Quilt Store in Jacksonville

While in Jacksonville we visited the Olde Green Cupboard Quilt Store. If you are in the area and have not been there, shame on you. It is an amazing store with the friendliest staff. They have over 10,000 sq. feet of gifts, home decor, fabrics, patterns, wool, stitcheries, just about anything a quilter could want. I could have spent hours there but had everyone with me and believe me, they were not near as impressed as I was. I could have also spent a fortune there but didn't.

This was a little room all set up with '30's repro fabrics. This is where my money went.
I only bought 12 fat quarters and the purse pattern below. I was really proud of myself. I bought so much at the NQA show in June that I really didn't need to get anything else until I finish some of those projects. Right? Isn't that how it works? HA!!!

I just love this one.
As I mentioned, I could have been there all day. These pictures don't even begin to give you a feel for how big this place is. I didn't even photograph the front quarter of the store where the gifts and decorations were or the classrooms in the back. I have never seen such big classrooms. I guess it's a good thing I don't live in Jacksonville or we would be so very broke!!

Thanks for stopping by. Happy Quilting!

Secret Project Revealed

People have always said that I am just like my Grandmother. I take that as a compliment. She is a very special lady. She is a strong but loving woman who has always been one of my biggest cheerleaders no matter what I have attempted.

I remember spending time with her and my Grandfather every summer. She was a golfer so while she played golf at the country club we got to swim. I say "was" because she is now 93 and doesn't spend much time on the course anymore. She was actually pretty good. I always love looking at all her trophies she has displayed on shelves in her bedroom. She is still active at her church in north Texas. She is a "class mom" and loved dearly by all. She played the organ there for many years. We had such fun there growing up. She makes the best pecan pie this side of the Mississippi River. In fact, so far I've found, she makes the best pecan pie on either side of the Mississippi!

When my Grandmother turned 90 my mother threw a huge party for her. During the party I collected signatures for a quilt to commemorate the occasion and her life. Unfortunately, it has taken me 3 years to finally get those signatures into a quilt. Fortunately, the quilt is now finished!! This trip to Texas is to deliver the quilt.

I used the "cracker box" square to set off the signatures. The fabrics are an assortment of '30 prints that you can read about here.
















I hope that people will always compare me to my grandmother. In my estimation, you would have to try very hard to top that compliment. I admire and love her deeply. Sorry it took so long, Grandma.

Big Finish

Today is the final day for the Color Challenge issued by Natalie of Cinderberry Stitches. Red is her color of choice today. I have shown you many of my reds. Just page back to blue day and you will see that they go together so well that I have combined them in many of my quilts. Here's the first quilt I ever made. It was, in fact, the project from my first ever quilt class. It hangs in my studio.

You can probably tell from my banner that I love '30's reproductions. I think I have mentioned it a time of two (gross understatement). Here are a few of them from my stash.
Ain't they pretty? (Shh, don't tell my sweet kid #3 that I said ain't. She's planning on being a high school english teacher and she just cringes when I say ain't.) It's because of this....
This sign hangs in our kitchen. But let me show you what's red and hangs in our entry hall.


















My husband is an artist(a hobby right now). He's really good if I do say so myself. And you know I am not the least bit biased!! He has done a series of seasonal old barns. This one obviously is fall. It is my favorite of the barns. This barn sits just a little south of the small town we used to live in. If you would like to see more of his art you can check out his website here.

Here are a few more shots from around the house with red, of course.













































Well, if you have stuck it out to the end, thanks. This has been fun.
Happy Quilting!

Mail Call - -Be forewarned...Long Post

Oh, just look what was sitting at my door when I got home from the Antique Mall (more on that another day...this is just too exiting to wait). Did I tell you that my very best friend in the whole wide world (Hi again, Claudia) and another very dear friend (Hi, Julie) own a quilt store just northeast of Houston? I don't think I did but that's who this package is from. They don't do online orders (yet????) as they have only been open for a little under two years. The shop is called The Quilt Room and is just as cute as can be. Their website is under construction right now but if you are in the area just bookmark it then give them a call and they will give you directions. You won't want to miss it or them.

I cut right into that package and what's this? It's a tote bag from one of their vendors. I really need a tote bag for the NQA Quilt Show in June. Now I won't have to make one!! I have another project in mind with what is under that tote bag.
Want to see what it is?? Sure you do!! It's from a quilt store, isn't it?


Oh, just lookie there. I see fat quarters. Sweet '30's fat quarters. I just love the "30 reproductions. In fact, I love all the reproduction fabrics. I'm a traditional quilter at heart. I love the basic scrappy, vintage quilts the best. I think I've probably mentioned that before. You are probably thinking you would like to see it all laid out.

Oh, ok!!



Wow!! Just look at that haul!! If I counted right it is 17 yards of cuteness. I tried to count it as it was going into the washing machine. That's right, it's already in the washer. Since I already know what I am doing with this cuteness, I'm just chomping at the bit(there's my Texas-ness coming out) to get started on it. In fact, I might ought to go check and make sure it's not ready for the dryer.


It was ready and now is in the dryer. Sheesh! Don't you just hate the way all those threads ravel and knot up the fabric. It's a real pain. Have you found a way to circumvent that jumble? Leave me a comment with your hints, PLEASE!!

Well, I guess this is long enough and plenty of pictures for one day. I'll be attached to my iron shortly. I don't have to worry about getting supper since hubby is in Minneapolis on business. I bought a rotisserie chicken and some fresh broccoli on the way home. Sounds like a plan. Happy Quilting!!