Taking Advantage of the Situation

Occasionally I will give Leo and his new parents a break from me.  During those times, I will explore
 the local points of interest....by that I mean, the LQSs in the area!  There are plenty, I can tell you that.

Esther's Fabrics sandwich board

First stop was Pink Chalk Studio.  I know the girls there thought I was crazy when I drove over an hour one way to pick up my online order.  To me that is "being in the area".  Well it is....compared to traveling from central Florida.  I know the gas cost more than the savings on shipping, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see where all the magic happens.

Pink Chalk Studio

I was disappointed that Kathy was not there, but Carrie and the other gals were super sweet and showed me around their newly expanded work place.  Talk about your dream job!  What a super cool working environment!  I just wanted to walk around and touch all the fabric.  Since they were still settling in, I didn't know if it was appropriate to take any photos.  I did snap this quick pic of monthly club stuffing in progress though.

The girls at Pink Chalk suggested I check out Esther's Fabrics and ChurchMouse Yarns and Teas while I was in the area.  OK, don't mind if I do ;-)  I did bribe my daughter with lunch and dessert first.  Esther's Fabric was a great little shop where I picked up a few items including some hand dyed wool.  ChurchMouse Yarns is a place I'd like to visit again when I have more than a few minutes.  I have made a note to schedule a one-on-one crocheting lesson the next time I am in town.

On another occasion (i.e. when dropping my daughter off at airport in Seattle because she thinks I have an unhealthy obsession with baby Leo because all I want to do is hold him because she is missing her daddy) I took a little detour and visited The Quilting Loft.  I have to tell you that I.LOVE.THIS.SHOP!!!!!!

The first thing I saw when I walked in The Quilting Loft was a huge display featuring several quilts made by Katie Pederson from her new book quilting modern with Jacquie!!!  Wow!!!  I was also super excited to see that Katie regularly teaches classes at this LQS.  Of course, none of those classes take place while I am here, so I will just have to make another trip.   (Between the new grand baby and all the quilt shops, my family is getting nervous I might want to relocate.)

The owner and the other girls in The Quilting Loft were super nice and accommodating!  I wandered around the shop drooling over all the modern fabrics they have in stock that I had only previously seen online.  I bought another copy of Quilting Modern (coffee spill on other one) and just a few fabric items (fully aware of limited suitcase space).

I also noticed they carry Carolyn Friedlander's (Florida local girl) patterns.  It's very exciting to see patterns for sale by someone you know!

 I could have stayed, shopping and chatting all day if baby Leo wasn't calling my name.   Grandbabies do take precedence.
Well, I'm off to hold Leo now.....I think they've had a long enough break from me ;-)