Why Don't I Go Every Year???

The Shop Hop was amazing. This is only about the 3rd year I have gone. It always seems like I am working and can't get off. But this year I am so glad I went. Look at this blue and white quilt using Flying Geese. I've got to make it.....someday. And then this Stretched Star looks so happy with all the fun fabrics.

Originally I purchased some 30's fabrics for a Dresden using red polka dot fabrics for the background and centers.

But then Martha pointed out the quilt below and now I think I may need to make that one.....
....someday.

I always love black, white and red and any fabric with black in it was 20% off.

The Twister quilts were so fun to make and when I saw a Twister quilt (like the one at the top of this post---it was here but somehow it moved and now I can't figure out how to get it back down here!!) I knew I needed to make it......someday.

I saw this bag pattern in Quilt magazine for June/July 2011. It is called Asian Flair designed by Deborah Stanley. I loved the drama of the red and black fabrics but when I saw the pink and black fabric it just said "buy me buy me". So I'll be making this cute bag.....someday.

Now these red and white polka dot fabrics are just sitting waiting for some companion fabrics but I think I'll still use them for a Dresden Plate but I saw some awesome cherry fabrics that I'm sure will go with them perfectly. Oh darn, I'll have to make another fabric run.

For the last few months I've been admiring a Halloween quilt I've seen in several quilting magazines. Purchased the Cake stack and I'm ready to sew.....someday.

I did head down to my sewing room Saturday after all my company left and managed to turn these started blocks into several finished blocks. Just a few more to go and I can start putting them together into a quilt top.

What a fun few days with good friends, lots of new fabric and ideas, and inspiration.

Happy Quilting! Lynda

MORE SHOP HOP

We were greeted by these colorful chickens at Thimbles and Threads in Draper. When I started to take this picture the clerk went to get out of the picture. I told her to stay so everyone could see how smiling and happy everyone is that works there. I'd be happy to if I worked at a fabric store. Of course, I would never get a paycheck .....in money!

There front porch is so inviting with lots of chairs, rockers and flowers to enjoy. Lots of us were taking advantage of them too.

This is the baby section of the store. Love that cute little buggy and rattle quilt.

Their theme quilt was amazing! They took each shops quilt block pattern and incorporated it into the book bindings on the shelf. The leaves on the plant are 3 dimensional and the glass on the clock was made of clear plastic. It was a fantastic quilt.

Quilt Etc. has always been a favorite of mine. ( I think I may feel that way about all the shops!!) They have every fabric imaginable. Their theme, "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" became evident at the front door with the crime scene tape across everything. The clerks had top hats and mustaches. This shop also served a lunch to everyone of barbeque sandwiches, chips, cookies and punch. Lots of fun games too.

Here's Dee writing just one more check!

Martha trying to decide on a vine green fabric for a project she started several years ago.

This is a view of some of the shoppers, fabrics, monthly blocks etc.

We went to 2 other shops but somehow I didn't get any pictures. Broadbents in Lehi had the theme "The Great Gatsby" and they had a quilt with the most amazing appliqued and thread art lady of the times. (Don't you hate it when someone tells you about something fantastic and then doesn't have a picture to share!!!).

We had a great day and sorry to miss out on the other shops. It's about a 2 hour drive from the Northern most to the Southern most shop in the Shop Hop. We overheard one lady say they allow 15 minutes per shop so they can get to all of them in one day. 15 minutes??? That's not even long enough to fondle all the lovely fabrics. We were gone for almost 9 hours and made it to 9 shops. I think that was pretty good.

Tomorrow: a couple of pictures of quilts that I just HAVE to make someday and the fabric I purchased.

Happy Quilting! Lynda

WASATCH FRONT SHOP HOP

I've been busy for several days with my daughter, SIL and granddaughter, son, DIL, and granddog (yes I said dog!) visiting. We've had lots of fun at the aquarium, playing games, visiting, laughing and eating but now they have all left for home and our house is sooooo QUIET!!


Friday I took a day off work and went shop hopping with 3 of my quilting friends. What a fun day. By the time we hit our 9th shop our feet were telling us it must be time to quit tho. Here are a few pictures of the places we shopped. The theme of the Shop Hop this year was great books. The shops were all decorated and the clerks all decked out in costumes. Elaine's Quilt Block in Cottonwood Heights had the book "Treasure Island". Everyone was dressed as pirates.

Here are my 3 friends, Dee, Martha and Suzanne checking out the pirate map quilt. Each shop had its own block, which they gave us the pattern for, and a quilt using the patterns. It was fun to see each shops interpretation of the book.

The lines for cutting and paying got pretty long sometimes but it was all fun waiting for the games, the prizes and the treats.

Pine Needles in West Jordan had "Saving CeeCee Honeycutt. Don't you just want to fun your hands over that fabric.

The squares on the floor were for a game. Every shop had oodles of quilts and kits and animal pillows and sales.

Piper's Quilts & Comforts in Salt Lake City Had "Alice in Wonderland". I love all the oldhats on display on the wall.

Outside is so beautiful. The Clematis were in full bloom and the house and yard looked like a wonderland. They even had a table set up where children could make the cutest flower ring pin holder.

One shop I've always loved is Whimsey Cottage in Holladay. They had the perfect book, "Where the Wild Things Are"......because they have the best wild fabric around. They specialize in wild and busy imaginitive quilts. Here Dee is resting her feet in the perfect sitting area to check out their books.

Don't know if you can see the 2 quilts hanging on the wall behind the check out table. One is the Cat in the Hat and the other is beautiful, bright colored houses. We left our homes about 8:30 a.m. and got back home about 5:30 p.m.

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More shops tomorrow and a look at my purchases!

Happy Quilting! Lynda