Retail Therapy

It all started when Nora and Debra picked me up at about 8 a.m. yesterday morning for a day of quilt shop hopping.  When we started out, it looked like the weather wasn't going to cooperate because the rain that had been falling overnight turned to wet snow just as we were about to set out.  Well you know that a little snow couldn't stop the plans of three serious shoppers!

I have to confess that I was dead tired when twelve fun and laugh filled hours later, we rolled back into my driveway.  The back of Nora's Nissan Highlander was filled to the brim with our purchases.  I made a list of everything that I wanted and needed and managed to find everything on the list and more.

I needed some yellow Kona cotton to complete my Grandmother's Flower Garden and even though I brought along a sample of the yellow that I used for the flower centers, I ended up buying three different yellows because I wasn't sure which one I liked the best.

Did you notice that some snow white and bone Kona cotton fell into my cart as well?

And not being one to pass up a bargain, I also added some additional yardage to my stash, all for under $6 a meter (39").

I must be the only person in Nova Scotia who likes toile fabric because I found the red and cream print above in the bargain bin at one of the shops for $5.99 a meter.  At that price, I took the entire 6.5 meters that were left on the bolt.  

You've probably guessed that Toile is one of my favorite fabrics to use as backing for my quilts.

Also on my list were a package of 100 Schmetz #70 universal sewing machine needles which I picked up for $50.  This is the lowest price I've found, even on the internet...and no shipping costs!

And here are the rest of my goodies...

Additional bobbins for Husky Henrietta, Clover binding clips, some 2" long straight pins which I intend to glitz-ify, some of the Aurifil 2 ply, 12 wt thread that I use for most of my redwork, a spool of variegated green embroidery thread reduced to $3 and of course my needles.  The newest Kim Diehl book Homestyle Quilts was on special at 40% off.  I couldn't resist!

When I got home, the two scrap bundles of Civil War and reproduction fabrics that I had ordered from Homestead Hearth were waiting for me on the kitchen table.

I was very pleasantly surprised because all of the fabrics included in the bundles were of a decent size and can easily be incorporated into a scrappy quilt.

After a good night's sleep I was determined and motivated to reorganize the sewing corner in my studio.  It was just too crowded and I struggled long enough with the fact that there was nowhere for the fabric to go as I fed it through the machine.  

So while Mr. Painted Quilt took Ollie for a long walk, Frankie and I moved things around from this...

to this.

Of course Frankie was a big help.

Much better, huh? 

Husky Henrietta is sitting on the floor just waiting her turn but I still need lots of practice before she becomes my #1 gal!

And whatever would I do without my faithful companion and helper?

I wonder if Ollie will find me in here?

Get a lot more work done, that's for sure!

Happy Easter everyone!