I'm Hopeless!

Oh, LOOK! Can you see my cutting mat under there? That means I actually ventured into the Sweat Shop tonight! I didn't spend very much time there though. I'm still excited about the projects I have going on, but I haven't felt a compulsion to sew. Instead, I've been compelled to lounge around on the couch and watch TV with the hubby the last couple nights.

Jo's Club was held tonight and I found the shop had just gotten in their shipment of the Spring Quilt Sampler. Yummy shops, yummy stuff! In particular, I think I need to take a trip to Kansas and Wisconsin. I just loved the photos of those two stores! I've been to the one in Bend, Oregon, when we went to the Sisters Quilt Show a couple years ago, and that's a great shop too--in fact, I think we were in that particular shop twice during the two days we were in Bend. If you ever go--either to the Sisters show or are just traveling through Bend, I recommend a stay at the McMenamin's St. Francis School--it is truly unique and fun, particularly if you have a fondness for beer, since McMenamin's is primarily the brewing empire of the Pacific Northwest. (I don't drink much, but I do enjoy a good beer now and then!) And McMenamin's employs artists to decorate their various pubs, bars, and hotels--quite a treat to experience and a whole lot different from a stay at a typical hotel/motel. Going to Portland instead? Stay at McMenamin's Kennedy School! I've visited a couple of their other hotels to explore and dine, but I haven't been a guest in their rooms; still, I'd be willing to bet any of them would make for a memorable stay.

Well, that was a bit of a tangent! I didn't really mean to get off onto the subject of McMenamin's but I guess my flying typing fingers got ahead of my brain! Anyway, back to my planned topics: Aprons, first of all.

My blogless internet friend Sandy kindly offered to make me an apron since I haven't had any luck finding one at the thrift store, but I thought it might be fun to make one myself. She mentioned a book she has called The Apron Book, so I checked Amazon and ordered a used copy. I have no idea if I'll make the apron featured in the book or something else, but it sounded like a good book. Of course, I couldn't resist picking out some fabric for an apron while I was at the quilt shop tonight.

What do you think? Isn't that ruffled, checked rick rack irresistible? Well, I couldn't resist! So maybe I'll make an apron one of these days.

And were you wondering why I started out telling you I'm hopeless? I went back to Goodwill AGAIN today. Hopeless, right? Is there a 12-step program? My Blogland friend Mary Ann is tickled to death that I've been bitten by the thrifting bug. Mary Ann, who started my vintage apron search when she mentioned a recent trip to the thrift store that had netted her 162 vintage aprons. Okay, I'm exaggerating the number, but she found a TON! Me? No aprons. And Mary Ann, if you're reading this, I'm keeping an eye open for old patterns for you but haven't had any luck so far. Maybe that's my excuse. I HAD to go look for patterns for my friend. Are you buying that?

Okay, well how about if I tell you I went back because I was curious about all those 2-cent books and wondered whether they were still on sale? Yep, that's the real reason. Nope, they weren't still on sale. But I DID find two more books I needed to bring home--$1 each. A fortune compared to yesterday's prices but not bad.

I'm completely envious of those of you who can crochet and make those cute little crochet-edged cards. With dreams of making my own, I snagged the Complete Encyclopedia of Stitchery book. I also figured it would come in handy if I wanted to brush up on my embroidery stitches. Or--and I really can't see it happening, so don't worry too much about me--or if I want to macrame a few plant hangers. You never know. Then there was the book on crafting gifts--it looked interesting on a quick flip through.

I found another teapot today--nothing as special as the other one I found on Monday, but I like this little white teapot too.

And some of the things I've found and haven't shared with you yet--well, remember how I made those curtains and pillow covers and other stuff for my daughter's former room? All that purple and pink stuff? That was great for spring, but now that the rest of the house is decked out in its summer wardrobe of red, white, and blue, the purple and pink just doesn't seem right. Soon, I think, it will be green, white and light blue. I'll show you my other finds then. Unless my husband kills me first because I keep coming home each day with more STUFF!

And the final reason I went back to Goodwill today? I wanted to find out if they really DO put out new items all the time. And they do! I wonder what they might have tomorrow? No, seriously, I don't think I'll go back again tomorrow. But then that's what I told myself last night. And what did I tell you? I'm hopeless!