Marriage Retreat

This past weekend my husband and I went on a marriage retreat offered through our church.  

We went with another couple that are members at our church and friends.  

We had so much fun! 

 I can not remember the last time we laughed as much as we did this weekend. 

 I don't think I have ever seen my spouse talk as much as he did with our friends this weekend.  

We took our truck and our friends rode with us. 

 It was about a 6 hour car ride to Berea KY from our house.  

We stayed at the Boone Tavern.  

I would HIGHLY recommend this place. 

The beds were the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in at a hotel.

This was waiting for us when we got into our room.
Our wedding picture and 2 rosaries made locally, along with some chocolates.

The retreat was based on the Love and Respect program (you can find the videos and books online).  It was excellent.  

We learned a lot of things and am anxious to apply them in our lives.  

The priest that was the speaker was our prior so that was interesting.  

He was very insightful.  

There was a dinner dance on Saturday night and that was a lot of fun. 

I regret I didn't get a full length photo of us all dressed up but here were a couple of selfies.  

I know Chris has his eyes shut in the first one but 

you can see a little bit more of my dress in that picture.

My dress was really sparkly and it was the first time I had worn it.  

I had a bow belt at the waist and my friend kept saying I looked like a pretty package 

(when she wasn't calling me a disco ball!)

It really was a nice weekend away and some great information about reconnecting and making sure God is in your relationship.

We took the back roads down and stopped in Waynesville. 

 While everyone else walked around the town I, of course, went to the Fabric Shack. 

I picked up a few things, with actual projects in mind though for most of them.  

I went into the main shop first and found these beauties.  

I have a FQ bundle of the Pine Lullaby fabric so added a bit of yardage for a border.  

The text print is all words about the ocean/sea.

I'm not sure why, but this fabric reminded me of DNA, 

so I bought it to use for some background in my science quilt.

I checked out the annex where they have some sale fabrics, flannels and Minky.  

I found the perfect brown Minky to use for the upcoming Weiner dog quilt I have planned.  

 They also had this 108 wide Alison Glass fabric for $10.99/yard!!!  

I bought enough to back my Ocean Waves quilt 

(if I don't decide to use the Free Fall Tula fabric I already have.)  

Since the fabrics in my quilt are mostly navy and white the Tula would be my first choice, 

BUT I have heard the FF navy runs and I do NOT want to ruin all that white fabric, 

so will have to think about what to use.

All in all this was an amazing weekend and I am so happy we decided to go, & to go with our friends.

How was your Valentine's Day weekend?  Do anything fun??

~XOP~

Finishing Up Vacation

One more fabric shop I visited (twice) was the Cotton Patch in University Park, Florida. 

 It is the closest to my in-laws and a really nice shop. 

I bought a few things from them too.

Best part of the visits here are the Bassett Hounds.  

This is Stanley.  

So adorable!

After we left Florida we drove the long drive back to Michigan.  

We stopped at a quilt shop called the Birdhouse Quilt shop, in Byron Georgia.  

It was a HUGE warehouse type shop and had some good things too.

The next stop was in Ohio at Jungle Jims International Market.  

I can not even begin to describe this place.

Check out their website here.

Then to the Fabric Shack, in Waynesville Ohio.

I LOVE this place!

I forgot to take a picture of the shop but have done so previously.

I bought some really nice things here.

So next up will be photos of my purchases.

Does anyone want to see what I bought?

Stop back tomorrow for that update!

~XOP~

My Visit to The Fabric Shack

The last stop before home was at the Fabric Shack in Waynesville, Ohio.  

If you are ever in the area it is certainly worth the stop! 

 Not only do they have a shop but a warehouse too.  

You can't go to the warehouse but if you see something they have online and you don't see it in the shop they will walk over to the warehouse and pick it up for you!  

They were super friendly too.  I walked away with this amazing stack of fabrics.

I found this xo fabric that I thought would be fun to add to the next wedding quilt I have to make.  And see that blue one in the middle?  I have used up all I had of that for several bindings. 

 I was so happy to find more of it!

Plus Vikings!!!  I have wanted this line for a long time but was hesitant to buy it online. 

 I bought quite a bit o f the dragons intending to make some pillow cases for my daughter out of it. 

 I am also thinking about stitching a version of "Toothless" from How to Train Your Dragon for her and this would make a lovely border or back for that.  

Plus, well my own Viking heritage!! 

 I will make a spectacular Viking quilt one day.  I might even need a little more of this line.

I loved this line.  I don't have anything specific in mind for this but it was so beautiful in person.  

The hand of the Art Gallery fabrics is one of my favorites to be sure and this did not disappoint!  Someone needs to have a baby!!!

That concludes the Lincoln Vacation portion of the blog for the minute. 

 I know I am "over blogging" but I have so much more to write about 

and needed to get this out of my system too.  

I hope you have enjoyed our trip as well and found some new must see places to visit yourself!

~XOP~