Thankful Thursday

Another week, and so much to be thankful for! 

#1 - Dave and I have some kind, thoughtful and generous customers, and every once in a while, our customers "cross-over".  I have had some loyal customers that trust me with quilting projects and trust him for their gun work/repair.  And vice-versa...

A few weeks ago one of his customers had mentioned that he had been cleaning out his parents' house (it may have been his grand-parents' house) and found some old bedding that had been made with cloth portland cement bags.  Dave casually mentioned to him that I would enjoy seeing something like that.  

This week I was asked to visit his shop because he had something I would want to see.  When I walked into the shop I saw that one of the "portland cement" bedding pieces, probably about 100 years old, was on the table.  

Paul comes from a long line of coal miners and, apparently, it was common for the miners to grab the empty bags and take them home for their wives to use.

I think most of us are familiar with the use of flour sacks, but this was one was new.

As we wrapped up our conversation and my admiration of the hand stitching holding this "sheet" together he said, "You can have this one.  I have several more at home."  How generous of him!

#2 - I had a meeting with the LQS located in Raton, NM, just over the state line from us.  The owner of the shop is excited and willing to partner with me for a sew along hosted by her shop.  

She has arranged for another book signing at the Raton Public Library that will also be the "kick-off" event of the sew along.  There will be two patterns offered each month, along with the letters, family stories and history lessons.  In addition to this info, I will share hints and tips for piecing the blocks.  Most of this info was included on-line in the posts as I published them, but because I could not include the patterns in the book, I eliminated those sections from the book.

#3 - I am ever so grateful for a reliable and gracious pattern tester that doesn't hesitate when I give her less than a week to try out a pattern that has to be published next week.  Thanks Gina from Gina's Custom Creations.  Her feedback on each pattern of the Santa Fe Trail Sew Along Quilt has been invaluable!  Show her some love over on instagram if you have an account there.

With Christmas approaching quickly I am being cautious to not get caught up in the "commercialism" of the holiday.  We have no Christmas decorations up yet, but we have sent out all of our "business" Christmas cards and we are working on our annual family letter.  With fingers crossed, we will have it printed on Monday and in the mail on Tuesday... and THEN I can be concerned about the decorating.  Plans for our girls and their families to come here on Christmas Day have just been confirmed.  Woohoo!  

What are you thankful this week?  

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Stay Piece-ful,

Melva

Linking with:

Thankful Thursday at Not Afraid of Color