design wall prequel . . .

Really, this is a parade of fabrics that will eventually lead to a design wall post. Friday turned into a mini quilt shop hop, and along with auditioning combinations for the Sentimental Journey blocks that my group is doing in Civil War fabrics and swapping out, I just did my part to help boost local economies and small business owners. *wink*

Our first stop was the one in Decherd, Tennessee, to visit Decherd Needleworks. I was very impressed with both his shop and his prices. While he didn't carry the newest, funkiest lines, he did have a terrific selection and his prices were wonderful. I don't think I paid more than $5 a yard for anything I bought there, except of one fabric. The shop was a good find and a nice way to start our day!

I think I've finally (maybe, possibly) settled on the two combinations of fabrics I want to use for the blocks I swap. The pictures don't do the colors justice, but quilter's have such creative imaginations, I figure you can make up for what the photos lack.

The blues in that beautiful cheddar were wonderful and the shirting fabric did a nice job of complimenting.

And I really loved this flip-flop combination of deep, burnt reds and cream.

My favorite fabric of the day was this pink. The shading is so subtle and beautiful. I may use this combo for my own blocks. We're only swapping for a total of 40, and it'll take at least another thirty or so for a quilt. Yup, I may fill in a lot with the pink. Or may be I'll just use it for something else. I wanted to buy the whole bolt. But I didn't. But I might go back. Seriously.

And I have to say, I was *so* impressed with the shop that I got a little carried away. But they were all so PRETTY!

He had a *really* nice selection of fat quarters, too. I got a little Halloween on while I was there.

We finished so early -- before noon -- that we really didn't feel like we could call it a day. So instead, we zipped on down Highway 64 and hit one of my favorite quilt shops, Hooked On Quilting!

I can always find fabrics I like there, and she did have a line of fall fabrics that was absolutely gorgeous! But since I'd already pretty much emptied my wallet in Decherd, I resisted that urge. I couldn't leave completely empty-handed, though, so I did pick up this cute Halloween charm pack. I have a fun pattern that's just begging me to get fabric for it and get busy. ;)

So we finished up there and decided it was not only too early, but there was a quilt shop down the way that was closing its doors and had some good prices, so we loaded up into the car and headed south, back into Alabama, to Quilter's Refuge.

It's sad to see any small business having to close its doors, but it's even sadder when it's a quilt shop. When Kathy and I got there, they were down to just a few shelves of fabric and some notions and patterns. I did find some pretty fabric to fill in my stash . . .

And a couple of patterns that I couldn't pass up!

And after I'd made my purchases, we hopped back in the car and headed for home.

And while that was the end of my quilting/shopping/fabric day, it was *not* the end of my day! I got home, traded my shopping bag of fabrics for my bag of scrapbooking supplies, and headed right back out!

Before we proceed to pictures, I must get in this disclaimer: I am not a scrapbooker. *But* when the kids went to Europe with my folks several years ago, they also came back with tons of pictures. Jocelyn does enjoy scrapbooking and has all the cool tools, but James -- he just had pictures. I offered to scrap them for him and he gladly turned over his pictures and souvenirs. That was SIX years ago! I'd purchased a book and pages and page protectors and photo tape and lots of fun stickers . . . and still no completed memory book. I knew I needed motivation, so I hooked up with a group of women from Lighthouse who scrap, and asked if I could join their next party. What a difference it made!

It was fun to lay out (once I figured that the pictures were numbered in the order in which they were taken), but it was also tough.

I wasn't on the trip, so I had no way of knowing the significance of any of his pictures!

I left plenty of space and I'll go back over the pages with Jocelyn to see if she can help me fill in the blanks.

Whew! It took me six hours, but I finished the whole thing! There was even a spot left at the back of the book for me to insert pamphlets and tokens and leftover pictures. It's all there.

Since James doesn't really get into blog reading, I'm good to go. I'll present this to him for his birthday! I'm *so* glad it's finished. I may never scrap book again! I think perhaps that scrappy quilts may be more my style. :)

But shopping wasn't finished. Saturday I turned around and took my completed BOM squares to Patches and Stitches and picked up my July instructions . . .

These two blocks and then two in August and the blocks are done! Whoohoo!

I also picked up a little more of my foundational fabrics for the BOM quilt (which I'm still working on names for), as well as a handy little quilter's tool. What quilter doesn't want/need perfect seams?!?

Another gadget for my collection. Can a quilter really ever have too many?

Today I'm off to work out my camera. That's code for "I'm spending the day with Sawyer!" And then there's a good chance I may be headed to KNOXVILLE and the AQS quilt show! Whoohoo!

In the meantime, head on over to Judy Laquidara's Patchwork Times and check out all the lovely stuff being in created in the quilting world! (Note: her design wall post wasn't up last time I looked.)

Happy Monday!

:)

road trip . . . space trip

Two big trips on the schedule for today. The first is one I'm taking to Decherd, Tennessee, to visit Decherd Needleworks and buy some FABRIC!

My friend Kathy is coming by this morning and together we'll travel up the Davy Crockett Highway to visit this small Tennessee town and specifically, the quilt shop! I won a 20% off coupon at our last guild meeting, and since they have a great supply of Civil War fabrics (and I need to get busy on our Stitcher's swap blocks), this seemed to be the perfect place to shop. I love visiting new quilt shops, so I'm looking forward to it!

Then, later this morning (11:26 a.m. EDT), the count is on for the Atlantis shuttle launch -- the last shuttle launch the of the United States. Right now there's still a 70% chance that the launch will be scratched, due to weather, but the crew of astronauts has already appeared and boarded the bus to head to the launch site, so officials are still hoping for a go. It was very touching to listen to the crowds go wild and be so pumped and excited when the crew came out, waving and smiling and everyone.

I'm a little surprised by how emotional I am about this. I remember as a very small child, watching the countdowns for some of the earliest space flights. It felt like everything else stopped and all the world sat watching those launches. I still remember how awestruck I was watching the marvel of a space ship, launching and hurtling into the sky. It's made me sad how much we've come to take space travel and the space and rocket program for granted. But it makes me sadder that today's launch marks the end of an era.

Nonetheless, I'll be listening to the final countdown. It's getting exciting -- they're looking more and more positive for a shuttle launch GO!

And I'll be traveling new roads to new quilt shops -- to forge blocks I've never forged before.

Happy Friday!

:)

no design wall ... but plenty happening!

We are starting this week at full throttle! Todd and I are teaching a one night conference next Monday evening, and we're working to get the word out to the churches in our association. I created the graphic we're sending out on a post card today . . .

This is me in my element!! Now to print a hundred copies, get them labeled and stamped and in the mail!!

Todd and I could sit for hours (actually, there have been days that we have) and just watch the antics of the birds and the critters that come to our little "backyard" to eat and drink and socialize. Yesterday morning we sat and watched three chipmunks come in, fill their cheeks, and scamper off to hide their bounty. They're so fast, it's hard to catch them on film, but I got lucky here and got two of them...

They are so cute! There was at least one more a couple of weeks ago, but we watched as a hawk swooped down and snatched him up. It's a jungle out there!

One thing that caught us by surprise was this . . .

This was the very first time we'd seen a squirrel having anything to do with one of our bird feeders! Up until now, they've been content to forage on the ground (under the bird feeders) and glean the corn that the deer and coons have left behind. In fact, I had just thought to myself earlier in the morning, how nice it was that the squirrels were content to be ground feeders!

I had to laugh at the feeder he chose. It's our only platform feeder, so I can see why it would be the most comfortable for him to perch in, but look how it's hung . . .

He certainly didn't hit the branch and come down the rope! He really wanted in there badly enough to jump from the tree trunk -- six feet away, at least! He hung out there for at least an hour. I came down this morning to see he's now become a regular. Ah well!

For Mother's Day, Kim, James, Sawyer, Todd and I headed to Longhorn for lunch. I thought Sawyer did a great job.

Of course, as Kim pointed out, I was not the one who was picking up all the stuff he threw on the floor -- like his cup, his pacifier, his straw, his bread, his toy . . .

By the end of the meal, he was definitely ready to be rid of his constraints and GO! I suggested Kim give him her lemon and see what happened. It did occupy him quite nicely as we finished up and loaded stuff into take out carriers. Actually it was hilarious to watch; he kept on sucking the lemon wedge, but he made the most incredible, "I'm eating something sour!" faces!! I was laughing so hard, I couldn't get pictures. But still, the lemon wedge went back into his mouth!

Finally, I've been wanting a silhouette of him, which means getting the perfect shot.

I captured this shot yesterday, which is a pretty cute little profile.

I have to get rid of the rest of the background, but it's a good start -- cute, cute little guy!

Todd then took me to my favorite clothing store, and between his gift, James and Kim's gift, and a really NICE 40% off sale, I really came away with some nice additions to my wardrobe! This week I plan to go through and cull my clothes -- there are lots of things here at the RV I've not worn once since we moved here, a year and a half ago. Time to weed that stuff out!

I'm off to be about this day . . . I hope everyone's Monday is happy and sunny!

:)

a double-happy find . . .

So yesterday Todd and I headed down to the Madison Baptist Association. We thought we were receiving training/certification, but actually we were being interviewed to see if we were serving in a capacity that made us eligible for training/certification. It was an interesting experience and we both were pleased with the process.

As we were coming out, my eye was caught by this cute little building sitting right next door . . .

It's Snickerpoodles -- a consignment shop!! I'm not able to manage steps in my roller, so I didn't head over there to investigate, but it looked like they had some really *cute* baby things out! And looking to the store on the other side, guess what it is . . .

I have a feeling I'll be back to that particular area when I'm walking under my own power again!

Happy Thursday!

:)