Quilt Shop Closings...sigh

 The end of last year, the best quilt shop in Maine, the Fabric Garden in Madison, closed their doors after 43 years in business. It is a real loss for the state and central Maine in particular. They had the BEST selection of quality fabrics, were always helpful and it was so much fun to visit and see what treasures I could find to spark my creative juices. 

 And in just a week, another fine quilt shop will close its doors - Mainely Sewing in Nobleboro. Their home was an iconic yellow two-story older home set on a hill overlooking Route 1 along the coast. They had, without a doubt, the best sale room in the state - I always found many fabrics there that just couldn't wait to come home with me. They also are very nice people.

  Just this morning, I discovered that another of my more infrequent fabric haunts has disappeared - J Madeline's in Rochester, New York. I only visited there twice but was impressed with their selection and service. My last visit I stocked up on several colors of my favorite "blender" fabrics - Maywood Studios Shadow Play line and I'm happy I did. But where to find them going forward? The search is on!

  One bit of happy news is that the former Fabric Garden location has been taken over by another concern and they are holding their grand opening this weekend. They are continuing that location's tradition of carrying Janome sewing machines and are getting in some fabric as well. I think I'll wait a bit for more stock to arrive - fabric stores are not immune to the supply chain issues plaguing all businesses right now. 

  I'm continuing on the placemat journey, hoping to build up my reserve to eliminate that end of season rush to fill in for the next show with only 2 weeks to do so. It was a bit hairy there last year! And my schedule of shows is set for 2022, starting off once again with the USM Athletics Show the end of April. I love this show because of the ease of setting up in their fieldhouse - we can drive right inside and if I have my usual spot, I can park 3 feet away! Can't get any easier than that! (There was a bit of a kerfuffle with my acceptance notification but thanks to a fellow UMC member who is also doing that show alerting me she had received her acceptance, I was able to contact the USM folks and get my invoice which I promptly payed. Another show returning to my scheduled is the New England Music Camp show - it's only a Sunday afternoon but it's 5 minutes from my house and they have returned it to its former spot between the 2 sessions they hold so I no longer have a conflict with the Flaherty show.

  Time to get the Pfaff serviced and I have an appointment later this month for that. Once it's back in top running order, I'll quilt Luna by Starlight so she can go to Gorham with me. I sold a lap quilt there several years ago so I have my fingers crossed. 

February Update

 Six sets of placemats completed plus one wall hanging. One lap quilt top and tops for six more sets of placemats completed and ready for layering later today. Five more show applications submitted, which takes care of my schedule for the year. Still waiting on confirmations from all.

Luna by Starlight lap quilt

  All this creating takes me away from the dire news out of Ukraine. The last time I payed any attention to Russia was when I was in early childhood and the Cold War was in the news. I do not trust a word that comes out of Putin's mouth. He's a master manipulator, which is why Trump was so protective of him. Anyone who has read Seth Abramson's books knows what the plan is for both of these sociopaths. (I find it the height of irony the the social network Trump introduced yesterday is called "Truth" - I'm certain the content will be anything but the truth. More conspiracy theories, lies and trash talking.)

  I recently joined the 21st century with the purchase a a smart phone. So far, I have limited myself in the Internet usage on it but I can see how people become distracted from everyday life with these mini computers in their hands. I just don't want to become one of them!

 Still waiting on our second estimate on replacing the garage doors and openers. This is a phenomenon we first encountered in Maine - tradespeople either never responding to a first inquiry or not getting back to us with estimates. I realize that the past 2 years have resulted in many people leaving their trades, and others who remain not able to secure parts and materials to do jobs. But in 20+ years here, we've a long history of non-communication from people - plumbers, landscapers, counter installers - the list is endless. Anyway, on my To Do list for the day is following up with the door guy. 

 And, finally, just announced yesterday, the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority has disqualified Medina Spirit from the win in the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Bob Baffert and his attorneys will appeal (of course) but for the time being, Mandaloun is the winner. Baffert is also suspended for 90 days but (of course) due to appeal he will be allowed to continue to train. Sadly, Medina Spirit is no longer with us - he died after a workout in December. Necropsy was inconclusive (no surprise as it was conducted in California and no one in out there seems to have the integrity to hold Baffert accountable for anything that happens to his horses.) So, stay tuned. Still, we will not see Baffert at this year's Derby as Churchill Downs Inc. has banned him through 2023. And that is separate from the KHRA suspension. 

Bombogenesis

 ...at least I think that's how you spell it. We are in the beginning hours of a predicted major snowstorm and for once, all snow. Blizzard conditions later in the day into the night. At least it's so cold that it will all be snow and light powder at that. If I were still an alpine skier, I'd be rejoicing but for now I'll just wish all of them well and "Happy stash hunting in the coming days!

    Been working on placemats and one wall hanging and cogitating on new lap quilts. I think I have designs worked out for both but there's always that fear of cutting into a treasured fabric the first time and "what if I made a measuring mistake?" and "what if the fabric combinations aren't working?" and...you get the idea. I usually just plunge ahead and it usually works out. My dear SO yesterday was relaying a conversation he had with his beer brewing group about the maddening proliferation of fruity and strange IPAs that is plaguing the Maine microbrew scene these days. One person's take was that people are attempting to brew a standard IPA (which I love!) and it doesn't finish quite right so they toss in a bunch of hops and fruit, give it a marketable name and move on. Small batch cachet achieved! It took me a bit to catch onto the fact that not all IPAs are created equal these days so I've learned to ask what the extra ingredients are if they are not advertised. My favorite, discovered last year, is In the Horns IPA from Tumbledown Brewing in Farmington. They would donate an amount from every can to the ski patrol at Saddleback. However, it appears it was a limited run as it's no longer listed on their website. So, I'll save my remaining can for a special occasion and start the search for a replacement. 

    Have applied to 3 earlier in the season shows this month - April in Gorham, June in Belfast and July at the New England Music Camp. All are shows I've done in the past and I'm happy the Music Camp has returned their show to July so I no longer have a conflict. The United Maine Craftsmen shows are all later in the year and I expect those applications to hit my mailbox this coming month. Lots of work to do in the studio.

End of the Indoor Craft Show Season

 I'm happy...no, delighted to report that this was a spectacular season for LeafLady Quilts! The Brewer show the weekend after Thanksgiving was a success, again despite reduced attendance. And the Holiday show in Portland last weekend was also a success! I realize now I need to concentrate on making placemats as I had trouble keeping up with demand this year. And I sold 2 lap quilts after not selling one for 3 years. Just so grateful for the sales and the people who came out. (And that the weather cooperated!)

 And now I'm knee-deep in cookie baking and holiday preparations. Two of 5 kinds baked yesterday, sugar cookies mixed up today but a nap took me away from baking them this afternoon. I think I'm still catching up on the sleep I lost with all those early morning trips to shows and the 4 round trips to Portland this past week. 

 We had our first snowfall this week and I spent it inside until I had to clear the driveway to get out Thursday. Today it's been freezing rain and is only now warming up to be just rain. It's supposed to be 50 degrees tonight which will make the white disappear. But it will reappear at a future date, I'm sure.

Start of the Indoor Craft Show Season

    Did my first indoor show since COVID came to town this past weekend. People were well-behaved, many were masked (this was in Augusta where it's still optional) but the numbers of attendees were down both days. Still, I'm happy to report this was a group in the mood to buy! I had the best show I've had in many years. So a hearty THANK YOU to all who came and purchased treasures from me.

    This coming weekend, the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, I will be at a show in Brewer. This is my second attempt to crack the Bangor area market so it's still an experiment. I felt I should do this show to support the United Maine Craftsmen organization. I have been a member since 2016 and this past August was elected vice president. It's great group of people and we are doing our best to keep the doors open at show venues around the state. We've had to make some adjustments due to the pandemic, the weather, construction at venues, etc. but we're a diverse and resourceful group, determined to do what is right for our members. 

                                            Booth at Augusta

    Anyway, the show this weekend requires me to rise at 4 am to be on the road by 5 to get to Brewer by 6:15, the start of set-up time. I need all 3+ hours these days to get my booth in order and as this is a new venue, I'm not sure how easy load in will be - considerations are always 1) stairs?; 2) how far I am from the door; 3) how far away from the door do I need to park? 4) how to fit my booth in the space allotted and not encroach on my neighbors. (My 2 favorite venues are the USM show in Gorham where I can drive right into the fieldhouse and park 3 feet from my space and the Augusta Civic Center where they usually have large flatbed hand trucks available for unloading, which means only 2-3 trips from the parking lot instead of 10-12 when I have to hand carry everything.) I'm doing a B & B exchange with our president - She stayed with us this past Saturday and has invited me to stay with her on Friday so it's only one trip up and back for me instead of 2. A win win!

    Watching a report on CNN about how the owner of TY Inc. has chartered a plane to bring Beanie Babies over from (China?) so we will have our pick of those little critters this holiday season. Takes me back to my days working at Mr. Paperback in the Shaw's Plaza in Waterville at the height of the BB craze. The tricks and lies people used to get their hands on the latest releases still amaze me. I divested myself of most of my few acquisitions years ago - donated to charity, given away, yard sale. No need to keep those any more. I never thought I'd get rich but I'm sure there are still people who think that way. Sigh.

Happy Halloween! Boo!

 Back from Roch-cha-cha. Reunion was fun. It's a testament to the SO's classmates that I have now attended 2 of their reunions while attending only 1 of my own! There are a great group of people and always good to see them. Happy to report the quilt shop came through and I purchased all 4 of the fabrics I wanted. Disappointed by the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, however. They seem to have fallen prey to the GenX intern model of display development so things did not flow quite as I had hoped. And they severely downsized the Women in Baseball exhibit and shoved it into a back corner. A real disappointment. 

   I finished a special order and shipped it off last week. And started 2 new wall wall hangings perfect for the holidays. Two weeks from today I'll be at the second day of the first inside show of my season. I'll be the one wearing a mask, even though I'm fully vaccinated plus boosterized as of last Sunday.

WARNING! OLD PERSON RANTS BELOW!

 We attended our first concert in months (years?) last night. We like to support our local venue when we can and this was only their second affair since COVID shut them down last year. It was a band from Boston that I had heard of but not heard and they were fine musicians and somewhat entertaining. Unfortunately, the experience was negatively impacted by some inconsiderate attendees who 1) stood at the side of the dance floor which placed them squarely in front of people seated at tables; 2) same people them relocated to the only narrow walkway to the restrooms; and 3) a different group at the back of the room who talked loudly over the final song of the first set, which was the Beatles Blackbird, done acoustically (as it should be) by the lead singer. I was about ready to get up and go give them my best Librarian SHUSH but thought better of it, given the times we are in. I just wonder why these people think it is okay to be so inconsiderate of their fellow concert-goers and, in the last case, the artist? Was it the alcohol? Was it a sense of entitlement? I'm stymied.

    And I witnessed something I've never seen in person but have seen evidence of on the Internet - one of the inconsiderate floor parkers seemed to think it was their right as a "fan" of the band to cozy up to the stage during the intermission, snag the set list from the leader singer's space and capture it on her phone. I guess that's what passes for fandom these days, but I just don't get it. 

 

October update

A few days after the Flaherty Show, we received word that the venue for Fall Festival, Smiling Hill Farm, had decided they were not willing to host a crowd the size of ours in less than 4 weeks time. Connie and Matt, the directors for Fall Festival, scurried around, chasing all kinds of suggestions and found a marvelous replacement venue, the Chick fields by the Gorham municipal offices. Flat, dry (despite a Friday of rain) and easy in and out. Most customers found us there and it was a sunny, breezy nice day. 

I had a customer early on who purchased a runner, then left it at another vendor's booth. Connie returned it to me and with a bit of Internet sleuthing (Thank you for all those library skills I gained in 16+ year!) I was able to connect with the customer, obtain her mailing address and return her runner that she thought was gone forever. Another satisfied customer! 

I've updated my website to add more holiday items and updated the inventory and really don't have much to add for the next show, the Augusta Arts & Crafts. An inside show again! Should be an adventure! And I'm looking forward to not having to deal with the elements! 

Off to Rochester this week for a high school reunion, postponed from 2020. David has a great group of friends who still reside in the area and it's always fun to catch up with them. And we're doing some fun stuff, too - a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. We haven't been in probably 30 years or so. About time to catch up with our respective favorite teams. I want to see all that Giants memorabilia! And there's a quilt shop in Rochester that I discovered on our last trip that has several fabrics I can't find here anymore listed on their website, so I'm hoping they are in stock for me to purchase.