Over the weekend Edie McGinnis (designer and our editor from the Kansas City Star) and I went to Spring Green, WI to stay in Country Sampler's "2nd. Story." (Click on the name and you can see where we stayed.) We cooked 5 recipes and photographed them for Blackbird Design's next quilt book which is due out this spring. After we unloaded all of our gear, large snowflakes began to cover the streets and walks. I don't think I've seen such a lovely snowfall in a long time. Just glad we were not still driving!

The 2nd Story is within 1 block from the General Store, Grocery Store, library, post office, hardware store, the department store and of course Country Sampler. I even walked to the grocery store in my house slippers to get butter. I think I might have to move here....everything is so convienent. At home I have to drive about 6 miles to get close to a grocery store. After all of the cooking....we had to go shopping of course. What fun we had. We even had a chance to work on quilts.

When I returned some lovely images were sent via e-mail to me and I wanted to share them with you.


The first is from Carol Weatherman...she writes,

I wanted to share my finished hooked rug that I took from your “Cold Wind” quilt book. My daughter saw it and told me, “Thanks Mom for my Christmas present”, so that’s where my rug will go.

Carol...love your rug. It looks so vintage!

Cathy Lloyd took the covered sewing box lesson to heart. Look what she has completed! She writes,

I've been silently gathering all the materials to make boxes for some of my stitching friends for Christmas. This week I began the exodus to completion. I have not been able to stop!!! So much fun! I don't know how I've ever lived without PVA glue! That "stuff" is simply fabulous...my mind has just been spinning with endless possibilities! I just took all my fat quarters to the copy store and had fun copying. Both times at the copy store, I've had comments from other creative women...wanting to know what the heck I was copying fabric for...then I just had to tell them! Your ideas make me look really good! Thanks for so many fun ideas you have given us on your blog!

Cathy ....your stitching friends will loved these....hope they don't read this blog or your secret will be out!

This was made by Mary Kathryn....you have to visit her blog for the rest of her pictures and the story that goes along with her project! Click on her name.

Mary Kathryn....love the trim you used....where did you find this? I know we all will want some too.

Well....I have to make this short....I woke up this morning and told my husband we only have 20 days to get ready for Christmas. And you know how fast 20 days can go!!! (It will feel like 15 minutes.)

Until later!

Alma