Sentimental Stitches

I can tell it's "freaky friday" around here. We're all at the point where we wish we could turn back the hands of time to Wednesday and start all over again but knowing we can't do that, we're running around like wild women. Bolts flying off the shelves, carts roaring around Lolly's and Yoder Department Store, making list after list of all the things we MUST get and places we HAVE to visit. You should see my list!!! This post is going to be short, sweet and to the point. If I've answered your emails with minimal words it's because I'm sitting here with my heart racing, looking at the clock (it's 11:15am) and wondering why I stayed up until after 2 am last night!

My 3" blocks are finished and I'm actually quite happy with them. I'll get you pictures later and pics of all the swapped blocks. Claire is bringing in an old Quilter's Newsletter Magazine with setting ideas for little blocks.

I haven't touched the lazy susan or the schlep stuff but I'll put aside my quilt things and do those today as soon as I'm finished with my mad dash through town and jaunt over to Middlebury. Pincushions may have to wait until I get home. I thought for sure I could get the ribbon I wanted to use at Yoder's but they don't have it and I'm sure you know what it's like when you have a certain thing in mind.

Tomorrow is Chocolate Day all over town. There will be a chocolate fountain on the third floor at the Davis Mercantile and you might just see some chocolate covered faces if we all start sticking our tongue out to let the chocolate just roll on in. Have you seen the tv commercial about the stressed out white who puts her face in the chocolate fountain at a party?

I spent most of my time at Lolly's. It's such an inspirational place. I'm still in love with Moda's Shangri-la collection and have decided on a pattern to make a quilt. It's called Scalloped Charm from Black Cat Creations.

Walking around the store you'll find samples for tons of projects and they offer kits for almost every one. Can't remember the name of the Log Cabin quilt with the flowers.

This beautiful star is from Laundry Basket Quilts. There is a pattern, rotary templates and a kit. All reasonably priced. Edyta, the designer, has just come out with her own collection of batik fabrics. Lolly's has them in fat quarter bundles. They are stunning!

The fat quarter boat is ready and waiting for me to dive in today. Ahhh, swimming in a sea of fabric. I shall enjoy!

The quilt hanging above the boat is from Laundry Basket too.

Can't remember the name of this quilt but it's a pretty and colorful one.

One of my favorites is Shipshewana Blessings from my friends Janis Nelson and Edith Shanholt. They are two of the most talented ladies I know. You can order the book for the quilt or a kit from them off their web site. alltheseblessings.com



Yesterday I told you about Carolyn's Creative Designs. Here's a couple more of her patterns that Lolly's has kits for too.

Now this is one of the things Janes do best while we're here. We stand around the cutting table together just stacking up the bolts for the clerks to cut.

We are missing a couple of other notable ladies. Sue Ellenberger (SheWho) we miss you and wish you continued speedy healing. We also miss our dear friend Rosemary Youngs. She's accompanying her son to three doctor's visits today so our prayers are going out to them. Rosemary is the author of The Civil War Diary book and the new Civil War Love Letters. They are beautiful, information filled books.

Here's Lolly's wall of quilts at the home store.

The beautiful Primitive Blessings quilt is made from a combination of cotton and wool. They have the book and a complete kit for the quilt.

This tree is the centerpost of the Mercantile. It's HUGE and goes up all the stories right through the middle of the staircase.

Back at the retreat, a photo of my fantastic tablemates. We do have a good time. We're all working on different things.

The cut 25-Patch blocks are projects of Vicki and LuAnn. I haven't been sucked in to that one yet.

The tiny nine patch block are Teresa's. I can't tell you how many of us are hooked on these little gems. They are only 1 1/2" finished blocks. We have a group over at YahooGroups called Nine Patch Nuts. I didn't bring mine this time but might manage to stitch a few from scraps anyway.

Okay ladies, I've been at this for 45 minutes and am ready to fly out the door. Have a great day and I check in with you later.

It was a fun day yesterday as people started to arrive from everywhere imaginable. I might look for a map today and see if the girls will put pins in it to show where they’re from. One person is noticeably missing and that’s our Janiac, Susanne. I’ve turned cartwheels, twisted arms, missed anniversaries and birthdays to be at the retreats so I know she must be missing us too. You wouldn’t believe how much she does to keep the Janes informed and have lots of information right at the click of a mouse. We miss you Susanne!

I spent most of yesterday visiting with friends and catching up on what everyone has been doing. It was a pretzel for lunch at JoJo’s (parmesan is my favorite). During lunch I got to visit with Kris who owns Lolly’s Fabrics and Carla arrived so we jabbered away talking about everything from fabric to dogs. Speaking of dogs, Clutch and I are missing each other. He finally ate something last night after 48 hours but isn’t sleeping well because he’s watching the door for me to come home. Not too worry though—he has Rob and the boys to fuss over him so I’m sure he’ll be fine.

Here’s a picture of the lazy susan I was talking about from Walmart. I can’t begin that until I finish the 3” little blocks that six of us girls are exchanging. I still have two sets to complete and want to get them done first. Aren’t they cute? I can’t wait to see the other blocks.

Brenda arrived yesterday afternoon and looked so cute last night with her “booby tassels” on. They were actually two ribbons she won at Val’s Rankin Quilt Show in September. Yeah Brenda and congratulations to Val on a fantastic job chairing the quilt show. They raised $10,000 ! The link takes you to some photos I found on web shots. There are some beautiful quilts.

I did do a little looking around yesterday. I bought the Around Center Attraction Table Topper pattern by Carolyn’s Creative Designs at Lolly’s. It is just beautiful and they have kits put together with holiday fabrics. If you haven’t seen Carolyn’s patterns you are missing out on some great things. They are available from Quilters Warehouse (or Carolyn herself) but Lolly’s has some beautiful samples hanging up right now so I’ll take some pictures for you today.

I also bought the Slouchy Bags book to make one of the Granny Bags but the Ruffled Messenger Bag is pretty cute too.

My friend Vicki brought her infamous log cabin blocks with her to work on while she’s here. She has paper pieced at least 400—4 1/2” blocks all from scraps and is setting them together. We could have spent hours looking at all the fabrics and finding the ones we’ve had (or still have) in our stash. It’s beautiful and a true testament that perseverance pays off. There has been a little grumbling at past retreats over the trials of sewing 400+ blocks.

The pretty 1930s quilt belongs to LuAnn. She’s such a nice lady and a prolific quilter who gets so many things done. I’m jealous! She was being shy (some of us don’t believe she is) and hid behind her quilt.

I’m ready to get moving. It’s cold here today. 37 degrees with winds to make it feel like 27. I’m pulling out the turtleneck and heading over to Rebecca Haarer’s Antiques to look at the quilts. I’ll take lots of pictures for you today and report in again later. Wherever you are I hope you have a wonderful day and find time to take a stitch or two.