Thursday, February 21, 2013

A Fun Day WIth Friends

If a friend called to ask if you wanted to accompany her to a quilt shop, what would you say?  

There's no mistaking as to what my answer was...



We had a fantastic time yesterday...shopping, laughing, more shopping and more laughing followed by a fantastic lunch consisting of fresh, locally caught fish...and chips.  It can't get much better than that!

My purchases included more of my favorite Civil War and reproduction fabrics to add to my stash.



I also splurged on some must-have notions.



It was as near to a perfect day as possible.  Thanks Debra and Lisa!



At this time last year, I was in the fourth of six weeks of chemo and radiation treatments.  It seems like such a long time ago and the memories are certainly bittersweet.

Today, I finished sewing on the binding to a little court house steps quilt that I pieced the week before starting my treatments.  



It sat as a flimsy for almost a year when I decided to ask my friend Darlene if her Mom would quilt it for me.  I have seen some of Darlene's quilts that her Mom has quilted and her work is amazing.  The stitches are so perfect and so tiny.  Those same perfect and tiny stitches now adorn my little quilt.  It's relevance is even more special now.

And here's the back.  Don't you just love toile fabric?  It's my favorite to use for backing quilts.



It was a relatively mild day today and we didn't need the fire on in the kitchen so Frankie and Ollie decided to cuddle up on the chair in the family room instead.  


Move over, Ollie.  There's room for both of us here!
What a pair!


40 comments:

  1. Frankie and Ollie certainly do love each other. It's amazing really to see them together. What a great shopping trip you had. Love those Civil War fabrics. And your small quilt is lovely, especially with the beautiful toile backing. I've backed a few large quilts with toile, but not the smaller ones. Must try it.

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  2. What a difference a year makes. Am so happy to have you blogging regularly once more.
    It's so great to see Ollie and Frankie such great chums!

    We had about two inches of snow today
    This was to be our Great Winter Storm :-)

    Hugs

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  3. Your kids are so cute..always together. Adorable. I'm so glad you are feeling so good. Now I have to confess my ignorance. What is that notion on the right of your photo that looks like a little buzz saw blade? I don't recall seeing that before.

    Love the fabric you chose. Glad you had fun!

    Cheery wave from Bev

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  4. Hi Kaaren! How wonderful to feel so well after being so ill! This 'little blue quilt' can be a reminder of those days gone by and the good days ahead! God Bless!
    XOXO Linda,stitching away in Montana!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  5. It amazes me how quickly your two pets bonded with each other. They seem to actually enjoy being together.

    I am glad that the hard times you had last year are in the past and that you are doing well.

    Toile is high on my list of fabric likes. I think they make wonderful backs for a quilt.

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  6. Your quilt is quite beautiful and I do love the toile fabric! I love the Grandma's Spot Remover, it has certainly worked for me! And I love how your sweet pets have so much fun together!! So glad you are better health wise! I enjoy your blog!!

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  7. What a fantastic day you had! Love to see all your little treasures that you bought, and adore your little quilt! It is so pretty...a reminder of how far you've come! The toile looks wonderful...love it when quilts are so pretty on the front and the back!

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  8. Sounds like a perfect day , love the fabrics you chose . Your quilt looks amazing , so nice to have it finished . Great backing too:-)

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  9. Ah...yes thankful that this is a new year and that is behind you!
    How nice....I love the lil-quilt and that I'm not alone in my love of toile fabrics :) smile!
    I adore Ollie...they are both sweet however...he has stole my heart Ha! We love lil-doggies at our place & have severe allergies to sweet kitties so have never had one. Nice for you they get along so cute :) I have to laugh at the way they snuggle up!
    Thankful you had a nice day out & are doing well this year!
    Blessings~
    Lori

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  10. I'm a little jealous that I missed out on yesterday, but just felt I had to get some things done before I went back to work! Love the fabric you bought, I bought that centre black one about a month ago when I was there.

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  11. Very glad that this year is a better one for you.
    That little Courthouse Steps quilt makes me smile--so sweet. And having it hand quilted does make it extra nice.
    Frankie and Ollie--what a life they share. : )

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  12. What a sweet topper to remind you of how sweet life is! Your purchases have me drooling...
    P

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  13. Am so thankful you were able to go quilting/fabric shopping with your gal pals! Am more thankful for your good health!

    Beautiful fabrics!!! And the little quilt is awesome.

    (Ollie seems to have more than his share of the chair space)

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  14. You're going to love those little scissors - I use mine all the time for my needle punch projects! Cute little quilt - sure sounds like you had a fun day!

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  15. Hi Kaaren, Yes, a year ago was really up in the air...but now you are free and clear and it looks like you are really enjoying life to the fullest!!!!! I am so glad. I love your civil war repro. print fabrics. They are great. Fun shopping with friends, isn't it?

    Susannah

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  16. What a fantastic day you had! Love to see all your little treasures that you bought, and adore your little quilt! It is so pretty...a reminder of how far you've come! The toile looks wonderful...love it when quilts are so pretty on the front and the back!

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  17. Sounds like you did have a perfect day with your friends! That little quilt and your new fabbies are awesome. Looks like your boys are wrestling in that chair. So cute!

    The wind is howling like crazy here and the snow is moving in. I'm hoping it won't be the 10-12 inches that's predicted.

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  18. Sounds like you did have a perfect day with your friends! That little quilt and your new fabbies are awesome. Looks like your boys are wrestling in that chair. So cute!

    The wind is howling like crazy here and the snow is moving in. I'm hoping it won't be the 10-12 inches that's predicted.

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  19. A gorgeous quilt (yes, the backing is amazing!) and I LOVE the Civil War fabrics!

    Love your doggy and kitty, too--that's a Westie, right?

    Kris

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  20. Those two make me laugh. My two cats don't even cuddle, they are rescue cats and came to us at different times.

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  21. I'm so glad to hear that you got out and had such a fun day. Anniversaries are sometimes hard to get through. But there are times when I tell myself, a year from now, I will be over this trial. And I, like the others, love seeing Ollie and Frankie playing so well together.

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  22. Glad you enjoyed your day, we all need those. Keep the pictures of your pets coming, I always look to see what they're up to.

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  23. There's nothing better than a day out with the girls!, shopping, lunching and enjoying each others' company!!! I really love your courthouse steps mini, how nice to have someone else quilt it.... isn't it nice to have a year between you now and how things were then! Those two little fur babies really do have a lovely relationship!!!!!

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  24. Sounds like you had a great day out Kaaren. Your lunch sounds delicious, fish and chips is one of my favorites!
    Your fabric is perfect.
    Love your little quilt and of course those little critters of yours.
    Have a great weekend.
    ~Janet

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  25. What a fun day.... Nothing like quilting friends...

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  26. lol! Those two are so cute! :-) And yes, an invite to fabric shop with a good buddy must never be declined! :-) You found some gorgeous fabrics! Love the little quilt! It will remind you of how strong you are and how dear your friends are! Hugs to you!

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  27. A perfect day. I'll bet Frankie and Ollie were happy to have you back home. Do they beg for treats? :o) Very sweet little courthouse steps. Do you know I have not bought a single piece of fabric in 2013, until a small purchase yesterday. :o)

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  28. What a perfect backing for a perfect Little Quilt. You could use either side if you wanted.

    Frankie and Ollie look so happy and content - and even playful - with each other. Makes my heart smile to see furry friends enjoying other furry friends.

    I didn't know about a year ago - because of my own absence from Blogland. Knowing that we're BOTH back and enjoying precious life is a present in itself .

    BIG hugs.

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  29. great fabric finds. I love your LC courthouse steps! great toile' bakcing!

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  30. A day spent with a friend looking and touching fabric, laughing and a fantastic lunch - yup doesn't get much better than that. Perfect way to spend a winter day. Ollie and Frankie sure are good buddies - it's cute how they stay together. I'm thankful for you that the past year is behind you.
    Hugs - Karen

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  31. That would be a great outing! Glad you had such a good time.

    I love the Courthouse Steps. It is charming.

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  32. Hi Kaaren,

    It sounds like a great day out with friends, thanks for sharing.

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  33. I'm still a bit new to reading your blog, so I'm not sure what you were facing last year, but the words chemo and radiation therapy tell me it was very serious. When I was reading your post today, seeing the picture of the courthouse steps quilt and the history behind it, my first thought was how appropriate that particular block was for what you were facing... "steps" in a new direction. I'm so happy you are doing well. And there just isn't any better way to spend time with a friend than in a quilt shop! Have fun with those yummy fabrics you purchased!

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  34. Hard to believe how worried we were a year ago. Altho I knew you would do fine. You are needed HERE, my Dear!
    I'm just so thankful you are doing so well.
    Frankie and Lil Ollie are just so precious! Life was different, a year ago........

    Xoxoxo

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  35. I do not like to wish time away but in your case it is wonderful to have that first year behind you and on the road to recovery. Your little quilt is gorgeous and would brighten any day. Love your shopping list♥

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  36. I have a real weakness 1800's reproductions fabrics-especially the 1830's on up. how special to complete your little quilt-good memories of your recovery-hugs

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  37. Una colcha muy bonita !!! me gustan los colores que has utilizado, son preciosos.
    Besos.

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  38. Greetings from Wisconsin, I just dropped in to say I love all of your small quilts that you show when you do your photo tours of your home. You make it look and feel so cozy that I started to make small quilts to try to give my home a cozy personality. Just call me a "copy cat." I have a long way to go. I enjoy your blog. Good health to you + Mr. Quilt!!! warm regards, Debby

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  39. Kaaren, oh what a delightful little quilt, i love the toile backing.. perfect!!
    Frankie & Ollie look adorable, i love how they snuggle up against each other :)))
    cheers...Marian

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