So on Monday I mentioned the retreat I attended last week and showed you some of the blocks I was able to complete. Today I’m going to talk a little more about the retreat, and show you some of the fabulous fabric that I brought home. And I’m not feeling the least bit guilty about it, because sometimes a girl just has to have some fabric therapy!
Our retreat was hosted by the fabulous Julie of Pink Doxies fame. She lives in a part of Ohio that is home to fabric designers, quilt designers/pattern writers, quilt historians, and some of the best quilt shops. It’s always fun to visit with Julie and I am rejuvenated every time I spend a little time with her.
Joining in on the fun this year were bloggers Tish (TishnWonderland) and Sarah (Confessions of a Fabric Addict) and quilting friends Meta and Irene. There were a few who didn’t get to attend this year and we missed them, but the six of us had a great time. We sewed, laughed, shopped, and ate too much, then got up the next day and did it all over again.
I was such a bad blogger – out of the entire four days I only managed to take ONE picture. Like, what’s up with that??Ā I snapped this shot as we were getting ready to go into our first quilt shop on Friday. The town was having a festival so traffic was crazy. We parked in the lot of a lumber store, and the shuttle drove us to the shop using a back alley. It was quick and we were so grateful. Especially since it was really cold that day!
Tish, Sarah, Our Driver, Julie
The first shop we stopped in is one of my favorites. If you’re ever in Charm, OH you need to stop in Miller’s Dry Goods. Doesn’t sound like a quilt shop but it most definitely is! Here’s what I snagged while there:
Three of the four prints are Bonnie and Camille, with the red and blue dots and the blue floral from their Smitten line. The dandelion print (isn’t that just scrumptious!) is by Sherri & Chelsie’s The Front Porch line and the white is a tonal that I don’t know the name of. I have a plan for these and can’t wait to start cutting into them.
I also picked up a piece of cork and a wallet pattern, that I don’t have a pic of. I’ve been collecting cork for a while; I hope to have some time to play with it soon. Have you made anything with cork yet?
The next shop I scored big on 5 yards of Alison Glass for $6/yard. I was super psyched! I love AG and this will make a great backing for some future project. Isn’t that color just so, well, Alison?
Our next stop was Somewhere Sewing. It’s a great name for a shop that is literally in the middle of somewhere, and it’s a fun shop to visit. They have all the Grunge a girl could want, so I took advantage and picked up a couple pieces.
Cork print fabric, Gray Grunge, and Grunge Dots (Hit the Spot)
The gray Grunge is one of the newer colors, and I love the blue dots. I think the dots are going to become a pillowcase for me, maybe. I also found that pink piece that looks like cork. It was so interesting I just had to have it.
I also added more Grunge dots when we stopped in The Shop on Canal Street. It’s a small store that has a ton of stuff crammed in. I loved that she had a yarn room, but I resisted bringing home more yarn. I just can’t go down that rabbit hole right now!
In addition to the Grunge, I picked up a kit for a Christmas quilt at the same shop. It uses a panel and I was drooling at the thought of quilting Santa so of course it had to come home with me. Now, don’t expect to see it finished in time for Christmas this year….I hope to get it pieced before the end of the year and then play with the quilting sometime in January.
Really, I didn’t bring home too much new fabric. Right? It just looks like a lot because there are lots of pictures. šĀ Oh! I almost forgot. On the way home Tish and I stopped in my hometown quilt shop and I added 5 yards of the most fabulous Ombre fabric. I have a plan for it as well, so I definitely have to find some sewing time!!
I have one more special purchase to share with you in a few days, so stay tuned. It’s a good one!
I’m going to link up all this goodness with Sarah’s Whoop Whoop Friday party. Because I’ve been ‘whooping’ for days now!
Gorgeous finds, Beth! The colours in that ombre print are amazing and everything else is so beautiful, too. The whole retreat sounds like it was fun š
I read this earlier today, then did a little shopping myself. I saw that green fabric with the little dandelions and almost bought a fat quarter. I didn’t, but I did pet it a bit! Can’t wait to see what you create from your fun new stash!
Hi Beth! Based on the fabulous choices you made in your new fabrics, you had a wonderful time at the retreat. Sooooo many good ones – it’s hard to comment on them all. But that last cork you shared – what interesting texture and colors. It looks like a little bit of gold interspersed with dark to lighter pink. And those Grunge Dots!! Oh, and the ombre – I just adore that. Can’t wait to see what you make, and how Santa finishes up. ~smile~ Roseanne
I am a little jealous of your fabric purchases! You did good! Retreats are the best things to do! So fun and relaxing!
What fun purchases; that AG color is very Alison indeed! I think I am the most intrigued by the cork print. Sounds like a whole lot of shopping fun. š
Glad you had a good time – and it’s okay that you didn’t take photos – sometimes its good to just live in the moment and enjoy!
You scored some great fabrics. Looking forward to seeing what you do with the cork.
Oh Beth…….this is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good! Memories of a great day for me. I am honored that Julie asked me to just come to meet all of you! Julie is very special to me. She is the age of one of my girls! we clicked the first time we met.. But again, that is true of a lot of quilters….right? Love your blog! Thanks for posting this!
Iām drooling into my morning coffee over all that fabric! Great score! I look forward to seeing what you have up your sleeve. Glad you had such a funderful time!