud’s eyes, just like Bisty’s eyes, and I couldn’t get Rosebud out of my mind.  I knew a dog quilt was in order. 

So Bitsy, and Rosebud, this quilt is for the two of you!  From me, to Bitsy and Rosebud, in Rosebud’s memory. I know  special dogs when I see them. I don’t think I’ll ever forget this little dog.

My Bitsy turns 14 on October 7th. and Carolyn now has a new rescue dog named Shellie.  I’m sure Shellie’s  on this quilt along with Chelsea too! 

I hope all you dog lovers out there love Bitsy Button & Friends.  The pattern will be available by Monday!

 

Lots more to come…

Hugs,

 

Anne