Thank you & a little giveaway

Words can't express how thankful I am for all of the kindness and support expressed by each of you!

You have been a source of comfort to my entire family.

It is only now just sinking in that Dad has passed away.

I try to remember all the happy memories and know that we will be together again one day.

I have been gone too long and have so much to share from the past two months.

Bright little spots amongst the difficulties.

Early in September I was traveling quite a bit. I had a business trip to San Diego and found myself with four free hours. What is a woman to do?? Why, rent a car and visit her favorite quilt shops...

I had been to San Diego last fall and had a wonderful day shop hopping. I knew that I couldn't visit them all this time, but I headed out...

The first stop was Temecula Quilt Co.

Such incredible inspiration!

I so love the applique!

The postage stamp quilt behind it is awfully special too!

I just love the signature tiny prints in all her quilts.

Such beautiful colors

Such an eye for display

And some wool too :)

I didn't leave empty handed :) I need to incorporate those tiny prints into some of my creations.

I stopped at In and Out Burger to make my sons jealous ;) and thought I had enough time for one more stop...

Fat Quarters Quilt Shop

It may look little on the outside, but the inside goes on and on...

(For you Dr. Who fans, it is like the Tardis)

You could happily get lost inside and stay there forever ;)

I was absolutely amazed at the Lantana hedge! I plant them as annuals in Chicago and am thrilled when they are a foot and a half tall. The bees and butterflies love them, and I love the tiny multi-colored flowers. Here they are bushes?!?!

I only just walked inside the front door and was inspired by these darling little seasonal quilts!

Beautiful wool and a quilt which really isn't "my style", but it spoke to me truly - I couldn't stop looking at it! Just love all the animals and the butterflies, too.

Why did I not come home with the pattern for America the Beautiful???

I looked at it a dozen times...

This is what did fit in my little carry on ;)

The models of both Bits and Pieces by Joan patterns were so gorgeous in person!

All too soon, my four hours of fun were over and I needed to get to the conference.

Surprisingly, it was cool and cloudy in San Diego, but the final day was glorious!

The beautiful view from my room.

Gorgeous Bird of Paradise.

Well, I couldn't have fun on my little trip and not include you!

So I have a little giveaway:

A few little items from both of the shops.

So tell me what is your favorite tropical flower?

Simply leave a comment on this post or send an email to me at pgagliardi9@hotmail.com with

San Diego Giveaway in the subject line.

I will pick a winner on Tuesday, November 8th.

Thank you again for all your kindness and support!

"Surely he will save you    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

~Psalm 91:3-4

Thank you Kathy F. for the bible verse!

Blessings, Patti

One Day Shop Hop~My Purchases

So many of you have asked to see what I purchased on my one day shop hop in California :)

It was a quick trip, so my husband and I only had carry on bags. I had to keep this in mind as I shopped...

I love Quilts By Cheri and have followed her website and blog.

It was such a joy to see so many of her designs completed as models at the shops.

So of course many of her patterns came home with me!

From Country Loft above - these will be ready for next autumn I hope :)

 

And these were purchased at Country Loft too! So stunning in person!

And a few more that I picked up at Fat Quarters Quilt Shop.

Also from Country Loft, French General ribbon, a few mini charm packs, and two of their new Christmas kits - A Quilts by Cheri penny rug and a wonderful wool applique towel kit (the design is the latest craze - a red pick-up truck with a Christmas Tree).

More patterns and English Paper Piecing from  Country Loft

and I was so happy to find a few patterns by JoAnn Mullaly.

The Fall Branch model was gorgeous!!!

Of course I purchased the Buttermilk Basin pattern after seeing it in progress and Briar Root Primitives is a new designer to me - loved the fireflies in the mason jar!

At Temecula Quilt Co. I had to purchase their wonderful ruler boxes! 

And a few other notions as well.

At Grand Country Quilters, I found the wonderful "sherbet" pack of pastel wool. And at Fat Quarters Quilt Shop I found the great chenille rickrack and wonderful blown glass snowman scissor fob :)

Of course I had to bring home a few souvenirs for my mom too ;)

And I still managed to zip my carry on closed!

"May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light."

~Colossians 1:11-12

Blessings, Patti 

One Day Shop Hop~Final Stop and more...

I was getting tired and my shop hop was coming to a close.

My final stop was Fat Quarters Quilt Shop in Vista, California.

I can tell you that I perked up pretty quick the moment I walked into this lovely shop!

This beautiful display greeted me as I walked in the door.

The shop seemed to go on and on from room to room!

Each one holding glorious treasures!

And the hallways were filled with gorgeous models as well.

You had to be sure to look up and down in every corner or you might miss something extra special!

Even a trip to the restroom brings beautiful, inspiring models to view.

And such a wonderful selection of fabrics!

Michelle Joyner, the sweet proprietor and quilt designer and all the shop gals made my visit so fun!

They made sure to point out this sign ;)

You can find Fat Quarters Quilt Shop's

website here

and their Facebook page here.

Wow! It was such an incredible day and created so many wonderful memories for me!

I just realized that I haven't taken any photos of my purchases. I will have to do that soon...

I did get to see more of San Diego that just the quilt shops. :)

The night we arrived we headed over to Coronado Island for dinner at Hotel del Coronado.

A historic hotel built in 1887, it is one of the largest wooden buildings in the country.

Guests over the years have included dignitaries, royalty and celebrities, too.

I just love the history of it and the fact that they have preserved the building and its beauty.

The next night we had dinner at Coasterra on Harbor Island and enjoyed the San Diego skyline.

That's the mile long bridge to Coronado Island.

We enjoyed the sights of Harbor Island where we stayed.

Stopped to visit the sea lions in La Jolla.

They reminded me of our pups at home.

We spent some time in Old Town San Diego - I loved the cacti.

 

And since Dia de los Muertos was just a few days away, we were lucky to see the altars and my favorites:

 

The calaveras or paper-mache skeletons.

I've always loved the traditions of Dia de los Muertos and had several childrens books about it that I read with my boys...

While at Old Town we stopped for a rootbeer float. 

Look at the selection of root beers!

Of course I liked this one :)

On our last night, we went to Little Italy. 

(At the suggestion of the gals from The Country Loft. Thanks Ladies!)

What a fun and lively neighborhood!

We decided to eat at Filippi's Pizza Grotto (the original) - voted most popular Italian restaurant by the locals. It's been there for 65 years so you know that they are doing something right!

We weren't disappointed! I loved the chianti bottles with messages hanging for the ceiling!

The worst part was not being able to take our leftovers with us as we were leaving at 5:00 am the next morning :(

It was truly a wonderful and memorable trip!

I do hope to return again one day...

God thunders wondrously with his voice;

    he does great things that we cannot comprehend.

~Job 37:5

Blessings, Patti