With the fabrics of the Outback and the feel of Mayberry, Not Just Quiltz should be added to everyone's itinerary! On all my travels I like to stop at the local Quilt shops to check out their specialties and get to know the owners. I’m always amazed at how special each location is and the treasures I find. Our family Thanksgiving trip out to California definitely didn’t disappoint. I found a great little shop called Not Just Quiltz located in Niles. Be sure, even though the address ... Read More about Not Just Quiltz are Not to Be Missed!
Not Just Quiltz are Not to Be Missed!
Needle & Thread Fabrics: a Quilt Shop Spotlight
Your Home for all things Civil War Reproduction! On July 4, 1863 the beaten and weary Confederate Army began their retreat from the town of Gettysburg. As vehicles had not yet been invented, the soldiers marched on foot. Their first stop was a small piece of land along Fairfield Road. That same plot of land now holds an entire warehouse sized fabric store called Needle & Thread. Welcome to Needle & Thread! There are two things most people think of when you mention the ... Read More about Needle & Thread Fabrics: a Quilt Shop Spotlight
Quilt-N-Code – a Quilt Shop Spotlight
Where Quilts and Computers Come Together! Quilting and Computers. Two of the most unlikely of bedfellows. However, at the Quilt-N-Code in Burnsville, NC they go together like blocks in a quilt top. When I first drove up to the Quilt N Code on my trip to the North Carolina mountains I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. However, upon meeting Allyson Heidenfelder and her husband Lanny, I couldn’t have been more impressed. In February, 2018 the Heidenfelder family were presented with an ... Read More about Quilt-N-Code – a Quilt Shop Spotlight
Weaving, Teaching and Saving Lives. Angels of the Appalachia
Meet the Angels That are the Crossnore Weavers! Are you as fascinated by all things textile and history like me? Any time I find an opportunity to check out a weaving room and art gallery, I’m already planning the trip. So, when I happened upon a sign for the Crossnore Weavers in the mountains of North Carolina my interest was piqued. I had no idea the awe-inspiring passion, talent and compassion of what I’d find. Nestled up in the North Carolina mountains somewhere between Boone and ... Read More about Weaving, Teaching and Saving Lives. Angels of the Appalachia
History, Weaving and Americana in the Carolina Mountains
Why Every Quilter Should Visit the Hickory Ridge Homestead Museum in Boone, NC. The mountains of North Carolina have many great adventures to offer quilters on their travels. Not the least of which is the hidden Hickory Ridge Homestead Museum. Located in Boone, NC this gem is full of living history, artistry and possibly the oldest working loom in the United States! Officially created in 1980, the Hickory Ridge Homestead Museum gives you the opportunity to truly see what life was like ... Read More about History, Weaving and Americana in the Carolina Mountains
What Quilters Need to Know While in Las Vegas
My Tips for 'doing Las Vegas' When someone mentions 'Las Vegas', what's the first thing that comes to mind? Gambling, right? Showgirls? Well, those were the days past. Today, it's a booming family friendly oasis in the desert teeming with adventure and inspiration around every corner! Here's my best tips for heading out into the great Nevada desert town that is Las Vegas. I love Las Vegas! Over the years I've made countless trips to sin city and every adventure I discover something new ... Read More about What Quilters Need to Know While in Las Vegas
You’ve GOT to Make This Duffel Bag!
Tips for how to Make the Dallas Vintage Duffel Bag by Swoon Patterns For the last year I have had this pattern for the Dallas Vintage Duffel Bag sitting in my stash just staring at me. Seriously, every time I’d dig into my pile of patterns looking for something there it was. Staring. With that look like ‘why haven’t you made me yet? I thought you liked me.’ Well, dear Duffel bag pattern, I DO like you and today is your day! With the Nevada trip coming up and the world opening back up ... Read More about You’ve GOT to Make This Duffel Bag!
We’re Sew In This Together
How You can help support your local Quilt Shop with little to no money. We all love our quilt shops. They are a place of inspiration, joy and comradery. However, the COVID pandemic has forced them to temporarily close their doors and many may not be able to open them again. But you can help them get back on the road to recovery. And, it won’t cost you any money. Perusing through the rows of colorful bolts at our local quilt shops puts a smile on any quilters face. If I’m ever feeling ... Read More about We’re Sew In This Together
Staying Positive in the New World
Never Let COVID Win The news today is pretty overwhelming. It even got me, the eternal optimist, questioning things. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. All we have to do is believe, and like Eddie Kendricks says, "Keep on Truckin". The COVID 19 Blues I try to always see the positive side of everything in life. Negativity breeds negativity and I’d much rather be happy. However, the other day everything just kind of hit me all at once and I let it get it me. The ... Read More about Staying Positive in the New World
Continued Quarantine – Is This the New Normal?
How Quickly Things Change I'm now only 2 days from the end of my 14-day quarantine so now seemed the perfect time for me to tear a ligament in my knee, right? Hey, at least I was able to get out of my house and drive to the doctor's office. Boy was that a strange visit. What Happened? Let me take a quick step back and explain. I love to box. In fact, I have a boxing bag in my garage. Before each round on the bag I do some warm ups and other stretches like squats. Well, a couple weeks ... Read More about Continued Quarantine – Is This the New Normal?
History at the Mid Atlantic Quilt Festival (VA)
Fabric, organs and quilts, oh my! I love traveling to Virginia. One of the oldest of the original 13 colonies in the United States and known as the Capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War, this place is chock full of history. So, whenever there’s a big Quilt Show taking place, I make every effort to attend. And the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, VA proved the perfect opportunity. On the Atlantic coast, Hampton, VA is located 40 miles from the North Carolina state line ... Read More about History at the Mid Atlantic Quilt Festival (VA)
See You on the Other Side
a covid-19 story of self quarantine I think I’ve spent more time outside during this self-quarantine than I have in the past month. Enjoying the sunshine and warm winds of Spring are a definite perk to living in the country. panic at the disco One week ago I developed a cough, shortness of breath and a low fever. Fear set in. All I could think of was, "Oh My Gosh, I've got it." Then, every single person I'd come in contact with the previous 2 weeks came flooding through. Visiting ... Read More about See You on the Other Side