A QUILTERS GARDEN OF CHAOS

I have NEVER EVER been on a bus shop hop like the one I was on in July...

from Lawrenceburg, Indiana to Frankenmuth, MI

BUYER BEWARE!

There was no pre-trip communication from the shop, no trip agenda, shops dropped off the schedule due to bus drivers limited driving time,  many shops didn't know we were coming and a trip leader (not the shop owner) who didn't know much of anything, including IF we would get shop discounts.  

I sent an email to the owner because there was NO feedback survey form.  She didnt' like it cause after doing 4 or 5 sold out bus trips she must be doing something right" ahhh 40 of 54 seats

is not SOLD OUT and I hate math!

 Apparently I was the only 1 of 40 to complain. 

Perhaps  I was  the 1 of 40 who had to balls to speak up.

  Quilters Garden should up their customer service and communication skills!

All that being said, my partner in quilting crime and I 

found some fun regardless of the unorganized trip!

Sew let me share the shops I enjoyed

The Quilt Foundry in Maumee, OH

Beautiful historical building

now a lovely quilt shop.

This shop had a nice mix of fabrics

and patterns.  

I was surprised to see 'A Day in Paris" by Zen Chic

one of the few Modern Designers in the shop

A great selection of GRUNGE

Guicy Guice fabrics were vibrant and caught my eye!

The Busy Thimble in Bowling Green, OH  knew we were coming...

15% discount and actually had a gift for us!

A mostly traditional shop...lots of MODA

Great Christmas Fabrics tucked in a corner

My favorite shop of the entire trip

 was located in Ann Arbor, MI

As an OHIO STATE BUCKEYE fan

 I have finally found something I like in that town!

THIS SHOP did NOT know we were coming

I was sew embarrassed when the trip leader, argued with

the owner, that the SHOP DID KNOW we were coming!

The shop owner had called them (when? a year ago?)

The shop, fortunately, had plenty of staff and did offer a nice discount regardless of the disrespect!

Pretty fabrics covering all quilting aesthetics... 

in a VERY LARGE SHOP

Pretty Quilts hanging everywhere

My bigger purchases were these.

Gray and white are for quilt backs

Gold, purple, green I needed for a Mystery Quilt backing

and the last was a sale piece.

Other fun fabrics from various shops to add to my stash.

Yes, I buy fabrics I don't need and who knows if I will use them.  Its my Kwilty Pleasure, after all.

Thanks for stopping by today.  

I don't vent disapproval very often but when you

pay good money for a trip, there are expectations.

 Bad customer service is NOT one of them.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY - PROJECT 2

Its a Cotton and Steel Christmas in July project!

Simply Modern Christmas by Cindy Lammon

I got this book last year as a gift in the

Instagram  #getyourquiltywishesgrante

(and its a signed copy)

I have been collecting Cotton and Steel fabrics,

Tinsel and Garland lines, for some time. 

I selected a soft gray background from my stash.

White seemed stark, even though the blocks are SNOWBALLS!

This book is packed with great patterns.

But Snowball Games was my choice.

This project began...as a lap quilt.

I thought it would be a fun sofa throw.

Lots of 2 1/2" squares to make the sashing.

On the design wall and I started thinking...

what do I really want to make!

A quilt, wall hanging?  

I often change my mind...mid stream.

I though about my guest room voila! 

A table runner to go on the hope chest.

Wall hanging to hang above it.

I am now to this point....its ready to quilt...
BUT WAIT...
now I am thinking of someone who might really like this
as a quilt.   I will have to visit with her and find out
what she might like in her house.
She commented on IG that she loved this fabric and projects.
The hard part will be keeping the secret.

I have the backing...just need to quilt
unless she wants a quilt...then I have to combine
sew more sewing will be needed. 

She is worth the work...either way.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY - PROJECT 1

My first project for Christmas in July sewing

is my Vintage Truck/Christmas Tree Quilt

I started this last year making Economy Blocks

The Michael Miller print seemed to say...

FUSSY CUT ME!

Add some GRUNGE and buffalo and 

I was in the truck and on my way!

I set the blocks in a soft off-gray background.

Then alternated buffalo checks to make staggered rows.

Ahhh, nice but not big enough.

Sew I added buffalo checks to build it out.

Still not big enough...

Sew I added sashing to the right sides of the blocks.

I finally found a sashing design that 

my eyes could live with.  

This lap size quilt is for my hubby, Phil and is 6'2"
Still not big enough, sew I added a border in black.
I need to make a flannel backing.
...but for all intent and purpose...
This Christmas in July project is finished to
the place I need it to be. 

I made these two pillows last year.

And to remind you...
The Vintage Truck/Christmas tree theme in my house
Oh, just a few holiday decor items here.

A simple yet pretty wreath...says
Home for the Holidays

And a peek of the Vintage Truck Tree in my foyer.
A Home for the Holiday Welcome
to all who enter.

I will have the lap quilt done by Christmas !

Stay tuned...I will be reviewing all my 

Christmas in July sewing projects this month!

Did you have any Christmas in July projects?