Quilt Shop Hop & Birthdays

 

Last Saturday (October 9th), our quilting group went on a little shop hop in our area. We took two vehicles, plus, two of the girls drove on their own, as they had things to do before or after, but we did all make it. This is Leslie, and I had to take her picture to show off her T-shirt. Her husband is always teasing her about our ‘wild’ group, and every time she leaves to come to quilting, he says ‘Quilting Girls Gone Wild! Wooooo!’

Our first stop was J.T. Hadherway in Monticello.

 

Hmm…I guess I failed again at taking pictures of every shop, as I totally missed the second shop, which was Spools & Jewels in Cascade. Lots of neat things there!

Next, we had lunch and celebrated my birthday and Renea’s birthday while eating at Country Junction in Dyersville. These are my quilting friends. We love each other so much. We talk about how we will be, and what we will say and do when we are older and grayer. (Oh my, who will carry their machines to the basement? I guess they will just have to carry them on their laps as they ride up and down the stairs on the lift chair we will probably have to install in a few years! KIDDING, girls!)

Renea, Kate, Margaret (on left), Leslie on right.

I LOATHE pictures of me, so I took ONE self portrait, and Patty (I call her Pattykins---love that girl!) leaned in to keep me company. Yes, there are more pictures of me, but as I said before, I don’t like pictures of me, (and since I man the camera most of the time), you won’t see any more. (Sorry girls!)

This is Ronelle, our newest member (such a sweetie and good friend to ALL of us), and Polly.

Christie, Renea and Kate. Sweet, sweet girls!

I loved these two pictures of Margaret and Polly.  Margaret is a quiet soul but always there with an answer when when one of us just ‘can’t figure it out’. She is kind and caring, and such a good friend.

This is Polly. She is fun, and silly, and ‘not quiet’. She is sweet, has a caring heart, always makes us laugh, and the bonus is, she is married to my sweet brother Jack (yes, the water softener man!).

Here was all my gifts when I got home and laid them out. Those girls are just TOO good to me!

 

Renea also brought me a plate of cookies Friday evening, to enjoy, and by Sunday morning, this is all that was left. The plate was part of the gift too. (Thanks Renea!)

After we ate, we went to the main street of Dyersville, and went to Vintage Threads.

 

Here we are, outside waiting for the last couple girls to finish shopping. It was in the high 80*s that day. Crazy, for October 9th in Iowa!

 

…and being a bad photo recorder, I didn’t get a picture of the Quiltmaker’s Shoppe in Manchester either, but it was a nice shop too. By the time we were done there, it was time to head home.

Here is what I bought at Spools & Jewels. I have a new Curve Master Foot I am dying to try out, so have been wanting these.

I bought the big Twister (10”) and the ‘Lil Twister (for use with charms) at Vintage Threads in Dyersville, and the Let’s Twist book at the Quiltmaker’s Shoppe in Manchester. The girls in Dyersville gave us a demonstration on how to use the twister tools. So neat. Google Twister tool, click images, and you will find a lot of information just looking at the results.

I bought this pattern called ‘Oodles of Noodles’ in Dyersville too.

Our Fat Quarter exchange was batiks. Don’t they look yummy?

It was a wonderful, sunny, fun filled day. The best part was the time spent with my friends. I love them so much. Friends really are the greatest gift!

Friends in your life are like pillars on the porch. Sometimes they hold you up, and sometimes they lean on you. Sometimes it’s just enough to know they are standing by. Author Unknown

GOD knew that everyone needs
companionship and cheer,
He knew that people need someone
whose thoughts are always near.
He knew they need someone kind
to lend a helping hand.
Someone to gladly take the time
to care and understand.
GOD knew that we all need someone
to share each happy day,
to be a source of courage
when troubles come our way.
Someone to be true to us,
whether near or far apart.
Someone whose love we'll always
hold and treasure in our hearts.
"That's Why GOD Gave Us Friends"
Author Unknown

Have a wonderful weekend