Demystified...

We New Englanders have been living in the dark.  A curious, at times envious, crafting dark.  A Hobby Lobby dark.  Up until this weekend, that is, when our first Hobby Lobby (at least in Massachusetts) opened!



So many crafty blogs casually mention this store and we have been left to wonder what we are missing.  Wonder no longer, my friends!  I was able to snap a few photos with my phone (not many, though - seems they were triple-staffed for the grand opening!) to satisfy your curiosity.



While the fabric selection was small, there were so many cute prints and colors.  These were the home dec chevrons! 

Tons of things to decorate your home, too!  While I have been on a major decluttering spree and do NOT want these things in my home collecting dust, they are still fun to look at.  Do you want faux birdcages? glass bottles? metal Ford signs for your garage?  mini-London phone booths?  They have it all, and lots more!  It's almost too much!

In the end, I think I showed pretty good restraint.  3 yards quilting cotton and 1 yard striped knit.  Not bad for feeling like a kid in a candy shop!

Chalk mats...in the shop!

If you don't want to make one (http://www.roseleej.blogspot.com/2011/09/monkey-applique-shirt-some-news-and.html)...

...you could buy one instead.  

They make a great gift for a little one - for birthday, older sibling, Easter basket, or party favor. 

You decide.

Home sewing versus Target...

In preparation for an upcoming trip, I was looking for a project that would yield a large, all-purpose tote equally fitted for the airplane and the beach.  I was excited to try this bag from Liberty Book of Home Sewing. 

While it is very versatile, I had to draw the pattern myself, it takes a whole yard of fabric and doesn't have a zipper.

Enter Target dollar spot: for $2.50, I found this bag.  Long handles, zipper, and made from waterproof material.

How can a home sewist compete with that?!



A mystery...

It has officially been one month since I last posted. Where have I been? See if these clues give you an idea...

Clue #1: fabric was involved

Clue #2: cupcakes were eaten

Clue #3: I was a cheesy tourist

Are you thinking "NYC, baby!"?  If so, you are correct!  If not, did you happen to notice that green mug above?  Look again.  (insert loving smile)

Mr. C. surprised me with an overnight to New York a few weeks back.  The trip was a mystery, but the further west we headed, and as signs for New York State started to pop up, I guessed the city.  I was thinking, "I wonder if I could find the time to check out a few fabric shops" when he handed me a six page print-out about fabric shopping in NYC!  Not only were we going to be in the city, but he budgeted half our trip to checking out the best of the best fabric stores!  I'm still not sure what is more amazing - him or the selection of fabrics at some of these places!  (Actually, I'm sure.  It's the fabric him.)

Before our day of fabric shopping, we did get to see a little play called "Wicked".  On Broadway since 2003, it still sells out every show!  I highly recommend it.

Anyway, back to fabric...

 

Our first stop was Mood fabric.  I mean, really, if you watch "Project Runway" even a little bit, how could you not head there first?  We were actually a few minutes early and had to circle the block before they would let us up in the elevator!  Too eager?

Doing the obligatory "Project Runway" pulling-out-the-roll-of-heavy-fabric move

Now, here's a little something funny about Mood.  We had heard that the staff had gotten a little ego-inflated since "Project Runway" so I was a bit nervous going in as a dorky tourist.  However, that rumor is totally untrue.  The staff were so sweet and friendly.  Hassan was my favorite!
 

With Hassan, who carried all the rolls to the counter and cut them.  Not sure why he's not on "Project Runway".

Another amazing stop was B&J Fabrics.  The selection of Liberty of London was incredible!  I honestly couldn't stop touching it - it is buttery and beautiful.  They also had this huge selection of quilting cottons.  I really let my inner fabric geek out at this store!

How to pick!?

Of course, after all that walking, what better way to re-energize than a couple of Magnolia Bakery cupcakes?

 

We didn't make it down to Soho which was another biggie on my list.  I'll save that for the next trip in!

In other news, things behind the scenes have been very busy here.  While I have been sewing and working on different projects, I haven't had time to get the photos in order and post to the blog.  I'll be back on a regular schedule soon (and hopefully get my etsy shop back up and running with renewed inventory). 

Thanks for hanging in there!