Wishin' I Lived in PA

I spent 2 days in Pennsylvania earlier this week. I wanted to see an antique quilt exhibit at the Packwood House Museum in Lewisburg and also hit a fabric store or two. I'd heard great things about Burkholder's in Denver so I headed there first. I was surprised that it was located in the middle of dairy farms and corn fields.

Next,  I headed for Hershey.

 My parents grew up in Pennsylvania. To me, these dark red/brown roads say I'm in PA.

 Love these old stone buildings and this one has a stone wall and cemetery, too!

I was headed to the Quiltmaker's Cottage, but it was closed. I meant to call last week to make sure they were open and just didn't get around to it. At least I got to see the Hershey Kiss lamp posts. From there I traveled north along the Susquehanna River to Lewisburg.

I stayed at the Copper Beach Manor. I really enjoyed my stay. Linda, the innkeeper, was very nice. She made the quilt on the bed and the one hanging in the hallway.

 After dinner, I walked around a bit.

 Susquehanna River

The next morning I took a tour of the Packwood House Museum. It included a special exhibit of 30 antique quilts. Unfortunately, they wouldn't let me take photos. I then went to an antique mall in town. Again, no photos. I had fun browsing, but didn't see anything that needed to come home with me. I then headed a few miles west to Mifflinburg to a quilt shop recommended by the innkeeper. Prices were great though finding the fabrics I like took a little hunting. Fortunately, the cutting table was at the check out and I read the note "to be fair to all we extend credit to none" before having my fabric cut. I asked if that meant they didn't take credit cards and the gal said yes - only cash or check. Darn! I had to decide what I wanted most because I didn't have enough cash on me. I guess I'll have to plan another trip. ; c )

At Verna's I bought the striped floral on the left. I plan to do a border of hexagons around the hexagon flowers. I wanted to use the fabric I already have on the right, but I don't think I have enough of it. Not sure what I bought will work. Will just have to try it and see.

I also needed more fabric for my flower centers. Would you believe nothing I had in my stash would work? ; c ) 

I love this Judie Rothermel fabric I used for the background of the feathered star, but only had a FQ. I bought another 3 yards because my plans for this feathered star are changing. If I don't use it for this, I'm sure I'll use it for something else. Or maybe I'll just enjoy owning it.

I already had some of the purple fabric. I think it and the pink colorway would work well as a sashing, border or setting square. I love the softness of this yellow. Again, I already have some of it and wanted more. For some reason I never have much red in my stash so I'm always on the lookout for red.

I really enjoyed getting away by myself. We had just finished up our last season with summer swim team on Saturday and I wanted something to get my mind off it. We'd been involved with the team for 14 years so the end was kind of bittersweet. I know I just missed the Hershey Quilt show. Believe it or not, I just wasn't in the mood for a big show. I also wanted to see the quilt exhibit at the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, but I was too tired to get up there Sunday and that was the last day of the exhibit.  I hope to spend the next couple of weeks doing some deep house cleaning. I'm sure some stitching will get done, too. Later in August, my daughter comes home for a month before heading out to New Zealand and my youngest son leaves for his freshman year at Virginia Tech. I hope things settle down this fall. I always think things will settle down in the future and they never seem to. Hence, the title of this post - Wishin' I lived in PA. While walking around the little town of Lewisburg I wondered if my life would be quieter in a small town and if I would like it. I'd love to hear your thoughts on small town life.

Grandmother's Blooms

So glad to call this one finished. It's been a very long term project. I started it in the 90's and started a push for the finish last year. Pardon the feet and fingers in the photo. I was hoping to photograph it on a bed, but I wanted natural light and it's too cloudy for that today.

Here is the back-

and some detail-

I love the crinkly feel and look of a just washed quilt.

I've mentioned my foray into furniture painting in previous posts. I was delighted to read about other quilter's furniture painting adventures from Belinda and Wendy. I finally have a few pieces to show you.

Before

After 

This dresser was a lot of work. I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Country Grey and Old White. I found it on Craiglist and plan to sell it at a local thrift shop that I consign with.

Before

After

We (my DH helps me) decided to take the scalloped trim off because it was brittle and already broken in some areas. I found this table at an estate sale in my neighborhood. I used ASCP Paris Grey as the base coat and Old White for the stencil and just a whisper on the trim. I hope to sell it at the thrift shop, too.

I'm not a big stencil person, but I like it on this coffee table.

I saved my favorite for last.

Before

After Stripping

After Painting and a New Seat

My neighborhood does a clean up day in the spring. Put anything on your curb and they will pick it up and take it to the dump. We have regular biweekly trash collection, but they won't take just anything. The night before this special pickup I drove through the neighborhood to see what I could find. Score! I found this gossip bench (telephone table). I have absolutely no use for this thing, but I love it and plan to keep it! 

My DH reupholstered the seat. I love it! 

I used Scandinavian Pink for the first coat and Cream for the second coat. I probably could have distressed it more.

This post has been linked to ELIZABETH & CO. 

Now back to some quilting stuff. I won these fat quarters from Doniene. Thanks Doniene! Check her out. She has a wonderful blog and has been doing a fabric giveaway every month.