Western Washington Quilt Shop Hop

We survived! The Shop Hop comes each year, and goes in a blur. The days run together, I forget who I have told what, we see old friends, eat M&M's and do a lot of laughing. And, then there is the counting. We count passports-we gave out around 500. We count block kits-we gave out 2,495. We count completed passports-155 were turned in. Pretty amazing in 5 "short"days.

On Tuesday, the day before the Shop Hop started, I heard a scraping noise outside the shop. I went outside and found Ray, the Country Village Maintenance Man, preparing the eves for painting. Yes, they needed it, but really not the day before the shop hop. He said he would hurry, and it would look nice for the event. A while later I went outside, and he was painting the fence. He made a huge mess with the paint chips, so he said he would pressure wash the bricks. Really? So, when I arrived at the shop at 6:45 Wednesday morning, his helper was coming down the parking lot with the pressure washer. "Oh, yeah, I will have it done in no time" Really? Joyce, Noel and I were busy getting the last minute inside stuff done, really wanting to start moving the sale stuff out, set up the stamping station, try out our new canopy. We looked out the front window and it was covered with "muck". Really? He finished at about 5 after 8, we had to be open at 9. It took 6 of us to figure out the canopy, but it sure worked great!

It was smooth sailing after the initial rocky start. We had a great time, and celebrated with our annual Keepsake Kuties Wrap-up dinner. Thanks girls, I could not imagine doing this without you! J

SUMMER TIME

I can't believe where the time goes. Summer came to the NW early this year, and I have been enjoying the long warm evenings. Sitting on the patio is my favorite evening activity, until the mosquito's start to bite.

I've done a little sewing, enough to feel like I am still in the "game". But, always have way more ideas than time.

Shop Hop is just around the corner. It starts next Wednesday and runs thru Sunday. If you don't have a passport yet, stop in and pick one up. Today there is a PT Cruiser show here in the Village, and tomorrow is the annual Father's Day Car Show. I am not a huge car girl, but I have to admire the love these people (not all men) have put into these beautiful classics. You can see yourself in the high gloss finish they have labored over. It is always a fun day here in Country Village as these machine rumble in!

Happy Father's Day to two of my favorite men. My daddy and my super supportive husband. I love you both soooo much!!! J

Happy Mother's Day!

I want to wish all of you a Happy Mother's Day tomorrow. One of the things I have always loved about family life is Traditions. (This is where I expect my boys to break out in song--from Fiddler on the Roof.) For many years all I have wanted for Mother's Day was to be able to take as many pictures of boys as I wanted. No Complaints! No Bunny Ears! No Tongues Sticking Out! This year I asked Christopher, who lives in Idaho, to mail me a yellow camera with pictures of him, and I will have it developed. I have already "reminded" Cameron and Quinton of the fun we will have on Mother's Day evening.

I hope you have traditions of your own, if not, why not start this year! Julie

Happy Birthday, Granny!

Granny's 90th birthday party was a wonderful sunny event. Held in a park just above the Pacific Ocean in Coos Bay, Oregon. There were about 70 people there, including her 3 sisters and her brother. Ruthie, Judy and Janet, her daughters, planned, cooked, decorated and hosted us all. She had Grandchildren, Greatgrandchildren and Great-great grandchildren in attendance. What a joyous day! She is sharp as a tack with a great since of humor, enjoys a little adult beverage from time to time, is still looking for a man to drive her to the store once in a while, and loves to be the center of attention.

How am I related? She is my father's, mother-in-law. Daddy and Ruthie were married 5 years ago, so, I am actually one of her newest grandchildren! Fun for all of us! Julie

U.S. Troop Bags

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter with your families. Easter is one of the 4 days a year that the shop is closed, so I always cherish the day with my family. I had expected to have just 2 of my boys for dinner, and by 5pm, 5 of their friends had come to join us. It was delightful. And, since I don't know how to make a small meal there was plenty of food for everyone.

The shop is working on a little service project, and if you would like to join us it would be great. We are making cloth drawstring bags for U.S. Troops. The bags are donated to another group that fills them with goodies and ships them overseas. Often they are given to children in the area where our brave men and women are serving. The bags use 1/2 yard of fabric, cording and take about 1/2 hour to make. So, if you would like to join in the fun, you can go to http://creativethimble.com to download the free pattern, or stop by the shop for your copy. I plan to mail them out on May 1st. Thanks in advance for your patricipation in this project. Julie

Rag Time Quilt

It has been a long time since I have made a rag quilt, but I have seen more and more of them in the shop recently. So, I have been inspired to make one. There is a special little lady in my life who is having her 90th birthday next week, so this seemed perfect. I was a little taken aback when a customer wondered if a 90 year old would "get" the rag quilt concept. It didn't occur to me that it wouldn't be a "real" quilt with tiny stitches. They are just for fun, cozy, nap time. I am pushing ahead, hoping to wash it at least twice (at the local wash-a-teria) before I head to Coos Bay for the big party. Then, I want to make one for myself! It is a wonderful way to use all of those batting pieces that I just can't bring myself to throw away! Julie

Tri County Quilt Tour

It's day 4 of the Tri County Quilt Tour. Between last weeks quilt show and the tour I feel like I have seen nearly every quilter within a hundred mile range! It has been quite the "quilt extravaganda" 2 weeks. The problem is I miss my sewing room! I keep watching and helping people put together new projects, and I want to do the same thing! So, at 8:30 this morning I pulled fabric for a cowboy quilt, to go on the bed in the cowboy guest bedroom. Just cutting the fabric helped ease my withdrawl symptoms. Every new stack of fabric is a belief that I will sew again!

I have a new granddog, and maybe he needs a little blankey. My son Quinton picked him out at the shelter last Sunday. He had surgery Monday morning, including a microchip. Q picked him up early Monday afternoon, I stopped by about 45 minutes later. He was still pretty drugged, but friendly and adorable. A yellow lab, pit bull mix. Q took him for a walk about 15 minutes later, and J-Rock bolted. Took off running with his leash dragging behind. Q tried to find him, but he was gone. You can only imagine how he felt. On Wednesday afternoon he recieved a call from the animal shelter in Kent, which is at least 15 miles from where he lives. Someone found him, still with the leash on, tied him to a fence post and called animal control. As my son Cameron said "it was just like Homeward Bound". Yes, I think J-Rock deserves a quilt!