This, That and The Other Thing ---

Isn’t this just PERFECT?!

While out antiquing in Boone with Martha and Toni, we drove right past the new Hobby Lobby that was having its grand opening.  Toni said “I’ve never been in a Hobby Lobby!”  And Martha made a quick turn and we wound our way through some side roads to get back to the parking lot.

Toni is an artist, she needed paint brushes anyway, so why not give her the whole she-bang?

It turns out that wall decor was 50% off, and while I didn’t think I would find anything I needed, I came away with TWO signs for Quiltville Inn, this one going right outside the Quilting Quarters door.

It’s a HEXIE!  How could I say no?

And this one will go somewhere, as of yet undecided:

Yes, yes it is!

It’s SADIE!

So this one will go over her food and water at the cabin.  Just too cute.  And I got out of there for under $30.00 and I couldn’t be happier.

While dropping the signs and the Martha Washington sewing cabinet at the Inn on my way home Thursday morning, I remembered to get THIS for those who have emailed me about it:

I should buy this by the 5 gallon bucket -

But I’d never be able to lift it!

we matched the paint on one of the drawer fronts in the kitchen by taking it in.  I am painting all cabinets, door frames, doors, moldings and baseboards with this paint.  It is awesome!

It’s not stark white, it’s a bit “aged” looking as seen by the paint dot at the corner of the label.  If this helps anyone, great.  It also gives me a place to direct folks for more information if I get any more emails about it.  Oh, there is SO much painting to do!

As seen on my drive home through Sparta, NC.

This old house could use a coat or two!

If you have followed me for any length of time you know of my love for old farm houses and tumble down buildings.  This is one that can really only be seen when the trees have no leaves.  I was on a wide open empty road so I was able to pull to a stop, roll down the window and shoot this from the car.

I look at these houses and I just feel it in my heart – all of the love and the living that once took place there.  Can you hear it?  The echoes. 

Highway 93 is long and windy and steep in parts, and there are not a lot of places where you can pull off and stop – there is no shoulder for most of the road. 

There is one house that I have looked for EVERY WINTER – because you can not see it in the summer/fall at all until the leaves are gone.  It’s off the side of the road, down an embankment, and from the road all you can see is the roof line – but it is tucked down in there.

Usually all I can see is the far right side of the house!

But having a bit of time, I drove up the road a bit more than 1/4 mile and found a place where I could pull off and I hiked my way back to get a shot of the house from the road, as close as I could get.

Brightening up the exposure a bit.

I not only hear echoes with this one, but music coming from a wind-up gramophone, or an old 1930s radio. Maybe a piano in the parlor.

The funny thing is – I posted the photo to my Instagram and Facebook and here comes Martha with a “Remind me to tell you the story about that house…..” comment.  This woman knows EVERYTHING and EVERYONE!  It’s like Walton’s Mountain, you know?

It’s almost like sitting around the table with “The Sisters” and sharing just a tot of “The Recipe.”  LOL.

“It belongs to the woman who lives in the house above it. She was an orphan and taken in by her maiden aunts who lived in the house. She takes care of the house and won’t entertain selling it. She has no children and neither does her present husband, so it will be interesting what will happen to it. I understand it is still furnished!”

So for now, the house is still taken care of in its original state – a very good thing!  I’m happy to know it isn’t abandoned, and in time I hope someone will be able to love it and care for it and put some living back into it.

Isn’t it just so INTERESTING what we find out there if we just look?

And speaking of interesting:

Well Hello’s Bells!

Sometimes mysteries are a mystery to me too. Remember I was working on this mystery while my brother was at the end stage of his life and I wasn't focusing too well while making my notes. Not to mention dealing with a crazy new book release during the Thanksgiving holidays when part 1 went live.

It turns out that you only need 192 4-patches and I had you make too many. Oops. How about piecing them into the back somehow. Or use them as a starter kit for a quick mini?

Thank you for understanding.  I have updated Part 1, and also the PDF copy with the correct number.

It’s also safe to say that it likely won’t be my last mistake either!

And this breaks my heart – but it’s time.

The last postage jump from last year had rates to Canada jumping by more than $3.00 per 1 lb parcel.  Global shipping on a 2 to 4 lb package is $32.00 and going higher.

I’ve drug my feet on doing this for a long long time, but with the new book release, and MOST of the international ordering customers balking when I  billed them for their postage to get their package where it needed to go because they forgot to add it to their shopping carts – it’s just time.  

I can no longer fight the international shipping game.

If a package goes missing – my tracking only goes as far as the USA border.  Beyond that, I can’t find your package for you and I can’t refund you because there is no way to track it.

And the customs fees!  Oh, my!

I love my international customers, but I’d rather see you spending your money on fabric than on postage and customs fees. 

So – please please please talk to your local shops and see about getting them to carry my merchandise where you can readily buy it and some fabric on the side instead of paying for postage.  It will help them, it will help you.

Perhaps there is an online retailer within your own country who would benefit from your support.

I am honored that you have ordered through me over the years, but things have just gotten ridiculous.  I spend more time refunding and canceling people’s orders once they find out what their shipping needs to be to get their package to them – it’s just time.

DIGITAL PATTERNS are the exception!  I am happy to provide those for you as always as they don’t require any kind of shipping. That's a win for us both.

I will honor those international orders that have come through up to YESTERDAY. This notification is going up on the Quiltville Store today.

I am no longer able to accept physical (books and merchandise) international orders.

And that feels like a really sad note to end on.  So how about a bit of Lola Love?  Click to play:

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A post shared by Bonnie K Hunter (@quiltville_bonnie) on Jan 5, 2019 at 4:33am PST

And big boy Dresden got his turn, too!

Quiltville Quote of the Day!

String star quilt found in North Carolina.

Life isn't perfect. Just like our quilt blocks, points don't always meet up the way they should.

That doesn't mean it's not beautiful! Have a wonderful Saturday, folks!