Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun

Good news for all those worried about the west coast ice age. Summer arrived on the weekend and we couldn't be happier! We had a great family weekend visiting our friends just south of Portland (that dreamy kind of weekend where kids get along, grown ups get along and the livin' is easy!). We just loved Lake Oswego and all it had to offer for a long weekend; lake swimming & grilling dinner on the shore, hilly walks through wooded neighbourhoods, farmer's market, fabulous local coffee (Peet's...yummm) and quiet evenings chillin' on the back deck.

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Perky sunflowers at the Farmer's Market

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Fresh dill, anyone?

Lake Oswego, OR
Swimming easement, Lake Oswego, OR

There was time for fabric, too! The Pine Needle had a great selection of Marcia Derse prints (which thanks to Michelle I am apparently collecting now) as well as a few other goodies I could not resist. I am even more motivated by Amy's newest design in the latest issue of Fat Quarterly...have you seen it yet? Simply gorgeous and a fun piecing challenge, to boot. If you are not yet a subscriber to Fat Quarterly, what's the holdup? Best few bucks you'll spend on quilting inspiration all year, I promise.

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I also picked up some other bits and pieces, just for fun.

purchased at pineneedlequiltshop.com

On Monica's suggestion, I managed to veer off the I-5 and into Bolt for a fabric fix on our way south. This shop is in the greatest neighbourhood - we loved it! While my family ordered lunch at the brew pub down the block, I managed to find a few yards of fabric and assorted trims to take home. Then, I got a little giddy when Elizabeth herself strolled in and couldn't contain myself from an impromtu introduction (sorry, no photo, I'm not that well trained in stalker procedure).

Lovely purchases from Bolt Fabric, Portland

A great time was had by all.....until we hit the border line up returning home.

Ugh. Long weekend border line.

Yup, we really were a 1/2 mile from the gates and we'd already been sitting there for half an hour....90 minutes was our total wait time. Longest ever border crossing, and a reminder of why we rarely travel on long weekends!

19 comments:

Lesly said...

Congratulations on getting some summer out there! It's about time! And also on your Marcia Derse fabric - I just ordered a half-yard bundle of her latest line because I am a serious addict.

Anonymous said...

oh fun. i'm hoping to make it your way in september for the last game.

Suzanne said...

If you ever need any more sun, we can send you some from the midwest! Sounds like a lovely weekend and very fun fabric purchases!

paulette said...

Wow what a perfect weekend...right down to the Quilt Shops...and wonderful purchases!! Darn those borders for all the fun to come crashing down!! BUT the sun continues to shine!! YEAH!!!
Have a good one!
P

Katie B said...

Oh, my gosh. It's 100 degrees here. Can I live with you? Until, like, it starts snowing and stuff?

Such pretty fabric purchases! Can't wait to see what you make with them.

Katie B said...

P.S. My 4-year-old sings that song all the time. Makes me happy!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Looks great, apart from the queue to get home!
Did you have a little star-struck stammer? Did she?

dutchcomfort said...

What a fun weekend you had. I love those pictures Krista! Great fabric finds too!!

Pétra said...

Sounds like a fun weekend and I am so glad you made it to Bolt isn't it a great store!! Next time you can try Cool Cottons.

Amy Friend said...

Oh, I like your fabric piles....

Live a Colorful Life said...

Your fabric looks luscious. I haven't heard of Marcia Derse and I will definitely check it out. If I become a "collector," I'm holding you fully responsible for that! and I would have gotten giddy as well if Elizabeth had walked in while I was there. Weird that I would be more impressed and stalker-y with quilting stars (you included--hehe) than Hollywood stars...

Alisa said...

It's summer but it's not hot. I love it! Glad you had a good time.

Dianne said...

Sounds like you had a great time Krista, an idyllic weekend for sure - well not the border part. Love the take on the canoe block that Amy did, gives it a totally different look. Sweet fabric haul too. Last night was the first night this year that our house didn't cool down overnight. Summer has truly arrived!

Krista said...

It sounds like you had an amazing time! How fun too that you got to go to Bolt. I visited it a few years ago, and you're right, that neighborhood is absolutely adorable.

Now let's get that good weather to stick in the Pacific Northwest for another week and a half, okay? We're sitting at 52 degrees in the pouring rain, so I'm hoping for some non-liquid sunshine when we visit Seattle next week.

♥Duff said...

oh yummeh! how do you like the Children at Play line? it looks adorable but how does it feel? And what is that sugar coffee pastel-ly fabric? I think I need that.

PinkGranny said...

Great pictures. I truly enjoy Lake Oswego. And...I LOVE the Pine Needle. I love these weekends where it all just flows together. So glad you had a good time.

What Comes Next? said...

oh what a wonderful weekend! great purchases, I shall have to see if I can get the DH to wander over towards Bolt and the Pine Needle when we go south at the end of the month. hmm better start planting the seeds now...
Let the sunshine!

Tracey Jacobsen said...

great fabric!
And holy wait at the line Batman! How frustrating!

(If you need more sun... you can keep coming south...). :)

pinksuedeshoe said...

Pretty! I've never been to a border crossing, but I've waited in stand still (seriously, people had lawn chairs out sitting on the freeway) traffic heading from CA to Vegas. Love all that fabric, so so cute!