It's Clue Day!!! That means it's also Black Friday. You would think that I would get used to this after all these years, but no. I am up at a little after 5 hitting refresh over and over and over again. The clock is ticking so slowly and I keep looking at my fabrics wondering which colors we will use today. Tick, tick, tick. FINALLY!!!! Woot woot --- blue and raspberry are the lucky winners this week.
Our Anniversary Retreat date has arrived. The car is packed and I didn't even put a sewing machine in. I have several projects, but if I get the first one finished, I'll be in seventh heaven. It's time to hit to the road.
On my way back from Terrell, I stop in Mesquite to see Pieced Together Studio - a quilt shop I have not yet visited. As I enter, I am greeted and then apologized to for having a ladder in the way of an aisle. She sets to removing the ladder and I'm sorry to say that that is my last interaction with her. She made a phone call in the workroom and never came back out again. I'd love to give better feedback, but it is what it is. I had a couple of requests that I would have liked to ask about, but it was not about to happen. After fifteen minutes of wandering the store, I left --- without a single additional comment to me. So sad, but I'll likely not return. 
The plan for tomorrow was to go to Zavalla with my friend, Sherri, but the Subaru dealer had a different idea this morning. Losing my vehicle to recall issues made it so that I could not drive to her house and spend the night for a bright and early departure tomorrow. However, the totally helpful hubby that I have found a fabric sale in Terrell that might work for today instead. A few messages and phone calls later has us both driving toward Terrell. The owner, another Sherri, used to have an online fabric store and has since disbanded it and is trying to clear our her inventory. She's down to about 1200 yards and perhaps we can find some treasure there that need to come home with us. The fabric is $3.75 a yard and I have my list of "needs" in hand upon arrival.
Continuing our journey today, just down the road is StoryTime Quilts and Mister suggests a stop. Not wanting to argue (hahahaha), I agree.
Now, finding this place is tricky. Honest, but once we entered the store, the customers that were inside made us feel welcome --- well, that is if we were spending money. All in good fun, they left shortly and we had a few minutes to look around the store. The only fabric I'm looking for is for either the Halloween quilt or Bonnie's mystery. I wonder what I can find here to add to one or both of those. During my hunt, pictures are taken so that you could have a look around.
Lufin, TX --- Heritage Antiques --- stop and walk. That's the plan. We are on the way home from vacation and sometimes, just sometimes -- treasures can be found along the way. Come along and let's see.
Our vacation is nearing an end so I've decided to visit a quilt shop or two. We are in Zavalla, TX. Yeah, I didn't know where we were either. At any rate, the stop we came here for -- (here's your LINK) wasn't researched enough by me and we've discovered that with the rain, perhaps off-roading isn't the best plan for today. Another time, when we've made previous arrangements with the owners will do. At any rate, we're here and so is a quilt shop. We think. Following GPS (I know sheeples again) takes us down a country road and towards a home. There are identifying features that help and Mister parks and leads the way. Such a great partner.
Okay Y'all - you really need to meet Vicky Polve from Henderson, TX. She does the most magnificent work with pine needles and I am completely dumbfounded. Literally jaw dropping.
I spot her work at a festival and wander up for a closer look. No one is around her booth but I am carrying on rather loudly and soon draw a crowd. Goodness --- bow down to the woman. Her works is not only incredibly beautiful, but oh so intricate.
As our group enters the show, all eyes rise to the ceiling. Blue and white quilts take center stage and once I pick my jaw back up, the camera comes out. I managed to lose my copy of just who each of these belong to -- so my apologies to the amazing creators. This is one of the most magnificent displays I have ever had the pleasure to view. The center structure holds 120 blue/white quilts with 70 hanging underneath it and 50 more scattered about as part of the exhibit. This is a total of 240 sapphire quilts and does not include random blue and white quilts that are not part of the exhibit or the minis below. WOW. Just WOW. (There were colored lights waaaay up high, thus giving the pinkish color to these photos.) Another fun fact, compliments of my friend Val, is that this exhibit will travel for the next couple of years so many of these quilts won't be returned to their owners until 2021 or 2022.