Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Third Annual Mother – Daughter Trip



My daughter and I went on our annual trip to the Mid- Atlantic Quilt Festival 
in Hampton, Virginia. We always have so much fun spending time together, talking,
 shopping for fabric, and looking at quilts.

We were not sure she would be able to go this time because of her surgery, but I did all the driving and there were lots of places for her to sit and rest. She did get tired; and we did not spend as much time as we usually do, but we still had plenty of time to spend some money!  

Some of the fat quarters I bought.




Wool

Vintage ticking, batting and woven pieces.

Lots of new fabrics, wool and thread.
We are now inspired to be at home and start creating!  
I am off of the road now for a little while. 
I got back just in time for the ice storm we had here yesterday. 

Ice coating the trees and deck 


  I brought back some other goodies besides fabric and wool. Trips are usually planned around favorite antique shops and other places I like to stop at. One of them is Lone Star Mercantile in Fuquay-Varina. She always has great fabrics, some antiques and wool. The wool is what I stopped for because I have fallen in love with Polly Minick’s new red and blue wools. The red check is what I used on my Patriotic Snow Ball. 

I found this great old snow shovel there.

Snow shovel from the early 1900's.
  It will be nice hanging in our stairwell and also would be fun to hang by the door at Christmas with a red bow 
and some greenery! 
 
The next stop was at The Collector’s Antique Mall 
 in Asheboro, NC. 
It’s a favorite place of mine with 
great antiques and good prices. 
On my last stop there I saw this little sugar bucket 
and passed it up. 


I kept wishing I hadn’t and guess what? It was still there,
 even though I had to hunt for it 
because they had reorganized their booth. 
Also found a grain sifter in great condition. 


Both were 20 % off and they were good prices to begin with.
 I placed my new little sugar bucket on top of my firkin stack for now. I haven’t decided on where to put the sifter yet. 


Now it is back into the studio and back to work. 
Snow and ice are expected the next couple of days.
Hope you are staying warm and cozy as I am.
Spring can't be too far away now!
 

Monday, February 18, 2013

Patriotism and Snow



Seemed appropriate on President’s Day 
and expected rain, sleet, ice and snow tonight, 
to make a patriotic snowman!


Hope you are having a great Monday!
Louise

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Snowy Weekend Finish

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It’s cold, snowy and windy this weekend. 
It’s been the perfect time to stay close to the fire, quilt and listen to music.


All my little projects were finished this week.
 A couple of them were UFO’s from last year.
 I’ve got a “few” more of them around that need finishing!

Little pillows are fun because I can make up a pattern as I go along; and 
I love using the old ticking fabric.

I'm counting this one as my Christmas item for Feb.

The others are penny ornaments, a heart with wings made from my dyed wool fabric; and a couple of strawberry emeries filled with crushed walnut hulls. 


Hope you have been enjoying your weekend!
Louise



Thursday, February 14, 2013

Be Still My Heart

Love is in the air with just a few hearts around our house!





Happy Valentine's Day!
Hope you are spending it with the one you love the most.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Today's Work

A little bit of everything is on today's work table.


Little pillows, new ornaments and some last minute hearts.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Unexpected Turn of Events


Daffodils are starting to bloom in Eastern NC.

I had planned to visit and stay a few days with my daughter while she had outpatient surgery last week.  She was scheduled for laparoscopic surgery but it turned into major surgery along with a three-day hospital stay.

I ended up staying longer than planned, but wanted to make sure she was doing well, able to shower and moving around before I left.  She was a real trooper and did extremely well thanks to her doctor and the staff at Durham Regional Hospital.

It’s going to take me a while to get caught up and back into the groove in the studio. I have a stack of mail to go through and chores to catch up on. Pog is wonderful and kept everything running smoothly while I was gone. He was glad to have me home again.

Sadie has been glued to me since I got back. She missed me and is very happy now that we are getting back to normal. 

Sadie and her favorite toy - a pink string!
 
I am tired but glad to be home in my own bed and my things around me. I took my quilting with me and managed to get some of it done. I also bought the first two seasons of Downton Abbey so we could catch up on shows I had missed while she was recuperating.

Maybe this weekend I can catch up on blogs I follow and what everyone has been working on!

Wishing everyone a safe, warm and cozy weekend!