Home Again

One of my friends had to get some tests done at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester so I volunteered to accompany her. What trip is complete without a quilt shop? There was a Hancock's with a 60% off sale just down the street from our hotel. I got the fabrics in the photo . I think I exercised quite a bit of restraint!


The next stop was TJ Maxx where there was also a mega sale going on. I got a new suitcase for our trip to Australia, two bathing suits and some running shoes (not that I run...). I thought I was finished shopping when I spied this leather bag. I know, I have dozens of bags but this one was too beautiful to pass up. The back is the same without the butterfly. The price was right so it came home with me.
We drove home just before a big ice storm in Rochester and a predicted blizzard here that didn't actually amount to much. It's good to be home.

Fabric Therapy

I went to Winnipeg today and managed to get in a bit of fabric shopping. The blue at the top is destined to be sky in some more house blocks and the white at the top will be snow. The white at the bottom could also be snow and the green has little flowers so will be good for grass. The pink dots on brown were just irresistible and on sale so what could I do?

Fabric

I went to Winnipeg yesterday and of course, had to stop at a fabric store. I got these four pieces of fabric. I like the bright yellow the best. It has very subtle leaves and ferns on it.


I bring my hibiscus plant outside for the summer. When I bring it in it always goes crazy flowering. Besides the two flowers, it has 11 buds.

New Fabric and Book

On Friday Brenda and Du asked us if we wanted to go to Grand Forks with them for the day on Saturday. I said only if they were willing to stop at Joanne's Fabrics. (What else would a quilter say?) They agreed so we went on Saturday afternoon and here is the result. They only had one rotary blade left or I would have gotten several because they were 40% off as were most of the fabrics. I got blue backing for the latest quilt and some dark brown that is the same as the braid quilt I made before going on holidays. I got the last of the bolt but I doubt that it is enough to back the quilt. I will put a piece of something else in the middle if it isn't because I really like the back of a quilt to match the front. I got a selection of black and whites too because I want to build up my B&W stash.
I also picked up this book about sewing strips and curves with my 40% off coupon that I got in the mail. I actually had to dig to the bottom of my garbage bag to get it because it was finished today and we had absolutely no plans to go to USA in the forseeable future. Luckily, it has been too windy to burn garbage.

More Fabric

It's a good thing I'm not on a fabric diet! I went to Winnipeg today and got some backing fabric, some white cotton for dyeing and some off white muslin. That's all I was going to get until I saw fabric that looks like a stormy sea and an off white with gold polka dots. Who could resist them? Not I. The color in the photo is very yellow, I suppose because I had to use the flash. The dot fabric is really a beautiful pale cream color and the dots are glittery gold. I just love it. I'll probably regret only getting a yard of it.
What I did forget to buy was more batting. I need a list and I actually had one in my pocket but didn't look at it. I would have probably had to go to a different store and we were getting hungry so I'll just wait until we go to Winkler for groceries and get it there.

The Haul

Here is a picture of the quilting fabric I got in the States. I also got a rotary blade sharpener. I am hoping it works well because I have lots and lots of dull blades, including the one that is in my rotary cutter right now.
The blues are for a duvet cover top that I have been planning to make for several months now. It will be very plain with fairly large squares or rectangles. Because it will be washed often, I don't want a lot of seams. I may offset the squares and serge it together.
The quilt show at the Plains Art Gallery in Fargo was absolutely fantastic. One wall had about 50 journal sized quilts arranged in a square that was very eye-catching. I came out of the gallery inspired to add beads, yarns and other found objects to my quilts. The thing that probably strikes you the most in any quilt show is the gorgeous colors and this one was no exception. If you are anywhere within striking distance, I'd say this show is one not to be missed.

New Fabrics

I knew I'd have to go back to the quilt sale. I went to get black fabric to border my M-A-M quilt but there was only polyester broadcloth (thin and shiny) in black but I couldn't come away empty handed could I? The gold and the pink with moon shape are for backings or borders of something else. I got the bright pink piece for the little figures. I want to make some more wonky houses and I have been watching for fabrics with little people or animals to put in the doorways. These are perfect and small enough that the houses will end up not too big. I find that when making Wonky Houses, the size of the door dictates the size of the rest of the house. I guess the landscape quilt is not meant to be at this time. I will probably make some wonky letters for this quilt but will have to see what sort of quote it needs once a few houses are done. The figures all seem to be ready to sleep so maybe something about night time or sleeping.

More Fabric

Yesterday we had to go to Winnipeg and I had time to stop at the quilting store that is closing down. (Thanks for the hint, Donna). There was very little left on the shelves but I still managed to find a few pieces that I liked. And there are a couple of pieces that I wish I had bought. There was a bright yellow with small bananas on it that tempted me but I left it there thinking that I'd never be able to use such a bright yellow. Now I kind of wish I had picked up a bit of it. I still don't think it would be easy to use but it was sooo nice and bright...
Today we are planning another Raku firing if the rain holds off. Stay tuned for the results.

New Fabrics

Today is the last day our fabric store will be open, but since we will be busy today, I went for a last splurge yesterday. All the quilting fabric was 60% off so I had to buy quite a bit. How to stop, or maybe why, was the question. I ended up with quite a nice assortment and they will match with what I already bought a few weeks ago. I also bought quite a few spools of thread. They didn't have much left but there was some that matched the purples. It all came to less than $100 so I was pretty happy.
Yesterday I got really tired of looking at the flowered fabric on my patchwork jacket so I took it all apart and removed that fabric. It was the last on so it was not that big a deal to take it off. Then I dyed a piece of cotton that I had on hand to a medium blue. I don't think it will exactly match the blue that is already on the jacket. I ran out of that dye and now I can't remember which one it was. I guess I should keep notes but that is just not my style. Maybe an New Year's Resolution? Anyway, stay tuned for a new look. I just didn't have any enemies bad enough to give it to as Lily suggested so I thought I had better remake it to something I actually like. I already liked everything except the flowers so it seemed sensible to change that.