Neighborhood, that is. Check out this cute little shop down the road from where I'm moving! These pictures come with a story to share, if you care to read it. Or you can just enjoy the pretty pictures.
The day after we got home from Maryland last week we went to register at our new school. Which took a bit of time. After that we went to see the house we are buying -because at that point I'd only been inside once and wanted to be reminded what it actually looked like. And scope out closets, yard, etc. My sister met us there with her kids and by the time we were wrapping things up we needed to feed our hungry kids some food pronto.
So we decided to see what food options were in our new neighborhood. We found a Wendy's to get food for the kids, but on the way we passed a place called Barbacoa that makes GREAT burritos which sounded much more appealing to the adults. And because it was 98 degrees outside and we were desperate for air conditioning, we decided to be supremely tacky and take the kids' Wendy's food inside the burrito place. These are the things you have to do when you have 7 hot, hungry cousins and only two adults. But it was worth it because the burrito was GOOD. And the place was mostly empty, so we didn't feel that bad. Except for the two other diners in the whole restaurant who were unlucky enough to have 9 starving people sit at the table right next to them.
By the time we left I was feeling pretty harried, I admit it, despite my lovely sweet pork burrito. And what did I do? I backed into a parked car behind us in the parking lot. And it wasn't just any car. It was a black Mercedes sports car that looked like something Edward Cullen would drive. *sigh*
Well, my guardian angels must have been using their muscles that day because when I pulled forward there was no body damage to either car. Just two scratches of paint off the bumper on the Mercedes. [Which is still going to cost us $500.] So I re-parked my car, went back into the restaurant and interrupted the same to guys we drove crazy before to ask them if one of them was the proud owner of a once-perfect sports car.
I had been debating whether it was worth the effort to haul all four of my kids into the new quilt shop in the same shopping plaza, but after my embarrassing experience, I figured I needed a pick-me-up, despite the risk of further humiliation.
Needless to say, the shop did its job. Look at those beautiful bolts! This is a little shop called Just Sew in Highland, Utah. (Or maybe it's Alpine, Utah. I always get confused with the borders.) A cozy shop, but every bolt of fabric was wonderful and well chosen.
While I'm there my girls are being patient and my boys are playing happily at another lovely kids' table while I browse. Until the three-year-old announces he needs to go to the potty. And it's not just a quick trip. Fortunately the shop had clean and convenient facilities. While we're in there taking our own sweet time, the 5-year-old bursts through the door and announces he has to go as well. And again, it's not just a quick trip. He has to sit down too!
I am convinced my boys have a Pavlovian response to quilt stores. From the time each of them were babies they would always pick the moment I ran into the store where I work to fill up their diaper, so I would then have to hurry and get out of there before they would stink-up the joint. Seriously, I can't even count the times that has happened. And apparently it's not just the store where I work, it's ANY quilt store.
It must be some kind of defense mechanism for little boys. My husband still visibly cringes when he sees the JoAnn Fabrics sign because of the memories of spending time there with his own mother as a kid.
So our quick trip turned into a much longer trip than anticipated, but it wasn't fruitless. I've been collecting a bit of vintage Christmas fabric for an etsy project (that is obviously going to be delayed this year) and fell head over heals for these prints. I had never seen them before - they were introduced to me by my new friend Aunt Spicy and they are adorable. They are by Sheri Berry designs for Lyndhurst Studios. You have to check out the link to see her other designs. They are SO stinkin' cute.
Just like my boys. 🙂
Kim
Hey, I'm just down the road a bit from Just Sew and it is in Highland. How far are you from the quilt shop? You'll have to come to our quilt group in Alpine just north of the shop on the last tuesday of the month at 8pm. That's in less than two days. <br /><br />Let me know if you want to try coming sometime. You'd love our group. It's an open group and we usually have 50+
Trisha
That is so frustrating that you hit that sports car! Funny that your boys feel the need to use the bathroom when in a quilt shop. I just saw that fabric in a quilt shop this past week on vacation. It is so pretty!
Aunt Spicy
Sadness about the car...hopefully the guys were cool about it and dont even contact you about repairs...hopefully!<br /><br />Why can't we have quilt shops like that near me? Really, the world would be a happier place if we did! And can you hear the envy in my voice over your growing Christmas stash 🙂
angela
Cute shop! My 3yr old has the same reaction every time we're fabric shopping. He has to use the bathroom in each store. Obviously a boy thing!
Erin
What a lovely quilt shop. =) I'm sure all the mishaps of the day were worth spending a little time in there. I just bought the same Christams fabric a couple weeks ago, plus a few more coordinates. I couldn't resist the vintage colors. I have a blog, too, I'd love to have you stop by for a visit.<br /><br />Erin
Peanut Blossom
I LOVE those Christmas fabrics!! The colors, the design, everything. What a fun find to top of an otherwise not so fun day! Hope things got better for you.
Heather
I used to hate going to JoAnn's with my mother. But when I became a quilter I knew exactly how to go in and buy fabric. Guess I picked stuff up against my will!
Amy - Park City Girl
Ugh! What a day - how much longer until the move? I haven't been to that shop but I love your Christmas additions!!
Sherri
What a day! I guess the bright spot in it all is that you'll soon live close to a great quilt shop! And it sounds like you'll also be able to join Nanette and Kim at their Alpine group!
Alyson
Your post is a hoot! Man, we've all had those days. I'm glad you got out of it with great fabric and a very cool new quilt shop! Good luck with your move. 🙂
DeeRoo
Bwaawaawaaaa! Thanks for the chuckle!:) I went to town today too but made myself blow right past the Joann's. I need to explore the quilt shop in Purcellville that opened about a year ago....I can't believe I haven't been there yet but I've been on a self imposed hiatus from fabric buying....but I am getting weaker and weaker when I read these blogs about going to quilt stores.
Nanette Merrill and daughters
I love that Sheri Berry fabric. Or however you spell her name. The quilt shop is Highland, but just barely. One block the other direction and it would be ALpine. It is a cute shop. You really are in my back yard now! Sorry about that car. Ick. I hattteee stuff like that. So sorry.
Shari Lidji
That looks like a sweet fabric shop! So nice to have it near you. Your potty tale reminded me of a long ago incident at my favorite quilt shop hangout. They had a spanking new play area with a beautiful painted mural and scads of great toys. My toddler had an accident that no diaper could've contained. I scrubbed and scrubbed that carpet. Talk about stinky! I felt dreadful about messing
makeitdo
Amy, I think you are going to be my new neighbor... I live in Alpine. And I love Just Sew and Barbacoa both. I am buying some of that wonderful fabric (in the flannel) for my kids Christmas PJ's... I better head over to buy it quick.
makeitdo
Amy, I think you are going to be my new neighbor... I live in Alpine. And I love Just Sew and Barbacoa both. I am buying some of that wonderful fabric (in the flannel) for my kids Christmas PJ's... I better head over to buy it quick.
Quilted Cupcake
I used to complain when my mom took me to fabric stores - I told her they made my eyes water. Now, I'll drive an hour out of my way to get to one. Maybe your kids will grow up the same way! Thanks for sharing your fun story!
girlsmama
There's a little cafe next to Just Sew that's tasty too! I think it's called Blue Lemon. Highland is a nice area! Sorry about the benz. Been there done that.
dotti white
Thanks for sharing the story! How familiar that sounds! I love the quilt shop, too! Thank you for sharing!