Monday, February 15, 2010

A Little Retail Therapy

As a follow up to my last post about feeling ‘betwixt and between’, it would appear that most of us share the same feelings after completing a large project.  It’s a relief to know that I’m not alone in that regard and somehow, that thought provides me with a lot of comfort.  Thank you all for sharing your thoughts with me.

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I placed the order for my x-stitch supplies and I’m hoping that they’ll arrive sometime this week.  I am so looking forward to making the Blackbird Designs needlecase from their Thank You, Sarah Tobias book.  I am holding off starting anything new as this will be my next endeavor.  In the interim, I’m continuing to knit the socks I started and have just about finished reading the third book in the Elm Creek Quilts series by Jennifer Chiaverini.  If you need something light and enjoyable to read…and with a quilting theme…I would recommend these books.  I believe there are sixteen books in the series thus far.  Great bedtime reading too!

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So what’s a gal to do when she’s ‘betwixt and between’?  Go shopping, of course! 

Bright and early this morning, Mr. Painted Quilt, Mac (our Westie) and I headed off to do some shopping in Ogdensburg, NY.  The day was bright and sunny and the temperature hovered just around the freezing mark. 

I won’t bore you with our Walmart or grocery store purchases, but I did manage to do some damage in JoAnn’s.  Today was the last day of their President’s Day sale, so with my flyer coupons in hand, here’s what I brought home.

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Two sheets of heat resistant mylar, an Easy Angle and Companion Angle ruler, an Olfa rotary cutter pinking shear blade, a package of 3 vintage red striped tea towels, eighteen spools of Gutterman cotton thread reduced to$9 and a pad of graph paper specifically made for quilt block designing.  Most of what I bought was on sale and for the items that weren’t on sale, I was able to use my 50% and 40% off coupons.  And the icing on the cake was another coupon that allowed for an additional 10% off the entire purchase.  Woo hoo!

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Our final stop was at Fiber Options, a quilt shop in Renesselaer Falls, NY.  All their fabric was 25% off, so I managed to pick up a ‘few’ yards while there. 

These Civil War fabrics just called my name so I took the remainder from both bolts.

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This fabric kinda caught my eye and at $4.50 a yard, I bought 5 yards to use as backing for a future quilt.  I just ♥ it’s Americana folk art appearance.

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I don’t know about you but I can’t bear to put fabric away that has creases and wrinkles in it, which usually is the case with what’s left on the ends of bolts.  Call me anal but I just had to iron everything before adding it to the stash.

All in all, it was a great day.   We stopped for lunch and  then made our way home.  Even Mac was happy because he got plenty of exercise on walks with Mr. Painted Quilt while I was in the shops practising my retail therapy!

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

 

42 comments:

  1. Well, you had a delightfully fun day. Lots of wonderful retail therapy.

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  2. Shopping is not my thing, unless it's a quilt shop, an antique shop or a prim gift shop! It looks like you had a good day.

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  3. Sounds like a fun day. I really like you American folk art heart print.
    I am not a "heart motif" person in general but saw the most beautiful "heart motif" scrap quilt at the Hospice home where my grandmother stayed for a rest weekend the other week. It was the quilt on her bed. I thought what a neat idea for a Valentine's quilt and a lovely thing for the Hospice house to do as to have a homemade quilt on ever persons bed.(exspecially when it was your time to die)...Luckily not my grandmother's time yet. I think that if this were my fabric,I would be perfect for the back of a heart quilt.
    Can't wait to see what you do with the front of your quilt? You always have lovely projects to share. Thanks.

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  4. I like your kinda therapy! :0)

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  5. Sorry for the miss-spellings. Forgive me, I didn't proof read before posting.

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  6. Looks like you had a great day!!

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  7. It was a good day! I never shop at JoAnns without coupons. Great new blog banner.

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  8. I am so glad you had a fun day...shopping is just the thing to do for a girl betwixt and between! I too recently bought some hearts...tis the season, right?

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  9. It's always nice to get in a little retail therapy...helps chase the winter blues away.

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  10. What a very fun day! Thanks for showing your booty.

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  11. DARN! I forgot all about the Joann's sale! Lucky you to get all those goodies.
    I love your painted blog banner up there. I assume that is your work? It's wonderful!
    Cathy

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  12. Sounds like the perfect kind of day. You really scored at JoAnn's. I should have gone too but was busy sewing and never got out of my sweats. LOL

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  13. I respond well to retail therapy! :-) Polly

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  14. Hip Hip Hooray for Retail Therapy. Just think how much dh saved instead of a therapy session. lol
    Loved the fabric especially the red and white.

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  15. Retail therapy is wonderfull, however I have put a ban on it for myself unless it is to finish something up. ( I will realy try to stick to this for a little while anyway lol).
    I too love your new banner, I love your style.

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  16. Hi Kaaren, I always iron my fabric before putting it with all the other fabric that I have. I love to iron it and admire it!

    You had quite a day shopping but isn't it fun?

    Susannah

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  17. Great time had by all it sounds like. Nothing like taking a little time out to shop.

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  18. A perfect reward to yourself for finishing a project!! And about ironing fabric... I think its a great way to enjoy its beauty before its stored away. I prewash, trim ends and iron all my new purchased fabrics!!

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  19. LOVE the Elm Creek books - especially on audio while I'm quilting! Love all your fabrics. I went yesterday to Joann's and used all my coupons, such fun!

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  20. What a lovely day you all had and what great value for your dollar. My sister arrived from the US this morning and bought me some fabric and they were in a Joann bag - must have been on sale! She bought them on the way to the airport. I have them on my blog. BTW I love your new blog photo. Glad you survived the betwixt and between.

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  21. I do recognize the in between thing. I even have trouble getting my machine back on the table even though I have enough to sew on it. And x-stitching is a good idea for relaxing, I love it too!
    You have enjoyed your retail therapy thoroughly. And plans with those rulers? I use them very often myself and seeing them makes me curious!

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  22. Good morning Kaaren! I am not even a quilter but I love the Elm Creek series. I have read many of them over the years.

    A day out and about with the MR is perfect therapy and if you can bring home some wonderful fabrics and tools, all the better!!

    And I LOVE your header! I know that is one of your original creations and it is just gorgeous.

    As always, I look forward to your next creation.

    warm hugs, Linda

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  23. Retail therapy is just the best! I try to do it every couple of weeks!! You picked up some great things!!

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  24. Now that's "Retail Therapy" at its finest..LOL

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  25. Now that's "Retail Therapy" at its finest..LOL

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  26. Wonderful loot from your shopping trip Kaaren. I could use a lot of those things but just didn't get to Joann's for the sale with all the snow..next time!

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  27. Best type of therapy...well done! :)
    Shhhh....I iron my fabrics too ;-)

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  28. nice fabrics and other bits and pieces..........
    I hate the creases in the last bits if the bolt............I would iron it too.........

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  29. Hi Kaaren...you are obviously close to the American border...I am envious..for us to cross border shop it takes a 4 hour drive and often a night's sleepover...but the buys and the little shops and the results of the 'retail therapy' are worth it---those fabrics are delicious!

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  30. Oh shopping can do wonders for the mind and heart!! Nice job!!

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  31. That sounds like a wonderful day!! I prewash all fabric so if something is wrinkled off the bolt, I don't worry about it. :-)

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  32. What a great way to spend the day with hubby and Mac.
    I usually wash my fabric as soon as I get it home.

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  33. Retail therapy...gotta love it!!! :D And I have read all but the last of the Elm Creek books, which I have but haven't started, and you are right....a nice, light read with a quilty theme.

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  34. Shopping is my relax and inspire therapy. My problems disappear. Looks like you found some great finds and deals! Love it when that happens.

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  35. What a super Joann's day for you.. Don't you just love it?? All the things you got were awesome too. Loved the fabrics, and isn't it funny how a little shopping can lift our spirits..???????????
    Maggey

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  36. It sounds like a wonderful day, Kaaren!

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  37. What a day.. filled with lovely shopping and fantastic company.. :o)

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  38. Hello Kareen, I dropped on your blog from my blogger friend Rockgranny, I haven't try yet quilting, but I will do it in the future, for the moment I'm an adict xxxer and knitter, like to experiments in sewing and crochet. As I can read you have a nice day, I'm dreaming that kinds of days, hope to realise it from the begginig of the next year, when I will be a retired teacher and librarian. When you have time come to see me in our old lady Europe, snd left a comment. Thanks. www.villa-loredana.blogspot.com and my email is loredana.petkovic@pu.htnet.hr Thanks in advance, you are welcome.

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  39. A day like that always makes one feel wonderful!
    Micki

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  40. this is a beautiful blog and lovely plaids

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