Folkart Gatherings

If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you know that one of my "must" stops when heading to Seattle is Folkart Gatherings.  (check out past posts under "labels). We used to stop in Centralia, WA, right off Interstate 5 because they had a second shop there, but, unfortunately, it closed last year.   I was so bummed.  Sooooo, when we were going to be in Seattle for an extended stay watching Emma and Mason while Mommy and Daddy went to The Big Apple, I told Mr CnW that I wanted to head to Sumner, WA to the main shop which is still in business and doing really well.  (Wow, I just re-read what I wrote and I would definitely call that a run on sentence.   Sorry to all you English teachers out there....)

We quickly headed down to Sumner after taking Emma to school, knowing we had to be back in time to pick her up.   I had forgotten all the dropping off and picking up young parents do when they have kids in school, day care, after school activities, etc.   

Mason didn't have pre-school today, so he got to go with us.  He was so excited!  (yeah, right!  Aren't all 3 year olds excited to go to a Country Store?)

Can you see the excitement in his eyes?   Oh, sorry, that's just the refection of the Leapster which kept him quite occupied!

 Here's Louann on the right, the owner of the shop.   She's so sweet and made me feel right at home.   She feels like a "friend" since I've been shopping there for so long now.   Her trusty sidekick (sorry, I forgot her name) was as sweet as she could be too.  

They had just had their Christmas Open House over the weekend, and told me the shop was quite picked over and messy but I never saw anything out of place and it looked like it was just waiting for me to get there!


So, I'll cut with the words and just let you enjoy the wonderful eye candy!

 All these boxes and cabinets would have looked so good in my house.   Unfortunately, we are flying home, so once again, I am limited with my purchases.   :(

Oh, wouldn't it be nice to have unlimited funds?

Check out the giant candy cane in the tree!

Look at this wonderful shelf.   Oh, if I only had more room in my suitcase.  Sigh!

 Mr CnW really bonded with this little snowman guy, so he's coming home with us.

If you see anything you like, just give Louann a call.  She is having 1/2 price on shipping for Cyber Monday and I know she'd love to mail you a package (or two).

And, if you're ever in the Seattle area, be sure and plan a trip to Sumner.  It's a darling little town with fun gift and antique shops.   It's only about 30 miles southeast of Seattle.  

Hugs, Anne

Autumn Quilt

I thought I'd share my Autumn Quilt which came back from my long arm quilter, Sandy Lachowski,  last month.   I'm so bad at getting blog posts done in a timely manner, but at least I'm showing it to you before Christmas.

This is a pattern by Heart to Hand and I did it as a block of the month through Primitive Gatherings Quilt Shop.   I was working on this during our move but managed to keep up which was a feat all itself.

It fits perfectly on my quilt hanger in the dining area.

Look at the quilted leaves in the border.

And the circles which she "echoed".

I wish you could actually get the feel of the quilting.  It's so hard to show it in pictures.

Well, at least I showed it to you before fall is over.    I've been getting some "grief" from people about my blogging schedule.   All in good fun, they tell me they wish I'd post more often.  I even have a friend who tells me the date of my last post.   (Yes, Mary Ratcliffe, that would be you!)   I'm going to try...really I am, but I'll never be like Anna, Paulette and Kim who find enough to blog about EVERY. DAY.   How do they find that much to talk about?    My hat goes off to them.   I guess my life is just not that interesting.  LOL.

Oh, by the way, this "thing" I showed in my last post.....

well, it was used by wallpaper hangers.  They would lay their large boards on top and add the paste to the back of the paper.   It's adjustable, so the people using them could customize it to their desired heights.  (kind of like our cutting tables).   Aren't you glad you have me here to keep you all informed?  hehehehe

Toodle Loo, Anne

Antiquing with my girls.

In addition to going to Pacific International Quilt Festival, another reason for going to Calif last month was to attend The Three Speckled Hens antique show in Paso Robles.  It is billed as "Not Your Grandmother's Antique Show".   Lots of fun vintage finds and re-purposing of old items.    After paying our admittance fee, this ol crooner welcomed us.   

Here we are, ready to shop.   Marsha, Patty and me.

There were displays indoors and out.  We decided to start inside because it was a bit nippy outside.  

I fell in love with this bin.  I think it was a reproduction, but it was way too big to fit in the overhead compartment of the airplane, so I had to pass on it.   Wouldn't it look cute full of pumpkins in the fall, greenery in the winter and flowers in the spring/summer?   Darn, now I wish I had gotten it.  :)

These lettered pillows seem to be "the thing" this year.  

A new way to recycle all our old white gloves?   Hmm, not so sure about it.

But, I thought this was very clever.  It would look so cute in a little girl's room.  

Farm animals anyone?

Checkout this old typewriter.   I think I used to have one like it!

Fun jewelry.

Does anyone know what this is?    We couldn't figure it out so had to ask.   I'll tell you next post.  

Some old drafting tools.

After walking around inside, we headed outside.The fog had burned off and it was a beautiful fall day.  

Marsha found a tray she thought she'd repaint but after bonding with it for awhile, she decided she really liked the teal color.   Consider it "Sold".

Now THIS is what you call a bar sink!  Cracked us up.

If you're all out of beer, fill it with flowers.  

Patty was seriously considering buying this little desk but in the end, she passed on it.  

Wouldn't this look great mounted on the wall as a headboard?   I'm sure it sold.  

I forgot to take pictures of what I bought.   I got a long wire basket to hand on the wall and some old milk jars in a wire basket.      

If you're ever on the central coast of Calif and this show is going on, you really must go.   It was so much fun seeing the creativity some people have.   

Toodle Loo, Anne

More Construction

Once we decided to speed up the number of houses we were making, the inspiration returned to get this quilt finished!

Here's are Sandy's (no blog)

And mine...

The neighborhood is really taking shape!  I've decided that I'm going to embroider the window panes on all the windows.  I did a few of the houses this month, so will just plug along until I get them all done.   I think it really adds to the look.   Also, if you remember, I was kind of upset with myself for making so many of the windows dark.  I think that by adding the panes it gives them a bit more "life".  (We'll just pretend that the owners are sleeping).

I thought I'd throw in these last 2 pictures to keep the inspiration going...

Now,

Now, head on over to see what the rest of the contractors have been up to.  

Paulette,  Anna, Sandy R, Deb, Carrie and Patti.   

Come back next month on the 15th for the reveal of all 12 blocks.   (Not put together tho..don't get excited!)

Toodle Loo, Anne