Black Friday!

Here in the US, the day after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year, and people actually do silly things like CAMP OUT in front of electronic stores and WalMart, waiting for them to open so they can cash in on the best bargains. Here at Casa de Kim, there's none of that silly early rising stuff going on.

Sometime around 8 a.m., I rolled over in bed and got an instant headache. Rolled back and it mostly went away. Nope, I didn't over-indulge in alcohol on Thanksgiving, but by the time I went to bed last night, my neck and back were killing me--a combination, I'm sure, of feverishly quilting the trees quilt the other day, followed yesterday by intense decorating, and ending with a thorough muck out of the Sweat Shop.

Anyway, when the headache struck, I thought maybe I should get up and take a couple Advil. Easier said than done. When I tried to get out of bed, I felt like I was about 100 years old and every part of me ached. (Note to self: If you're going to abuse your body by trying to do more than sit on your rear end and quilt, keep a glass of water and Advil on the nightstand.)

As you may imagine, the thought of more decorating this morning was a bit too much, so I got some coffee, wandered around the house a little, messed around on the computer, filled out some forms for the quilt classes I'll be teaching, took a bath, got dressed, and then--around 1:30 p.m.--without having accomplished much of anything, I headed out the door to the quilt shop, Bearpaws and Hollyhocks. Of course, there's a method to my madness and it wasn't exactly a coincidence that I returned the teaching forms on the same day the sale on Christmas fabrics began. 40% off. Yep. Good stuff! After that, I swung by one of the Goodwill stores for their 50% off sale.

Judy over at Quilting with Ragdolls has been overdying some wool lately, and the other day, Beth over at Beth's Crafts, knowing of my penchant for thrifting, had mentioned to me what Judy was up. So here's some more quilter's math for you. Men's wool suit jackets as a source for wool + Goodwill + 50% off day = pure wool joy = 5 men's wool jackets. If math makes your head hurt, maybe a photo would be better.

And, here's some simple math: $3.50 a jacket. Woo-hoo!

So, there you go--my Black Friday shopping experience. Oops! One more thing I bought today--this pattern:

Ms. Marcie Patchalot visited her local quilt shop recently (What's Your Stitch 'N Stuff) and came away with a few goodies as well as some photos of fun projects she posted on her blog. I saw that quilt photo and, well, YOU know--I just NEEDED to know what it was. Marcie was kind enough to write me back and tell me that it's called Christmas Sampler by Country Faces, and it can be ordered from her shop (click on the link if you NEED it too--it will take you to their website and you can call and order). I think this will be next year's Christmas applique project--one of them anyway!

And speaking of quilt shops and patterns, I noticed that Bearpaws and Hollyhocks has the Trees Up! Lights On! pattern in stock now if anyone is looking for it--particularly those of you in the Sacramento area who may want to save on postage. They also just received another Pieces From My Heart pattern of the stack and slice variety that's ladies' hat blocks--it's one I ordered awhile back. I'd really like to make it in spring-like fabrics--kind of an Easter bonnet quilt.

I'm writing this early and setting it to post later, because it's about time I paid the piper for all the gadding about town I did today--time to go do some of the Christmas decorating I've been procrastinating on. But before I do, here's another pattern giveaway for you to enter if you're interested. The pattern is called Star for Ole St. Nick by Reets' Rags to Stitches. It includes instructions for the stitchery and a 20" Santa "doll." I bought it years ago and made the stitchery--which you can see here along side the pattern:

The giveway is for the pattern only--so no, you CANNOT have my pillow! I'm going to need the pillow. I have a feeling that after a couple hours of decorating, I may need to nap a little.

So, if you want me to enter you in the drawing for this pattern, leave me a comment telling me to add your name. I'll draw this one Sunday night. What fun! Good luck!

COMMENTS CLOSED--A WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY!