Hello Whipstitch : :

If you happen to follow some of the other ladies in the group who traveled to Atlanta this past weekend, then it's likely that you've already seen what's happening inside the doors of Whipstitch. Still, I just have to share! This was my very first experience of visiting a brick & mortar, modern quilt shop -- very exciting stuff for me!!



In every area of Deborah's shop, there was something beautiful and inspiring happening! So much so, that I just had to change up my own studio space here at home. Big time, I'll save that for next week! For now, I'll share a little tour with you with hopes that the amazing spaces at Whipstitch might inspire you as well!

Just entering, to your right, a colorful display of Whipstitch Organic fabrics including Monsterz by Cloud 9. I had to have some!!



To your left, happy bolts of Ellen Lucket Baker's Quilt Blocks! So happy to bring a few of these home, as well!



Just after that, you have a cutting station with the most fabulously dressed, sweetest woman, ready to cut your fabrics. Seriously!



Here's another -- this picture of me taken by Amanda, with my wonderful Washi 241 tote by Rachel, and proof that I never stopped talking the entire weekend! I warned Amanda that I do that both when I'm nervous and then comfortable, so it's hopeless!!

Next up is the lounge area. Stylish...



comfy...



and super cute now that Ella, Nicke, and Jacey have decided to relax there! 



After that it was clear -- there just IS inspiring fabric and stitched up goodness everywhere you look!



This amazing Scrappy Sting Block Quilt...



This! I could describe it, but I think the picture says it all!!



Inspiration for my floss stash -- I would love to do something like this!



Another amazing HUGE quilt!



Of course I was thrilled to bring home a few Whipstitch souvenirs! In the form of mostly yardage, but a few fat quarters, too, we have -- several prints of Monsterz by Cloud 9, much needed Hello Pilgrim Stripes by Lizzy House, my favorite Stars in Shade Quilt Block print, and a Birch ModSquad print.



I'm sure this goes without saying, but as you can see, I brought home much, much more than fabric! 

Arajane * me * Amanda * Rachel * Jessica * Jacey * Nicke * Ella * Holly

Until we meet again sweet Whipstitch! ♥ Maureen

Inspiration Everywhere : :

This morning, I'm finally stepping back into my regular routine -- After a long, but fun, road trip from Pennsylvania to Georgia, a few days spent with some of my favorite sewing/bloggers, and then the long trip back up North.

The experience was such a learning one for me in so many ways, was so much fun, and still a bit surreal. Because I don't belong to a sewing group or guild, I wasn't sure what sewing with a group would be like. I honestly couldn't have imagined just how wonderful it would be to watch each of the sewing friends I was meeting work at their machines. As different as we all are, and as varied as our projects and fabric selections were, it was truly endless inspiration! In every corner of this space there was something that needed photographed! Want to see??

Jessica's X + Y Quilt top --



Jessica won the "Big Finish Award" in my eyes! I am SO impressed by this lady!!



Amanda's Granny Squares --



Holly's Triangles --



Nicke's Improv Chevrons --



Amanda's 1/2" solids project --





This post could have easily been all about Amanda! Her tiny, colorful squares had us all hovering!



I wasn't able to capture everyone's makings and several pictures didn't turn out, but as you can see lots of amazing and inspiring things were happening! I'll share on my own projects a different day this week, as well as on our trip to Whipstitch Fabrics -- my very first visit to a modern quilt shop!

I feel very blessed that I had a chance to meet in person so many wonderful people this past weekend and am so happy now that I'm back home!!  ♥ Maureen

A Weekend Retreat : :

This morning I'm leaving very early on a road trip to Georgia! In Atlanta, I will be meeting up with several sewing blogger friends for a long weekend sewing retreat. I am so nervous and excited, and today I thought I would share quickly what I plan to work on while I'm gone!

For that long car ride -- a little knitting! These lovely skeins are from Loop, a Christmas gift from my sister-in-law Anne. It's about time I put these in action! I'm thinking a scarf like this one might be pretty for Fall.



As far as fabrics go, I have so much packed!

Some Art Gallery Fabrics -- LillyBelle for my very first Fat Quarter Gang project! And, some Rhapsodia too, even though I don't have a plan for those just yet!



Some Riley Blake Fabrics -- The brand new collections Seaside, for my next Design Team Project, and some Willow for my project later in the Summer! I love the yellow, gray, and pale aqua combo. These are so pretty!



I hope to start a new quilt with these! My Sweet Summer Dreams Bundle for Pink Castle Fabrics and my very favorite Lillybelle print in both colorways. I love these colors so much right now!!



My Zakka Style project for later this Summer, as part of the Zakka Style Sew-Along!



Yes, I think that should be plenty to keep my busy during our little Sew-cation! And, if you're a local to Atlanta, we'd love for you to join the group of us by meeting up with us at Whipstitch on Saturday morning, June 23rd. We'll be there around 10 am on Saturday, shop and then we plan to have lunch next door. Everyone gets 10% off that morning in-store at Whipstitch, we would love to see you then! 

I can't wait to get sewing with my friends, and to come back home with some wonderful new memories and pictures to share here with all of you! They are surely to be happier than this oh-so-sad shot I snapped of Lily while I was packing -- she knows I'm leaving and she's not liking it.



Alright, either that or she's thinking, "Really?! You're taking that much stuff?! Well, you see that bag Rachael made you out of Rashida's Washi Fabrics behind me, I guess I better lay on it now while I still can."



Oh yes, that was it! No worries, me and my stuff will be back soon! Until then, I have a new Fabric Giveaway beginning this Friday morning with Canton Village Quilt Works, here's a peek!! Be sure to stop back and to have yourself a lovely weekend, too!!  ♥ Maureen