Crazy Weekends

Friday we were pampered. Shirley treated us to manicures and pedicures at the great new salon next door to us and then she treated us to dinner at River Birch. We are all rotten because Shirley is the best boss EVER.

Saturday I taught two classes - English Paper Piecing (with shout-outs to Bonnie of course for getting me addicted) and Free Motion Quilting. I won't ever teach two classes in one day again...unless they are the same class. Prepping for machine quilting after hand piecing is like drifting in a canoe and suddenly finding yourself in Class IV rapids.

Saturday night, Mr. Salem Stitcher and Mr. Quiltkeemosabe went to the Wake Forest game. So, Quiltkeemosabe and I went to dinner and then to her house to hang out. We watched Modern Family (I cannot believe I haven't been watching this show...hysterical!) and watched Shelby school Mars. Bless his heart. She's a quarter his size and she made him stay in his room all night.

Sunday, I stayed in the house most of the day prepping for the Hispanic League Fiesta this weekend. Three Amigas will have a booth - me, Witch Hazel & Muerto2go. I still have lots of work to do. Then we met Nane and Go Postal for dinner at one of our favorite places and then to see Los Lonely Boys at the new Ziggy's.

It was fabulous...but the best was the miracle pick that Henry threw to Nane. He pointed at her, toss the pick and it landed at my feet...which were on the balcony. A miracle.

Am I having fun yet?

almost always.

All Hopped Out

It's been a busy few days at the shop. We've been all dressed up in our 50's attire and I'm hearing Oldies in my sleep.

We've had 4 buses come through - shopping and laughing and singing. (We sang The Lollipop Song a gazillion times.)

Friday night we had a jelly roll race. I tried to participate but my helper wasn't really a lot of help.

Here's Quiltkeemosabe modeling her jelly roll veil...which became a quilt the next day.

Shelby got to hang out at the hop on Sunday. There rest of the week was way too crazy.

Everyone was celebrating Saturday night. (We were silly tired.)

I thought this was so cute I had to post it twice. (Actually, Blogger won't let me delete it. I love blogger weirdness.)

We're all tired but happy. It was a great few days - seeing lots of folks, acting really silly and working like dogs. The best thing...feeling like I've been adopted by the most wonderful family ever.

Things Are Hopping!!

Months of planning

Many meetings

Lots of ideas

Ordering new things

Mucho arrangements

What to wear...

The real fun starts today!

Let the hopping begin!

My bobby socks are beached. How about yours?

Going Near Philadelphia

This past week, I had a Bernina class in Harrisburg, PA. Bernina is very good about holding classes all over the country for their techs so we can learn new things and polish up on old things. It's also a great opportunity to meet other techs and talk about things they see and gather new ideas...not to mention it's always great to learn from my BSF (Best Swiss Friend), Hans.

This is Emily's 1530 on Wednesday. Don't worry. It's all better now.

Class ended a little early on Thursday so I went up to Hersey to visit Quiltmaker's Cottage, one of the shops that was in McCall's Quilt Sampler this spring. It was a very cute little shop and very friendly...always a bonus. And, of course, they had Hersey Kisses at the register...so I HAD to buy something so I could steal chocolate sans guilt.

I love Hersey's street lights...and the fact that the aroma of chocolate permeates the air. I roiled down the windows and took great big gulps. I probably looked like a very happy dog hanging my head out the window.

After my side trip, I headed east to visit Nancy, Near Philadelphia...the highlight of the trip. You would think spending two nights at someone's home that you've only seen in person once over lunch and a quilt shop visit would be a tad awkward. It was like coming home to an old friend. Not only did I "know" Nancy but I "knew" Joe and Blackberry too. I was treated to wonderful home cooked meals most on the back deck with the gold finches and hummingbirds to entertain us and my own room with lots of Nancy's quilts to admire. Thursday night we hung out with Joe and Blackberry and watched a movie. Then Friday, Nancy took me to Lancaster County for a shopping adventure.

Our first stop was the Farmer's Market at Bird-in-Hand where I was introduced to Amish sticky buns. I brought some home to David. He's lucky I couldn't reached them in the car on the way home.

Our next stop was The Olde Country Store where I found Cherrywoods on sale...yes, Cherry woods...on SALE. But the best part with upstairs in the museum and museum gift shop. Had I felt rich, I would have bought many, many things. But I behaved myself...so sad. Here's Nancy leaving The Olde Country Store with her new puzzle...which Joe and I both played with when we got home.

We stepped next door and looked at the pottery...most of which was too expensive for me no matter how beautiful. There was one teapot that caught my eye (and was a good price) but I was a good girl...until we got almost to the car...then I turned around and went back in to buy it. I knew I'd regret it if I didn't.

Next we stopped at the Log Cabin Quilt Shop in Bird-in-Hand where I found some William Morris FQs to add to my collection and some homespuns on sale.

We had lunch at TDFKAZ's (or Park Place for us tourists) which was yummy and much better than any touristy smorgasbord. Our last stop (other than a neighborhood food market) was Burkholder's Fabrics. We drove...and drove...and drove...it's after the goats...and after the horses...and after the cows...right there in the cornfield...and so very worth the drive. The selection was incredible as were the prices. On the front porch were grocery carts filled with short bolts (7 - 9 yards on a bolt) for $3.49 per yard! There were Civil War bolts in there. I brought three south with me...and a few more things I found inside.

Here's some of the treasures I found along the way. (The three short bolts were still in the car. We have to integrate new things in the stash gradually, you know.)

Friday night, some of Nancy's friends came to sit and sew (oh, and eat pie...we can't forget the pie...yum)! There was sharing and laughing...lots and lots of laughing.

After another good night's sleep, another wonderful breakfast and just a little more time with Nancy, Joe and Blackberry, I took off in a southerly path...sad to go but oh so glad I had the chance to be there in the first place.

On my way home yesterday, I stopped in Gettysburg. I on;y had a little bit of time so I took in the film and cyclerama an d part of the museum then drive to the North Carolina monument. I'd like to come back and spend a whole day or so there to see everything. There is something about standing on that ground, looking across that field, knowing I cannot possibly imagine what happened there. It moves me to tears.

And now...I'm back home in the South where it is hot and humid and there are no toll roads or neighborhood food markets. I do hope to get to go back someday and visit Near Philadelphia again. Who would have thought when I started my blog not so long ago that it would yield such blessings.