To Commemorate

After DH and I'd toured the coastal bluffs we drove to Fort Bragg and the LQS. Sew n Sew used to be downtown in a little postage stamp of a store. About two years ago they moved away from the tourist section of town and into a LARGE space with vaulted ceilings, sky lights, classrooms and an entire room devoted to just machine embroider, thread and software. Not that I'm into that much, but looking always gives me ideas.

I just went in for thread (uh-huh, sure...) but I had to *browse* didn't I? They have a wonderful variety of off-the-beaten path material. In the little town where I live, we have Beverly Crafts and Fabrics, a chainstore, Wallll-mart (bleech) and one small LQS that caters to a certain clientele. Sew n Sew seems to cover more genres of fabric. I was busily eyeing the new Japanese fabric, next to the new shipment of Judi Rothermels when Frank came and got me. "You've got to see these..." He took me to the non-quilting fabric section and wanted me to touch this exquisitely soft, plush yummy. Ohhh... it was nice! Yup, it was minky, in all these fun colors.

We also petted the stone-washed rayons and dreamed over a jaquard or two, the colors and patterns so lush and imaginative. Frank said, "But what could you *make* with it??" Just about anything!

I went back to my browsing... I was trying to find a thread suitable for piecing after all when Frank came over again and said, "Look at those..." There on the high wall were a series of Kona Bay panels in exotic tones. Together we took each one in and discussed which color ways we liked best. They were great, it was fun. I went back to my browsing, we weren't there to buy anything after all.

Next thing I know Frank's asking the clerk at the counter if those panels are for sale and how does one go about getting one anyway? We mutually agreed it would be fun to have one as a wallhanging to commemorate our 28th year. I thought later, if we couldn't travel abroad for our anniversary, at least we could go there together in our mind.

This is the one we chose.

Later back at the house we went stash diving together to choose borders. I added the lapel button in the photo for scale. It was so *quick*, just add borders and the tops done! Wow, I like that.

Thanx for the memories drhrt. It's great to see life through someone else's eyes once in awhile, as well as the LQS!