Red Sox and quilt stores

At first glance Red Sox and quilt stores may seem an unlikely combination but that is the quickest way of describing my trip to New England last week.
We spent our first few days with my sister and her husband in New Hampshire. First she brought me to Quilted Threads in Henniker. This is a great shop. Checked all the things you look for in a shop - nice folks behind the counter, great selection of fabrics, inspiring samples on the wall, lots of books and patterns conveniently mechanized with the fabrics...I could go on a long time on this store however I will focus on two things - the display of Japanese fabrics and projects just as you walk in the door is totally gorgeous and on the second floor are recently renovated classrooms that any teacher and student would love. Of course we also went over to Merideth to visit Keepsake...still has a great selection of fabrics and had a sale section that I don't remember from last visit (3 years ago!) There were lots of quilt-y gifty things there but I didn't find the mechendizing or organization to be as good as it used to be. It is still worth the visit though....
It was a warm sunny day and even though we were there early the lakeside tables at the restaurant were filling up early. You would think they hadn't had sun all summer (ok, that is almost true...) I think I still like going to Hart's Turkey farm restaurant best but I understand the need for sunshine so dockside it was...
I am originally from New England so am an "honest" Red Sox Fan. My Dh is from Virginia where they did not have a baseball team so as a child he decided to become a Red Sox Fan...if he had picked the Yankees we may never have married (doubtful there would have been a second date!) Anyway, he had never been to Fenway Park so this trip was a big one for him. It had been 10 years since I had been to the park and I am happy to say they have done a great job on it.I also had some fun finds at an antique store but that will have to wait until later. I am having surgury tomorrow so it may be a week until I can get back on the computer. Luckily I have some fun projects all "kitted" up and stacked bedside so I can hopefully stay busy.

(the rug hooked wall hanging on the top of the this blog was made by my sister...isn't it fun! Everytime I visit I get to urge to learn to rughook. Like I need another hobby that comes with a whole new set of "stuff!")

World Series and Halloween all in one week!

You have to say for someone who is a fan of both baseball and Halloween this a good week. Change that to Red Sox and Halloween and it is a great week!!

We again got up early to watch a tape delayed version of the final game of the World Series. It was a really good game. There were lots of moments that I though the Rockies were going to pull it out and go on to another game. No one could have predicted how the rookies on the Sox were going to step up the plate and contribute the way they did. It was crazy and exciting.

Now on to Halloween and quilting....I made a quick Halloween table runner this week. I used the disappearing 9-patch technique. I apologize for not remembering whose blog I saw that on - it is a fun and quick technique...I really did finish the top in a few hours! By the way it isn't as wonky in real life as the photo - both Macbeth and the cats thought I should be taking photos of them and kept jumping onto the quilt! To take this one I had to throw the ball across the room and take the photo before he had a chance to get back to the quilt...as you can see it was close!

The other Halloween quilt is one I finished last year with little witches on it. I love the blue fabric with the eyes. I think I may have used the last of it this year. Isn't it funny how some fabrics seem to just last and last. I don't think I bought more than a yard or so of it but it is in at least four quilts that I can think of!
I hang this quilt near my front door so at least the trick-or-treaters can see a bit of it. I think I may have overdone it on the candy...I would pick up a bit each time I went to the store and didn't realize how it all added up until I pulled out the Halloween bowl and filled it this weekend. I have enough to fill it three times over!

I have started working on a Christmas bag. I haven't made a lot of bags but have put aside a lot of a project-bags (these are platic bags with the fabric to make a bag!) At some point I needed to dive in and get going so wish me luck! I may even finish a few projects this week...now that would really make it special!!!!

Go Redsox!!!!

It is amazing what sports fans will do to stay up with their teams. This morning my DH and I got up at 0600 to watch a taped copy of the Red Sox vs. Indians baseball championship game. It was a great game but it just isn't the same watching baseball with coffee and shredded wheat instead of beer and a hotdog...ah well, at least the Red Sox won!!!

We went on a long walk/ramble this weekend up in the Cotswold hills. Each time we do this I am amazed how beautiful it is in this part of England. I'm still a bit nervous walking through fields of cows and sheep (I'm not afraid of the sheep but I worry about scaring them!) The cow in the photos was such a prima-dona. She "posed" for all the silly Americans taking photos then followed us to the gate! The rest of the herd moved to the top of the hill when they heard us coming over the gate.

I got to play with my new camera. As usual I play with it first and then read the directions. I do the same thing with new software...I think it is how I learn best but it drives my DH batty! The flower and bee photo at the left uses a "flower" setting which is just that a tiny flower- now how hard it that to figure out without a book!!

Today I am going to play in my Halloween fabrics. I should clean house but I just don't feel like it! Maybe I will clean one room and then let myself play!

I also need to come up with something fun for my 200th post...I can't believe I have written that much. Watch this space for an anniversary give away...don't know what it will be!!