Georgia's largest Quilt Shop

 We were recently in Atlanta Georgia where we rented a car and drove to Florida.  Before we got out of  Georgia entirely I saw a sign on the west side of I-75 South luring me to visit Georgia's largest Quilt Shop.

It was only a short detour and we needed to stop for lunch anyway.

This is a huge store with many departments within the shop and a great selection in each department.

Since we were flying home I resisted the temptation of buying too much fabric to bring home.

I did however find a piece of software that will help me embroider larger designs by splitting the embroidery design in half and making use of the giga hoop.

Another new quilt shop

 The search for good quilt shops in this area continues.  I've found another shop - quite different from the others, located in Pickering, Art of Fabric.

One day I will take a class here, I'm looking at the class that teaches the technique of free motion stitching techniques on the petal of the tulips below.  This shop specializes in a very artistic style quilting.

Carlyle's quilt

   The quilt is done...
       and the quilt is delivered.

The colours are bright...and the detail is a bit hidden in the colours.  There are little paw prints in the borders - you can see them in this post.

I loved putting the label together for our little granddaughter.

Finally another place for inspiration.

In Oshawa - right off the 401

 Over the past few weeks I found a quilt shop on line that I have been able to explore in Oshawa.  In fact the web presence of this store is very impressive!  So I was anxious to see if what they said on their web site was true in our experience.

I am happy to report that this is a most delightful store and if our early experience is any indication this will be a quilt store I visit often.  The sales staff were friendly and though the store was busy they were relaxed and took time to answer questions or find items.

Here's a smart idea - the foot and an example of its use

A nice selection of fabrics

It hasn't been easy finding a new "favourite quilt store" and few of the ones we've visited since moving would not entice me to return - but the Ultimate Sewing Centre is one I'll be returning to.  You can see their web site here.

Shirley looked after us and answered our questions - even welcomed our (Fred's) thoughts on the web site.

I have signed up for one of their classes that will start later in February. I'm sure I will want to tell you about my progress.

A quilter's helper

Rachel loves to visit me in my sewing room.  She loves the room for many reasons.   I have a small blue stool in there that she can sit on...or carry off to another room to climb up on furniture!  She loves that there are many colourful things in the room.  I always enjoy her finding me in there, but sometimes I think it's all about the blue stool.  When I have the door closed while working on a project I often hear her knocking on the door to see if I will let her in with me.  In the photos you can see that one night I let her in when it was safe.

Whatever the reason I usually love her to be around.  I loved being around my Grandmother and I learned many things that stand me in good stead today from her.

Maybe one day I will be able to teach Rachel to quilt. For the time being I'll be glad to see her in my sewing room even if it is to get the blue stool.

It's in the hoop

It's in the hoop

This is a sneak preview of a very special quilt I've been working on for the next grand baby due very soon!  Amanda loves Winnie the Pooh and his friends so the quilt and the nursery will have a Pooh and friends theme.

The binding is on and the quilt label will be prepared once the little one has arrived and her name is announced.

I'll have another post with the label in a few weeks ...

The threads

The quilt is pinned

Embroidered with little paws

The Quilting Gnome

I've discovered another nice, but small, quilt shop in our area.  While the city seems to have disappointed me in customer service, quality and selection, outside the city has provided some good surprises.  The small town of Jackson's Point is home to the Quilting Gnome.  Once again it seems quilters and quilt shop owners are very aware of the great quilt shops in Alberta.

We had a good chat with the owner of The Quilting Gnome.  Just mention Canmore and her eyes light up!  Which makes you wonder if people start these businesses to feed their own quilting addiction?  Just a thought.

They had good displays and many quilting notions - that is quilt puzzles, quilting licence plates and a good display of quilts.

On the edge of Lake Simcoe, this is a great spot to visit and take in some beach time too!