Sunday, August 10, 2008

So Tell Me, How Was Your Weekend?

On Saturday I spent the day quilting at my LQS with two very nice ladies, Jo & Di from my Wednesday nite group and of course Susie the shop owner joined us when she could. And then there are the shoppers that sit with us a spell. It's a small world. Both of these ladies (Jo & Di) happen to know my ex-mother-in-law and all were good friends with the family. We shared a lot memories, it was funny to think that we could have actually crossed paths before. We even gave her a call and she was thrilled. Now we are going to plan a little train ride together to visit her. It should be fun! I can imagine all three of us sitting, doing hand work and giggling through the whole trip. While we were there Jo started talking about Verna Mosquera's new pattern. We share a love of applique and Verna's stuff is so beautiful. I knew exactly what pattern she was referring to, Faded Glory! . (My good friend, Deb had called on a Friday while at the Long Beach Quilt show told me to go check it out at Verna's site.) Can we say ADORABLE! O yes we can!. Well Jo was telling me that she ordered the kit from InBetween Stitches. She mentioned that she always liked what they put together. I was sure that I would do this quilt, but I was thinking that maybe I would just pull fabrics myself. Well one by one everyone left and I was still trying to finish the potato bag and Susie tells me that Jo is on the phone and not to leave, she will be right down. OH Boy! What's up? Well Jo went home to find her kit from InBetween Stitches on her doorstep and wanted to show it to me! What an enabler she is and I just met her!!! I kept thinking about that kit all nite. Everytime I try to pull my own fabrics I end up with WAY too much!
The Faded Memories line that I used to make "Rabbits Prefer Chocolate"? Well, I made the bag using only left overs and look! I still have a bunch! I don't mind having it, but I have this problem with using it all up, gosh what happens if I need it for something else? See, if I don't have it in the first place then I won't miss it! But once I have it, I'm in trouble. So all nite I'm thinking about going to Livermore and buying a kit. I talked to Deb and she tells me... don't buy the pattern!! Ooops! My anxiousness spoiled Deb's surprise for me. But she certainly had that gift right!! I called my son and arranged to meet him for dinner decided to hit the road about 2pm. I spent the morning trying to free motion the baby quilt, but actually I spent the morning ripping out whatever I accomplished. I hate it when that happens.
When I got to the shop, I asked for the kits, they asked if I had one on hold, WHAT? NO! They told me the only ones they had were on hold. She opened a drawer and there were the kits and my name wasn't on one of them! DARN DARN DARN....Oh I should have called! Darn! Darn! Darn!, I was so upset! The whole drive over I was thinking that I should have just called and ordered it, with the price of gas, it might have been cheaper, but then I wouldn't have had an excuse to have dinner with my son. So I start looking around to see there was anything else to take my mind off of this I was so focused on getting this kit and was so distressed. There had to be something that would help me feel better. Well, there in a little basket were 3 little kits, only one had borders and they had no patterns left. Ok.. Hello store people! Lookie here!! this little tag says "Faded Glory"! If you don't know what you have, you shouldn't answer!!! So enough said, I bought that and then practically got kicked out of the store because they close at 3pm. But I got my kit!! they did their kits with a few different fabrics and the border are more of 30's look. I like it, and hope I can get to it soon. I just love seasonal quilts.
So at the end of this weekend I'm feeling pretty good, I sure don't want to go back to work tomorrow! I think I would make a very good retiree. That will have to wait.
On Saturday at the shop I finished the bag, here's another pic. It's all DONE! The little stitchery on the front is actually a days of the week tea towel pattern from Crabapple Hill. I just reduced the image and took the day of the week tag off.
Ok, so if you're still with me, you saw that I mentioned a potato bag, well, I'm starting on Christmas gifts for my staff. Right now I have 19. I'm going to make these potato bags and put a grocery gift card inside. I found this perfect fabric at the Fat Quarter shop on clearance. Perfect! This is the first one, I just wanted to see how they went together. If you have any suggestions for a cute wrapping please let me know. Oh wait, maybe I can find some mini brown paper grocery bags! LOL , ok, so have a great week! xomar

15 comments:

Deb Silva said...

LOL - I knew I should have mailed that pattern last week!!!!

And your bag - it turned out so cute! Love the top edging.

I hope your people look inside their potato bags after they get them. Would hate to see them overlook the prize inside.

julia said...

The potato bag is great - just the perfect fabric ;o)
I'm sorry you had so much trouble getting your kit - but I'm sure the quilt will turn out beautifully.
Have a great week, Julia

Doodlebug Gail said...

I love your bag - someone is going to enjoy using it. Your potato bag is a great idea for all those gifts you make .... glad you got the fabric on a sale. Have a wonderful day.

Darlene said...

The saga of the quilt kit - one to be remembered. LOL

I love the potato bag(s) - put them in brown lunch bags (mini grocery store bag) Cute idea!

Back to work and I haven't bugged you in a couple of days - I'll send responses to several e-mails this evening. ((HUGS))

PamKittyMorning said...

I just love that bag!! Nice work. And love the potato bag, you should put a real potato in it so people look inside!

Glad you got the kit!

Karen said...

So you have a new enabler friend. I have lots of those I can share with you. Glad you got your kit or you wouldn't hve been able to sleep for days!

What a good idea about the gift card in the potato bag.

Lorraine said...

Glad you got the kit in the end....I think I should have just started buying kits instead of fabric years ago....when I decide on a project I
1) never have enough of the fabric I would like to use
2) don't want to use a particular fabric for fear I will want to use it for something else
3) don't have anything in my stash that will "work" so go out and buy way too much of something and have left overs but not enough to do anything major with.....
LOL....sad hey! great gift idea for your staff...!

Thimbleanna said...

Oh Mar! Your swap bag is just beautiful -- lucky, lucky recipient. Glad you got your kit and can't wait to see it made up -- it's and adorable little quilt.

Cheryl said...

What a great post!! And that Faded Glory Quilt - WOWIE!!! Thanks for inticing me with another porject!!!!! Cute swap bag you made....and love the potatoe bag. How about a cute little burlap sack to put it in with twine drawstring?

MH said...

love your bag !! you make the cutest things .

MARCIE said...

You sure lucked out! i can't beleive you got your kit!

Daisy Jayne said...

I have a thing about making bags just can not help myself I love making them and giving them away... my my love that bag!! Nice work. And love the potato bag, maybe you could wrap them in brown paper and have a gift tag the shape of a potatoe???

Bon said...

You sure make cute bags. You would have loved the vendor we saw at the quilt show while I was on vacation. The booth was all kinds of bags. One of the 3 of us got real involved in that shop. LOL (It was not me.)

Sounds like you had a great vacation.

Kristin said...

So glad you got your Faded Glory kit. It was definitely your destiny after all you went through to get it. The bags are adorable. So glad you got to quilt and meet some new friends. I too, had a fab quilting weekend. Isn't it great when the weekend turns out to be a winner! p.s if you want to go out to In Between Stitches or any other out of the way quilt store, email me! I just might need a getaway too!

Nan said...

What a story about that quilt kit! I'm worn out just reading it - I'm glad you found the kit after your long drive. What a detective you would make!
Love the potato bag, and of course, the swap bag is as cute as can be!