Mental Health Weekend!

What a great weekend.....so much fun -- so much laughter -- and so much catching up.  

After being gone from Chicago for two months, two very dear friends came for a visit to see rural Kentucky, do a little quilting, and catch up on our lives.  Skype is good.  Texts are good.  Email is good.  Old fashioned phone calls are great -- but face to face is the best!  So much to show them and so much to do -- along with projects and brainstorming and dreaming/planning.

You may have read a previous post about Whittle's Fabrics.  Just 30 minutes from where I live is a fabric shop like no other I've been to before.  First run fabrics are $3.50-$7.00 per yard because of low overhead, no advertising, lower cost of living.  The selection is not like a quilt shop but if you're looking to build a stash, buy backings, buy neutrals, get some wide backs, pick up a few batiks, love Civil War prints - this is the place for you.  We estimate they bought 122 yards of fabric!  Seriously....122 yards.  And I should mention, I went back earlier this week and picked up about 30 more after "shopper's remorse" set in and sadness developed over not picking up "more" of some fabrics.

 In addition to a little shopping at Whittles, we were able to squeeze in a trip to the Zappo's outlet (2 pairs of boots, three pairs of shoes bought -- all for less than $200); visit Among Friends which is an incredible quilt shop in Louisville KY with so many samples that's it's almost overwhelming -- and a notions wall to die for.  I believe another 20 yards may have been purchased there.  And finally -- lunch at Lynn's Paradise Cafe which is an absolute hoot!  Wonderful food.  A decor unlike most that you've seen.  Good service.  And fun.....before the airport.  Alas.  Too soon they had to wing their way back to the Windy City....without me.

The good news (for me) is that I'm driving up next week to visit and get some long arming done on a Gammill that one of them graciously shares.  I'll have a car load of fabric and a little Featherweight that didn't make the trip back to Chicago so that some shoes/fabric could!

So-my quilting mojo is renewed, I've gotten to see people I care about "live and in person", and I am reminded that friends are friends -- wherever you are.  Acquaintances are "local" and usually stay acquaintances -- friends go with you in your heart, wherever your heart is!

I hope you are finding time to piece and sew and visit with friends!  Jan

PS -- the quilts in the post are relevant only in the fact that these were the ones on the beds that they slept it.

A finish - and two shameless plugs

Hurray -- one more done and on its way!  Hopefully this will get to Missoula, Montana by today.  A special young man is getting married this weekend and this was made in his honor.  Joe was our son's roommate in college for three years (including a year of "exchange" at the University of Montana in Missoula).  What a wonderful state and great people.

Joe has relocated to Missoula and started his own business (here comes the first "plug").  An artist in many mediums, Joe has started "Leather and Canvas" and focuses on handmade equipment for the outdoor sports person -- particularly the fly fishing fan.  He started on an old sewing machine of his mothers and scouted yard sales as he would burn up machines. Everytime we visited them in college, we found a new creation (bag, pack, jacket, charcoal drawing, nude in oils, something! - His creativity knows no bounds). 

Today, he is still a home based business but is growing in reputation and building a following.  Check him out and be sure to link to some of his artwork.  His journey is similar to a quilters -- a desire to design and produce original designs -- all on a sewing machine and by hand.   We wish Jen and him the best.  He's an absolute doll!  http://www.leatherandcanvas.com/

This quilt was made with a set of FQ (20) out of Valori Wells Olive Rose collection (the second plug is coming!).  They were given to me by my sister a year ago at Christmas and she will not mind my telling you they were 20 FQ for $20.  True story.  First run fabrics and lots of fun.  If you have never checked out Whittles Fabrics -- you must. 

I would not call Whittles a "quilt store" -- they are more of a "fabric store" that caters to quilters.  And their prices reflect their approach to lower overhead than a quilt shop, a focus on value, and a lower cost of living than many locations.  You cannot find better service, more helpful staff, and better regular priced fabric than Whittles.  They are usually cheaper than the sale rack at the LQS!  The Moda wide backs are wonderful and reasonable.  So, if you're looking for a new source of fabric that doesn't break the bank - check them out.  http://www.whittlesfabrics.com/

That's it from the world of temp living -- I hope you are piecing, appliquing, and quilting to your heart's content!  Jan