Colorful Scenery and Quilt Shops

In Morgantown this morning I found what I overheard a fellow quilter call "heaven".  It was Martin's Country Market and the Hayloft Fabrics .  Actually, there was a balcony loft all around the perimeter of the market and it had a most bountiful display of fabrics.  They do ship fabrics via their website.http://hayloftfabrics.com/  They had a special of 15% off the end of a bolt and I found a number of pieces that will help keep my stash healthy.  Then we traveled north west beyond Reinholds on Route 897 to Burkholder's Fabrics.  This was another amazing find.  I bought something special for my sister-in-law who is watching our dog while we meander the countryside.  They had panels like I have never seen before and fabrics of all sorts that were arranged by designer, color, etc.  We had a delicious lunch at the Brickerville House, Shoppes, and Family Restaurant and lo and behold, Vince found a yarn shop.  "Ball and Skein"  I bought a pattern and some yummy yarn to make Magdalyn a sweater and hat.  I knitted while Vince drove us north through the long ridges of Southeastern Pennsylvania.  I am making some Christmas presents which I will show later.  It was a very colorful day what with scenery and fabrics.

We've Got It Covered

Today we drove around the southern parts of Lancaster County and found a couple of the many covered bridges.  There is so much history in the woods, streams, rocks, and small villages.  I would have loved to have lived during the time of the Underground Railroad.  I certainly would have had a station in my home.  Vince got out and took some tremendous pictures.  We also visited the Choo Choo Station in Strasburg where I have ordered many a piece of Thomas trains.  It was quite relaxing riding in the fall scenery.  Shot the Depot in Lititz for my brother, John.

A Sweet Sunday

Vince and I were up very early again as he wanted to go to the antique malls over by Adamsville where he hoped to find some more saws and files for his workshop.  I am so glad he has a wood working hobby as it ofsets my fabric sins.  We went to three major sites.  The first had some very great deals on loads of items however, it has begun to get scarey when one calls "antique" something I had in my childhood.  There were over three hundred dealers inside and outside.  The second site was all outside and everything was "on sale".  We think it might have been the last of the major weekends for these dealers and the less "stuff" they had to box, the better.  I found a wicker head shape to display my knitted hats upon.  The third Antique Mall was very upscale and had some very beautiful furniture pieces.  Vince did find a "spoke shave" at this site and was quite happy.  All in all, it was a beautfiul day to walk and browse the treasures.

We came back to Hershey and went to Chocolate World which is very near where we are staying.  A family friendly spot with loads of little ones on this sweet Sunday.  I loved the figures adorning the building where we spent a brief amount of time learning about how chocolate is made.  Milton Hershey was a very benevolent soul.

Ballooning for the Quilter

Vince took me on an early balloon ride this morning while we are taking a brief rest in Pennsylvania.  It has always been a dream of mine to soar quietly above the earth and realize the beauty of God's creation.  What a morning it was and words cannot explain the wonder of the trip.  It was so awesome.  We had a clear, cool morning with hardly any wind.  We went over a mile high and could see the buildings of Philadelphia over sixty miles away.  At one point we could see the Delaware River and the edge of Chesapeake Bay.  Cool air means clear views.  What an experience!

Drum Roll Please

And the winner is Lisa at Unexpected Paths.  Scrabble Jack will have a wonderful new home.

Secret Santa Christmas Swap

I just received the name of my partner!  I am so excited and she is a very lucky lady.  I am certain our cat, Gracie will have to inspect the surprise as I make it.  Isn't she a sport!

Odds and Ends

I love fall and the color but I knew before I could buy anymore fabrics I needed to finish some UFOs.  The first picture is of the quilt that my daughter designed for her son and we finally finished.  She selected the fabrics last March and I finished the stitching now.  It was heavy to put on my regular sewing machine rather than my quilt frame but she wanted it to be stiched in the ditch with a zigzag like the other Pottery Barn quilt that is on the bigger bed in the same room.  I like the finished product and I wish Zachary many long warm nights of sweet dreams under this quilt.  The second piece is a runner for my friend's freezer.  I gave her a table topper last year and she asked for a piece to go on the freezer and another that is not finished.  I just love the color of the sunflowers and she is going to try to match paint to the red-orange to accent the walls in the room.  Finally, I have been knitting a small throw for my new baby granddaughter and it is finished.  I will take it to her next weekend when she is dedicated at church.  The color is bright and the yarn is a soft cotton.  An heirloom I hope.

My Giveaway

If you would like to win the pattern and kit with all the fixins' and fabric, just make a comment on this post.  I will draw a number for the post that wins by using random drawing.  Then I will e-mail you as the winner and ask for your mailing information.  Can you believe there are over 140 of us participating in this blog giveaway.  Would love to have you follow my blog if you are interested.  Good luck wining "Scrabble Jack"