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

My Friend in Canandaigua, New York

During some down time while visiting my family, I decided to go visit my new friend, Wanda from Olde Homestead Country Store, located at 112 South Main St, Canandaigua, NY.  I sell some of my crafts to her and wanted to stop in and say hi.  If ever you are in the area, please stop in and see many of her beautiful Primitive/Country items for sale.  ALSO, she sells some of the best fudge around. You can also visit her on her website. oldehomesteadcountrystore.com.

Chuck and Emily's Wedding

I just came back from my niece Emily's wedding in Buffalo New York.  What a beautiful affair.  Everything went well with no glitches.  Hard to believe but true.  The entire weekend was color coordinated, and planned to perfection. The bride was just beautiful, the groom so handsome.  The parents were all smiles.  I was able to reconnect with most of my sister in law's bridesmaids from 40 years ago and they welcomed me with open arms.  Just a wonderful weekend had by all.  From left to right, my brother Bob and wife Pam, Bride and Groom, sister Erin and brother Elliot.  I have a beautiful family.

April 26, 2013

More rain coming in and boy can I tell.  Tomorrow, Saturday at Loretta's Sewin' Room is the 2nd of a 4 part beginning quilting class I am teaching.  I sure hope it's not raining when everyone brings their sewing machines in. In this class they will  learn to  piece together the quilt top that they cut last week. Parts 3 & 4 will be machine quilting the top ( stitch in the ditch) and then binding.  Lots of information to learn and I will have handouts for the students.  I enjoy teaching and sharing the information I have learned over the years.  And all of my students are such wonderful ladies. I  enjoy their company and friendship.  I sure hope they are enjoying the classes as much as I am enjoying teaching them. Stay tuned for more pictures when their tops are complete.  Time to pack up my lesson plan and handouts and gather the quilts I have to show them, for show and tell.

Jelly Roll Race- Boogity Boogity Boogity Let's go racin GIRLS

Jelly Roll Race- Boogity Boogity Boogity Let's go racin GIRLS!!

We had so much fun Saturday at Loretta's Sewin Room. If you missed the race don't dispair, I am sure Loretta will have another. Keep checking her blog or this site for announcements of classes or events to come this spring. OH, and there are Jelly Rolls on sale too under $25!! (Forty 2 1/2 inch strips of various fabrics for sale)

Joanna was our winner in the Jelly Roll Race. Go girl!! I have to admit, this is first quilt I have been able to finish in two years!! LOL .... AND... it was done in an hour! These are fantastic for baby quilts or comfort quilts. Loretta has awesome Jelly Rolls to pick from.

Have a wonderful day,
Melissa

Ahh!! The life of a cat.

March 6, 2013

Scarlett, she has the right idea on a cold day.

Be playful.
Don’t take life so seriously. Run, chase things, climb trees. Be a kitten your whole life.
Take naps.Often. That way you are ready and able to play when you feel like it. Find warm, dark and soft places to snooze.
Chase your interests (or anything that wiggles).If something sparks your interest, chase it down, chew on it a little, turn it over and check it out. Life is about exploration.
Purr a lot.When you are happy, show it. In humans this relates to smiling. Do that – a lot.
Cuddle.Find your favorite *lap* and with someone you love and curl up. Purring is okay here, too.
Scratch where it itches.Don’t spend so much time worrying about what people will think. Scratch were it itches if it is in your britches.
Be aware and alert.Perk up your ears for loud noises and stray dogs. This could be a life saver.
Take risks.If you find yourself up a tree without a ladder, hang on. Sooner or later someone will help you down, or you will figure out a way down on your own. The fun is in the climbing up.

Have a happy day. Melissa

After three days of on and off again snow, the sun has finally come out and the snow finally started to melt from my driveway and steps.  The grass and trees are still covered but it is just beautiful outside.                                                                                                                                 

I put some seed out for the birds and walked the dogs around for a while until my little 3 lb Lacey started shaking way too much.  Her little feet just couldnt take the cold ground anymore. So in we went and mom had to take a towel to dry off her little feet so they would warm up.

I made some homemade soup yesterday and brought some over to a friend who is recovering from surgery. I thought maybe the taste of homemade as apposed to canned soup would help him regain some of his appetite.  I may have to post this one, it came out really good.  It's a Rachel Ray Stoup Recipe.  Chicken and Dumplin Stoup. Was even better the next day.

I started cutting some jeans purses and their linings and will start assembly this week. They seem to be pretty popular and the last few never made it out of my studio to the shop. They sold immediately. I also hope to get some wallets made and a few kitchen mittens and pot holders for the gift shop.  These are gifts that I sell all year round.

I have 2 more months and will be taking a trip to Buffalo New York, to my nieces' wedding.  Got my tickets and I'm now still searching for an outfit to wear.  Weather in May up state NY is unpredictable, so will have to plan my packing wisely. I plan to go a few days early to spend some quality time with my mother who I miss terribly.  Then another few days after the wedding to visit and just chill.  Johnny my husband will stay home with the dogs this time. Him and the girls (my Yorkies) will also have quality time together.

Most of my friends have been sick this week so I have kept myself home and away from them all. Although I am there for them if they need me, just don't want to get that nasty cold.  Sometimes it is just hard to do.
                                                                                                                                                                  I will be bringing some new items to the craft room and will post them soon.  So if your looking for an Easter Gift or Mother's Day, stop in and see whats there. So thats it for now. Hope you all are staying warm and avoiding that nasty flu bug. Happy sewing.  joanna