Eye Candy Heaven

I have sewn and had a LOVE of textiles ever since I can remember. I accidently found this store in NYC when we were there visiting.  The entire store was ribbon, lace ANY kind of trim, decal that you could ever imagine. It was all laid out according to colors.  Floor to ceiling on every wall.  I have never in my life seen so much in one store.

Did I mention buttons, rivets and appliques?  That was in the next room.................floor to ceiling as well.  I was literally in heaven.  I tried really hard to find something to purchase but walked out with NOTHING!!  How stupid was that?  Where was this store when I was sewing all the clothes for my kids?!?

This display was in the window introducing all the new inventory.  Check out that bias tape!  Have you ever seen such a thing?

Believe it or not I took more pictures than I have shared!  It was sort of like being in a dream.  I was so excited I don't even remember where the store was or what the name of it was.  

Next time I go to NYC and I am in the garment district..............................I will have a LIST!!

25 years in the making!

 25.5 years ago I married this man (what a good choice I made).  We decided to take a trip...............just the two of us.  We haven't done that since we were on our honeymoon.  I strongly suggested that Dave make the arrangements and I didn't care where we went (I usually make the arrangements).

We ended up in New York City.................I place I have always wanted to go!  So many things to do and see.

Dave seemed to be very interested in the food while we were there.................it got to be quite funny.  A pretzel from the guy on the corner...............and it was huge.

 The first night we were there we had to have cheesecake!  Heath Bar Crunch and the top layer was cream cheese frosting.  He chose that with me in mind. ;)  It was a very large piece and we couldn't even eat it all.  A $3.00 cup of extremely good/dark coffee went a long just great.  Pound One!

 We saw lots of bakeries and what fun to look in the window and see piles of baked goods dipped in chocolate!  I believe these are chocolate croissants dipped in chocolate. Pound Two!

 This bakery just looked cool walking by.  We walked past twice but the third time we went in.  The name of the bakery is Baked By Melissa.  They are MINI cupcakes!  Each one is under 50 calories.......Pound .5!

I suggested 3 but Dave bought 6...................after all they were low in calories.  Does bite size mean anything?  I believe he ordered Peanut Butter, Smore and Oreo Cookie flavors.  

FYI they are shipped all across the country. :)

We also ventured down to Little Italy.  Fabulous Pasta and Wine followed with the best Canolli in NYC!!

Pound 3.5!

We walked every where we went but it still didn't help.  I am so glad we don't have bakeries on every corner in Osage, Iowa.  I would never be able to get off the treadmill!!

Exciting News..........................................

I have a bit of news to share and thought it would only be appropriate since most of you know Dad and have had a chance to tour his gardens.

Well, my sister-in-law Deneece contacted Judy Condon in regards to Dad's garden.  We secretly sent off pictures that we had both taken.

On Wednesday of this week the phone rang...............it was Judy Condon.  As luck would have it both Mom and Dad were here.  Judy informed them that Dad's gardens would be featured in her Garden Book 2013!!!!

  It took a while for it to sink in and my Dad to realize what had just happened.  He gave all the credit for his honor to Mom and I!!  All I did was take the pictures and Mom JUST weeds! ;)

Seriously, Dad you are the brains behind it all!  You know that Grandma Helen is smiling from above (she was an avid gardener too).

Congratulations Dad, you deserve every bit of the honor that has been bestowed upon you!!  

Dad and Mom are gone today as I write this.......................they are at Gertens in Minneapolis learning about starting seeds!!!

While they were gone today I got a sneak peek at what the layout will look like!  33 photos of Dad's gardens...................he will be shocked!!

Needless to say we will keep you updated as to the exact arrival of this book.  Perhaps you will want an autographed copy for yourself?  I know I do!  Think we will be ordering extras of this one.

Congratulations!  

We love you Dad and are so very proud!

New from Polly Minick

Just in...............a NEW book from Polly Minick titled American Summer Seaside-Inspired Rugs and Quilts. 

If you know Polly she loves Americana and anything red, white and blue.  There is lots of information and she tells you how to enlarge the rugs so they are the same size as her's.  Towards the end of the book there are a couple quilts by her sister Laurie Simpson.

Retail: $25.95

Latest Issue of Primitive Place

The latest issue of A Primitive Place arrived last week.  I must say this is a GREAT magazine.  The pictures are wonderful and it is filled with lots of ideas.  I did a quick thumb threw and it looks very enticing!!

The magazine sells for $10.00

Latest Edition of Folk

We have recently received the latest issue of Folk magazine.  I personally haven't cracked the cover but Mom has and she has read several articles.  The thing we love about this magazine is that it supports Small American Businesses................that means us!!  We can also appreciate the younger generations "love of their roots" and the value of the American Dollar.

The magazine retails for $6.95

New Magazine

 For those of you that do not have a subscription the latest issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects has arrived.  

Designers such as Jan Goos, Maggie Bonanomi, Renee Plains, Lori Brechlin and Lisa Bongean is name just a few.  

Some wonderful spring projects!!

Magazine retails for $9.00

Bittersweet Briar Wool Quilt Kit

 Our local quilt shop "Debbie's" has asked us to put together a wool quilt kit for a class project that they are doing.  The quilt is from the book Simple Graces by Kim Diehl.  Students have a choice to stitch the project in either wool or cotton. 

 The wool is appliqued onto a black cotton background.  We think you could use wool as well!  The sawtooth boarder is both cotton and wool.

Here are the colors that we choose for the project.  I am dying a few more to add to it.  Mom and I both thought that WE needed to do it as well............................we'll see!

The card we are placing in the bag was designed by my son Sam.  He was my designer as I was trying to get the dye pots rolling.  Many thanks.....................I really don't enjoy wasting spending time messing around with that little stuff.  

Anyway, if you are interested in this project we have the wool kit and are selling it for $64.95.

It's Early......................................but time flies.

Since we are having "spring like" weather I thought that it would only be fitting to share this latest rug that Mom has completed. She struggled a little at first with the carrot but once she got that figured out she hooked like a mad woman!! This rug is titled "Vegetable Garden" and retails for $45.00.  I don't have dimensions but it is a VERY doable project.  My dad thinks this rug is wonderful...............................it's because he likes to garden!!  He even has seeds coming up already!