Hello everyone…I’m still in Colorado, but wanted to give an update. My son is doing exceptionally well, albeit he must be very careful and do nothing but walk, lay down and take it easy for at least another month. The surgery appears to have been a great success. He always told me the weather in Colorado here was mild compared to Chicago and I used to tell him he was telling falsehoods. However, it’s the middle of winter and it is to be in the 50s tomorrow!! with beautiful sunshine. Eat your hearts out those of you back in Chicago! I love driving into Boulder, Colorado and being able to see the Rockies and the city below.
On the trip out here we like to stop at some interesting places…and for me, of course, I look for quilt and needlework stores. Our first side trip was in the Amana Colonies. There is a WONDERFUL quilt shop there. Unfortunately I didn’t get any photos of this one, but believe me it is worth the side trip. Heritage Designs is to be featured in Quilt Sampler Magazine soon. They are not only a quilt store, but also a needlework shop. A great place to visit. I can’s seem to find a website for them…but be sure to drop in when passing through.
Later that same day we made the side trip to Winterset, Iowa. Here one can find the home of Fons and Porters Quilt Store. You know how one can never seem to find good light fabric…well I found quite a collection to my liking. I collect patches from famous places I have been, mostly state parks, etc., but I found a lovely patch from Winterset with a quilt block in the middle. The patch is a fundraiser for the Bridges of Madison County there. Another great place to visit, so be sure to take the time to stop here.
Not far around the corner from the Fons and Porter shop, one can find the birthplace of our own famous John Wayne! It was late in the day, but the visitor’s center called ahead and the delightful caretaker opened his shop for us. Now that’s service you don’t find at home! If you like John Wayne…this is a must.
I told my daughter-in-law to go skiing with her friends in the moutains for a few days, for a break away from the caregiving. So after spending some time with my son, helping out with the daily things like, walks around the block, laundry, shopping, cleaning, cooking, etc., I managed to sneek out with the use of our trusty GPS, and found this SUPER needlework shop, The Stitcher’s Garden, in Longmont, Colorado on Main Street. I couldn’t stop myself and spent far too much money.
Nancy who helped me out was delightful, even serging the edges of the fabric I purchased. Again…service beyond compare!! The shop has a little bit of everything…something for everyone. I even had to go back again this week and make a second purchase. And since I will be here for a while…no doubt I’ll go back at least one more time. This is a MUST stop for anyone in the Longmont, Colorado vicinity…about 20 minutes north of Boulder. But if you can’t make it here, the online shop is great and so is Nancy.
Today I found a quilt shop nearby in Niwot, called Cottonwood Quilts. What a great place! It’s just a short drive north from Boulder. First of all, the town is a delight in itself. A quaint little town with old fashioned buildings and lovely people. Jill at Cottonwood Quilts is a lovely lady and charming person who not only helped me out with my purchase, but went so far as to give me handwritten directions to another special quilt shop to visit on the way home! You know how each quilt store has its own “ambiance”…well, I loved this one. It’s warm and inviting and the people in the shop were just as delightful. I know I will have to stop in again before I leave Colorado. And I know I will shop here again on my next visit to Colorado. Feel free to drop in to see them online.
Now I have to take those directions that Jill from Cottonwood Quilts gave me for The Quilted Moose in Gretna, Nebraska, and program them into our GPS, so I don’t have any trouble at all finding this quilt shop on the way home.
Gee…taking care of my son here in Colorado is turning out to be much more fun than anticipated! And I feel like I’ve made new friends in the quilt and needlework shops of Colorado!
Here is my almost done “violets” needlework. I have to finish the ribbon and backstitch all the flowers, etc. and last but not least put in the lovely saying in the center. Hopefully it will be done soon.
Here again is a photo of my slow, but steady, progress on my “violets” needlework. It has been relaxing to sit in the morning and evening, before and after work, doing a bit of stitching. The sparkle of the Kreinik blending filament is lovely and the Kreinik braid (which I had never used) is quite delightful as well. I wish I had more hours to work on it. Alas the office beckons.
Tomorrow morning early (7:30 AM mountain time), my son, Michael, will undergo serious back surgery. He was injured in an auto accident two years ago and has suffered great pain all this time. I am asking all of you out there in cyberspace to pray for him and his recovery. To be honest, I am panic stricken and terrified. A very good friend of mine died one year ago from complications of this same surgery. It would mean a great deal to me if I knew that many internet friends were praying for him. Thank you in advance. Averyclaire.
I know that Christmas is done and so is the new year holiday…but before I put away the Christmas decorations this week, I wanted to share with you a couple of my favorites this year.
Another of my favorite ornaments is one my friend, Maggy (who lives in France), sent me last year…a wooden ornament from Strausborg. She sent me a couple of them. Her daughter lives there and she got them when they visited during the Christmas market time. The ornaments are so delicate and lovely and looked beautiful on my tree. 
Here is another update of the latest needlework I began over the holidays. [For some reason the beautiful rose colored fabric never looks quite nice in the photos.] Not much progress…but a little each day. I am having trouble doing such close work. I guess I need new glasses, or some kind of magnifying thing. I have one, but it seems cumbersome to use. I will have to look for a new one. Anyhow, I am enjoying the cross-stich and I know my SIL will love it.
In the needlearts department . . . over the holidays I began working on a surprise for my sister-in-law. My DH’s mother, Violet, died last spring after a brief bout with uterine/cervical cancer. She lived a long, full life and passed away at the age of 87. Last month my friend, Marjorie, gave me some old magazines. In one of them I found a cross-stitch pattern of Violets done on a lovely English Rose Jobelan. My SIL is having a hard time with the passing of her MOM (as we all are), but I thought this saying would be a nice remembrance for her. The stitching will say “The Violet, a lady with a charm, grace, and beauty all her own. I will show my progress as I complete it. Here’s the first photo.
Averyclaire 