Prime the Pump

The Covid symptoms are finally going away (with only my crackly ears left to deal with...Dr. appt. this week.) 
FINALLY it feels like I still have enough energy at the end of the day to actually DO something, besides wait out the clock to 8:00 pm and go to bed.

About a year ago, I introduced you-all to Cheryl Sleboda and Muppin's Sewing Emporium.  HERE

 

She has a live podcast every Friday Night.  You can catch her live on Facebook or watch the play back on YouTube. 
Cheryl talks about all things sewing...very fun to watch.
(And if for no other reason, tune in to see what color her hair is this week...)

 

 

This past Friday I tuned into her show and she introduced the cutest panel!  WITH corresponding fabrics to compliment!

 I must say this was just what I needed to get inspired to fire up the 'ol Janome!  I rushed right down to the shop Saturday morning and bought the panel and the corresponding Fat Quarter Bundle. 

Throw in a nice long chat with Cheryl... solving all the world's problems, it was just what the doctor ordered!

I've already started on one of the sections to create a wall hanging for my Sister Wife as a Christmas surprise.
(I'll tell her story later.)

In anticipation of getting back in the saddle, The Studio got a good dusting and all my tools organized.
It feels good to actually accomplish something...it's been a while. 

There is a saying that if you get one area of your life in order, everything else follows. I believe there is some truth to that.  Pretty soon this will be my motto...(part of the panel.)

P.S.  You can purchase from Muppin's Sewing Emporium online:  HERE

 AND, order her hand-sewing needles....they are Wonderful!!

Happy Sewing, everyone!

New Kid In Town

Small businesses suffered a lot as a result of the pandemic...some to the point of death... to be sure quilt shops and fabric stores closed left-and-right!   And, if you were a small business in a small town...well, let's just say the cards were stacked against you.

After moving to Paducah (a small town) earlier this year, I was surprised to see a lot of empty storefronts downtown.  It did not look the same as I remember from previous-years visits with the Quilting Auntie during Quilt Week.  It was disappointing to see how much quilting was not happening in Quilt City, USA.

Of course there is the quilt show every year in April and Hancocks of Paducah and the Quilt Museum, but other than that....

Enter Cheryl Sleboda and Mauppin's Sewing Emporium...all the way from Chicago to our small town!

Apparently Cheryl knows/and is known around the quilting community.   

She has a YouTube channel and a presence on Instagram.

When this notice popped up on Nextdoor, I decided to go have a look.

 

 

And, what fun!  So delightful to get to know her.   She is a number of years younger than me and our styles are very different, but I love her vision; i.e., classes, lectures, community.  And I love that she is already promoting Paducah as a fiber arts kind of town.

 

As we chatted, in walked Norma....another new best friend after today.  She talked about the one official sewing guild in town, Paducah Stitch & Quilt Guild.  I have not visited because they meet during the day, on week days...a work day for me. 
But after today, I may take an afternoon off to go visit.

It was such a fun morning.  I learned a lot about other fiber arts shops open in downtown and a pottery shop opening up right next door in the former "Quilt In A Day" shop.  It gives me hope.

The Sewing Emporium is not even officially open yet, but loved visiting with Cheryl and Norma, looking at some of her fun notions, kits, etc.  and just generally talking "quilt." Who knows Paducah just might become the next Hamilton, MO!