Sunday, June 30, 2013

Fabric Collection for the new RV Quilt

 
So now I have to make another RV Quilt since our new RV has a king size bed.  The fabric colors in the new rig are similar to ours now with more chocolate browns and beige and I now have more blacks, greys and browns.  So far I have found 16 assorted fabrics.  I am making a Turning 20 quilt again.  I love the assorted size blocks and the way all the fabrics look.  Plus my friend Brita, who quilted the last quilt hopefully will quilt this one.  She did free motion in each block and each one was different.  It was exactly what I had wanted and I will want the same look in the new quilt. Every chance I get to stop in a quilt shop on this trip I will search for more fabric.  Boy the work we have to do to make the perfect quilt...lol....

Spending the day in Pigeon Forge

 
 
This morning we woke to beautiful weather.  Johnny suggested we have fried egg sandwiches for breakfast and we sit along the bank of the river.  Right behind our rig.  So pretty and great company. After I finished my coffee I took both of the girls for a walk and we decided to take a ride to Johnny's home away from home.  CAMPING WORLD.  Our plan was to go there for a chance to see the new Red like we ordered and take some measurements we need.  But that part of the ground was closed for the long holiday week.  So next was lunch and back to the rig to clean up the place a little, spend time with the girls and then leave again for the Comedy Barn and Tony Roma's for dinner.
 


Saturday, June 29th, looking for a quilt shop

 
 
Saturday, was our first full day out and about.  So I wrote down addresses to local quilt shops and my favorite Pattern Shop, The Pattern Hutch.  I've been ordering patterns from the Pattern Hutch for years and never went to see them in person.  This trip I did.  Thousands of patterns from my favorite artists and samples of each item finished so you can see what they really look like. As you know there is always the husband section and by now mine is trained to sit and wait.  This time he ventured inside and disappeared down one of the isles of patterns.  Next thing I know he's calling me to come see some patterns he has found.  Bird Houses......I've been asking him to make them for years.  Well guess who bought about as many patterns in bird houses as I did in doll patterns???????????  So I now have a few new items  for this holiday season.  I have these cute primitive
5" rag doll ornaments, 2 new 22" rag dolls, 22" primitive stockings filled with ornaments, 20" primitive Santa and some wool felt ornaments with applique work on them.
 


Friday, June 28, 2013

On the Road Again to Pigeon Forge

So here we are today, on the road to Pigeon Forge.  The trip actually started without incident. The tow car was in neutral so pulling out of the driveway went smooth.  The girls got in their bed next to me and actually were much calmer than in the past. As we drove out of the Cove we beeped the horn while passing my BFF Angie's house.  Then on the road we passed Melissa who was coming to visit Angie and waived to her. The ride over was fast.  My kind of trip. The RV Park is not far off of I40, so it took minutes to get there once we exited. We booked a spot at the Two Rivers Landing RV Resort right behind the Knife Works.  One of my favorite places to stop on the way to Pigeon Forge. We pulled into our site right along the French Broad River.  Good size pad with plenty of room and very clean. Beautiful view of the river   Hooked up to electric to get the air conditioners going and then walked the girls.  It was extremely hot for them, so it was a quick walk, pee and then inside to cool off.  I made us lunch, while Johnny worked on the satellite and then we were off in the car to drive around a bit. 

Boy traffic is unreal.  Bumper to bumper most of the time. And soooooo many traffic lights.  Being it was late in the after noon, we decided to stop and see the Titanic Exhibit, go to dinner and call it a day.  Seeing the Titanic memories was really touching.  The exhibit takes you through its journey from the building of the liner to its last hours.  There are quite a few photographs and memorabilia to look at.  There is even a section where while walking outside you touch a frozen chunk of ice which is suppose to be the iceberg and the feel the 28 degree water that everyone fell into.

After the Titanic we went to the Apple Restaurant for dinner. WOW  a 5 course dinner under $20 each. You are greeted with apples fritters, apple butter and apple cider, the soup, salad, your main course with 2 sides and dessert.  Dessert and the apple fritters came home with us.

We ran into a down pour of rain which cooled the area off.  By time we got to the rig it had stopped raining and was cooler for the girls to be walked.   I fed them, walked them again and we all sat on the sofa to relax.  Now I am catching up on my email, blogging and will do some hand stitching until I go to sleep.

I plan to make a pancake breakfast in the morning before we head out to Gatlinburg, walk the girls a few times, and then be in search of the Pattern Hutch and a quilt shop. So you all have great evening and I'll post again tomorrow and hopefully add pictures.  later.....joanna

Thursday, June 27, 2013

My Gardening is Coming Along

My Bee Balm is really beautiful this year. The hummingbirds just love this area.  See how both sides of the porch are much cleaner now.  I even planted in the 4 baskets along the railing. I have a few varieties of day lilies but this red one is my favorite.
 




Had my surgery a week ago now and recovering very well.  Stitches came out today and tomorrow  we are off to Pigeon Forge in the RV for a few days of tourists stuff.  Of course you know I bookmarked some quilt shops.  Johnny has already requested we eat at the Apple Barn Restaurant and a rib place. So I will only plan cooking for 2 nights.  OK by me.

We are 95% done with the gardening in front of our porch and just need to mulch.  The good thing about it raining every day this week was the plants never stressed and I didn't have to water.  When the rains came, I would go upstairs and work on projects.  I'm half way done with my log cabin quilt, made a few mug runs and finished another table runner.

Then I decided to clean out more fabric and decided to make fat quarter bundles to sell.  So there are about 2 dozen bundles in a huge basket in the craft room at Loretta's.  6 fat quarters for $10.50.  Those on line can also order and I will send you pictures of the fabrics in the bundles.  I have 100% cotton fabric, homespun and flannel.

So its raining again and I'm now ready to cut a few more mug rugs out.  When rain stops I plan to finish packing the RV and give my Yorkie a bath.  I plan to bring my lap top and camera, so maybe I can post a little while I'm gone.

You all have a wonderful weekend and Happy 4th.  Be safe and happy sewing.  joanna

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Having a Little Down Time

So today I'm off to see my favorite surgeon.  I'm having another pre cancerous mole removed. So I have collected some of my hand sewing projects and piled them on my night stand next to the bed.  This way I can rest, recoup and get some hand sewing done.  We delayed our trip out west for this, but we also ordered a new RV.  It will be a 2014, Tiffin, Allegro, Red.  It's an upgrade from gas to diesel and has a king size bed, full size frig and washer and dryer.  So we have to wait till it's built and then head to Memphis to trade out. From there we plan to head west for a while.  Meanwhile, after my stitches come out we plan to take a few days and go over to  Pigeon Forge and do the tourist thing there.  There is a great trail to drive called the Crafter's Loop that I hope to drive on.  Miles of different shops, artists and places to eat.  Plus on the way is the best Christmas Shop that's 3 floors high  and full of wonderful Christmas Decorations.  Johnny's excited because he wants to eat at the Apple Barn every day.  He loves the apple fritters and its fine with me cause I won't have to cook.  I will probably pack the sewing machine and some hand sewing for the evenings we just stay around and relax.

I am starting to work on new purses and wallets and the purses will now have zippers.  I also have a few more table runners coming and new will be the mug rugs.  Various designs and prices.  Some come in pairs, some have applique on them and some may even have a pocket for your fork and spoon.  These make a great Birthday, Get Well and Teachers Gift.

Ornies will be back again this year, some new and the most popular from last year.  I will be making up fat quarter bundles to sell and have scrap bags galore in the shop now.  Great for small piecing and applique work.

I'm putting together a few classes and will have dates real soon.  We also plan a sidewalk sale sometime in July.  Just another week and that date will be posted.

Now just to let you all know, I do take orders from online customers.  You can email me at mountainlaurelcrafts@gmail.com.  Place your order and when your check clears I will mail the item.

I also have a 10' Bernina Quilting Frame for sale. It will also close to half size.  It's the FRAME ONLY, no machine.  You use your own domestic machine on it.  And I don't think it has to be a Bernina.  Retail is $2,400 and I'm asking $1,880 obo.  If your interested email me and I'll send pictures and more info. I used it once and never went back to it.  I love piecing more than quilting so I send my work out. 

So time to head on out.  Lunch first then Doctor.  You all have a wonderful weekend. Happy Sewing.
Would love to heard from you all.  Any requests or comments would be greatly appreciated. 

Hugs  Joanna

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Time For a Change

As May came to a close, so was the end of an 8 year part time job with my Home Owners Association. It was now time to go back to full retirement so I could further my crafting/quilting/gardening and now our traveling.  I will miss the great girls I worked with and seeing many of the property/home owners, but knew this was the right time.

So now I will be concentrating on the Mountain Laurel Crafts Room more and hope to have more inventory for sale starting in July.  Melissa my partner in the room, has decided to concentrate totally on her on line shop on Etsy. I will surely miss her and her beautiful work, although she will probably have a few things in the room during the holidays.  She really can't stay away forever. After my return trip out west I will start redecorating the room and make way for new Fall and Christmas items. The room will be open, but please forgive me if it looks a little bare.

I will also start teaching more classes at Lorettas' starting late July.  Keep checking for updates with class schedules.  There will be an assortment from hand applique on wool, to machine applique, table runners, more beginning quilting classes, etc.

ALSO<  Please note, in August, date not decided yet, there will be a Side Walk Sale at Lorettas'. Some sales on Fat Quarters, Crafts, Kits, and several tables of treasures you CAN'T live without. Loretta will also advertise on her Blog and both of our email lists.

While I am on my trip I will try my best to blog daily of our travels.  I will also have pictures to share with you when I can.  Internet service is not the best in the mountains and campgrounds so I will try hard to keep you updated on our daily adventures.

Keep stopping by and hope to see you all in August at the Side Walk Sale.   joanna