Scenes from a Road Trip

I finally unloaded my camera today. 

I found these from our road trip to Pensacola's A&E Pharmacy.  

Pharmacy?  Really?  People actually go there to attend to medical needs instead of fabric?  Who are they kidding?  Or, maybe they've just never walked to the other side of the store.  Or, maybe, just maybe, they only fill their prescriptions at A&E BECAUSE they know they can find fabric too.      

While we were there, Kelly S recalled we did the same thing last April.  She also suggested, April would have to be our annual A&E road trip month because this makes two years in a row.

Besides shopping, we did manage to conduct a little bit of guild business.  Kelly S brought siggy blocks for everyone to sign.  These were in preparation for Melanie's surprise going-away gift.  Additionally, several new members joined.    

Here is Bobbi attempting to use her siggy block in place of her forgotten name tag.  (I knew there was a good reason I hadn't downloaded these pictures and written about them.)  

Melanie couldn't/didn't join us for our shopping adventure.  She is moving soon - very close to Kelly B so you know they're going to have fun - and is in destash mode.  Sorry Melanie.  We missed you.

Melissa brought baby Gus with her.  Gus did not sign a block. 

Kassie was finally able to join us!  We've missed her.  She selected these goodies as well as Scrap Basket Beauties, the latest book from local quilter and author Kim Brackett. 

I love this photo of Holly looking at fabric.  She is so intensely focused. 

This is Ollie's - yes, Ollie from this post - quiet time project.  It's all hand pieced and is a study in textures.  He's chosen an upholstery weight fabric, an oil batik, a quilting cotton, and dupioni silk.  

While not an ECMQG member, he easily could fit right in with us.   

A shopping cart full of fun!  Shhh.  We won't tell. 

A camera malfunction and unintentional picture.

A group photo.  Insert the smiling faces of Kim, new members Melissa L, Liz, and Rhonda, as well as Melissa & baby Gus who were there, but just not available when we posed.  I think that's everyone who made the trip.  If I forgot someone, please let me know.

Several hours of fabric shopping leaves you hungry and thirsty.  We decided to try the newest downtown eatery, al Fresco - Fresh Air Dining, located on the corner of S Palafox and Main Street.  

Al Fresco is modeled after the airstream diners along that stretch of Hwy 30-A in Seaside. Pensacola has long needed something this cool and this hip.  It compliments the recent improvements to downtown beautifully.

Three weeks after opening, our lunch choices were limited to Z Taco and Jerry's Cajun Cafe where we all found something we just had to try.  During lunch, we began an impromptu Show & Tell session.

Quilt model Holly with Diane's quilt.  It's a Wonky Log Cabin.  Her first "modern quilt".   

Quilt model Holly, again (we love TALL girls), and Marcy showing two completed baby quilts. These are for a long-time friend who always wanted one of Marcy's quilts.  

The fabric for these came from stash - older, "not-so-modern-stash" - that Marcy found during her sewing room remodel and renovation.  Simply by adding a variety of neutrals to the mix and playing around with ideas, she created coordinating modern quilts. 

Spiral free motion quilting for the circles. And possibly pebble quilting everywhere else.  Sorry.  Not-so-good-photos, but the quilting was as gorgeous as always from Marcy.

Sometimes it not so much the fabric that is modern, but the attitude with which you approach a project.

Cindy
ECMQG Secretary

Giveaway Day with Sew, Mama, Sew!

Leslie just reminded me about this fabulous event - Giveaway Day by Sew, Mama, Sew!

Even though it says May 6th, which was Monday, in actuality, it runs through Friday.  May 10th.  5:00 p.m.  PST.

I should know this.  Our own Wendi, of prsd4tim2, is participating.  You'll have to read her blog to find out what she made and is giving away, but I can tell you this - it is won-der-ful!  I don't think any of our other guild members are participating.  If I've missed someone, please let me know.

Sew, Mama, Sew! has organized and coordinated this biannual event for the past 5 years.  Their reason for doing so?  "One of the reasons we coordinate Giveaway Day twice a year is the help you find great new blogs to read and to help bloggers find new fans. New bloggers can sometimes feel like they’re writing in a vacuum until people start showing up to comment. Even if you found their blog via a giveaway, a few kind, encouraging words in the comments can mean a lot." 

Take a peek.  Find a giveaway or two, or three, or a dozen, to enter.  Start following another creative sole.  Make a new online friend.

It's all good.

Cindy
ECMQG Secretary