Packers and Quilting
Traveling and a cold have gotten me off schedule. I always love traveling and last week it was back to Wisconsin for my annual Packer Quilting weekend. Since around 1996, my quilting friends Helen and Debbie join me for a game at Lambeau Field and then we shop hop our way back home.
The game was great, and the Packers won so we were feeling happy.When I shop hop, I must go with a plan, or I get myself into trouble. Humm.This year's plan was to pick up a few items for a couple of bags I'm making andfabric for this year's Christmas Pillowcases.
First stop
First stop was Fox City Quilts where I found handles for one of the bags I'm making. It's something a little different from what I've done in the past. My first thought had been to look for premade handles. Then I found this kit to make my own. It's from a company called Aunties Two Patterns. Check them out. It looks easy and I'm looking forward to adding them to my bag. Ok, I just wrote that and then looked at the package and their slogan is "Make something just a bit different."
The other project I'm working on is a pattern is for a "binding bag". Well, that's what they called it at Southern Belle. The pattern is Classmate by Atkinson Designs. I had the fabric and batting but needed the clip, d-ring, interfacing, zippers and plastic. Fox City Quilts had all but the plastic and zippers. Fox City Quilts is one of my favorite shops in the Appleton Wisconsin area. Well worth a visit.
Second Stop
Our next stop was Going to Pieces. It is another of our favorite shop stops. In 2016 they were a featured shop in Quilt Sampler magazine. Of course, I found a simply gorgeous flannel Christmas quilt kit. Yet, I resisted. I have too many projects and kits in the stash. ☹ However, I did find this beautiful print in three color ways. I have MANY fabrics in my stash to work with them and they were found on sale so yes, I purchased two years of each ?
Last Stop
The last stop was Primitive Gatherings in Menasha, Wisconsin. My goal here was to find fabric for this year's pillowcases. My cousin has three boys and a few years ago we started a tradition where we make each of them a box for Christmas eve. Each box contains a DVD movie, popcorn, a pillowcase and Christmas pajamas. The boys look forward to it every year and I contribute the pillowcases. This year I'm going retro with Sweet Christmas by Urban Chicks for Moda Fabrics.
Debbie made sure to show me the Wisconsin shop hop fabric designed by Lisa Bongean. You see, when I'm asked where I'm from, I reply Missouri, then add "but I'm really a Wisconsin girl living in a Missouri world." My Wisconsin roots run deep and while I have traveled and lived in other places Wisconsin will always be home. And, Wisconsin Home was the theme. She knows me so well. I purchased a few fat quarters from the line and a Wisconsin Pillow. It will be fun and perfect for my home.
In the end, this year I did add a couple more projects for my stash, but overall I did pretty good. What projects are you working on?
