Things We Do While Waiting -

These happened yesterday morning.

I had hoped to have some time while in Wallburg to not only get the Essex linen foundations cut for our upcoming Germany trip (ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!) but to also get the four remaining place mat tops pieced and ready for quilting.  Now let’s be serious – do I really think I can get these quilted and bound before the Ms Bee Haven Beta Test Retreat Group shows up?  Doubtful.  But it felt good to let everything else just take a back seat while I listened to some podcasts and just stitched in the comfort of my old home basement studio.

Just a bit of string piecing to finish the borders needed.

All of the parts kitted up and ready for assembly -

Truth be told – I’ve been up since 5am and I was going to run down to the QPO while dad slept and at least load these in the machine to be quilted later, but it rained most of the night, and my van is encrusted with frozen icy drizzle.  I didn’t know what the roads would be like and as it is still dark out, I decided not to risk it.

I’ve also got to print the Sulky Stick ‘n Stitch overlays with the Warm Hands, Warm Heart image so we can do the peel and stick routine onto the Essex linen foundations and run a needle through each one so those will be ready to hand out to my travelers.  But in the daylight.  When I’m sure there isn’t ice.  Maybe later today.

There was time for a bit of this!

Antique Marketplace in Greensboro is very close to the airport, and as I was running early, I made a stop just to see what I could find.  I didn’t make ANY purchases, but I loved seeing the quilts and all of the Christmas decor going up in preparation for Black Friday shoppers.  Of course – you know what WE will all be doing on Black Friday, right?

Now take a look at all 4 of these quilts and tell me if you can spot the Chinese import imposter?

I posted this photo to Instagram and Facebook yesterday and there were so many comments of “Oh, that Pickle Dish! It’s gorgeous!”  Well, folks – THAT PICKLE DISH was made in China.  How can you tell?  Polyester batting gives it away, as do the honking big stitches, but the easiest way to tell?  There is no binding.  The whole quilt is sewn like a pillow case and turned right side out.  If  there is no binding of any kind, be wary.  Be aware.  They were offering it as a “Vintage, hand stitched heirloom quilt, difficult pattern.” for big bucks.  It likely sold through sears for $99.00. Just be aware.

This one – is every bit as real as you think it is!

BEAUTIFUL!

As is this one.  Doesn’t it look comfy?

And you know this one is as real as the day is long.

But take a look at that center!  MATCHING POINTS!

My hat is off to you, string quilt lover!

I wanted a pink princess phone in the worst way growing up!

And these always remind me of my Grannie.

They used to scare me when I was a kid.

Especially the one on the left end – WITH TEETH!

Oh, the nightmares.

But see the guy on the right with the fox?  It reminded me of this guy we saw on safari in Kenya:

What a pretty fella! This is a Silver Backed Jackal.

Hello, my pretty!

Jackals are medium-sized omnivorous mammals of the genus Canis, which also includes wolves, coyotes and the domestic dog. 

He knows we are watching!

Okay that was a little segue down the jackal hole!

Another sighting, a different location, different day.

This is NOT a Jackal.

Oh honey, you are a TANK!

All of this – for straight stitch only.

This is a machine that says “don’t mess with me!”

But this caught my breath!

And then I blew it out again when I saw the price tag.

$1,200.00

Yikes.

Merrick's Six Cord Spool Cotton

This one was also lovely, and different with those two smaller drawers on the bottom. Let’s just say that I could buy two Featherweights for what they wanted for this one spool cabinet.  nope.  I’ll keep looking.  But aren’t those knobs beautiful?

Pardon the blur from the restaurant lighting and all around excitement!

I picked up Dad right on time and we headed over to meet up with Jeff for dinner at Carolina Ale House.  We had a good catch up, and then the rest of our journey still ahead of us to get to Virginia.

With one grocery stop on the way to pick up just a “few” things:

Look what I found!

And the Wilkinson family Thanksgiving tradition is saved for another year. And it was buy one, get one free day at Lowe's Foods in Wilksboro so we are good for Christmas too!

What a long day!  I am so happy that Dad is here.  Not sure what the plan is really other than to spend time together.  We will just play it by ear, taking weather into consideration.

There is always hand quilting in my comfy chair while binge watching something on Netflix.  And that is fine by me.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

what are you afraid of? Fear solves nothing!

Take that first step!

Much love on this chilly Sunday morning -