Running back to Saskatoon...

Well, maybe not running, but flying. I spent yesterday on planes, trains (between terminals) and automobiles to make the trek back home. it is a three plane trip.
One oasis of pleasure amid all of that is found in the Minneapolis main concourse at Surdyck's wine bar and restaurant. I think I've mentioned it before, but it is worth revisiting, it's that good.

New Ribbon! and a contest!

We just received more new ribbons from Renaissance Ribbons,
their website is   here
Aren't they amazing?

Black and white zebra

Amy Butler, mosaic

Amy Butler, Blue on Gray Sari Petal

Anna Maria Horner, Spinning wheel, coral and cream

Gold tape with Black edges

Antique Gold metallic tape

Ivory and Gold Greek Key

Kaffe Fassett, Guinea Flower on Black and white

Kaffe Fassett, Plum and Orange Kite tail

Kaffe Fassett, Orange and Purple palm fan

Kaffe Fassett, blue and purple phase stripes

plus, there are 17 other ribbons that came a couple of weeks ago from Renaissance as well! 
It was really difficult to choose which ribbons to order.  Much harder than to order fabric.  There were so many options, and it was hard to envisage how each one could be useful in a project. 


In December, I wrote a post on all the ribbon inspirations that I acquired at their booth at Quilt Market in Houston,   here. 

Now, I am anxious to put some of these ideas into practice.

We should have a contest!  At the store, for using ribbons in a project!  This is a new idea-- I need help brainstorming for this contest, so all input is welcomed! ( including ideas on prizes, categories, parameters, etc,)

string quilt

I did a lot of binding of quilts before Christmas.  I had the idea that it would be good to have some on hand for Christmas gifts. 
This string quilt was made from lots of pretty pink and green and white fabrics.  Most of them were from Three Sisters, and some from a Tula Pink jelly roll that I had.

It is just a pretty summery quilt. 
I need to figure out  some sort of device to hang quilts up temporarily to take photos.  I don't want to put hanging sleeves on the back of quilts that are meant to go on a bed, so maybe it would need some sort of clips. 

Black and white, Block 9

This week's block is called Simply Squares.

It is part of our Saturday Surprise Sampler Block program that you can learn more about by clicking on the page tab above, or by pressing here

Boston is cold!

We came to Boston last night and my plan was to do a lot of walking around to see the sights. But today was really really cold, and I bought gloves and a scarf that I wrapped around my head. Even though the temperature didn't seem so bad, the humidity and the strong wind made it hard to be outside for more than a few minutes at a time. We're staying at a pretty central location, with a lot of churches and of course a very upscale shopping area,
I really enjoyed all the old sewing machines and other industrial fixtures at spitalfields, and of course Anthropologie is always great to browse through their amazing displays.
Tonight it seemed that the wind wasn't so bad so I hope tomorrow will be fun, I plan to go to the Art Museum!