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.