Western Washington Quilt Shop Hop - Day #2

I'm back on the road for Day #2 of the Quilt Shop Hop.  Ten more shops on the schedule for today, beginning in Olympia and ending in Vancouver, Washington (home for me).  Given that day two would take me through some smaller towns I wasn't sure quite what to expect but I'm up for an adventure so let's go!



Stop #1 - Bayside Quilting, Olympia, WA
What a find!  I walk in to find all the ladies that work there with red polka dot ribbons in their hair (like "Rosie the Riveter") and guess what?  I'm wearing red polka dot Keds!  Seriously, the store scores as one of my favorites.  Lots of room to wander and wonderful fabric selections.  I picked up a couple of batiks to go with fabric I found the day before.  I will most certainly be back!


Stop #2 - Ruby Street Quiltworks, Tumwater
Just a bit south on I-5 is Ruby Street.  It is right off the freeway so quick to get to.  While I didn't purchase anything here it was worth the stop.  They had an offer with their quilt block (return to the store with it completed by July 31st and you get 40% off a single cut of fabric).  We'll see :-)






Stop #3 - Quilter's Junction, Centralia, WA
Look at those shutters!  What a great way to quickly dress an otherwise boring warehouse building.  Walk inside and you're in a cozy quilt shop.  There were a lot of locals in the shop at the time and can tell it is a favorite hangout for quilters.  I found some very cute sock money fabric to make into a pillowcase for my nephew.  You could incorporate this stop in with a stop at the outlets (just saying)!


Stop #4 - Sister's Fabric, Chehalis, WA

Sister's Fabrics is so adorable that it was worthy of two photos (and yes, I'm entered to win that amazing quilt, fingers crossed).  Every square inch of the store is utilized.  Fabric is double stacked and patterns are on each end of a row.  There were amazing quilts on display as well.  This little gem is nestled in a great area to stroll the streets and grab a bite to eat!



I did purchase a pattern from the store and looking forward to selecting fabric in the near future.  As I was leaving I happened to leave my quilt block kit behind but thankfully they tracked me down - much appreciated.  
The shop finishes in my top 5 favorites!







Stop #5 - The Quilt Nest, Castle Rock, WA
Well the day of great little shops continues.  I had never been into the town of Castle Rock (just saw the exit going up and down I-5) and was quite impressed.  One thing I noticed was the number of themed prints they had (you know what I mean - you need to make a quilt for a person into hunting and looking for a fabric or two).  Well, this is your place.  If you live in Vancouver this really isn't that far out of town.

Are you thinking I should be stopping for a bite to eat?  Well no time for that today!  I saved half my sandwich from yesterday and kept it in a cooler along with water.  Time is a wasting and I need to get to stop #6!

Stop #6 - Longview Sewing, Longview, WA
Evidently Longview is taking advantage of the summer weather and getting roadwork done.  Traffic, traffic everywhere (and some rude drivers).  That being said, I arrived at the shop.  Not a lot to see from the outside but once inside you will find the place full of light.  I found a piece of fabric to use for a backing on a quilt (don't we all have around 5 or so projects going at once?).  To my surprise it was on clearance - $6.99 a yard - SCORE!




 

Stop #7 - Momma Made It, Longview, WA
The next shop is just a few blocks away from my last stop.  How convenient, especially given the traffic.  The picture I'm posting was actually taken from the internet as I forgot to take a photo.  Truthfully, I thought the store felt a bit darker.  The majority of the fabric had a vintage look.  They were beautiful just not what I'm drawn to.  That being said the fabrics were lovely and good to keep in mind if working on a project with that sort of feel (in fact, I sent a message to a friend while there who is working on a vintage project).






Stop #8 - Paisley Duck Quilting, Kelso, WA
Yep!  Just when I'm thinking that I've bit off more than I can take in one day I arrive at Paisley Duck.  Who knew that Kelso had such a great store?  I'm most impressed by the little touches in the store.  Projects that are just a bit out of the ordinary (right up my alley) and fabric lines that I haven't seen at other stores on my trip.  They also had refreshments for weary travelers and displays of past shop hop quilts.  Inspiring!


Stop #9 - Just For Fun Quilting, Vancouver
Well, we're back in the 'Couve, my hometown for the past 30 years.  And wouldn't you know it?  I've never been to Just for Fun.  Evidently they have quite a following as the owner explained she has expanded several times over the past 5 years.





- Stop #10 - Fiddlesticks, Vancouver WA
Well, here we are.  The final stop of the journey.  Fiddlesticks is about 3 miles from my house so I know them well.  They have had quite a run on the shop hop fabric (good thing I didn't wait until the last stop to purchase).  I turned in my passport here with 20 stamps which puts me in the running for some fabulous prizes!


Well, there you have it.  Western Washington Quilt Shop Hop 2014 is in the books.  All in all I would say I was more impressed with the shops from day #2.  As I stated above, most of the shops are in small towns with fewer people to pull from and it shows.  They go above and beyond with customer service, project ideas and selection of fabrics.

I now have 20 blocks begging for attention but of course they are going to have to wait for other projects ahead of them.  I look forward to returning to several of the shops I have discovered along the journey as I travel up and down the I-5 corridor.  I hope my blog gives you a bit of insight as to what is out there.  Perhaps I'll see you next year!

The 3 R's of Recycling - Reduce, Reuse & REPAINT!!!

I love color in my life and enjoy painting.  Our backyard is a display of just how much this is true.  We built a deck two summers ago and I've decorated the area with multiple colors,  fabrics and textures.  This year when we put out the deck furniture I took one look at our outdoor dining table and knew it either had to go or get some sort of facelift.  Here is how I look at paint and color - go for it!  If at first you don't like the outcome then paint again!

You can see from the pictures at the bottom of this post the metal on the chairs had faded over time.  I was never a fan of the tiles that came with the table and thought the paint would either adhere and look good or I'd be begging "Todd the Builder" to cut down some new tile for me.

I initially painted all the tiles yellow and the table a bright red but found it just didn't look quite right so I mixed in some orange tiles and painted the chair frames the same color.  I'm quite please with the outcome - much more cheerful and fits in with the chair pads and umbrella.  What happens when I have to get new pads and an umbrella?  Yep - more paint!

Western Washington Quilt Shop Hop 2014 - Day One

Imagine visiting twenty quilt shops in two days.  Achievable? Yes.  A bit crazy? Perhaps.  Western Washington holds a quilt shop hop every June and I decided to take part of the fun this year.  I planned out a route and determined I could visit ten stores each day.  There were a total of forty-two stores participating in the event (I'm not that crazy nor do I have that much free time).  


There was a line of fabrics (eight total) designed exclusively for the event by In The Beginning Fabrics and Clothworks.  Each quilt shop then designed a quilt square that incorporates the fabrics and gives them away (as a kit) during the event.  I personally thought the fabrics were very nice, especially the polka dots (always a favorite of mine).  You could then purchase more of the fabric at the participating stores but it is only available until stock runs out.  Finishing packages were available as were fat quarter bundles (I purchased both early on in the event).

The event begins at 9am and I'm at the first store right on time.  Given that this was my first time to attend such an event I wasn't quite sure what to expect but ready to take it all in.  I kept notes and tried to remember to take pictures at each stop in order to share my impressions.

Stop #1 - The Needle and I, Everett Washington
The store is both a fabric store and Bernina dealer.  It is located in a rather odd location (not close to other retail stores).  I found the store to be nice and cheery but not the most memorable or overstocked.  

Stop #2 - Keepsake Cottage Fabrics, Bothell, WA
In one word - quaint.  The shop is located in an area called Country Village.  There are several retail shops and restaurants in the village (one could spend a good part of the day here).  The shop carries a wide selection of Moda fabrics and makes good use of every square foot of space.  I will most certainly be back!

Stop #3 - Gathering Fabric, Woodinville, WA
One of my favorites stops of the day.  The shop is located in the town of Woodinville which is also known for its wineries.  The shop had an elegant yet welcoming feel to it.  There were several items on display made from the shop hop fabrics and several kits were available.  

Stop #4 - Quiltworks Northwest, Bellevue, WA
While the area of Bellevue is known for being upscale the quilt shop was not.  About half of the store was dedicated to beads and jewelry supplies (not something I do).  It is not far off of I-405 but use a GPS to find the store as it can be a bit difficult to find.

Stop #5 - Taylor Creek Quilt Studio, Maple Valley WA
I wish I had gone to Glossypium in Issaquah prior to this stop as both are a bit off the beaten path but not all that far from one another.  The shop is located behind a gas station in an older building but every square foot of space was put to good use (don't judge the shop by curb appeal).  They had a clearance table that I zeroed in on and took advantage of.  Keep in mind the shop is about 12 miles east of I-405 (but worth the drive).

After 5 stops it was time for lunch.  As I head back for I-405 to continue my trip my route brings me back into the town of Renton.  There is a restaurant there I like called The Red House.  It is located in a rustic home that was once a boarding house for railroad workers.  They offer a menu featuring fresh foods from the northwest and a wonderful selection of wines.  After a bit of a break and a great meal it is time to get back on the road - five more stops to go!

Stop #6 - Running Stitch Fabrics, Kent, WA
Another great stop and not too far from lunch in Renton.  The store is located in an older store-front.  There were several quilts on display as well as other projects and the store was offering coffee, cold water and treats for all the shop hoppers (nice touch).
                                                   

Stop #7 - The Quilt Barn, Puyallup, WA
Another one of my favorite stops.  Fabric, fabric everywhere!  I was impressed how the fabrics were displayed by color scheme.  I found three beautiful fabrics here for a quilt I'm designing for my father-in-law.  Just to let you know, the building doesn't look like a barn :-)



Stop #8 - Parkland Parish Quilts, Tacoma, WA (Actually - Spanaway, WA)
The store is locate in an old church and includes a "Quilters Confessional".  The store also had several quilts and projects on display and was worthwhile stop.  It is a popular store and the first stop where I heard stores running out of the shop hop fabric.  The store had a very large selection of sale fabric (50% off).  I plan to revisit the store next time I'm in the area.

Stop #9 - Evergreen Quilting, Tacoma WA (Also, Spanaway area)
Fortunately this stop was very close to Parkland Parish as I would not have wanted to drive out of my way to visit the store.  The store was rather dark and not very well stocked with fabric.  Not one to go out of the way for.

Stop #10 - Calico Threads, Tacoma WA
Keep in mind that an address in Tacoma covers a broad area.  If you were planning on heading up towards Port Townsend, Squim and such this would be on the way but if you're making your way up or down I-5 this is a bit of a drive.  The store is rather small but well stocked.  Truthfully, I was a bit tired and done looking at fabric for the day so probably not giving it a fair review.  The staff was very friendly.



Day one complete.  I've enjoyed my day and now know of a few stores I'd like to revisit when in the area.  I do wish my friend had been able to join me but perhaps best for me to try this on my own the first year to get the lay of the land.

Day two will be posted soon!


 

Make a Pillowcase - Brighten the World

There is a campaign in the sewing/quilting world to make and donate one million pillowcases to charity.  It is an easy way to help brighten someone's day and inexpensive as well.  I have made quilts to help out children in foster care and plan to participate in this campaign as well.  Even if you don't sew often this is an easy project to complete.

If you would like more details visit: 

www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases


The site includes patterns, a list of charities and other helpful links.  


In addition to the patterns there are tutorials online.  I watched one from the Missouri Star Quilting Company.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrYWCma9wgM&feature=kp



Pillowcases make great gifts to friends and family as well.  I just made a couple for my nephews (ages 7 and 9) and of course reinforced the seams to allows for plenty of pillow fights.

 

 
 

Business Travel = Glamorous Life, NOT!

I thought I’d take a bit of time a share a day in the life of business travel.  Sometimes we’re fortunate to get an upgrade to first class but other days the plane doesn’t have a first class cabin, you’re number one on the list and the cabin fills up or the partner airline doesn’t extend first class privileges.  Today is one of those days of no upgrade.

Let me set the scene for you.  I’m in Laredo.  It’s hot, and I mean hot – 105 degrees and humid!  We’re wrapping up two days of meetings with about 30 of my colleagues and it is time to head to the airport.  Of course we can’t seem to locate everyone that’s riding in my vehicle (imagine herding cats, in the heat!).  We finally head for the airport about 20 minutes behind schedule but no worries.  We’re all seasoned travelers, have boarding passes on our phones, have TSA Pre-Check privileges and after all, Laredo only has three gates in the airport for goodness sakes.  We should be fine, right?  Oh, the fun begins.

We get inside (anxious to get out of the 105 degree temps) and notice that the cold breeze of air conditioning isn’t in the air.  Furthermore, colleagues that left 20 minutes before us are waiting in the line where you check bags.  What’s going on?  We walk on over and Jim advises that the power is out, all systems are down and we all need to wait in line for a boarding pass.  Okay, I’m a seasoned traveler.  I can roll with this.  We wait in line together chatting it up to pass the time.  There is this one woman who comes up with a large suitcase and walks past us demanding her place back in line (apparently she thinks she can get out of line and get free “comesy backsy” privileges).  Whatever, again, we do this travel thing around 40 weeks a year.  Once this woman gets to the front of the line she drops her stuff and runs out the door.  We all turn and watch… here she comes again with more bags and child carseats (ugh, the dreaded sign of children on the plane, young children). 

I finally get to the front of the line, show my electronic boarding pass and ID to the agent and am told to proceed to security.  Remember, the power is out, it is 105 degrees outside and no air conditioning (apparently they either don’t have a generator or it wasn’t working).  I try not to check my bag when I travel so I’ve got it along with a stuffed laptop bag (all legal, one fits in the overhead and the other under the seat – just a bit heavy).  No electricity means no escalator so up the stairs I go, luggage in tow.  I get to the front of the security line and guess what?  The TSA agent can’t read my electronic boarding pass!  So, back down the stairs I go (again, luggage in hand) and back into the line for the ticket agent (no, I didn’t try to cut and was about tenth in line). By the way, the woman who had the mounds of luggage is still there checking in and it turns out she is not only traveling with children but three of them.  Her grandmother is traveling with her as well but neither seem to have control of the children (all under the age of four I’m guessing).  They are running everywhere and screaming when they are caught.  Great, they are going to be on my plane.  Just a fashion tip, older women who are overly large really don’t pull off overly bedazzeled jeans very well.  Okay, maybe at this point the heat and all is beginning to get to me.

I’m starting to get a bit nervous about the time that has passed but finally get to the front and am given a piece of paper that has clearly been photocopied a thousand times.  My name, the date and flight number are hand written on the paper along with the dreaded words “open seating”.  I haul my luggage back up the steps, get back to that lovely TSA agent and finally get through security, but wait.  I’m on the border so there is Border Security to get though (those are the better looking agents in the green uniforms with the guns and the badges).  The agent asks me where I was born.  It took me a moment but I came up with the correct answer.  So, onto the security screening.  I have TSA pre-check so no big deal right?  Not so fast.  By the way, if you are wondering how they powered the x-ray machine, baggage screening machine and a fan (to keep the TSA agents cool) they had it hooked up to a battery.

I politely ask the screener if I have to remove my shoes, liquids, etc. since I have TSA Pre-Check.  She tells me no as long as I can prove it.  I pull out my electronic boarding pass that shows this but am told that since the TSA agent couldn’t scan it I will have to go through regular scanning.  Really, how else do you want me to “prove” this?  Oh well, breath…  I go through the x-ray and of course a couple of spots show up as questionable (and no, it wasn’t a strand of pearls this time).  I turn around to see where I’m going to be checked (knee and wrist).  I realize the brilliant screener who wouldn’t let me go through as Pre-Check also checks the wrong wrist.  Wow!

Okay, I’ve made it through security.  We find out our plane is running a bit late, so what do you do when you are on your way home and waiting for your plane?  Grab a beer with your friends.  Not so fast, the bar is closed!  After a couple of moments of disbelief we all head over toward our gate.  We start chatting about this “open seating” situation and decide we should go stand in the boarding line in hopes of seats towards the front as we all have connections (and our plane is running late).  The plane arrives but we never see any passengers come through the door.  Then it dawns on us, no power means no jetway.  A gate agent arrives with two sheets of papers listing our names.  Somehow they managed to print this out but it doesn’t look like a normal manifest.  It is in alphabetical order (I’m good at reading upside down) but apparently the gate agent doesn’t excel in alphabetical skills.  I get checked off the list and head through the doors to board the plane.  No power and no jetway means another flight of stairs (with luggage in hand).  Down we go and out into that humid 105 degree temperature.  I drop off my larger bag on the outside cart (plane holds 45 passengers) and board the plane.  My assigned seat is 3C so I head for it.  Fortunately, a co-worker is seated next to me (someone I know, not annoying and can carry on a conversation with if we choose to).  No power means no air conditioning on the plane while we’re on the ground and “open seating” means it takes longer to board the plane.  The flight attendant explained (several times) if a person had an assigned seat and can prove it (with that electronic boarding pass that got me nowhere earlier as an example) then it is their seat.  Finally, we all get a seat (including two people we knew that were flying stand-by).  All is well, right? 

Apparently the lack of power impacts the pre-flight check process.  I don’t know why but I’m certainly hoping that the Traffic Control Tower has a working back-up generator.  All of the sudden the pilot explains to the flight attendant that we have a weight distribution issue (not uncommon on a small commuter plane).  She headed to row four (right behind us) and says that three people between row four and seven have to move to the back of the plane.  The nice quiet couple behind us volunteer along with someone else.  Guess who moved right behind us?  Yep!  Great Grandma, mom and the brood of unruly children. Grandma sat down behind me and proceeded to pull my seat multiple times and put her knees in my back.  But that was nothing compared to the kicks we received from the children (hair pulling too).  Neither could keep the kids in their seats so they ran around the plane.  The flight attendant kept catching them and bringing them back throughout the flight.  Remember, the bar was closed in the airport so at this point we’re waiting for the beverage cart.  Guess what?  No ice!  I opted for a glass of water and leaning forward in my seat in order to avoid the kicks in the back.  At this point my co-worker and I just started laughing.  I work for a German company and the co-worker I’m seated next to happens to be German.  We chat about an article in the paper that shows wheels on a mining machine about three times the height of a normal human.  The flight attendant stops by to ask what language the paper is in and we tell her German.  She seems completely confused how we can read a paper in German and converse in English (I don't read German by the way).

Thankfully it is finally time to land in Dallas.  Since most people on the flight are connecting the flight attendant runs through the list of connecting gates.  You know how it goes, it is always alphabetical (Albany, etc.).  Clearly this girl did not graduate with honors in geography (or at least the pronouncing of cities).  Her challenges included Guadalajara, Lubbock and Tucson, wow! 

We arrived in Dallas a bit late, but fortunately on time to make connections.  Yes, changes in gates occurred and such but that’s stuff we roll with every day.  On my second flight I finally was able to enjoy that well deserved cocktail.  Of course today was one of those days without an upgrade so you can see the spacious and glamorous set-up I have going.  Cheers everyone!

 

Shut the Front Door! Okay, the Shed Door.

I thought I'd take a break from posting about quilts (besides, do you know how long a quilt takes to put together?  You'd only hear from me every few months or so!).

I'm always looking for fun and creative ideas for wreaths and such.  While I find wreaths made from the traditional flowers beautiful they don't really fit in with our  decor.  My friend Renee posted an idea on Facebook for a wreath using a hose, some flowers,  ribbon and a pair of garden gloves.  I thought it was a great idea and ran out that very afternoon to pick up what I needed (and raided my crafting stash - amazing what I can find on hand).  While I did buy a new hose you could certainly clean up an old hose that has a hole or two in it.  I did utilize the twist ties from the new hose to attach the flowers to the wreath and changed things up a bit from the original photo by adding a bird and garden tools.

The wreath gives a pop of color and whimsy to an otherwise plain shed door. 

Here is what you need if you'd like to make one for your door:

- 8 Foot Garden Hose
- Wire To Attach Items
- Wire Cutters (just remember to return them to the place you found them in the garage)
- A bunch of Artificial Flowers
- Ribbon (For Hanging & Bow - it also helped to attach items and hide wire)
- Decorative Items (I used garden gloves, garden tools and a bird)

Directions:

Wrap the hose to the desired size (if you purchased a new hose use the ties it came with to tie together to hold size.

Attach flowers next then add the garden tools and gloves (again, you can use one of the twist ties from the hew hose).

Trim up the wires.

Tie a bit of the ribbon around the tools and gloves in order to hide the wire.

Make a bow and attach on top of the ribbon (I used a large floral pin).

Attach the bird (or whatever you like to hose).  This helps to balance things out.

Finally, take a length of ribbon and create a loop at the top in order to hang.

There you go!