Monday, February 18, 2008

It’s Monday Morning--- early. Surprise snowstorm hit Sunday. Eric had come home for the weekend. He ended staying till this morning because of weather. We were assured it was the right move when they cancelled his classes for today. Chelsey was downstate (Sounds like they were trading places) speaking for FCCLA. She had driven herself to Green Bay and flown to Midland from there. Coming home turned out to be an adventure. When she landed in Green Bay – she knew she wasn’t getting any further North till morning, so we got her a hotel reservation and she camp out till sometime today.

Don had taken Friday off to knock out the housework before Eric got home—what a guy. So I got up Saturday morning with nothing to do--- but quilt. For Valentine’s Day, He asked me if I wanted to order me some “quilt junk”, so I took him up on it. I had succumbed to peer pressure, jealousy and envy. I had seen photos of Carol’s BOM pieces and memorized the photos of a California quilt shop from Sharon’s posts. So, I voted for the gift that keeps on giving. The Four Seasons Quilt is what it’s called. Easy and relaxing are the first two things I think of when working on it. While ordering on-line is fun, there is something about placing the order to a real voice on the other end of a phone line. I dialed the Country Loft Quilt shop’s number and spoke with the designer of the quilt.

We chatted for a good 20 minutes about quilting, perle cotton—I had never used it before—the pattern pieces. She was wonderful. She even threw needles in my order at my request to make life easier. I’ll definitely be a repeat shopper.

My Mother-in-law gives me quilt money for my birthday. While my birthday is a month away – I got scared what I wanted would have disappeared by the time March rolls around. So I’ve done a little Pre-Birthday shopping at Don’s expense with an IOU on the credit card. Dawn had worked on a quilt a couple of years ago. It was way out of my budget and could only be found in Australia. I chalked it off to a hopeless wish. And then Colleen has it on the header of her web log. Again – a reminder of the quilt. I was wishing through Buggy Barn quilts and saw that they were offering it as a Block of the month and thought it was destiny. Again, wanting to order from a “voice”, I called the shop. I spoke with a wonderful lady. She called herself a “beginning” Quilter. All I kept thinking was, “Man, you have a cool job.” She was doing the quilt too. She offered tips and we talked about the houses and the colors. It showed up on my doorstep on Friday, so Saturday I put the block together.

Sunday I went back to work on the Primitive Garden. I have started studying the borders. When I’m on the Elliptical Machine I’m studying quilt patterns – it gets me through the work out. I probably could have made REAL headway on the Primitive Garden this weekend if I had just stuck to working on it. But I had so much fun doing some machine piecing and working on my French knots. And quilting is a hobby for me….it’s supposed to be fun…..

Take out pizza, movie rentals, listening to Eric practice his Russian (a cultural elective he opted for), and watching Don and Eric wrestle with Ransom topped off on of the best weekends in a while.


Gratitudes:
Safe flights for Chelsey
Valentine’s Holiday that seemed to last four days instead of one
Shoveling snow—Believe it or not… Don and I worked on it together Sunday… Everything is better in twos….

14 comments:

Unknown said...

What a wonderful weekend you've had and such lovely new quilting projects to dive in to.

Juliann in WA said...

Sounds like you are doing your part to keep the economy healthy - have fun.

Clare said...

I adore the Buggy Barn BOM. That is one beautiful block. I'm seeing lots of stitchery in Blogland. Must admit I'm tempted.

Stay warm - I'm sending some sun your way :-)

Carol said...

I'm so excited that you're doing the Four Seasons too...it is so much fun. I love it. I've eyed the House BOM for a long time...I know I'll have to do it one of these days soon. Glad you had a wonderful weekend.

Libby said...

Such wonderful early bird Birthday shopping . . . that first barefoot day of the year will be here before we know it *s*

KC Quilter said...

Wow, the Four Seasons Quilt is fantastic. I've been to Country Loft in San Diego and I wanted to move in!!!! And your house block is beyond gorgeous. STOP!!!

Anonymous said...

That cracks me up, your DH asked you if you wanted some "quilting junk" for Valentine's Day! LOL Hey, I'm doing that same BOM from Country Loft. Aren't they just the nicest ladies there? I was just there on Saturday with Sharon and the gang. I got the next installment while I was there, and well, a lot of other stuff!

Anonymous said...

Okay Mel....Now I have complete quilt envy! I was eyeing up that quilt from Country Loft on someone else's web blog too. And it goes without saying that I love the one in my header! I love the block you did. Quilt envy.... I definitely have it for those two patterns! Have so much fun on those!

Judy said...

Oh isn't that the nicest quilt! I talked to the designer too when I ordered the BOM from them. I'm loving the blocks so far and I've always worked with DMC floss, but the perle is good now too! However you are ahead of me as are most of the others...I have to start the bird block today!!

I've love that other quilt of Dawn's for some time too. Looks fantastic! I figured out about a month or so ago that I am much happier of I have loads of things to work on at once. So why fight the urge!

lindiepindie said...

So I just came by to check out your blog and, well, ahem, I'm sure you won't be needing any help on the Chimney Sweep quilt! Ha! You are such a prolific quilter and have WAY more experience with even more difficult patterns than the one I just finished. :o) And they are beautiful!

God bless,

Linda

Kristie said...

Well you have sure been busy! I am soooooo jealous of you blocks! I so want to do one, but right now with us trying to build the new house and Andrew's birthday coming up, I just can't see me having extra to spend on those patterns....maybe someday!!!
Kristie

Anne Heidi said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. Your blocks look so nice- I'll have to skip over to buggy Barn and take a look at that BOM... Thank you for sharing. Hope Chelsey is home safe by now.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh I love your 4 seasons and the start on your house quilt! Good, maybe it will give me a kick to finish mine up!

Carole said...

Sounds like a great weekend to me! You know, I debated doing the Four Seasons Quilt. I have so many projects going, never mind the one's I have fabric, waiting patiently to be started! So, it was a no go. I still have Quilter's Journey to begin! You blocks are lovely! Looking forward to seeing the completed quilts!