I have a confession to make. I’m not a shopper. My idea of clothes shopping involves me and the LLBean catalog. I can tolerate fabric shopping only in small amounts. But my quilt needed SOMETHING so I knew I had to bite the bullet and go. The big problem with fabric shopping for me is that it involves LOTS of driving. Due to the current economy, most of the quilt shops that were close to me closed. SIGH.
My first stop was a quilt shop east of me. This is my go to place because they have everything. Well, everything except my very hard to find raspberry red/pink that is. Still it was fun to stop in and see what’s new. A funny thing happened though. When I took my quilt out…well…it didn’t look so bad. The ladies working there liked it and were helpful so I decided try another shop.
Big mistake, not the shop, it was lovely. It was the TRAFFIC. All I can say is TOTAL GRID LOCK. I sat in stop and go traffic for what seemed like forever listening to some depressing show on NPR about money. I guess I could have turned on a bit of fun music but I hate commercials even more than traffic. What can I say, I have issues.
Like I said, the shop was lovely. Only problem was that they didn’t have raspberry red/pink fabric either. And another funny thing happened. When I took the quilt out it didn’t look too bad there either.
I’m converging on the idea that the only thing that the quilt needs is some appliqué (duh) and a raspberry red/pink binding. Now I GOTTA FIND some fabric in that color!!!
So I go to a third shop…and…you guessed it…there was more TRAFFIC…and the third shop didn’t have any of that color either. I went home and watched Star Trek.
Now I know I have issues and one of them is pickiness about color and the other is that I am very stubborn sometimes. So, the next day I head off to deepest darkest Denver because there is an awesome quilt shop there that I’m just sure will have my color. Guess what happened? Here’s a hint:
Yep, TRAFFIC.
And they didn’t have the color BUT when I took the quilt out, well it didn’t look too bad there either. Hmmm?
So I head back to Northern Colorado…through miles and miles of more traffic…and decide to give it one more try.
Well, this is looking a little better in the traffic department.
And look at this cute little town
And guess what?
I found the fabric, not the exact one but a very good match. I also found loads of green for the leaves of my appliqué and that funny orange in the star points. All that for just over 300 miles of driving. And here is a look at my drive home.
Did you see that? Speed Limit 5 mph. Yee Haw!
LOL! A very cute story with a happy ending, finally!
Posted by: Karen Beigh | 04/15/2010 at 06:17 AM
You win the marathon! Next time you anticipate such an expedition, try an audio book. It works wonders for long drives and stuck-in-traffic situations. You won't even mind it! You might even LIKE shopping again!
Posted by: Denice | 04/15/2010 at 06:30 AM
You always make my day! I wasnt feeling well today and didnt want to come to work, but once i got here I was like Oh yeah! Check the email! And once again you had a wonderful pick me up! I love the story! I sounds just like something I would do! Thanks for all the pics! THey are lovely!
You are a hoot! Hugs and Stitches from Texas!
Posted by: Tammie Bivins | 04/15/2010 at 06:32 AM
300 miles? OMG! Bring some cds with you for music next time, or an mp3 player. Now that you have all the fabric, how are you going to quilt it? Can't wait for the next episode. :)
Posted by: Eileen Keane | 04/15/2010 at 06:53 AM
I grew up in Colorado.
But, aside from that. It is interesting to see a quilt you have made through the eyes of someone who has never seen it. I think we get too close sometimes. I delivered a quilt last night to a friend of my husband. He is ill and I guess we should have warned him because it nearly put him into shock. He had to sit down and reached for us to put it over him and sat there touching it and saying over and over, "It's so beautiful." I didn't expect that, that's for sure.
Posted by: Deanna | 04/15/2010 at 07:07 AM
what part of Colorado were you driving through? And where were the quilt shops? I go to Colorado now and then when we travel and would love to know about the shops. Here to in Arkansas the quilt shops are few and far between. I have to go 80 to 90 miles in almost any direction to get to them and some of them are not good. I mostly order on line. I dislike clothes shopping too and only do it when I need to.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Posted by: Karen | 04/15/2010 at 07:24 AM
300 miles? What was the price per yard with this mileage? LOL
The Chicago Quilt Show is this week, and we'll be heading into that same traffic for not-quite-the-same purpose. Thanks for making me look forward to the trip with a laugh.
Posted by: Pat Pollock | 04/15/2010 at 07:59 AM
I should have known you would find something at Quilting Hands. Love that shop.
Posted by: paula.thequilter | 04/15/2010 at 05:38 PM
That is such a great shop
I did serious damage to my budget
Posted by: erinrussek | 04/15/2010 at 06:11 PM