Keep your fingers crossed for me that I don't go crazy. One of my favorite quilt shops has been having a going out of business sale since mid-January. I just got back into town on Wednesday, and I thought I had missed it. But... I guess there's still plenty left, and everything is 65% off. I'm heading over there now. I don't know if there's anything good left, but we'll see. Their fabric is all pretty wonderful. I'll keep you posted.

Behave, Lois! LOL

Linda, I think my least favorite part is cutting. I just want to sew! I think it's mostly when I read a pattern and it says to cut up two yards of fabric into 1,000 pieces. :) I always go to my smallest pieces first, so I end up cutting one or two pieces at a time, and knowing I need to get to 96 or 128 of them can be daunting. Yes, it goes much faster if you cut up yardage, but I really like to use the small pieces first.

We just got home from a trip to Rainbow Springs State Park. Years ago it used to be a tourist attraction; now all that is left are a couple of man-made waterfalls and the enclosures that used to be the zoo. Of course, the springs are still there and you can swim or rent a canoe or kayak. We just walked around the trails and enjoyed being outdoors. It's about 85 degrees today!

Tomorrow I will probably work on my Jacob's ladder blocks. All the pieces for those are cut except for the four-patches. I have some cut, and some strips ready to sew, then I'll see how many more I need.

Donna

Lois, welcome home. And I hope you score bigtime at the shop.

Probably the biggest hurdle is making the first cut, and that is after I have agonized over the fabric and the colour.

Theresa

Thanks, Donna and Theresa. There really wasn't a whole lot left - mostly darker reproduction prints and a few wild patterns. I did get 21 half yard cuts and 4 fat quarters for a total of $53.20 - that's $4.63 per yard. And when I got home, I realized one of the half yard cuts would be the perfect print for the backing on a planned quilt. I need 5 1/4 yards and if I recall correctly, there was still a lot on the bolt. I'll call first thing Monday morning and see if I can get it.

Two of the former employees of the shop are trying to establish a quilt shop co-op. They need about 1,000 members to make it work. Each member pays $120 membership fee and then gets a discount on any fabric purchased. I don't know if I'll ever recover my investment, but I joined anyway, because I really want to keep a quilt shop in Minneapolis. There are a couple in the suburbs, but that was the only shop in the city limits. They got 150 members the first week, so they are quite enthusiastic about it. If they fail to reach their goal, $100 will be refunded.

It is sad that these stores are closing. I hope they are able to keep it open.

We have one decent sized shop about 15 minutes away but limited selection. Another much larger one about 45 minutes drive with more to choose from. And a couple more smaller ones in different areas of the county. I think they count on machine sales and service to help them stay open. Plus classes.

Theresa

Very pretty, Bev! It will go with just about any décor. Nice job!

Donna

That's lovely, Bev! I really like that leaf/flower pattern.

Now isn't that interesting! When I looked at Bev's work, I saw a large star. And when Char made her comment, I looked and looked to see what she meant. Lightbulb! Then I realized what the pattern was. The eye of the beholder!

Theresa

Thanks, ladies. Theresa, how funny. I was going for fall leaves. I should have given it a name. LOL

My local guild is having a Sew Day for Charity on Saturday at the church where we meet. So my plan is to take two baby quilts to sandwich and pin on the big tables in the fellowship hall. Then I can quilt them at home. I bought a new tablerunner pattern at the meeting on Tuesday, so I might get started cutting that out also. This will go into the boutique items for the guild in the upcoming fall bazaars where we participate.

My table topper pictured above went for $13. :( I know not everyone lives scrappy. Maybe it would have done better in just one repeated color scheme.

Bev, I think most people expect to pay Walmart prices even for hand-made items. I love the multi colors!

Donna

Thanks, Donna. Had I thought about it, I would have gone back and bid it up and won it for myself. LOL