The Gathering Place, Gifts, and a Giveaway

Last week I mentioned that DH and I were going to a favorite quilt shop that was on the way to nowhere. Actually, it used to be on the way to DD#1's house, but then she moved across the country and I hadn't found another reason to head in that direction--until my birthday weekend. We drove 2+ hours to The Gathering Place. (Photo swiped from their blog.)

This shop is in Rupert, ID, and claims to be the largest quilt shop in the state. I don't know if it is the biggest or not, I am just happy with the selection of "dark & dirty" fabrics, patterns and wool.

There is so much more to the store than I have shown. I just wanted to share a few of my "happy places". They have something for every quilting taste.

I came home with these goodies.

A scrap bag, Valdani floss, a quilt hanger, a magazine, a pattern,
a bunch of fat eighths, and several half-yard cuts.

I had a couple of real surprises as birthday gifts. When we had been to NH last month we visited a Shaker Colony. I have always loved Shaker boxes and wanted to buy one at the gift shop. But it was  our first day out and I didn't dare purchase one of the beautiful, but pricey creations, not knowing where else I might need the money. Imagine my surprise when DH produced this for my birthday.
Look at the wonderful birdseye maple! He bought a small one that he could hide in his pocket. Isn't he sneaky, and very thoughtful?

Well, sneakiness seems to run in the family. My two daughters had conspired with Julie at Me and My Stitches blog to make another charm for my "Charming" bracelet. This one was created using scraps from quilts my mother has made. It is the second charm from the right. Such a sweet keepsake--I love it!

I recently had a basting marathon for a bunch of small quilts. I got a couple of them quilted.

 There is still a pile ready and waiting.

By now you are probably wondering, "Where is the giveaway?" Look no further! If you have stayed with this post, you can participate in my Belated Birthday Giveaway. It includes one of my recently completed little quilts (9" square), a charm pack of Primitive Gatherings new Floral Gatherings line, and (as usual) a pack of my herbal soap.

Leave a comment to be included and I will draw a winner Monday evening.

Just so you know, I respond to every comment. If you have commented in the past and haven't heard back from me it is because you are a no-reply blogger, whether you know it or not. Google+ has thrown a bunch of you into that category, even if you were not there previously. Lori of Humble Quilts recently addressed this very thoroughly. If you need to fix your settings, check out her post here. If I draw a name that is "no-reply" and you haven't left your email in your comment, I will draw another name. (Doesn't that make me sound mean?)

Until next time,
Janet O.

Drawing is now closed.

Borders and ornaments

Has it really been almost two weeks since my last post? And I have so little to show for all of that time.
Faithful (from Lori's QAL) is a completed flimsy. I had planned to make all of the solid borders from the same black fabric, but came up just a few inches shy on the last round. Would you bind this in black or red, or maybe even orange?

I made more HSTs than I needed as I was making this. The leftovers went into a "baby sister" quilt which I think I will name "True". Faithful and True--it just seems fitting.




These little pineapple and log cabin ornaments have been my focus most of my sewing time. The first four are finished, the next four just need hanging loops and the last eight need stuffing, stitching closed, and loops. I believe I will have them finished for the craft fair/fundraising booth next weekend.

I know some of you have been making, or planning to make, some of these little ornaments, so I want to share a tip. If you enlarge this photo you should be able to see that where I leave my 2" opening for turning, I stitch onto, and off the fabric edge as I start and finish, backstitching each way. This keeps the stitches from pulling apart as you turn it right-side-out. It is a tight fit, and can stress the seam. It also helps keep a more uniform line after turning, when you fold the sides down to stitch closed. Maybe this is not new to you, but just in case you are like me and didn't know that already, now you do. : )

A few wool ornaments have been completed. When we were in NH last month we visited a Shaker Colony historic site and I picked up this small peg rack in the gift shop. Makes a great place to hang little ornaments.

This mini is now to flimsy stage. The small 9-patch blocks were assembled months ago from the scrap basket. As usual, I had stalled on the borders.

A couple of days ago, while rummaging in the sewing room, I came across this fabric that I thought would be a good border. Now it is marked and ready for basting and quilting. It may need tea dying, too.

View from my sewing room a couple of mornings ago.

I am heading to a distant favorite quilt shop today, to celebrate the birthday that I have tomorrow. Stay tuned. I believe I feel a giveaway coming on. : )
Janet O.

In The Works

I didn't have a chance to sew all week, but I managed a little time Saturday night. These are the projects currently "in the works"--at least the ones that I can show. Holidays are coming, you know.
Faithful
This is the beginning of my version of Lori's (Humble Quilts blog) most recent QAL. Recognize the center block? I deconstructed its previous setting. I'm starting to wonder if adding that outer row of HSTs will overpower the compass in the center. Maybe this will be the end, as well as the beginning, of this little quilt. I'll have to ponder that one.

Crabapples (aka It's So Vermonty)--Bonnie Hunter pattern from Adventures With Leaders and Enders.
I only stitched up one more block, but during the week I had purchased a green, leaf print batik and had cut the setting triangles. What do you think? The greens in the tree blocks are brighter, but I don't know that it matters that much.

Pineapple ornaments
I put borders on three ornaments that I had stitched up last month. I had finally picked out the paper foundations earlier this week (I guess I was hoping the paper foundation removal fairies would find my home). When the backs are on and they are stuffed, they will finish at 2 1/2 inches.

After these three are completed, I have 8 more to make for DD#2's fundraising booth at a craft fair Thanksgiving weekend.

Here are the completed ones DD#1 and I have made so far, adorning my little sewing room tree. I think we will need a bigger tree. : )
For those of you accustomed to my rather wordy posts, don't go into shock or anything, but that's all for now!
Until next time,
Janet O.