Monday, April 20, 2009

I'm blaming it on David Archuleta

Hunting for Easter Eggs in the rocks! My kids love it!
Hi there all.
It's been a while since I've posted. As with many of you, it seems that Easter break was not as productive as I wanted in the stitching department. I ventured out on our annual camping trip with my Parents, Brother, and Kids (DH had to work) to the land of "Devil's Playground", in the Northwest corner of Utah. My kids think this is the best thing to do in the whole world. We've spent thousands of dollars on "real" trips, like Hawaii, Florida, and cruises, and hands down, they would rather go camping with their cousins. We did have a lot of fun, and I did get some stitching done. However, the second night the wind started to blow. It whipped us around like we were in a Hurricane. I lay there all night praying the trailer wouldn't tip over. Not fun!!!! My kids slept right through it. I wish I could do that. It left me tired, grumpy and longing for a hot shower and my stitching chair. Thank goodness it was time to go home. I really try to be a camping kind of girl, but alas, I am not that good at it. I can handle it for short periods, and I love to do the 4 wheeler thing. It's so fun! I guess it's something I can work on.The second part to Blackbird's Designs "Flea Market Find"
Here is what I got done over Easter break. I stitched the windows in the wrong color, and I'm in the process of ripping them out, and replacing them with the dark blue. I'm thinking about leaving the "back" side of the house with the light blue (What do you think?)

Now on to other things. Why am I blaming this post of David Archuleta? Well, if any of you watch American Idol, you know who this talented boy is. I do not watch much, if any, T.V., besides my beloved old movies. I'd heard his name before, but never heard any of his music, until the other day. I was hooked. I downloaded a bunch of songs on my zune, and went to bed listening to him croon in my ear. The next morning I met my dear Sis-in-law at Bernina (a fabric store in a nearby town) because they were having a 30% off sale. That David Archuleta was still singing in my head, and it put me in quite the buying mood. I bought fabric for several new projects.
I bought this pattern in Portland last month, and I can't wait to get going on it. It is so bright and fun, it will look perfect in my main room, which has red and white checkered couches. I bought much of the fabric at Quilters Haven in Bountiful, but still needed a few pieces to finish it. While I was burning up my credit card with purchases I threw in 2 fat quarters to use for the sun in the center of the quilt, but after getting home, I just wasn't happy with them. The colors were not "bright" enough. So with David Archuleta singing on, I went on a fabric buying spree on the Internet. I ended up finding the exact fabric she used on her quilt (It's been gone for a couple of years so I felt very fortunate to find it). I also decided to buy fabric for a dress and jacket, because I found a great fabric store on www.quiltshops.com, (This is a site that lists over 227 independent stores. If you know the fabric line you are looking for, chances are, someone will have it on this site). Whittles fabric had just what I needed (Flirt by Robyn Pandolf, for this green little number) and most of their fabric was $3.50 a yard. Even with shipping, it was a fabulous deal! I think I have a serious addiction to buying fabric. I really just love buying it, even if I never finish the projects I buy it for!!!
I'm going to Pennsylvania next month with my fabric buying clan, to the Spring Quilt Market. I can hardly wait. We are flying into Philadelphia, and then taking the "Amish Tour" to Lancaster. We will end up in Pittsburgh for the show, and then fly home from there. If any of you have been to the Amish areas, I would love some advice on what to see. I haven't found much on the Internet. Anyhoo (as Siobhan would say), I need a cute jacket for the trip, so I bought the fabric for this little number. I don't know why I think I can make clothes. The last time I made something for myself, it went in the garbage can, and I swore I would never make another item of clothing again. When I started quilting 9 years ago, I learned that a seam allowance is not a "general guideline" but something that really needs to be the same, on all seams. I have a lot of overinflated confidence that I can do this, so lets pray for the best. Most of the clothing patterns I'm doing are from Serendipity gifts. Kay is a fabulous designer, and she tells me it's not hard. We will see! The main fabric for my jacket I bought six months ago at a great store in Salt Lake City, called Home Fabrics (formally the $2.00 fabric store). I only paid $1.00 a yard!!!! I figured if I totally screw it up, I didn't spend more than $15.00 bucks on the whole thing, and I can again swear I'll never make anything.This is going to be a new purse. I love the fun bright fabrics that are coming out! I don't have anything to wear with this purse, so I might have to do a little more shopping when I'm done!!!
I went to my framers and dropped off "Angels O're this house", and while I was there, I found this little frame. I don't have a clue what I will use it for, but I just loved it, so it had to come home with me. David's spell had not worn off yet!
I started Blackbird Designs challenge of making their French Sampler while Alma and Barb are in France. this is what I have so far. I worked on it last night, but because my allergies have been giving me migraines, I can hardly see to sew. I just noticed that I will have unpick "A and B" because they are up 2 threads too high. I couldn't see last night! I'm using Thread Gatherers silk and R&R fabric. I'll find the names next time I post.
Saturday I got in a real spring cleaning mood. I spent half a day cleaning my bathroom, and the other half doing my bedroom. I have a tendency to "over decorate" and this tub rarely gets used because it had too many candles and decorations around it. I took almost everything off, and it's looking a little "bare" to me right now. However, I think it will entice me to fill it up a little more often. I could use a good soak every once in a while.

That's all that's going on in my neck of the woods. I'm anxious for school to get out, so I can enjoy the lovely weather. As always, thanks so much for your comments and friendship. I love my blogging friends!!!!!
BTW Check out Coldplay's new song, Viva la Vida. I think I'll be singing that for the next week or so. The sun is shining, and the top is down on the Mini! Heaven help me (and my credit card!)

6 comments:

Heather said...

I love all of the fabric you bought, it’s gorgeous. Sometimes you just have to go and get some things right? I am glad you had such a fun weekend. You are brave making clothes. I bought a book last week, to make skirts, so many people swear up and down it is the best book because it makes it simple. We will see, I need to sit down and read it thoroughly first. Good luck making your clothes! :D I have not been through Lancaster before, but other regions, I just like driving through them, it is a beautiful sight. Have fun on your trip.

Siobhán said...

Oooh, you have to take a nice hot bubble bath in that tub and look over your stash! I love to do that. People here haven't discovered the art of big baths, though, unfortunately! I still like to have a nice soak now & then, though.

Your Flea Market looks great! I am trying to get more done on Shores before I can pick mine up. I love your BBD mystery, too--the colors are great!

The fabrics you chose--gorgeous! I grew up about 45 minutes away from Lancaster and go there at least once every time we're back home. So, this will be a long comment--be prepared! ;) First, there are Amish house tours and things like that but I don't need to tell you that they're not 'really' done by the Amish--the Amish wouldn't do that. But they do a nice job of explaining how the Amish would live. You'll see signs in Lancaster proper for the houses, off Rt 896, etc. The area is beautiful but check what you're buying to make sure it's not schlock supposedly made by Pennsylvania Germans but actually made in China. I'd go south a bit (maybe 1/2 hour at best) from the airport to www.strawberrysampler.com and shop there for a bit--that's my wonderful LNS. Heading north, stop at Olde Ridge Village, a little shopping center type area, that has a beading shop, stencil shop, yarn shop & a quilt store. Fabric is full price there--not the same as you'll find in Intercourse, etc. Then take Route 1 through Chadds Ford--famous because of the Wyeths and the Brandywine Battlefield (Revolutionary War)--and hop on Route 896. Follow that into Strasburg. You'll bypass all the truck routes and you'll see the 'real Amish' area--it's incredible. You'll pass a bunch of beautiful Amish farms, little country shops, etc. Strasburg has a few nice country type stores, and you should definitely stop at www.eldrethpottery.com on 896--right near the Lancaster 'main drag'--and buy some salt glazed or redware pottery. Check out Tanya's blog at http://thescarletthouse.blogspot.com for some examples. There isn't much in the way of quilt stuff in Lancaster proper, they have a lot of outlets and stuff like that. I'd continue along 896--crossing over Rt 30, which is the 'main street' in Lancaster--and go into Bird in Hand and follow the signs for Intercourse. In Intercourse, there are a bunch of fabric shops run by the Amish--hope for good lighting! The quilt museum is there (not much to speak of, imho), Zook's has a big selection of fabric, as does Sauder's, etc. Just drive along the main road there and you'll see at least three fabric shops. I don't know if it's changed, but their prices are always significantly less than what they are in other shops in the surrounding area. I'm talking like 1/2 off. On your way out of that area, go to Zook's in Denver, PA. It's worth the little drive out of the way. The shop is in the basement of a house out in farm country--and be prepared, the bathroom is literally an outhouse--but the drive is worth it. Lots of fabrics, big brand names, at about 1/2 off. You can see their website at www.zandsfabrics.com. They are either Amish or Mennonite. I just suggest sticking to the 'byways' rather than the main roads of Lancaster, because as I said, they get a lot of truck traffic--Rt 41 can be trecherous--and you'll see the 'real' Amish way of life, and the prices in Intercourse & Denver & Strasburg are worth the trip.

Sorry to be so long winded!!

Deb said...

Well, I don't know how I missed your post Loraine! I love that fabric you got for your quilt and I love that quilt pattern! Wow! I haven't even looked at quilting stuff in a while (at least new stuff), but that is one nice pattern. I suppose I should just stick with what I've got going on here! You made a comment about what made you think you could make clothes, but I've got confidence that you can do it. If you can make a quilt and match up all the seams and all that goes into making a quilt, you'll be able to make that coat! That's a great pattern btw! I like your WIP on the BBD piece too! I was going to skip this, but then decided to jump on the bandwagon like everyone else. What rotation schedule, she says! LOL Oh well, it makes life fun even though I really need to stay on task with my projects! And about your bathroom - I love those tubs. I've got one too although I never find the time to get into it. The kids like it though! I had many dreams of just laying in mine and reading - HA, like that was going to happen. But I hear you on the decorating. My DH hates my tendence to overdecorate, so I've just got some candles around mine. Looks bare, but what are you going to do (plus I don't have to move a lot of stuff around to dust). Hope you have a great time in PA. I love it there but don't get to visit much. But you'll probably find a lot of stuff to bring home!

Jan said...

Loraine, I sure am playing catch up with my blog reading, been without internet for several days, and that is such a punishment!;)

First of all, love your egghunt in the hills, what fun! Also your bathtub, you do need to put it to good use, nothing like a long soak, I do it as often as I can!

Your Flea Market is looking wonderful! That house is quite alot of stitching in it, I have it started, I won't tell you how long, since it has been in my stitching hands, though! I will live vicariously through yours!:)

Tammy said...

Oh, please use that tub! It's beautiful. And David Archuleta sure did help you pick out some gorgeous things!!! Coldplay's Viva La Vida is probably my favorite song of the past year. You have awesome taste in all things!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Wow, Loraine! What Great fabrics and the quilt pattern is gorgeous. I lOVE the frame you found and your FMS is looking great. I would not frog the A and B - surely a 9 year old girl would make a mistake! I love your tub - I would so love one like that to soak in, light candles and have a glass of wine. Ahhhhhhh.......