Pretties

Had a nice little treat yesterday--Pam and I went out to Sandy's for a visit and to do a bit of antiquing.

Naturally, Sandy lives in a darling house and you should see her studio...I know she's posted some pics but I tell you, you could spend hours in there. Seriously. She's got so much lovely stuff! And she'll have a new quilt pattern soon that everyone is going to want to make.

We went to a couple of local shops...hadn't been there since probably last summer, and I mentioned that there was an item I'd really wanted then but didn't buy. Sandy suggested that it might still be there. Hmmm...since I really didn't remember what it actually WAS, I found that doubtful, but within moments, I spotted it. Pam was skeptical, but Sandy felt I should buy it. I've decided Sandy is a really cool person to shop with. Don't know what I'll do with it (and yes, Pam, most of the staining came off) but it's so darn pretty.



I got to wear my sweet bracelet I ordered from Jen...you really need to go over and see her etsy site--her things are wonderful! I want to show you the amazing little box my bracelet came in--it's on my ribbon shelf in the studio where I can enjoy it while sewing.

Looking for a hobby

Don't get me wrong--I LOVE quilting. Really, it's great. But it's no longer a hobby, it's more of a job. So lately I've been on a quest to find some new things to do--things that are just for fun. Where someone else has written the instructions.

Crocheting is fun; I'm enjoying learning that, and it's been great checking out yarn shops. I had no idea there were so many cool yarns! It seems that most shops, at least around here, tend to focus on knitting. So that seemed like a good thing to try as well. I picked up a kit to make a garter stitch scarf--it had little balls of lots of different fancy yarns. While it was easy to knit, I was having tension issues; I think due to the difference in weight of the various yarns and that caused other tension issues. It's at its best in a pile as shown.



But the knitting part was fun! I've seen so many people blogging about knitting socks. Seems like an impossible task, but there they all are creating beautiful and practical socks. So why not give it a try, right?
So I picked up this book and some really cheap yarn to start with. I have to say--it's a good book. I now have a sock. One sock. And it really kind of does look like a sock. Wanna see it? Promise not to laugh? Oh, go ahead. Laugh. My sock and I deserve it.



I was following the instructions for the super large size sock based on my super large size feet. This was not a good idea because only the foot part needed to be longer. Oh, well, no big deal, it's practice. Double pointed needles are NOT fun, but once Pam
showed me how to hold them, that became easier. Making the heel was so cool! I was spurred on to continue as I saw my sock becoming quite sock-like. By the time I got to the foot part I was finally used to those 4 needles and got into a zen-like state of knitting. Completely forgetting about stopping when the sock reached a certain length.
Oh well again. So here's my sock. I don't have a camera lens that can quite take it all in...and it certainly won't fit even me. Jeff thinks his friend "Big Ryan" could possibly wear it, but I'm not making a second one.
But oddly enough I had a great time doing it so may try to make a real pair. With sock yarn. Anyone out there have any advice?? I'd really appreciate it.

Maybe I need a more active hobby. Our family plus some assorted additional teens went to this fancy go-kart place yesterday. For Family Day. Anyone who has been in my car when I'm driving would naturally assume this would be right up my alley. That assumption couldn't be more wrong. There were 8 of us and I came in 7th. The only reason I beat my husband was because he became so dizzy he had to stop.

I was pleased that Jeff beat everyone else by a considerable amount--especially since he's the only person of the group who does not have a driver's license.
He also does not have a quilt. And how horrible is that?



So in a hobby-ish fashion, I've begun making a version of At Home for him, in the fabrics he's chosen. Gotta love those roses--the rest? Uh...not so much. I'll let you know how it looks as it progresses. Maybe.

Bloomin' good stuff

Maybe a shrub along the back fence doesn't really count, but it's in bloom so into the house it goes. Spring really will be coming soon!

I'm so glad Pam posted those shots of the quilt shop in Pismo Beach. Not sure how
anyone can get much done down there what with the OCEAN right down the street and all.

I did pick up a few pieces of red/white for an idea that was brewing but when then I had the opportunity to get ahold of some of Alex's new fabrics so I'm busy with those. I've always loved all of her "Romance" lines and this new one is no exception.



Anyway...I did pick up a super cool book down there and wanted to share it with you just in case you haven't grabbed a copy yourself. Doesn't this sound like fun? I can't wait for warmer weather so I can make a bunch of floorcloths for various rooms around here. While I am partial to C&T books (hmmm...) I have to say the instructions look very thorough and you aren't limited to the author's designs. I can't wait to make a custom floorcloth for my kitchen!



When Pam and I went to the Quilter's Inn yesterday I picked up a few 1/4s of some lovely pastels...including a darling piece from Urban Chik's "Swell" line. Pam isn't the only one who knows the Urban Chiks!
I'm in love with Sandy Klop's pattern called "Merry-Go-Round Quilt" and have this fantasy that I'll find the time to make one for my bed...that probably won't happen, but it's so much fun to pick up pretty 1/4 yards for it anyway.


Hope everyone's having a great week!

Blurry travelog (part 2)

And so we continue the saga of two friends, delicious food, great shops and pathetic photography.



After leaving Cambria we headed to Morro Bay. There is something about that rock that makes me take picture after picture...even when we're miles away.

Somehow, and we're not sure just how,(but you can bet a blog is involved) Pam
found out about a "ribbon place" in Morro Bay. That's all she knew and it was my job to get the details.



So here we are at Lina G...not sure what we were expecting, but it wasn't this completely overwhelming experience. Every square inch of that shop is full of lace, trimmings, yarn, flowers, etc, etc and etc--much of it vintage.



I now wish I'd taken more pictures from the other end of the shop--I seem to have been rooted to the floor of the yarn area.



There were also many incredible hats...I tend to not notice those as much because I'm sensitive about my oversized dome (that matches my oversized feet) but here you can see the lovely Pam showing off a charming wool model.



Here's my pile...had to bring those little German paper children home. Several of the trim pieces are French. Does that make them better? I do believe it does!


So down to the Apple Farm we went to check into our room and of course eat again.



Our room was massive, plus I was overcome with emotion over the idea that I'd be spending the night in what appeared to be a model home, so I couldn't really get a good picture. That's my bed...Pam's bed was seemingly miles away...over near the immaculate bathroom.



Here I am, attempting to knit a sock while being warmed by the fire. Pure heaven! And add some dessert items brought back with us from dinner...throw in having Pam advise me on knitting needle placement--since turns out I don't even know how to hold needles the right way...and you've got a perfect evening!

Blurry travelog (part 1)

Last Thursday marked the beginning of a much deserved and wildly anticipated trip south for Pam and me. We'd both had enough of cold, gray and WET days and needed to get away so we could recharge and, well, charge...stuff.



There was blue sky! A need for sunglasses! So far, so good.

It's roughly a 4 hour drive from where we are to the central coast. We've made that trip before and have come home the same day, but this time we'd have 2 whole days...

Stopped off first in Cambria, which is a darling little town. We had a delicious lunch
and while we normally pull out our cameras to document our food, it didn't seem appropriate as we were at a tiny table smack dab in the middle of several large tables
where ladies were having what were clearly sophisticated luncheons. Probably just as well, since it would be embarrassing to have to admit to the sheer quantity of pie I consumed...


On our way out of town we saw a shop called "Dirty Laundry" and I tell you, Pam practically did an FBI slide to the curb so we could check the place out.



Need some bacon flavored breath mints? Wildly inappropriate greeting cards? Interesting gift items? Dirty Laundry does not disappoint.

I made many, many purchases...most of them gifts for my sons...and it would probably be best if I didn't describe any of them.


On our way back to the car we noticed another shop...and that would be Birds of a Feather. Almost didn't go in--the shop looked so charming from the outside and our bags of fresh tackiness seemed out of place.
I'm so glad we decided to chance it.

WHAT A SHOP.


Seriously. A wonderful combination of vintage and new...and the displays are amazing.


While you may wish to "frolic", I'd advise against it--you might miss something and there are beautiful goodies throughout. The very top photo of this post? Doesn't it make you want to rush right over there? Look at all the ribbons!



See that little cream colored shelf with the scallops? Over there on the left? That's at my house now.



So that's the first bit of our trip...now I have to get upstairs to the studio and start creating! New fabrics have been arriving and it's time to turn them into new quilts...so there will be more pics from our trip and then some sneak peeks of new projects!

True Love!

I am sooo sorry for the delay in getting back to all of you--I spent Friday thru most of Sunday in bed with a nasty bug. Luckily I was able to sleep thru much of it, but it's definitely not a recommended way to spend the weekend.

Of course you didn't come here to read about my aches and pains...you want to see who won the drawing!



Well, first of all, I was overwhelmed by your wonderful comments. All 80 of them! So after numbering all the paper bits, it was off to the studio...



Presley was not impressed; he's been thru this before.
Sitting on the darling piece of Anne's fabric I laid out for the occasion...Melvin looks, well, confused.


Rosie tries to cheer him on.


Nope, this just isn't working, is it?

Time to bring in the Professional...luckily I caught Compton between Monday engagements, so he had the time to come teach Melvin the ropes.



THIS is how it's done...you just stick your head in...LIKE THIS!



And pull out a number! LIKE THIS! See? Easy!



I'll even show you again...LIKE THIS!! Got it?



Hmmmm...
You mean like this?



Did I do good?



All things considered, I'd say Melvin did quite well. You may be rolling your eyes over the idea that the pigs were talking to each other. Well, if you had the amount of cold medicine in your system that I do, trust me, PIGS CAN TALK.

So...if the following people can email me with their addresses (latebloomerquilts@yahoo.com) I'll get your goodies off to you!
Thanks for playing along!

#12: atet
#49: Eva
#3: Jeannie

Hey there,

As promised, it's time for another giveaway--True Love style! Since Valentine's Day will be upon us shortly, it's time to pull out your favorite pink and red fabrics and get to work.
This time the winner will receive a copy of my Altar Steps pattern, my True Love pattern and two kits--one for a heart ornament and one for a cone. (I know, there I go with the cones again...)
They are easy patterns and those little ornaments are addictive.


Sound like fun? Of course it does! You know who will be drawing a name this weekend.

Maybe you figure you won't win? Well, if you order a True Love pattern before Valentine's Day, I'll include an ornament kit with your order, while they last. The ornament kits include fabric, felt, and all the trimmings you need--many include vintage millinery flowers and antique lace.



Melvin is resting up for the occasion,


so...

and leave a comment!

An apple a day...

How's THIS for a snack? Pam brought this back for me from the farmer's market when she went to visit Frankie. And I have to say, it's an example of truth in advertising--that was one OUTRAGEOUS caramel apple! It was freaking amazing.
And yes, I ate darn close to the whole thing.



Maybe you aren't a big fan of apples...what do you think of these cherries? I think they're darling. This is what arrived in the mail for me the other day--I'd entered a blog drawing figuring I'd never win...and I figured wrong. How sweet is this lapel pin?!



If you would enjoy a pin like this for your very own, just hop on over to Room With a Past; they're now available. Pam and I were up there today--since this is the weekend they're open this month-- and there are always sweet goodies and vintage treasures to be found.

Even if you can't get there, one of the owners, Jan, has a darling blog so you might want to check it out! Jan also did something so sweet...look what she did with Melvin's picture! I didn't think he could be made any cuter...wrong again.

And regarding Melvin, I've been asked if Presley attempts to eat the little guy. That would be a big NO. Presley works extremely hard at completely ignoring Mel...as only a cat can ignore.



And speaking of drawings to enter...stay tuned because there will be a Valentine-themed drawing here next week.

Happy rest-of-the-weekend, everybody!

Roommates in...

Believe it or not, there's more to the Late Bloomer life than just shopping and sniffing glue...I've got a studio to get ready! Well, and quilts to work on, but we'll discuss that another time...

While I love my new studio I'm just not at all used to being alone in a room. Feels wrong. But luckily it was easy to remedy.

When I moved upstairs, I took Presley's basket with me since he generally spends his days with me. I found a spot under my sewing table and put the basket there. I correctly assumed he might have an issue with my placement. He did. Wouldn't even go near the basket. Instead, he'd go downstairs and sit sulking in the spot where his basket used to be. OK, fine. I moved the basket back downstairs. Nope, no good. He went back to the studio. (Sorry, but I love that word so much I have to make it special even when I type it--so hopefully you'll read the word the right way--studio--in a sort of breathless whisper...)
This time he decided my chair would be his new hangout. Uh, no.

So youngest son Jeff (you remember Jeff--my princess?) took my basket full of crochet stuff off its wooden stand, dumped it on the floor and placed the basket up on it. So Presley can look out the window while he relaxes. An added bonus is he can spray hair on my new white curtains.



Well, that leaves me needing to find a place for my yarn, but at least the cat is happy.


If you've followed my blog at all you know I have an irrational love of guinea pigs. I'm still missing Turbo quite a bit...so middle son Nick suggested I get a pig of my own. Wasn't hard to convince me! So I'm pleased to introduce Melvin.



Isn't he darling? He's so sweet and cuddly...his cage is ugly so you don't get to see a picture of it...yet...I've got plans for adding some fabric to hide the ugly parts. I'll show it off when it's done. Assuming my plans work...

So anyway, it's starting to feel at home up there. A prettier and cleaner version of home, but I'll take it!