Beautiful Idaho holds alot of JOY for those who visit and create!

Lovely Lovely Sandpoint Idaho was my host for a lecture last night and a Flower Power Workshop today. What beauty Idaho holds for our eyes and what fun with NICE people who live there and are happy, easy going and creative. Above are just a few of the flowers created in one day.

Everyone thinks that they have the most beautiful sunsets but I have always loved the sunsets in idaho since I lived there in high school (summers).

I thought these little quilts and the pumpkins that held flowers were colorful and fun

Do you know any of these happy gals? Everyone is happy with their talents for lovely, colorful flowers from the Flower Power book. They are getting ready for Spring NOW.
Click on any of these photos to get a better look

More flowers and pots for color and great fun. If you have never visited Idaho, you are missing beauty and nice people.

Now I am on my way to New Mexico, hope some of you in Los Alamos sign up for that wreath class because it is awesome!

ATTENTION IF YOU LIVE IN LOS ALAMOS

First of all my NEW book "OUT OF THE BOX " is released tomorrow. Yahhhhh! And for those of you who ordered it, we are keeping your names and will occasionally pick from a hat and send you something out of the clear blue. I appreciate you supporting me more than you know. It is alot of work being a quilt teacher and I am trying to save up for some retirement which I do not have. Thanks again for being so great to me!

NOW, about Los Alamos-

I am teaching the coolest applique wreath pattern you have ever seen and we don't have a full class. Honestly, if you are missing this class you are missing a wonderful thing complete with a super pattern with all kinds of things to put into a wreath. It is filled with buttons, crystals and trinkets for fun and texture. To sign up get ahold of Pandy -you can contact her by going to my schedule on my website. Marylouquiltdesigns.com

Those alphabet letters you can't buy anymore

here is a Hoochy sample I made to teach on the road for fun. As I mentioned before I can't get the alphabet letters from Benartex any longer in black, yellow or turquoise. If you think you would like to "say" something easily in your quilts, please write to David @benartex.com and ask him to reprint the alphabet fabric -red would be a nice background also, don't you think?

Things that make me smile and I am thankful for

So I am going to be teaching in New Mexico this week and this lady was wondering about the fabric to bring for a class I am teaching. I LOVED her letter because it had this pretty photo in it. I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to see people in their photos with their quilts and fabrics and projects. I had to show Beverly from New Mexico to you.

Home again this lovely Monday

So I have been over on the Washington coast teaching in Sumner and Bellevue. Lovely ladies, beautiful leaves and the happy ombience of that part of the world. A nice nice place to live and to visit too.

Today is my Mother and my Father's birthday. They were both born on November 9th, a special day for me as I remember both of them and all of the nice things they gave me. I miss both of them so much and wish I could just pick up the phone to say "hello" and ask them how they are doing and tell them about something cute my Grandchildren have done. My goodness time goes fast and I hear myself saying all of the things that my Grandmother said to me that I half ignored because I didn't have the wisdom to see that someday I would feel just like she did and know things that young people cannot possibly know. I always hope that somehow she can know that I know this now. Isn't it funny that we either don't ever get to the point where we recognise the wisdom of our elders or we do and know how precious and valuable all of those insights were to us.

This is Thanksgiving month and I would love to think you are making mental lists of people and things you are thankful for. The more we realize how much we have been given, the more we feel content with what we have. "Gratitude and unhappiness cannot co-exist." This is so true.

And in two more days, my book will be released and that will be so much fun to know it is out there. :0) I am thankful that more people will read the book and get out of the box to make more wonderful creative things for us to enjoy seeing. :0)

I go to Sandpoint Idaho this week and then I go to New Mexico (where I have never been) and then I am home to celebrate so many lovely things God has given to me with my family which is the most precious gift I have. I hope you have a lovely week and take time to see the beauty and good things God has blessed you with this season.

A DELIGHTFUL QUILT PHOTO IN MY MAIL! PAT CLOW WE LOVE IT- HOOCHY MAMA'S CAN BE SO MUCH FUN!

This photo came in my mailbox this week and I have to say that each block is so much fun and I think my most favorite other than the darling bird is the hoochy flying geese down in the lower left corner.

The quilt was a lovely gift for her Granddaughter's Graduation. Isn't that wonderful? I think Pat rocks and I know her Granddaughter agrees!

On top of that, she used my alphabet from Benartex which I wish they would reprint! Think of wwriting names, stories, cities, happy thoughts in your quilts by simply sewing on the 1/4" lines! If you would like to see the Alphabet by Mary Lou reprinted by Benartex, please let them know. Write to David@Benartex.com

Tell him you would love the letters-they came in black background, turquoise and yellow and I think RED would be divine too. if they get enough letters from you, they might reprint the fabric!

Hey Sarah, your frog is wonderful too, I see you have the Flower Power book!

You get an A+ for this wonderful project. I pronounce you "creative!"

SOMETIMES IT IS ALL ABOUT CHOOSING THE RIGHT FABRICS

De Ado;ph was with us for the last friendship retreat I attended at her best friend Sue's house and sewing house (yes two houses). She chose this great parot fabric to do a stack quilt with. Aren't these blocks fun and interesting and look at the smiles on the faces of the two best friends. LOVELY.

And up close. Now how can I work this type of thing into story quilts? I don't know.

I was hooked on these stack blocks for about a year and I kept buying more fabric to see what happened when I cut it up. I was a fabric manufacturers dream. I never did finish a quilt but I had boxes of blocks. Haha. Gave them away to a group that sewed blocks together, dyed them and made quilts to trade. A great idea for unfinished projects. :0)

IF YOU SIGNED UP FOR MY IDAHO RETREAT READ THIS PLEASE- AND WIN A BOX OF COOL STUFF JUST BY COMMENTING

Mel hold's up a story quilt/hoochy mama inspired piece of art-isn't it great???

If you signed up for the retreat (either of them-May or August) or planned to, please send in your deposit as we are wanting to know who is serious. You can find out more about it by clicking the link at the top of this blog. We have gotten alot of input on what makes a great retreat from our friends and we want to include some of these fun things.

If you want to comment on what you think makes a great retreat, I will send a cool BOX of stuff -I love your comments and think one might be fun for everyone to read. I will have one of my kids draw the winning name.

It's Halloween! Mary Lou is Kate and the kids are lots of fun characters!! What joy this holiday brings for silliness!

Did you wonder what Mary Lou would look like in a "Kate" hairstyle? Well, here I am!

My little Granddaughter wanted to be a "pretty" witch and my daughter Shelbi made her scary- she didn't like me saying she scared me.....

My daughter Shari, My son and daughter in law take the kids out for trick or treating

I gave rings out and my Grandson "Darth Vader" enjoyed choosing....he takes after me

Hannah Montana, Darth Vader and a skeleton come to visit their "Mimi" and "Papa"-what fun!

Hello Kitty, Hannah and Darth get their photo taken

My Grandson the hunter gets his Halloween photo taken- he saw me in the blond wig and started to cry- but a sucker does wonders to calm him down

We all laughed at this photo with the words in the background and little Mary Lou as a witch

My Granddaughter with a nice smile on her face.....

Hello Kitty had a cute hairstyle too! I have a lovely feeling tonight as I thank God for my lovely Grandchildren and the fun of a harmless holiday with candy and adoring Grandparents to

Donuts, the favorite treat here for Halloween

My Granddaughter last year as a witch....can't wait to see her this year!

When Pumpkins Drink Too Much

FRIENDS BRING CREATIVITY TO US IN SO MANY WONDERFUL WAYS.

here is Sue's story quilt about her Mother who used to take bubble baths and share her Motherly wisdom and love with Sue when she was younger. This quilt is beautiful and took first place on one of the shows in California. It is loaded with crystals and is SO beautiful in person.


The quilt above hangs over the railing in Sue's wonderful (beautiful actually) home in Castaic, California. Sue invited a number of us girls to come and sew and enjoy her huge home for part of a week. The theme was friendship, creativity, good food, color, container quilts, stack quilts, quilts with 6 borders (no kidding) and other ideas and things we shared-wait until you see Sue's chairs!!

This wonderful building in the background is Sue's sewing house (yes, house). It is large, has plenty of storage and is the perfect place for her to get away and sew. She has a HUGE house I didn't get photos of. I was too overwhelmed at the beauty of this little get away in her backyard complete with hot tub, and gazebo of wicker chairs and darling decorator accents.

I couldn't get past this red out building with the cute stuff on it.

Here Sue's best friend De cuts her blocks and squares them up. Stay tuned here for more on that tomorrow or later.

I know I am a lousy photo taker sometimes. No one looks like their movie star selves in this photo as Mel tells about her container quilt. Remember when I used to teach this?
Mel is making these for all of the women in her family.

Here is Sue with her darling dogs "Jack" and "Jill"-all three are very sweet

Sue's sewing area is fabulous and designed to the nines by her. Here is just a few examples of the chairs she makes. I have one to show you later -hint hint it is cherry designed- but keep looking as I took some more photos of these incredible chairs and pillows too

Isn't this cute and note the great fabrics she uses and the black and white piping

This quilt looked so good on the walls along with the pillows, wicker chairs and awesome studio chairs- Sue should be a decorator for sure

Pretty wonderful

Comfy too!

From Sue's garden

Whimsy everywhere!

Isn't this wonderful? More creativity and positive beauty

SIX borders on the quilt that Sue made! Sheesh!

Here is Sue with a smile on her face since she is DONE completeing her final border of SIX!

It was a great week with good friends. We left closer than ever and filled to the brim with appreciation and creativity! We hope to do it again next year. :0)

If you have a group of friends and a place to sew, invite them for a weekend of creativity and sharing and see what happens! It is super!

Check Out this Blog About Market- FUN

http://cvquiltworks.blogspot.com/

More {Photos from Market to Prove I was THERE!

These photos were taken by my buddy Linzee from Iowa who has become a dear friend and Market pal since last year. We have met in Houston a couple of times and in Tahoe to sew. We are kindred spirits and in January she will be coming to the John C. Campbell Hoity Toity House workshop. We are planning on nothing but fun and reckless creativity!

Here I am in the Martingale booth-they did such a good job! I am getting ready to sign a case of books for those patient enough to stand in line. It was great fun and I can't wait for YOU to get your copy. It is an awesome book- the best I have written. Honest. They were kind enough to display my Benartex fabric also. Ask your local shops to carry it please.

This is my friend Yuri from Tokyo and I have helped her choose fabric from my lines for years. We have been good friends from afar and someday I hope to visit her shop, "The Cotton Garden." You know how sometimes you are just drawn to someone-well I feel this way with Yuri.

OK, so I see that alot of authors and movie stars put their hand under their chin for a photo, so I suggested this at dinner with my Tn, Texas,&Iowa friends. I guess there were two people who did not believe me. Can't you see how much more fabulous the rest of us look. And I wonder why Faye is laughing on the left. I just noticed you can see my bra. That top was a struggle, do you know what I mean?

Every year I get my photo taken with the lovely Paula Nadelstern who has become a dear friend over the years. She can make me laugh harder than almost anyone. Most people think she is just a talented artist but no, she is a comedienne. Now you know too.

INSPIRING ARTWORK FOR STORY QUILT IDEAS-GET OUT OF THE BOX!

WOULD YOU SIT IN THIS CHAIR? CONNIE WOULDN'T-COMMENTS PLEASE
Had to show you the chair outside my room the morning I started my first workshop. Brrrrr.

So, I love to look for creative, original things to inspire me and my friends. I stopped (twice) at the Jackson Hole sub shop (delish!) and the place was filled with whimsical fun art.

I thought Santa looked mighty cute in this Western outfit

Elvis drops in for lunch

Isn't this image of the bird great? What other messages could he be bringing?

The owner of the sub shop looks just like the guy on the left

Isn't this darling? Nice outfit to be fishing in...if you were the Queen or something

Pretty interesting considering she painted the Tetons in the background

Someone (either the artist or the sub guy) loves King Kong.

he was all over the walls. Great fun! Note the Tetons in the background. Now, with this inspiration, what can you create to note where you live and what you love to do???

DONNA SENT ME THESE PHOTOS FROM JACKSON HOLE WYOMING

Isn't the bench above the cutest thing you have ever seen? It was in front of a wonderful shop that was filled with "Sticks" furniture-I pray that someday I can afford ONE piece of this-if I win the lotto, I will get more. Oprah are you reading this?

OK, so when you go to teach the second week of October, do you expect it to snow? Nope.

Surprise! A white winter snowland and watching it fall reminded of me decorating and baking.

Here are two girls holding up my Christmas quilt sample

Four of these people are related-three sisters a daughter and in blue on left a friend-Donna in the front right is the one who share the photos and Diane behind her was my hostess-great gals!

Here I am in the mix and I am not sure who came and took this photo but you can see her arm in there, haha. Anyone recognize this arm?

This is samples from the "Plaid to meet you" class before we did all of the trees and flowers and pumpkins etc.

Quilt Qyoming is a wonderful place to learn and make friends! And Jackson Hole is a beautiful place with great things to look at and restaurants and shops