I told myself that I wanted to be stitching on this project in time for the holidays.
And look! Here I am!
It's just as sweet as the red and white stripes on a candy cane!
Yes, I know that the holidays will be quickly past us and I'll still have several months of hand quilting to go - will I get tired of something that feels like it could be a Christmas quilt?
Nope! What's the next big holiday that comes up after the first of the year? The one with certain colors attributed to it anyway?
First hoop-full done!
I think the cross-hatching is perfect for this one. And so simple.
My photo of the Abbey Gate street sign in Galway inspiring the name of this quilt.
Lynch Castle, Galway -
On the corner of Shop Street and Upper Abbeygate Street.
Text from the 1800s mentioning Abbeygate Street.
Historic photo of this corner of Abbeygate Street.
Our recent visit to Bath, England!
Christmas markets!
And mobs of people.
And yes - Bath ALSO has an Abbeygate Street. It seems that anywhere there was an Abbey - there could rightly be an Abbeygate Street.
More Christmas Markets.
Everyone was out and about - the threat of rain was not going to keep us in!
My favorite? Stopping by a vendor booth for a hot cup of mulled wine and just wandering around and soaking it all in.
The little chalets held wonderous things - but I had to be aware of my suitcase weight and breakability so what came home? Wool socks and a couple of ornaments.
More festive alleyways.
And of course, I saved my desire for a traditional fish & chips dinner for Bath. While some chose to go to the fancy fish restaurant, Holly, our bus driver Sam and I headed to a little hole in the wall fish shop where our meals were cooked in front of our eyes and served with little flourish. Delicious!
The famous Crescent in Bath.
Gathering around our Bath guide as he regaled us with stories of Bath past.
So now you know why I'm even MORE sure that I named this quilt the right name - after places I've been, places I love, and places I wish to remember.
And if anyone brings it up and asks me why "Abbeygate" I can honestly tell them why.
This is NOT Abbeygate! And Not Galway or Bath.
This is big digger machines fixing the collapsed part of Grassy Creek road left after Hurricane Helene. We've been driving around pylons for months.
Road crews have been hard at work still clearing up the downed tree debris all along the roadways and fixing the bad parts of washed away roads before winter snow and ice really sets in. I'm grateful for all of the hard work.
We tried the jeweler in Galax yesterday to see if we could get my broken glasses fixed, but were told that the nose piece on my broken glasses could not be welded back on.
We immediately walked two blocks down to Quilts on Main for some retail therapy to cheer me up. (It worked!)
As you can see, I am restocking colors I used up in Old Town.
They suggested we try an independent shop called The Eyeglass Place to see if they could help.
The owner was lovely and said she would find a pair of frames that my old lenses would fit in until I can get my new prescription through my specialist several months down the road.
She found a pair very similar to my broken pair and just like that, I am back in business and able to see what I need.
I will not be half blind in Australia in a couple of weeks!
Note to self: Leave the big box chain stores behind, and go to your independent shops. You may find better help and customer service there than you will ever experience with corporate America.
So today? What's up for the weekend?
Some things are just going to have to wait until after New Year's.
Today I'm celebrating the winter solstice. My heart is doing the happy dance knowing that longer daylight begins and nights get shorter!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
I love your Quiltville Quote of the Day, Bonnie! Gave me just the chuckle I was looking for this morning!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree 100%. This was my giggle for today.
DeleteMe too.
DeleteI urge you to watch the Pursuasion movie from 1995. Ciaran Hinds as Captain Wentworth. There are, parts filmed in Bath, and Lyme , and it’s Jane Austen. I think you will love it. It’s on Tubi, so you watch ads, but it’s a lovely film.
ReplyDeleteGreat news about the eyeglasses. I lost my eyeglasses in PA last month and even shopping in the quilt stores in Lancaster didn't really help. I still bought more than I should have. Ginny C
ReplyDeleteHappy Solstice! We made it through the longest night and now we celebrate the return of the light! Stay warm! Sewing lots!
ReplyDeleteWe watched same movie last night and I agree, excellent.
ReplyDeleteWonder if Lola misses being at the "post office" Gosh, how long has that been now since you took her to your home?
ReplyDeleteI made my first quilt 40 years ago before rotary cutters or any of the cool tools we have now. Hand quilting was the way to go. I love seeing your pretty little stitches!! Reminds me of the time I had stacks of flimsies waiting to be quilted. LOL. Inspiring!
ReplyDeleteIt would be awesome if you could quilt the "seahorse" into your quilt. Maybe in the center or a corner! Very pretty quilt!
ReplyDeleteBarbs what a clever idea.
DeleteAbbeygate will work for a Lot of Seasons. A Valentines Day finish would work about right. No pressure. I'm celebrating the Longest day of Solstice with Company coming. I made Chashew Fudge and Peanut Butter Blossoms. Still need to make Truffles. Yummiest stuff you'll ever taste.
ReplyDeleteYum! Recipes please, Mary?
DeleteBonnie, how amazing to have your new glasses ready so quickly! Around here you get an appointment for 6 weeks down the road, earliest. I'm glad you will have the new frames for your next trip. Have fun, Lindah
Thank you so much for sharing the photos of your travels for those of us unable to join you. The beauty and history you share enrich us all. Do you have photo of the tile/flooring that inspired Abbeygate?
ReplyDeleteI always go to an independent eyeglass shop!!!!! So glad you found a solution!
ReplyDeleteI watched "The Fabric of Christmas" on Prime this afternoon. Sweet Christmas movie about quilts and quilting. Anne R.
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate your comment about locally owned vs big box stores. And you certainly did experience outstanding customer service. So glad you have glasses to wear until the new ones are possible.
ReplyDeleteI have had a similar experience with glasses breaking and it took a little digging, but I was able to find an independent glasses repair person to take care of my issue.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you enjoyed Six Triple Eight. I have not seen it yet and I am looking forward to it. My husband and I were fortunate enough to be invited to an event at The Military Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. Kerry Washington was a guest speaker at the event and it was wonderful to hear her insights into the movie. There were also many women from the armed forces at the event. I am always moved when I attend an event at MWM as the stories I hear are so inspiring. The exhibits change regularly and are always interesting to see and learn about women in the military.
If you or any of your women relatives and friends have served in the military, I urge you to get them registered at the Memorial. Also, if you ever have the opportunity to visit the Memorial I am sure you will come away with a new perspective on women who serve in the military.
I forgot to publish my name with my previous message. My name is Deborah Browning.
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate you, Bonnie. Your quilts, your blog, your gracious generosity. And that includes your mentioning Hanukkah at this time of year. It's nice to feel seen and honored even though different. And I am cutting strips from scraps for your Crooked Courthouse Steps...thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDelete