Eleanor Burns – Strip Quilter

My curvy drive down the hill from Julian was complicated even more with my “passengers”…bolts and bolts of fabric.  The fabric and I were both headed back to Quilt in a Day after a wonderful four day retreat in the mountains.

We had forty plus gals in camp that came from as far away as Florida. Four gals drove from Missouri and packed the car with a friend from Iowa (probably stopping at every quilt store along the way). They all kept busy with their sewing goals, making Day & Night, Tossed Nine Patch, Quick Trip and Twice as Nice. 

My truck was filled to capacity with the yardage left from setting up a store at Camp Cedar Glen last week.

An exhausted delivery driver, I’m finding help to unload!

Students look forward to a Tea Party each year at Bear’s Paw Ranch, my nearby home in Julian. It’s fun to host this event for both the spring and fall retreats.

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I’m back in California after our show in Paducah. My sewing school was well attended and we all had lots of fun. The ladies learned my signature pattern “Twice as Nice.” A nearby Babylock dealer provided the sewing machines and everyone liked sewing on them and several people bought one then and there! My newest book was available and lots of people took advantage of our show specials. It was great to see so many people come out to watch our stage show. Thanks to everyone who held up quilts and was a good sport wearing all those funny hats! In between the shows, everyone went over to our fabric tent and went a little crazy buying fabric but that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it! We quilters love our fabric. The barn was lovely, with all the quilts hanging and the stalls outfitted with quilts, gifts, Quilt in a Day books, rulers, and bags galore. A shopping paradise!

I’m back from the Sewing & Stichery Expo in Puyallup, WA.  We had a great time and the folks up there are just great!   Got a chance to visit with lots of quilters and customers and I’m always so grateful for all your support.  Quilter’s Night Out was a hoot.  Steve Jeffries, President of Babylock introduced me to about 800 people.  He got them chanting “Babylock – for the love!”   It was something else.  After the program Babylock gave away a Quilters Dream Espire to one very blessed lady who prayed to get it!  Miracles happen!

Valentine’s Day is practically upon us here and love is in the air at Quilt in a Day.  My precious grandbabies came to see me and Ellie is giving out lolipops to everyone here!   My baby grandson isn’t quite old enough for that yet but he will be before you know it!   We are going to celebrate today at lunch time with a Valentine’s get together with all the employees.

Shortly after True Blue was released, I started working on a new Fabric line with Benartex. I am so excited to announce my new fabric line “Perennials”. It’s ready to go to the printers. I split the line into two groups. There will be 26 colors in mocha/cream, and pink/green releasing this fall with a second group about the same selection in violet, blue and yellow the following season. The fabrics in this line have plenty of blending and contrast fabrics.  The focus fabric is a multicolored floral that is not too small and not too big. It’s great for fussy cutting and inspiration.  Here is a picture of my sister Patricia Knoechel (the color queen) and I working on the line.  Watch the website for further updates. www.quiltinaday.com

I’ve been under the gun, working feverishly on my new book; Quilt Blocks on American Barns.  During a trip to Chatquea, New York two years ago,  I had the opportunity to go on the Country Barn Quilt Trails of Western New York.  When I got back I started thinking about what sorts of blocks would tell the story of what I saw; blocks like Corn and Beans, Farmer’s Daughter, Hens and Chicks and of course, Hole in the Barn Door!  I introduced those blocks as my 2009 Block Party. When it was all done, I decided to make it into a book. The book is so close to go to press. So I’d better get back to work so I can share it with the rest of you!  Click here for Quilt Blocks on American Barns Pre-Order.

My son Orion has been after me for months to start a blog but since I had no idea of what a “blog” was, I was reluctant. I saw the movie “Julie & Julia” and finally understood what it meant to “blog”. This is my very first one so please bear with me, I’m not sure what to write about so I may ramble. For so many years my whole life has revolved around quilting and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I love the creative process and figuring out how to make things easier. It is a real learning experience and I am loving every minute of it. Thank you to all of you for going on this wild quilting ride with me, we still have a lot of ground to cover!

Orion just gave me my calendar for the first part of the new year and I am already overwhelmed! So far, I have Road to California in Ontario, CA in January; Sewing Expo in Puyallup, WA in February, and then I head for the AQS Show in Lancaster, PA in March. Of course the highlight of my year is Paducah, KY in April. I guess I should have asked for new luggage for Christmas!

I enjoy staying close to home a lot more these days so I can be with my 2 grandchildren. Ellie is now 2 ½ and Jonas is 6 months old. They are the delight of my life.

Guess I better get back to work. I am finishing up the new book “Quilt Blocks on American Barns”. It needs to go to the printer soon so it will be available to you in April.

Happy quilting, enjoy the ride!
Eleanor Burns