Folks from Near and Far

Yesterday, three women from the Netherlands came to the shop.  After talking for a few minutes and telling them how much I had enjoyed my three visits to their homeland, I figured they would probably be a good topic for the blog - how much I relish meeting new people from such interesting places.  But as the day wore on, the story changed.

A friend from town who is learning to quilt came by for a bit of advice, some new fabric, and eventually, a cup of tea.  While chatting as we drank our tea, we were joined by a young woman who came in to check out the shop.  She told us she was from the midwest but now lived in Denver.  When my friend, Ellen, asked where in the midwest, we were all surprised to hear that she was from the same small town where Ellen had grown up, that Ellen's family had patronized Kate's family gas station, they had both attended the same parish, and that their relatives had been friends growing up.  Kate joined us for tea and told us she is considering a future move to Georgetown.  I, for one, think she would make a fine addition to our town!

Bighorn Sheep Festival

Courtesy of the Colorado Department of Wildlife

This Saturday is Georgetown's Bighorn Sheep Festival and it is no wonder that the sheep like to come down from the mountains and head toward town with all of the activities planned for the day.  Of course, there is also the fact that it's mating season and stepping out to town for a date is a time-honored tradition in so many cultures.  To learn more about Georgetown's herd and the schedule of activities for the day, click here: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Viewing/Pages/Viewing.aspx  Better yet, come to town and see them in person.  Though I have a variety of wool at The Quilted Purl, none of it comes from the Bighorn Sheep.  However, you could celebrate the day by knitting!

To Market, To Market to Buy a Fat Quarter (or more like several hundred!)

Last week I went to Houston, Texas to attend my first trade show, Quilt Market, and had a  blast.  Thanks to the kind generosity and gracious hospitality of my cousin Rosemary and her husband Tom, I stayed in a beautiful home, had delicious meals, and didn't have to drive a single mile.  All that, a chance to catch up with relatives (including my sister-in-law who is opening a shop in NH this spring), and a quilting bonanza to boot!  Those of you who quilt will recognize quilting maven, Eleanor Burns, in the picture above. She is just as upbeat and personable in "real life" as she is on the screen.  What a treat to meet with so many quilting people introducing new techniques, new products, and new fabrics.  And then, like the nursery rhyme says, "Home again, home again, jiggety-jig!"