Monday, May 4, 2009

House Hunting, Shopping and Gardening

We had a busy weekend, starting with Friday when we went to Vermont to look at houses.  We left our house at 7:00 a.m. and didn’t arrive home til 6:45 p.m.  Without going into too much detail so as not to bore you, that part of the trip was unsuccessful.  Although all of the houses had some good features, none met with our expectations.

We looked at houses til about 1:30 then decided to have a leisurely lunch.  Sam asked me if I’d like to visit the quilt shops and Joann’s since they were nearby, so I naturally jumped at the chance.  I can’t show you everything that I bought because some of it is for swap gifts, but here’s a smattering of what I can show you…

DSCN0403Two yards of Qsnaburg fabric, a ‘Purple Thang’ for turning, stuffing, rounding edges and poking out corners and some ‘Steam-A-Seam 2’ tape.

DSCN0405I also bought some really cool buttons and the neatest thread grouping called “Oliver Twists”.  Each package contains a variety of cotton and rayon threads for hand embroidery with a matching spool of cotton thread.  I have great plans for these.

DSCN0406I’ve been wanting some vintage tea towels for quite a while and I found these at Joann’s.  I am going to do some redwork embroidery on them…when my other projects are completed…of course.  (wink)

DSCN0409And the last thing that I can show you is some pink and brown Judie Rothermel Civil War fabric that Leanne, my Easter swap partner from Australia requested.  We are going to continue swapping different things that we have difficulty finding in our respective countries.  Cool, huh?

On Saturday and Sunday I spent a total of six hours in the garden weeding, edging and loosening the soil around the plants and shrubs.  I also thinned and pruned some of the cedars and fir trees and did some dividing of irises that so badly needed it.  I still have more outdoor work to do which I hope to complete this week. 

Now I can devote my time to work on swap projects.  I know what I’m going to make for each one and I have everything I need to begin. 

I’ve also been able to sneak in a few stitches here and there on the Red Radiance quilt that I’ve been working on.

DSCN0410All in all, it was a very productive weekend and it just seemed to fly by.  I hope you all had a great weekend as well.

Happy stitching!

 

Kaaren

    

14 comments:

Abby and Stephanie said...

Well if you didn't find a house at least you got to go shopping! LOVE my Purple Thang. How terrific you and your swap partner are keeping in contact. Gorgeous redwork. That's going to be a very special quilt.

Linda said...

Wow Kaaren you had a busy weekend. You must be an early riser. That purple thang comes in handy. I picked mine up last year in Lancaster.
Great threads, haven't seen those before. Love the redwork. and those towels. I picked up some flour sac tea towels at Kitchen Stuff plus, Do you have a store handy. Going to Kingston on thurs. Haven't been there for some time. Must check out their fabric shops.

Dolores said...

Time always seems to fly by so much faster when one is busy, busy - as you seemed to be this weekend. Have a great time stitching with your new purchases.

Rumi said...

You've been busy! Good luck on your next house finding trip. Hopefully you will find the perfect house!

Love your redwork!

Carrie P. said...

Your husband is so sweet. I am going to have to look for those towels at our Joanns. You got some nice goodies. I use that steam a seam tape for the edges on my punchneedle.

Stina Blomgren said...

House hunting...I must have missed something here.. so you have big plans for the future then??
Glad you got time for some nice shopping!!

Sherri said...

Your redwork is absolutely lovely! I just bought that Purple Thang also...after seeing it on Stephanie's blog. I've already used it, and I love it!

Kimberly said...

Wow, lots on the go! Your stitching is just gorgeous!
Have a great Monday! Kimberly

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

I'll say it was a productive weekend. Sorry about the house, but what a guy, asking if you wanted to ge fabric shopping!!!!
I love your redwork!

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Kaaren, boy you had a great weekend, travel, stitching and shopping. What else could a girl ask for. Love all the goodies and redwork. I need to be on the lookout for that purple thang. I've seen it on several post.
Keep Stitchen'
Bonnie

Candace said...

Kaaren - congratulations on figuring out the links! Well done! You had quite the successful shopping trip - I love my purple thang! I've seen the Oliver Twist - you'll have to let me know how you like it. And the redwork is gorgeous!
Cheers!

Janet said...

You made the most of your day out and got loot with a purpose to boot.
The redwork is coming along and looks wonderful.

Wendy said...

You did have a busy week. Shopping was very productive. And wow the gardening you did, I've been doing some of the same work in my garden. I love to see all the plants doing well.

Darlene said...

The house for you and your sweetie is out there - you're just going to have to continue the search - it's waiting, though! :-)

Wonderful goodies from your visit to the quilt store(s) and Joann's.