Hi there....we are finally home again after our adventures in the US and Canada.  My Facebook locked me out, so I apologise for the lack of photos and updates to this point.  However I am finally getting my sleep patterns back into sinc and have almost worked out which meal I should be eating when.  I am not sure how those flight crews cope with all those time changes and jet lag!

International Quilt Market in Minneapolis was amazing and I am still trying to get my head around everything I have seen and need to order (not to mention how I am going to fit it in all into my little shop!)  It is always good to meet the designers first hand and there is absolutely no substitute for seeing the finished quilts and samples up close.

So now that I have absorbed all that inspiration, it is really and truely time to get back to work!  As for trends at market, I am not sure.  I think it depends on what inpires you on a personal level and what you are drawn to, but I can tell you I saw lots of wool fabrics - often used in combination with flannel, yarn dyed wovens and cottons, lots of reproduction fabrics, gorgeous Japanese taupe fabrics, lots of bright and retro fabrics used in quite simple, but striking designs.  There were also lots of bags, and back packs and some very beautiful fabrics to come in the next few months.

One of the new books to be released at Market was Sue Spargo's latest, "In full Bloom".  This is a stunning quilt, and I am working through  this quilt myself...I still have a bit more to do, but I am sure you get the idea.  The book is $49.00 and we have the first copies available now.

Just a reminder that we still have some spaces left in Sue Spargo's Nelson workshop  September 1 and tickets to her trunk shows  will be available next month.

Having been in this business a wee while it is also great to catch up with friends, designers, suppliers and wholesalers that I have met over the years .  After we left Minneapolis, we went on to Toronto which was beautiful in the Springtime.  We also took in the sights of Niagra Falls, Algonquin National Park and St Jacobs a rural Menonite area (with a really good antique store/wharehouse!)  I only brought home three more egg beaters for my collection, as well as one or two other treasures.  :)  

This is just one of the many very beauiful quilts I saw at Market , this one is called "Spring is with us now" by Yoko Sugisawa.  Many, many hours of very fine work!  This picture just shows a small part of the whole quilt.

You can check out some more pictures from Quilt Market and our travels on Annie's Facebook page.

This week's recipe is a little taste of Canada in a muffin - I have yet to make them myself, but they look and sound delicious and will probably be on the menu here this week.

Double Corn Muffins

• 2 cobs of corn
• 2 eggs
• 1 c cornmeal
• 3/4 c milk
• 1/2 c honey
• 1/4 vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 c flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 c diced, peeled and seeded tomato

With a sharp knife cut the corn from the cobs (about 1 cup) and then cook in a medium pot of boiling water for 3-4 mins or until almost tender.  Drain and set aside.

In a bowl combine the eggs, cornmeal, milk, honey and oil.

In another large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, basil, baking soda and garlic powder.  Add cornmeal mixture, corn and tomatoes to the dry ingredients and stil until just moistened.

Spoon into prepared muffin tins and bake for 20-25 mins at 190C.

Before I forget, last month's winner of the $50.00 from Annie's is Barbara Tait from Ashburton.  Congratulations Barbara!

Well, I must tootle as I have lots more orders follow up on and suitcases to sort through.

Take care and happy stitching

Rachel