Out and About

If you can measure the success of a quilt shop by the amount of money I spend in it, then I think the newest shop in the Sacramento area should do okay!

You may remember several months back I went into Running With Scissors the first weekend it was open and I was a little disappointed. No one greeted me despite the fact that I was in the shop for about a half hour, and their stock was a bit limited. I left without having spoken to anyone or spent any money there. Not today though!

I don't often leave the house on Saturdays--usually I just do my hermit thing, relaxing and sewing after the work week--but today I decided the weather was lovely and I should get out and do something, so I got dressed and headed out to give Running With Scissors another try and make a run through the Goodwill next door.

I was still looking for some green fat quarters for the tree quilt that's next up on my list. When I pressed and stacked what I had, I wasn't very pleased with the combination. Running With Scissors helped solve my dilemma! I came home with a nice pile of green AND red fat quarters, and I'm happy now with the variety I've collected.

The gals at Running With Scissors were much more friendly today too. The shop had a much wider range of fabrics this trip than they did last time. I sensed that they are geared a little more toward the younger, newer quilters, with several Amy Butler bag patterns and fabrics, several simple kits, and a number of pre-printed panels, but they also had plenty of fabrics for quilters of any level. Their selection of patterns was fairly limited and what they had tended toward simple, quick quilts, but hopefully they'll get in a little more variety in coming months. And I'm sure I'll be back to check it out.

Goodwill also didn't disappoint me. There I found a wooden compartmented box that would be excellent for holding rolled fat quarters or other "treasures"; a doll-sized wooden rocking chair; a Christmas plate (99 cents, and I'm thinking it would make a great gift when "accessorized" with a loaf of nut bread and pretty cellophane wrapping and ribbons); and a couple of Christmas idea and recipe books.

After shopping, I came home and got busy in the Sweat Shop. My assistant was more than happy to help out.

She's all about recycling and finding multiple uses for items. Like turning freezer paper into cat toys.

Finally, I wanted to mention that if you've looked for Carol's Craft Closet blog lately and haven't been able to find it, she has a new blog, Carol's Crafty Creations. You can click on the name link and go on over there and say "Hi"!