Needful Things

Let me begin by thanking you, my dear blogging friends, for your warm and touching comments on my last post regarding my Dad. I know we all suffer these losses in our lives, and having friends offer kind words of sympathy and encouragement means so much. 

Today I had the pleasure of attending a class taught by Lisa Bongean from Primitive Gatherings. I was at her website a month ago and noticed that she would be in the Phoenix area this month, so I quick called the shop where she was teaching and got the last spot! I didn't even care what project she was teaching, I just wanted to be in her class. This sweet little table mat is called Needful Things. Lisa gave us all kinds of tips and techniques for wool stitchery. Including "keep the steam iron moving" when you are fusing the wool in place. This was one I needed to keep in mind as I have a tendency to press down and scorch the wool. Ouch. Not a good look. So my project is all pressed in place and I will have hours of enjoyment as I perfect my embroidery stitches. Lisa is a great teacher. I am so glad I was able to take this class from her. Sadly, I was so busy stitching away that I forgot to take any photos!

Now a word about the shop I was at. It is called Olde World Quilt Shoppe and is about a 50 minute drive from my house. I had not been out to the shop before, but will definitely be going back again. The shops close to where I live focus on bright and modern prints. While I appreciate that look, it is not me. (My granddaughters? Yes!) Olde World Quilt Shoppe is filled with awesome plaids and beautiful flannels and wools, along with wonderful Civil War repros. Lots of kits and beautiful quilts on display. Plus the staff was so friendly! I immediately relaxed into a state of total bliss. They were named a Top Shop in 2009 (AP&Q Quilt Shop Sampler magazine). Great shop!

So that was my fun day. I came home to find that my granddaughter Mary had made dinner and Super Bowl treats. A good day made even better--I didn't have to cook!

 

Needful Things: Good friends, a little sewing, and someone else cooking!

I hope your needs are being met as well as my own were today!

Marcie

FINDING FRIENDS AND FABRIC

Here I am in Atlanta, visiting my daughter, and who should I find but Ms. Sew Primitive! Karen came and picked me up on Friday and we hugged like old buddies, which, due to excessive e-mailing, we actually are! But this is the first time we have met face to face, and though we both joked about "what if we hate each other?" we knew we wouldn't. Karen actually lives on the other side of town from my daughter, so while in this area we visited two shops that she hadn't been to. The first was the Scarlet Thread, which is a beautiful new shop, bright and lovely as its contents. It carries bright and beautiful fabrics. We both found some fabric that we purchased, even in the midst of all that brightness! Remember, Karen and I are both residing mostly in the 19th Century! (In terms of our quilts).
Second stop was Sweet Home Quilt Shop in Conyers, GA. This shop occupies a darling house that is on the historical register. As you can see, there are lovely quilts hanging on porch railings and swings, etc. It is so welcoming!
Yup, here we are, enchanted by this old beauty on the porch. I am referring to the quilt of course.
Inside we met these two nice ladies! We took an action shot of Pam on the left, and shop owner Melisa on the right cutting fabric. Karen and I felt right at home at Sweet Home! Then we found out that Melissa reads our blogs! She was especially familiar with Karen and asked her about Rembrandt! Isn't that funny! Melisa has a blog also. Check it out!

As we left this charming shop we noticed these irresistible stone steps just begging to be photographed. This was the perfect photo op for our purchases.

We spent the evening at Karen's house wading through her many vintage quilts and current projects. I met Rembrandt when I first entered, but then she went into hiding for the rest of the evening. More of that in a future post!