One year has passed since the earthquake & tsunami in Japan. Many people are still not back to their own home. Recovery takes long time.
My friend Pam made this pretty tags at Art of Craft event held at French General. She was hesitated to make something while we were playing with French General new paper line. But then at the end of the event, she picked up some leftovers from us and made these. How clever is that! 
Pam Garrison was one of the instructor at "Art of Craft" who taught Sailor's Heart. She brought her samples to show us what we can do with buttons, felts, and stitches. Her idea is endless. I learned many techniques from her during the workshop.
At last, Pam aka PKM(Pam Kitty Morning) is my friend. Wow, how exciting to say that I have a friend who is so famous! She is a fabric designer (Lakehouse), pattern designer, and famous blogger! The display is from the booth of Quiltin' Cousins at Road to California Show. Very cheerful and pretty!
My son called from school to ask me to bring something nice for his girlfriend to ask her out for Velentine's Dance.
My 2012 started with fun events. First, I attended Prairie Queens' Quilt Retreat in ocean front hotel. I arrived there on Friday evening and had dinner with my friends. Then sew and talked till late at night. I finished a quilt top for my mother's best friend who moved back to Japan. She was very nice to my mother so I decided to make her American map quilt as the memory of living in America. We had a wonderful time at retreat and it was so hard to leave on Sunday afternoon.
Last weekend of January, I attended "Art of Craft" at French General. This was my second year to attend this event. I took 5 workshops this year, started with bracelet making taught by Kaari Meng, the owner of French General. Jewelry making wasn't my thing, but I love this bracelet. I always thought that Jewelry making was so difficult (well, it is still difficult for me), but hey! I can do it!
The second class, Sailor's Valentine, was taught by Pam Garrison and Charlotte Lyons. We created our own versions of the heart inspired by the one created during WWI. This was my favorite workshop! Using ribbons, laces, buttons, ric rac, the imagination of design came endless. I definitely have to make more than one!
The third class, Chocolate Truffle Box, was taught by Michelle Jorgensen. We decorated the wooden hinged box with papers and fabrics. Under the glass top lid, we build the layer of beautiful flowers and things, finished by gold German dresden. NO WAY, I'm not going to put chocolate in this.
On Sunday morning, my shoulder was hurting really badly. I probably got too excited and overworked the day before. The class was taught by Molly Meng, Kaari's sister from San Francisco. I really wanted to make this "12 month pocket memory book", but I just watched and thought about designs during the class.
The last workshop was "Beeswax Journal" taught by Anna Corba. The journal covers needed to dip in the hot beeswax during the workshop, so I pushed my shoulder pain to design and make the covers. I tried to cut least papers, so it kind of became too simple. But lucky me! I found the floral basket paper precut by someone for me to use. Not bad, isn't it?
Thank you, all the instructors!!! I had an amazing weekend with new and old friends creating something totally beautiful and fun to make!
Send me the pictures of your "Annie Pouch" by December 20th, 2011 and one of you will win the surprise gift from me!
Thimble Creek Quilt Shop has "Project Weekly" right now. This special kit includes the pattern, the fat-quarters (Pam Kitty Morning's new fabric!) and the magnetic snap. If you want the quick start, this is the way to do! You can find the kit from here.
Since last post, I was quite busy making samples for Fall International Quilt Market in Houston. The quilt in the corner (tied) is the one I made for Kaari of French General. Designed by my dear friend, Penny Tucker. Penny originally designed this quilt using Kaari's first line of fabric with Moda, "Rouenneries". This time, we made with Kaari's newest line "Rouenneries Deux". A bit different from the original but it came out very beautiful. Do you want to see the whole design? I only have a photo on my bed before it was quilted. This pattern will be available from French General sometime soon. So please keep checking their website.
I also made samples for Lecien. Honeybun Basket and Puffy Basket are made with Lecien's new fabric "La Petite Mercerie" designed by Emmanuelle Carre.
My newest creation is this bag, "Korokoro". It means the sound of rolling around in Japanese. This round bag has the drawstring for the opening and easy to carry on your shoulder. The pattern will be coming soon.
My best friend who works at Lecien designed this quilt. Isn't it so pretty? It's a free pattern so you can download at Lecien USA's website.
My favorite booth at this market was Blackbird Designs. I always liked their designs and taught some classes. I usually don't like butterflies but this quilt is very pretty. It's perfect to showcase the fabrics.
I have more stories to share with you, but I have to go now... I will try to come back sometime soon to talk about them.Happy quilting!
Keiko
It took us almost a month and a half to find the new home to live. And we finally moved in August, the weekend before the school starts. I bet that was the worst summer for my son to remember. Then we had to unpack the boxes under the 100 degrees weather. That was a hell... We still have some boxes (ah... maybe a lot) in our living room.
What??? There is no quilt shop in this area??? That was September when I found out. Oh boy, I should have searched before we chose the house. Stupid me! What was I thinking? Okay, there is JxAxx's and Bexxxxx's but that's not what I wanted! Real quilt shop! I was living only 10 minutes away from Prairie Queens Quilt Shop and it was perfect for me. I was teaching the classes and everyone was so nice! So I had to go back. I helped at their booth at Quilting in the Garden in Livermore. It was at the beautiful Alden Lane Nursery. I was so happy during the weekend surrounded by the beautiful flowers and the quilts, and my friends!
I received some energy to design some new patterns and here it is! My newest pattern, "Puffy Basket" was born! 
They are very small baskets but so cute!!! Great for Halloween candies, it kind of look like half pumpkin shape, isn't it? You can also arrange it for Christmas gift, Valentine's Day, Easter Basket, basically wonderful for all season. Instruction is easy to understand with photos. If you want one, ask your favorite shop to contact me at kc@kcottonstudio.com Of course, Prairie Queens Quilt Shop is the first one to carry this brand new pattern! 
I will try to keep up my blog from now on. See you soon!
