Plumtickled

Dessert and thrifting

Stress is something that can stop me in my tracks and bind me up in thoughts for days....... and stress is what I have right now.  Opening a fabric shop is way more complicated than I ever would have imagined.  Perhaps it's the fact that I'm practically blind in the knowledge of where to begin and what step should be taken next.  I'm glad I'm not in this alone......... I have my Mom and sister,  and the light at the end of the tunnel is the picture of us three working side by side doing something we only hoped would come true.  I just wish the IRS and the State of Georgia Tax division wasn't so involved...... man they're nosy!

My mind needed a break, so yesterday my Mom, myself and Amelia Claire up and decided to take a "research" trip to one of our favorite quilt shops in Jacksonville.  This is like the holy shrine of all Quilt Shops, The Olde Green Cupboard in Jacksonville Florida.  All hail to thee!

We ate lunch at Chili's...... which I am proud to say I ordered a salad and enjoyed it just as much as the Fajita Quesadillas with extra sour cream that I would normally get.  (I won't tell you that I ordered a dessert that is just to die for....... Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie!)

Then off to Sugar Bear Antique and Collectibles Mall where I found some sweet little things.  First, I love bowls. I'm a bowl freaky collector type person..... if it's a bowl and it's even slightly old, cute, funny or bowlish...... I'm in love with it.  I need to count how many I own to which I need to include these two new ones:

Nothing too special but I like 'em and can't wait to mix something up in them.  Then, I accidentally came upon this sweeties:

They're made from a silky fabric, and have hand embroidered legs, noses and whiskers.  The eyes on one of them are pencil drawn and their tails have wire in them and can be manipulated....... just had to have them........ they were only $5.00.  I thought it was great. 

Then we found these little dolly dresses for Amelia's baby:

See the tiny little pockets?  Here's the other one I got:

Hand stitching and rick rack..... too much cuteness for this Mommy and a certain Nanny to deny!  After making it home,  Amelia's baby was promptly dressed and strolled around our home. *NOTE TO SELF:  Never allow Amelia stroll a real live baby!  She's not very careful about bumps and walls...... or about her baby falling out and being ran over........ and over....... and over again.

One last cool thing I bought for $4.00 was this stool, chair standing on thingy that I had to have!

As far as the shop is concerned I did get a few things accomplished.  I ordered our computer....... it will be here next week...... and will become a permanent part of my body soon enough.  I've also been working with the girl that is designing our logo, business cards, stickers, thank you cards, banner and avatar for Etsy for about a week now.  We gave her our colors, titles and our "vision".  After changing this and that....... then tweaking certain areas here and there we came up with our final draft of the logo and such, and man, I love it.  Here is our banner for our Etsy Shop:

I'm not sure how it will show up on the blog page so if it doesn't...... trust me ...... it's the best.  Our logo, thank you cards and stickers will have a border of red with white polka dots surrounding it which really finishes it off and our banner, business cards and avatar won't because it will make the bird and the rest too small.  We're very happy with the outcome!

All in all, I was able to leave some of my stresses behind and re-energize my mind with a much needed break of shopping, time with my Mom and my girl.  (And that dessert!) 

Finished and unfinished.....

Finished:

I finally got everything off to the post office this morning....... okay, it was more like this afternoon but ...... phew, it's done!  Of course, last night I had another Etsy order come through for a dress that is special ordered......... I'M NOT COMPLAINING......... I'M  NOT COMPLAINING......... I'm very happy at Etsy and love all of the people I've had dealings with, truly.  I'll get right on it tomorrow before my boys come home........ HOoray, they're coming home to us!  I know a baby sister that is sooooo ready for a crazy big brother to get home and play with her again!  She's been asking about them and patiently waiting.  I'm going to make some cookies or a cake so that when they get home they'll feel welcomed back........ it's been quiet around here which has been nice but I think I'd rather have the noise of my kids around me ..... even if it is arguing noise!

Why the picture of the little plate?  Don't know.  I just like it.  I bought it about four or five years ago and planned to put it and the others about the house but never did.  I've been stepping over it in my studio for a few days now and thought I'd show ya'll.  I love the colors and the rusty, chippiness of it....... so cute!  It must be a special plate made just for a pretend breakfast as it has a coffee pot, an egg cup complete with an egg and some fresh fruit. 

Back to business:

Unfinished: 

Last year, I think in September........ my sister Jerri Lynn came for a visit from New York.  She is a super duper quilt top maker upper.  Whenever she comes for a visit..... we all usually end up making a quilt top of some type or another.  Now, notice I say "quilt top" as they more than often never get the backing, binding and quilting done to them....... at least mine don't.  This picture above is of the quilt that was cut out for my boy Kavin.  Ummmm..... maybe it was Cole.  Anyhoo...... I cut out two quilts, one for each and then I let them choose which one they wanted.  Here is the stack that I've finished from the above design....... notice again that it's a simple one:

Impressed?  Should be considering this is the stack I have of the other one ready to be put together:

Sad ain't it?

In my defense....... this quilt is way more complicated than the other.  And, yes I know they aren't reeeeallly that complicated but for someone like me who likes things done lickety split and faster than me on my first date with my now husband......... it's complicated.  I don't now the name of either quilt ...... maybe they're just made up.  I'll try to see. 

Why am I talking about quilts all of a sudden?   Nope, it's not because we're opening a quilt shop soon...... nope, it's not because we need more blankets around during this South Georgia 90,000 degree weather......... nopey, it's not because I have the type of personality that needs things completed....... NOpey on that one for sure!  It's because of this blog right here.  She has pretty much declared this summer to be "The Summer of Quilts".  By the end of the summer she will have a handmade quilt on each bed in her house.  Now, doesn't that sound wonderfully satisfying?  What a cozy idea..... a cozy idea that I think I'm gonna try to duplicate for myself and my family!  Wouldn't this fall and winter be more warm and fuzzy if we were to see our loved ones snuggled up in a quilt made by you especially for them?  It certainly does to me and I plan on getting this feat done.

UMmmm......... starting on Monday?  Yup, I'm starting on Monday.  Although I have another project I'd like to begin on that needs to be completed soon........ but I'll type about that another day! 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone...... I hope to hear of you enjoying some quilting adventures of your own this summer!   

My name is Judi.....

and I'm a fabric-a-holic.  It's true, I admit it.... I just can't stop.  Someone please help me and my wallet to "Just say NO".  When the urge hits or I see a piece I just have to have........ nothing can stop me...... AND I MEAN NOTHING!   Yesterday, I got these two "always on backorder" fabrics in my mailbox:

I adore them....... especially the Bird Seed fabric!  Oh, the feelings that it produces!  Then, last night I ordered yet more........... I got this, this, this and THIS FABULOUS PIECE THAT'S ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS ON BACKORDER!  Then yesterday while out with my Mom I got these from The Goodwill:

Do you all realize that I just got back from a shop hop earlier this month? 

Hold up, I just thought of something!  You do know that I'm opening a fabric shop with my Mom and sister Debi in a couple of months right?  Don't you think it would be equivalent to a crack junkie opening a crack pipe shop or a "Come and smoke your Crack Cafe" type of place?  It's going to be all around me on a daily basis taunting me to touch it, smell it, use it...........

Hey, wait..... what if........ and I'm just saying, what if........ my addiction to fabric completely bypasses my addiction to Dr. Pepper, bread, cookie dough, french fries, soups, chocolate, Nips, sweet tea and potatoes?  What if?  Holy crud....... this could be it!  The moment my over 45 pound body has been waiting for......... Eureka, I may have solved my food issues without rehab.  I'll definitely keep ya posted on this one!  My mind is all a-flutter now!

Before I get all crazy minded over the new discovery....... let me share my other discoveries from yesterday's Goodwill visit.  I found the fabrics from above, these two Glass Bake dishes:

Some really cool Albums for my sister Debi...... I got her these but I didn't get to take any pictures before she gathered them up and took them home. Years ago, she bought herself a stereo with a record player so she could listen to all of our old albums which is why I didn't keep them.

• Shaun Cassidy....."Da Doo Run Run", like we had when we were young
• Captain and Tennille .... I think it was Muskrat Love
• A Hawaiian album with traditional music.... LOVE IT
• Andy Gibb, "Shadow Dancing" 

And then this...... which is my favorite.  I have it in the window above my sink.  I bought it because I soooo loved the colors and thought it would be a great place to put my wedding rings while I do dishes and stuff:

I don't usually have that much luck...... speaking of Thrifting luck..... go see what Rhiannon found!  Lucky girl!

I better go figure out what-in-the-heck I'm making for supper since my Angel of a Husband will be home soon.  (Better make it look like I've done more than I have cleaning-wise too!).  I'll leave you with what I sewed earlier today in my studio.   I'm still a bit lagging on my Etsy orders but can actually say I will have them ALL sent out in the morning!  This is just the bottom of the dresses where I put my label. 

WOoooo HOOoooo!

Guess where I'll be...

I'll be sewing me up some Carry Around goodness this next week!  I finally received my box-o-tablecloths and will get to town beginning as soon as possible.  (Of course as soon as possible means after clearing the dining room of the baby's bedroom, painting said baby's bedroom, driving kid to car wash, driving same kid to ball game, biting fingernails while my piano is being delivered without me being home, doing laundry and attending church.)  It'll happen...... this just gives me many more hours of sewing and crafting planning.  Here's a glimpse at the new bags that will take shape next week:

And the SEVEN napkins that match:

I love the colors of this yellow one.... I think I may have a green that I can make the handle and stuff out of that will match it's goodness:

Here's a closeup of the colors..... yummy!

I think I'll have to make a Carry Around or one of these for me with this pretty blue one:

Close up:

I do believe I like making bags more than any other thing out there.  I haven't made a bag in weeks and I'm having withdrawals........ I'm twitching and everything.  Also, just updated my shop with more outfits for little girls, including this cutie made from Alexander Henry's Apples and Pears, which has to be one of the sweetest fabrics ever!

Better get off of the puter....... my sister Debi will be here in a minute with the baby and Kavin..... I need to look like I've been working and not playing. 

I'm gonna leave you with a pretty shot of an unripe Persimmon.  I personally don't like the texture but think I'll try making quick breads with them.....  you know, like banana bread or Mango bread. Looks like were gonna get a ton of them soon! 

Have a great Friday night...... we have no kids tonight!  Bonk-chicky-bow-wow! 

OOooh thrifting!

Well, my sister is here and boy have we spent the last two days shopping!  We went to one of our very favorite quilt shops in the whole wide world called The Olde Green Cupboard.  It 's been selected as one of the top 20 quilt shops for a certain magazine that totally drops from my brain at this moment.  It's not only a quilt shop with the most tasty fabric but also the neatest things for our homes.  I just love it there!  Then we had lunch at Chili's..... YUMMO.......... then went to a neat place called Sugar Bears that is an antique/thrift mall.  It was set up for Valentines day with lots of red and PINK..... the best color ever created!  I snatched up these winners:

The pictures are horrible I know and I'm sorry but check out the deals!  The long pink tray was like $5.oo, the white stoneware bowl was $14.75 with 40% off which made it $8 and then the cook book........... to die for!  It has the sweetest recipes and pictures too!  Whoever was selling it put the darn price tag sticky thing on the cover so when the lady was ringing it all up......... she tore some of the book!  Could have died ......... but didn't.  I brought it home and steamed off the rest and salvaged as much as I could.  Kills me.  Anyhoo, here's a little pic of one page...... I don't have the energy to scan it now.  I'm going to find the perfect place for it in my kitchen...... or maybe Amelia's little "chitchen".

Tomorrow, I'm having all the girls over for a "Crafter-noon".  My Mom, sisters Jerri-Lynn & Debi, and niece Marla will be over all day enjoying each others company and crafting up a storm.  I know that Debi and Marla will be cutting out their quilts they plan to make......... my Mom will be knitting or crocheting, Jerri will be working on her Sun Bonnet Sue quilt and me........ I'll be trying to get organized enough to begin sewing Amelia Claire's quilt for her bedroom.  It's all Aunt Grace's fabrics in the fun patch pattern that I've reduced to about half it's size.  What was I thinking?

I know what I was thinking ..........  I hope to catch a peek at my girl looking at all of the cute little fabrics I've carefully picked out for her.  I made sure to get lots of flowers, kittens, ducks, anchors, little girls, bears, puppies and way too many more to list.  She's my sweetie sugar pie and she's growing up way too quickly for my liking.  My boys are huge and talking with voices they were not born with ........... my Coley is taller than me now and I'm 5'8".  He'll be 14 in May and if I may say so myself......... he's getting to be quite the handsome fella!  Mr. Kavin is catching up to his big bro ..... I mean on his heels catching up.  I look back at the past 10 years or so and miss the little guys they used to be.  It's like they were here and now there gone.  Miss them much.

Anyhoo........ here is a picture of Amelia stringing almost dried out Spaghetti noodles between her fingers and counting them as she goes.