Small Business Saturday

 Making the Rounds in Seattle.

Seattle Christmas Market

 

 

I lived in Portland, OR for 35 years, and I've been gone now for nearly 15 years.  I'd forgotten how pretty the Pacific Northwest is.  It's been a wonderful visit with my daughter.

We were out and about the city on Small Business Saturday....stimulating the Small Business economy, starting with yummy coffee from a local shop, the Chocolati Cafe. (Yes, we bought chocolates, too...)

Then it was off to a fabric shop, Pacific Fabrics.  HERE

This shop is a FABRIC store ... and OH-SO Nice!!!  Reminisce of the Mill End Store in Portland ...
brought back so many memories!.

Don't judge a book by it's cover.  The outside does not give you any clues as to how nice it is on the inside!

 

 

 

 

Ana fell in love with a pull-over on display.

I have to admit, the fabric is very nice.
So, I guess I'm getting back into garment sewing in 2025.
And, it just so happens I'll have a lot of time in the new year!

Of course, had to buy some fat quarters AND
they gave us a little bag of do-dads....how fun!

 

 

 

Notice their motto "Maker of Beautiful Things."

The ladies minding the store were so helpful. 
The whole place had good vibes!

If I lived in Seattle, this would be my Go-To fabric store.  

If I lived in Seattle I might even work in this store!!

 

The second shop we visited, Stitches in the Capitol Hill area,  was very different.   HERE The fabrics were more like fabrics I'd be looking for for specialty sewing, i.e., cosplay costumes, dressy dresses, etc. 

And, yarn! 

 

I almost bought a little felting project but decided not to because I had no felting accessories...the cost jumped up to almost $50 by the time I bought everything I needed, needles and boards, etc. ..and then I'd have to tote it back to Kentucky... so I passed.  But, I think I might do some felting in the future.

 

 

The neighborhood had a community feel.  And from the customers who entered while we were there, I'd bet they live in the neighborhood.  I liked it.

After an afternoon rest, we closed the day with a visit to the Seattle Christmas Market.  Lot's of local vendors...where we continued to encourage the Small Business economy by buying food, drinks and trinkets and Ana bought me a sweater for Christmas.

My new Sweater

Finished-Acabado-Finito

I actually finished them all.   It was kind of a chore toward the end.  

 

They all turned out cute, but now that I'm at the end, there are a few things I'd have done differently.

Whiskers....there has to be a better way to do those whiskers....Looks bad on the back.  (As I hang them again in 2025, I'll redo the whiskers.)

 

No more BOMs, unless it's a group where we actually meet face-to-face.

The Secret Revealed

 It's Official...It has been announced....The Bosses know!

I've known since July that this was in the works...
and trust me when I say it's been a L-O-N-G five months since I sent that "Farewell" email to the higher-ups.  

There are some caveats....officially, I'm still on the payroll....when they need me.  (One of my  colleagues is stepping into my position, but there will still be times they need an additional hand.  I can live with that.)

So, after nearly 18 years with this company (and working for most of the last 60 years of my life) it's time to RETIRE!!! 
God is so good...I never thought I'd be able to retire...and yet, here I am!  God is the perfect provider.  He has made it possible for me to work and save.

So, what is next?  

What Ever I Want!!!  And, travel around the U.S. is high on my agenda.

I've been watching YouTube videos on car travel and even converting your car to a camper.  There is so much to see in these United States.  I want to explore, go places I've never been, see things I've never seen.  

And with that "The Quilted "Q" will hit the road.  First up a tour around the Western United States, Spring 2025.

 

 

All mapped out.  Places to go and people to see. And Miles to go before I sleep.