Local Shopping

When we got to Florida in January, I began my scrap stitching using my newer, smaller Bernina 220. By mid-February, I'd used it so much that it began giving me troubles - you know the typical problems: broken threads, bobbin snafus, poor stitch quality.

 

Fortunately, because I had anticipated trouble (neither machine had been recently serviced), I had both machines with me. I wrapped up the little one and brought out the trusty old Bernina 1010, finishing out March with this 35-year-old model.

 

Back now in Ohio, I needed that machine serviced. In nearby Chillicothe we have a sweet, full-service quilt shop that sells and services Bernina. One of my first orders of business was to take my little 220 to Old Town Fabric Shop for a thorough cleaning and servicing. Store manager and co-owner Kelly is a former student of mine (11th grade English!), so we go waaayyy back. Kelly is trained by Bernina to do the mechanical, technical stuff. I love that I have a convenient place to have my machines serviced. The store is a spacious former canal warehouse. Kelly and her mom Cindy have created a quilter's paradise featuring filled-to-the-brim shelves and cubbies packed with scrumptious fabrics for every quilter’s taste.

 

Because it'd been awhile since I last stopped in, the current store samples were a delight for the eye. I thought I'd give you all a peek at the gorgeous offerings on display. Perhaps you'd be tempted to take a visit yourself?

 

In the foreground of this bottom picture is an Around The World quilt that caught my eye both when I dropped off my machine and again when I picked it up. Gosh, I would love to make one, but the intimidation factor is way off the chart. What a labor! Those fabrics, though, make it entirely too tempting. If only you could see it in person! The pattern is called Wildflower by Laundry Basket Quilts. Maybe...

Why not consider a little drive to southern Ohio? This shop is a great place to while away a few hours! I did a bit of shopping - not much - but a few little bits to enhance the stash. Some I've already cut and sewn, if you can believe that!

Hope you enjoyed the little shop tour! 

I will share a brand new quilt top in the very near future. Hope you'll come back for the big reveal.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne

Bernina Spa Day at the LQS

My 'younger' Bernina needed some servicing and a good cleaning, so in she went to Old Town Fabrics, one of Chillicothe's two local quilt shops. As a Bernina dealer, they provide convenience for quilters needing machine service and maintenance.

I picked her up on Friday, and she is now humming a happy tune. I opened her up over the weekend to attach the binding to Hettie's baby quilt. 

While I was in the shop, I took a moment to snap some pictures of the extensive fabric collection available at Old Town. The options are nothing short of luscious.

The shop is located in downtown Chillicothe, in an historic old warehouse. The owners have painstakingly salvaged the building and it's historic charm. Take a look at the beams, the brick walls, and the floors. So much character. 

Besides checking out the building, you should also check out the display samples. I don't often buy kits, but I sure do like to be inspired by the variety of options. 

If you ever find yourself in Chillicothe - Ohio's first capital! - you will have to check out this shop!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Fresh From the Spa

I finally got around to going to Chillicothe on Friday morning to get my Berninas. Best buddy Sharon had taken them to Old Town Fabric Shop for me. We were so busy getting ready to leave for vacation, it saved me a trip. I wanted both machines to get the full treatment while we were away on vacation. When we got back, I picked them up after their total spa experience- deep cleaning, oiling, replacing small parts, and miscellaneous whatnot.

Believe it or not, I took them upstairs, sat them down in the middle of the sewing room, and there they still sit. I have not even set them up, let alone sewn on them. Maybe later today. I'm sure they will purr like kittens.

I did do additional shopping while at Old Town. One purchase I made will be shared in an upcoming post. The other bits are nothing too special - just "must have" pieces that will enhance my current stash. *grin* I suffered a weak moment.*

We are having a glorious day here in south central Ohio. I have done my 2 miles this morning with DH; now to clean up and get on with my day!

Hope you make your day awesome!
Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

Retail Therapy

On Saturday I had a chance to zip in to Old Town Fabric Shop in Chillicothe. It had been ages since I'd been there. Using from my stash has been good for me, and I really have not  minded a bit.

However, I have this gift certificate....

So here is what I came home with - 10 fat quarters of a variety of reproduction-style fabrics in an array of colors. Makes me happy!

It's not much but it does give me something fresh which causes me to continue ever dreaming about the next beauty I intend to create!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Frankfort Girls

On Friday we met at Sharon's beautiful home, where her beautiful Stella d'oro lilies lined the front walkway with welcoming beauty.

Added later: what??!? I am a writing teacher, and that sentence is atrocious, plain and simple. Apparently, my editing and proofreading was nonexistent yesterday. *shaking my head in shame* 

Let me try again; I can do better.

On Friday we met at Sharon's secluded country home where a mass of Stella d'oro lilies lined the front walkway with welcoming beauty. Sharon is quite a gardener, and she knows the secret of making impact with quantity. It was quite lovely, and had my hands not been full, I'd have taken a picture for you. But you'll trust me on this, right?

I have only one finish to share with you, although everyone was busy, busy, busy with their stitching. Becky had recently finished this stunning project and had us all drooling when she unfolded it for us. My finished Village quilt top, which you've already seen, was the only other finish, I believe.

Becky's quilt probably has a name, but I did not get it. After it is quilted, it will be displayed as a store sample at Old Town Fabric Shop in Chillicothe. Becky works part-time there, and occasionally does samples for the store. This will be a block-of-the-month style offering for customers. From our spot in the back of the room, we couldn't get a full picture without a lot of moving and shuffling, but I think this partial view gives ample evidence of its size and beauty.

My hand stitching continues to be Lake Effect, and I don't just do it on these Friday sewing dates. It is such a wonderfully portable sewing project; I stitch in the car, and in quiet B & Bs on a weekend getaway. With all the road trips we have been taking lately, I have accomplished quite a lot on Lake Effect. Come on back tomorrow and I will have some pictures of it to show you.

Hope you are having fun with your stitching!
Happy Quilting, Friends!

Retail Therapy

On Saturday when I attended the seminar featuring Carrie Nelson, I also did some shopping. Old Town Fabric Shop offers a discount when a class is going on, and I knew of a couple of things I wanted to get. No absolute necessities, but some little bits of stash enhancers.

I felt that my Village quilt needed more variety, and so I bought two more Corey Yoder charm packs from a line I didn't have. These Flower Mill packs will mesh nicely with the two Sundrops packs and the two Lulu Lane packs that I already had. Now I have a total of 6 charm packs to work with on the Village quilt, and I think that variety will be fun to mix and match. Should I become bored with these, I happen to know that a new line called Pepper and Flax will be appearing very soon, so I might even add more. Since I have done no more on Village since Saturday, I am fairly certain it will still be a WIP for several more months.

Then I picked up a bit of neutral yardage in a 3 Sisters line called Larkspur. I have collected bits of this line for about a year or so with no particular quilt in mind. I just know I love the fabric and something will make itself know to me as the perfect choice. For now, I am happy to simply gaze at the pretty fabric and dream of what to make with it. (Weird. I know. Oh well.)

Finally, I can never resist the basket of half-yard cuts that Old Town Fabrics keeps filled just to entice quilters. It's sorta' like at the ice cream parlor when they offer you a taste of any flavor you want - well this allows me a bit of fabric in any color I want for no particular reason other than it appealed to me on this particular day. They always offer these at a discount, and many of these have entered my stash over the years. It's a nice way to enhance the stash without going totally crazy.

Now, remember this was the day with Carrie Nelson? Well, we goofed off a lot throughout the day, and I pulled together some pictures into a collage to capture the fun. Because it was St. Patrick's Day, I wore some sparkly green glasses which were a big hit. Carrie agreed to be photographed if she could wear my glasses in one pic. Cool! So here's a peek at the silliness.

I am going to sew some more houses for Village, I think. Either that, or I am going to start those 9-patches needed next for Prairie Vine. I just know I need to get busy!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Village Day

As I had hoped, the day spent with Carrie Nelson was totally a blast. She was helpful, informative, warm, bubbly, easy to engage with - genuinely a gal you just know could be one of your best buds. Here are some pictures highlighting our day.

 Carrie began the day by sharing her original Village quilt, shown above and below. She explained how it came about and the fabrics used, as well as her personal rules for fabric placement.

The backing on her original is pretty cool, too. I do not know what it is called, but it looks great on this quilt.

Next she showed us another version of Village made by Thelma at Cupcakes 'n Daisies. I have followed this blog since I first discovered quilt blogs; it was very cool seeing this version made with yellow background. I like the way it is quilted, too, with the small scallops.

I had no idea what I would use as a background, but I did have some yardage of this yellow with me, so I went with it! Thelma's is lighter yellow, but it will still look fine, in my opinion. Above is my very first house. The block is very easy and goes together quickly. I hear people say it's sort of addicting, and I can totally get that. Bonus: it's a good pattern for using those Charm Packs I have stacked up - I swear they multiply!!

About 40 women filled the upstairs classroom at Old Town Fabric Shop in Chillicothe for this class. Several were there in groups. Quilters always know how to have a good time.

I went on my own and this group of ladies welcomed me to their table with open arms. This picture was taken toward the later part of the day as several are showing off their finished blocks.

I finished around 8 or 10 houses in the time allotted. I goofed off a bit, too, and wasted some time. And I shopped downstairs. If I had been more focused, perhaps I would  have finished more houses. My fabrics are all by Corey Yoder. I will be mixing and matching from three of her lines. Consequently, when I get mine finished, I will be calling my quilt Coriander Village.

One quilter at the far end of our table laid these out. Notice that some houses have chimneys. Directions in the pattern explain how to add those. If you go back up to Thelma's quilt at the top, you will see that she even added windows on some of her houses. It's fun to see how variations come about.

I will share some more on this fun day soon. I also have some Arizona vacation pictures to share, as well. Stay tuned!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Big Day Ahead!

Today is a very big day for me! Not only is it St. Patrick's Day, but a special quilting guest is teaching at Old Town Fabric Shop in Chillicothe! THE one and only Carrie Nelson, one of my "most favorite-est" quilting rock stars is here - and YES!! I will be there!

OH, HAPPY DAY!!

The prolific quilter, pattern designer, author and founder of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company was here yesterday teaching a class on Moda Cake Mix, and today a class on her new pattern, Village.

Above is Carrie shown with her beloved Rosie. What a tearful blogpost a few years ago when Carrie shared the news that Rosie had passed. Carrie has such a great writer's voice that I felt as if my own life-long pet had died! It will be fun to finally meet her. (I'm giddy with anticipation!)

The pattern, as I said, is Village; the image above was taken from the Fat Quarter Shop website. The pattern uses charm packs - up to 8 if we like. I think I will go with fewer and make a smaller quilt. I have packed my stash of Corey Yoder fabrics to use. I bought 4 charm packs last year that I still have. They will work fine and will make a lively, happy quilt.

All the fun will begin at 10:30 today. In addition to packing my machine and all the necessary equipment, I have all 7 of my Carrie Nelson quilt books ready to go in case my fandom kicks in and I need to get autographs. *grin*

I have made several of Carrie's quilts - off the top of my head let me list a few: Elizabeth, Tag Sale, Plan C, and several Schnibbles - yes, she is the brainiac behind that clever idea. I swore I was not going to fall for such a gimmick as Schnibbles, yet today I would guess I own about a dozen of those little patterns. *sheepish grin*

So, on this St. Patrick's Day, I will be stitching up a storm and having a blast with my new best friend, Carrie. I will be sure to share lots of pictures and anecdotes soon.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

January Round-Up

Yesterday, I indulged in a bit of retail therapy at one of our local quilt shops. You know, when there's a Christmas gift certificate burning a hole in your pocket, you simply must act on it eventually. I think I exercised great restraint for over a whole month, you know?

So, after my classes yesterday, I popped in to Old Town Fabric Shop. Earlier in the month I had scoped out some likely candidates for my stash additions; I had plenty of options, but here's what came home with me. Just 2.5 yards total, and I am a happy, happy gal.

These are half-yard cuts of four Art Gallery fabrics and one Cotton + Steel fabric (the pink). The Art Gallery fabrics are part of a line called Millie Fleur by Bari J. Those blues have appeared in some quilts on my Instagram feed, and I have been totally smitten by them. The pink is from a 2014 line called XOXO from Cotton + Steel Basics designer Rashida Coleman Hale. (I hope I have that all correct!) I do not have a firm idea of what these will be used for, but I am leaning toward a pretty table topper. Stars? Triangles? Churn Dashes? Still considering possibilities...

Now for my January collage. I felt busy all month, but I really don't have a lot to show for my efforts.

So tomorrow, we begin February! I hope I can show more finishes next month!

Happy Quilting, Friends!