Store update!

Can I say that the absolute charm of Lockhart lies in the town's ample supply of superior BBQ?

Dude brought his helicopter to the restaurant!  My husband and kids were able to get a closer look, I had to run to the bathroom, after a very long drive.  He asked the pilot and friend what they were up to and I guess they were just flying in the area.  Found themselves hungry and decided to drop in.  Who does that?!?!

Awesome people, that's who!

My kids not only got to eat great but got to watch a helicopter fly off, half way through our meal.


I finally made it back to Simple Sewing Solutions!  The store definitely has a larger supply of fabric than before.  I believe they now have over 1000 bolts!

Almost as much fabric, as what's in my personal stash...

Can someone say "addiction"?

The employees I dealt with were extremely nice and helpful.  The counter top is gone but the same charm still exists.  Lots of samples, notions, and books.  If you haven't noticed yet, I'm big on samples.  I love inspiration. SSS still has some of the best prices I've seen at any LQS.

They've also updated their website with location, hours of operation and their calendar of classes and social times.  The store may have changed hands recently but beyond the missing counter, as a customer, I can't tell the difference.

Now rumor has it, and by rumor I mean Facebook, that Lockhart has added on another quilt shop called Calico Crossing.  And on their Facebook page is that coveted countertop.  I'm probably going to be the first person explaining to the police, "No, officer.  I wasn't going for the register.  I was just moving it, so I could steal the countertop."

I think Lockhart is trying to give Giddings a run for their money.  Nothing makes me happier than multiple LQSs in small towns that I pass through often.  I think my husband may have to start dining alone and bring me the leftovers.  The next time we happen through Lockhart, which unfortunately won't be for a while, I'm hoping to stop by Calico Crossing and share that new store with y'all.

I have two other stores to review, one in Shiner (the place with the BEER) and one in Corpus Christi.  I'm passed the crazy part that is the beginning of school, so I should be able to get those to y'all shortly.  And in one of those, I'll share a new iPhone app that will make finding LQSs much easier for you, in your travels.  

Much love, peace and happy quilting!

~SLBY

When I grow up....

I've always kind of known where I wanted to end up.  Not the exact details and I definitely had no clue on how I wanted to get there.  I have always known that I wanted to end up in the country, on a lot of land, quilting as much as possible.  If I'm lucky, I will be sharing quilting with others whether it be through lessons, fabric or some other avenue.

When we were coming home from vacation, we went through Giddings, Tx and stopped at a quilt shop I have not previously visited.  It is just a bit off the main road by a few minutes.  Definitely worth the extra few minutes.  

Visiting this shop was like peering into my future.  A tangible, life size vision board for me.  Gerline's Quilt Shoppe is warm and inviting.  The staff, all family the day I visited, were friendly and helpful.  The fabric selection was impressive and neatly displayed.  My husband and kids loved that that there was room to stretch their legs and maybe a tricycle or two to try out while they waited on me to buy the whole store.  And there might be jeans drying on a clothesline too.  I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming!

When you walk in you are greeted by the register on the left, along with the cutting counter.  During my visit, there was a very sweet young lady behind the counter who was attentive and ready to help.  To the right is an array of fabrics.  If you head straight back, the shop keeps going with additional fabrics.  There is a little clearance room in the back too!

Something unique to this store is the notion selection.  She has notions that I can find at JoAnn's.  Things that are everyday use and well priced.  When you live somewhere that running to JoAnn's isn't an option, having a fabric shop that provides those tools is invaluable.  She also has a selection of non traditional fabrics, panels, etc.

Gerline also supports a charity quilting group that makes quilts for a variety of organizations including local nursing homes, the Bastrop Crisis Center and more.  They meet in a building just off of the shop every Monday.  All are welcomed to join.  Visit Gerline's Quilting Angels website for more information.

These are the fabrics I grabbed while there.  The top fabric will be part of the Around Texas quilt.  I've gathered all the fabrics I need for that quilt.  Now it is time to plan and start cutting.  The bottom blue fabric is going to end up as bluebonnets on an art quilt.  The middle fabric was just too pretty to pass up.  

I was fortunate enough to spend some time talking to Gerline during my visit.  She was in the back quilting on a long arm.  I'm told she can be found there often.  She took some time to talk quilting with me and really, I could have stayed there all day.  I wanted to soak up every bit of information on how she ended up living my dream.  Maybe she can make me an instruction booklet or a map of the right path to take.  I can't wait to see her and her family again.

The nitty gritty on Gerline's:  Established in 2000, they offer longarm quitling services with a one month turn around time.  You will find their collection of over 3000 bolts of fabric and the most amazing dried noodles at 1383 County Road 205, Giddings, Tx 78942.  Check out their extensive website for hours and additional contact information at www.gerlinesquiltshoppe.com.

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A little birdie told me that a THIRD quilt shop has opened in Giddings called Meme's Quilts and Fabric.  The shop wasn't open the day I was in Giddings.  So, I'm going to have to head back out to Giddings soon.  We lost Quakertown Quilts here in The Woodlands, so I now have only one local shop to my disposal.  This means I'm going to have to move to Giddings.  Don't tell my husband.

And as always, Gerline did not compensate me for this review.  It is my goal to get as many people into their local quilt shops as possible.  I'm sadden at the number of shops around me that I see closing.

~SLBY

Store updates!

We recently took our family vacation for the summer and decided to meander through some quilt shops on the way home.  We visited a few familiar shops and one new shop.  I wanted to follow up on two stores I have previously reviewed.  Simple Sewing Solutions in Lockhart, Tx and All Around the Block (AATB) in Giddings, Tx.

We initially stopped in Lockhart for BBQ because my husband has an unhealthy obsession with Kreuz Market.  Though I don't blame him, that place has delicious BBQ.  We attempted to stop at Simple Sewing Solutions.  I had heard that there was some change, so I wanted to check in out.  Unfortunately, they were closed for lunch.  I wasn't sure how long they were going to be gone, since the sticky note just stated they would be back in 30 minutes.  I did peek in the windows and the gorgeous counter top is gone.  I admit, I am sad to see it go.  It was definitely a piece that made the shop unique.  However, it appears that their fabric collection has greatly increased and let's face it, more fabric makes everything better.  We'll be back in Lockhart sooner, than later.  My husband will need a BBQ fix in a few months, I'm sure of it.  I'll go back by again.

All Around the Block

Next we headed towards Giddings, Tx., which is quickly becoming my quilting Mecca.  It is quite the typical small Texas town.  Old brick downtown.  There is the required BBQ shop there.  But there is nothing typical about the quilt shops in this town.  I understand that there are now 3 shops.  However, these aren't your usual small town quilt shops.  There are more fabric options in the town of Giddings, than in Houston.  I swear on it.  I've visited All Around the Block previously and talked about it here.  My second trip was as successful as my first.  The place still goes on forever.  The selection is incredible.  If AATB doesn't have it, the fabric doesn't exist.  Definitely a must stop, when you're in town.

I picked up a few yards, while at AATB.  The Yo Gabba Gabba! fabric is flannel and for my son.  He is currently at that age and stage where he is absolutely in love with this show.  He recently received his sister's YGG figurines from when she was at the same age.  I foresee myself doing another Yo Gabba Gabba birthday.  The fish material is for a scrub top for my husband.  Scrub tops were how I justified originally purchasing my first sewing machine 6 years ago.  I would make scrub tops and it would save us all sorts of money.  I've made him probably 5 or 6 tops at this point.  I promise you, not a penny has been saved.

This.  THIS!  I bought it for myself.  It is everything I wish I could be.  I have never seen a more beautiful piece of fabric.  It is delicate but incredibly bright and colorful.  It is part of a collection designed by Laura Gunn for Michael Miller called Garden Wall.  There are some other incredible pieces in the collection that I'm dying to get my hands on.  You can see more here.  I have plans for a table runner, I think.  Or a wall hanging to put up in my studio.  I might just sit and stare at it.

While in Giddings, I also stopped at a new to me store, Gerline's.  The shop isn't new at all but it is the first time I've been able to stop by.  I'll give you that information in a few days...


~SLBY

All Around the Block in Giddings, Tx

Google maps is as much a joy in my life as a source of frustration. When we decided to drive through Giddings, I grabbed my iPhone and started searching for shops in town. I found two in Giddings and, according to Google maps, one was very much along our route. Just off the main road.

As we followed the path bestowed upon us by the great Google, we though it had once again led us astray. We were headed down a residential street and we knew how it always turned out, when Google leads us down a residential street. A few years ago, Google took us to a TCBY, squarely in the middle of a subdivision. I had never been more disappointed in my life and briefly considered knocking on the door, to see if maybe it was a TCBY in disguise.

We thought we were amidst another TCBY incident. I happen to notice at the end of the street, that quite a few cars were parked. Enough cars to make me think that there might be a business at the end. And sure enough, there was a quilt shop. 

All Around the Block (AAB) is the epitome of big things in small packages. I admitted to the owner and I will admit here, that my husband and I both were a bit disappointed by what appeared to be the size of the shop. It looked tiny. We were on a schedule and wanted to hit a shop in Brenham before they closed. Wishing we would have gone to the other shop in Giddings, I realized that I just didn't have time to go back. So, I sent my husband and kids to a nearby gas station. I knew they would take longer getting gas than I would browsing this shop.

Boy was I wrong!

When you walk through the front door of AAB, you are mesmerized by the sheer number of bolts in the front room.

One of the owners (a mom and daughter team) will encourage you to keep going back.

Then you head to the left...

Then down the hallway...

The back corner, behind the pattern sets, is the clearance section!!!

Then you realize you have entered what might be the clown car of quilt shops.  :)  I literally called my husband and told him he had to come into the store, after getting gas.  That he would not believe his eyes. 

AAB has the fabric you need.  I can almost guarantee it.  And if it isn't the exact one you need, they will have something similar.  They will also have at least 10 fabrics that you didn't realize you need but will end up buying.  The largest collection of batiks that I have ever seen.  Loads of panels.  Despite the large number of bolts (I arrived on stocking day), the store is well organized.  Sports with sports.  Solids with solids.  Texas themed.  Flowers.  Baby/nursery.  And on and on...

They had an abundant selection of fat quarters.  A great variety of Best Press scents and sizes.  Patterns.  And a variety of notions, some hard to find ones.  The owners are two of the sweetest people you will ever meet.  Despite their location (and let's face it, once you find this place, you will never forget it), I was really impressed with the amount of traffic that was coming in and out.  There was quite the steady flow.

My single and only regret with this shop is that I only had about 30 minutes to shop.  I probably got through maybe a 1/4 of the stock.  There were corners that I never got close too, beyond walking past.  I am definitely scheduling another trip out to AAB. 

AAB is located about 2 blocks off of Main Street at  979 North Leon Street in Giddings.  You can take US Hwy 290 from the east/west or US Route 77 from the north/south.  The shop is located in a residential area.  It is there, at the corner on the end.  Just keep going.  You will be SO glad that you did.

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A few notes:

• AAB did not in anyway ask me or compensate me for this blog post. These are purely my thoughts and feelings, free from coercion.
• This is store 4 of 5.  Look for the last store next week.
• I just finished a purple version of The Giving Tree quilt that is gorgeous.  It is shipping out to the new owner today!
• My next tutorial will be on continuous bias binding.

~SLBY