THE QUILTER'S ALLEY

Susie Flynn and I visited the Martha Stewart Show. We spent a good half-hour waiting on line.  The advice to “dress to impress”  which comes with your email confirmation was taken very seriously by the girl behind us.  Her five-inch heels were too much for walking in the city, but she donned them as we waited to go inside to the show.  

Dressing to impress at the last second

 Susie and I took pictures of one another to remember the day.  I included this one to save space and to demonstrate how psychic Susie is.( Notice what Martha is wearing below.)
These are shots as we inched our way up the line and through security.

Larger than Life

Aqua is the color of the day

The Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond was featured with some gorgeous Thread Velvet. (You can see a sliver of the Designer Diamond behind Martha.) We were on the Cooking Side of the set.  Diane Lane was the guest and she’s gorgeous too.  We had lots of fun under the lights and dodging the camera-on-the-crane. (Technical term) We received a book on survival, some Martha mags and a voucher for her new Embroidery Collection.

Then we took a walk to the (delightful) City Quilter which hosts the most inspiring collection of fabrics outside of our own.(if I say so myself) Kathy, the owner, made us feel at home and Judy Doenias popped up between classes.  What a surprise for me!  Judy taught at our store about a year ago and I’m trying to convince her to do another round. They brought us downstairs to see the floorcloths they’re working on,  and we had a chance to meet Kathy’s business partner at his computer (also downstairs) her husband! Stu and I are not the only couple who can work together successfully, but I’d love to share stories with Kathy.

Kathy (blinking) & Dale

Like an old dog, my wonderful daughter dragged me into the 21st Century last night.  I learned how easy it is to Skype. My little Skype icon sits with a big old # 3 4 – wow I have three four people I can Skype. (I have to get my other daughter set up. Her reply: “Mom, I’m way ahead of you.”) Now that there are only three more days until Daughter 1 moves to Tel Aviv, I had to be sure I could see her every day if I want to.  This is a heartbreaking moment for a mom, when your baby flies far. But I am also proud, because she is bravely looking for her life muse.

Shara(left)is my bird of the week. Ally my anchor.

(more…)

We had a busy but fun day from top to bottom. Besides the smell of sausage and peppers and zeppole, the games, the lights the people, there was fabric to peruse at the St. Gennaro Festival in Little Italy. But the best part was spending a bit more time with David and Shara.  David left for Israel yesterday.  He should be home by now.  (Shara leaves on the 25th.) But we will have these cherished moments and memories of some fun times.  (Sorry, no pics of Derek Jeter’s record breaking hit last night – a final Yankee Stadium visit for Daughter and Dad.)

S&D in front of Old Cemetery Door

Bib Boys

Correction: I do have the Derek Jeter Shot

I’ve lived in the area now for almost five years, three of which have been exclusively focused on our store. You have to do that with an infant business.  But she’s grown, so recently I’ve been able to think a bit of my life beyond the store.  My own artwork, relaxing on my very rare days off, spending time with friends.  I’ve probably passed the Wilton Historical Society buildings a thousand times on my way to errands hither and yon.  But the quilt show opened yesterday and I wanted to see how the pieces they requested from my collection are exhibited. Well, wow.  It’s like I have a whole wall in the museum, right when you enter this beautiful old room.  Quilts are all around, but I “look right” first out of habit possibly and my coat is welcoming me with open arms.   This is my third art coat. THe first one I made I wear all the time in the cool weather (they’re quilted, of course).  The second coat I made (it’s a long story but…) I sent to Oprah Winfrey and it is somewhere in the universe, but where?  The brown coat hanging in the museum is my third.  It is made from various pieces of fabric that are hand woven, printed, Guatemalan, wool and cotton, all in shades of brown. There are several other pieces of my art quilting with them on that wall. Thank you Wilton Historical Society, Andrea and Barbara for your hospitality. We spent a good hour roaming the( maze of) three buildings, eventually caught up with a museum guru and exited feeling awash with textile history and as dumb as dirt for not having know about this amazing resource in my back yard.  Everyone should go.  If you love textiles, trains, toys, history…GO!  (Let me just say: “The doll houses…”)

Next up:  Hello San Gennaro and so long to David

It has been difficult to report lately, but if I don’t start documenting the incredible activity at the store, I’ll forget to include something. Although I take lots of pictures every day,(my camera battery can hardly keep up) people are emailing pictures to be posted as well. It suggests that maybe some of our readers would like to contribute their hand and home made products as well to be viewed, but more importantly, the short story surrounding them. 

Tuesday the 9th, Silvermine Quilt Guild met at the Quilter’s Alley after the summer hiatus.  The meeting was busy with lots of catching up, but show and tell demonstrates that folks still quilt during the hot summer months.

Tuesday afternoon was the meeting of the A Better Chance group who decided they wanted to learn to sew.
I have no pictures yet, but since have gotten permission to take some for the blog.  This afternoon reminded me how wonderful high school women are and how much I love to interact with them. 
They are showing early signs of being natural designers, arranging the fabrics with great thought.  Their first project is a book bag. 

Wednesday, an enthusiastic group of women joined me for a basic pillow making class for beginners. Measure twice, cut once is the tune I can’t get out of my head. We have two pillows shy one circle because I was rushing.  We had a lovely discussion about doing things quickly and when to slow down. It all turned out great in the end, and I really believe that mistakes are the best learning tools.  Everyone is raring to get working on the table runner project for beginners.

From the email box come a delightful pair of fabulously designed pillows that my daughter made on my first sewing machine.  She started one of them when she visited a couple of weeks ago (Lasky/Bobola Weekend) I am so impressed with her ability to determine good proportion of stripes.  She was pleased to be taking her time and working toward better craftsmanship in this project.  It paid off!  Love you, Ally!

Another customer, who has shared via email before, finished her Buck-A-Block quilt from 2007. Great job Pat!

Friday, Sashiko & Applique started it’s five session run.  I actually had a minute to sit in on part of the lesson and learned a bit about the “rules” of Sashiko. Pictures to follow.

Saturday, the Saturday Sewing Series (for young women) begins for the season and I’m looking forward to helping the girls find their sewing muse(s).  After the initial intro to the sewing machine, they will make a pillow case by the end of our second  meeting.

Monday-The Wilton Historical Society (CT) quilt show opens for two months.  I am proud to be participating in this amazing timeline of quilts.