So many projects and I hope lots of time!

Susan and I took off this past Friday to do a little 'shopping'.  I don't go to quilt shops back home just because I'm using up my stash (which is getting depleted!) or I'll dye/paint some fabric.
BUT...I never know what I am going to work on next when I come to Florida so if it's a project that needs more than I can dye or fabric I can obtain by dyeing...it's get with my Q Bud and go shopping!

We first drove to Yards N Yarn shop just about 7 miles from us!  This isn't a very big shop but wow!  They are stocked with great fabrics/batiks/yarns/notions as well as good prices!  I did stop in last year and purchased (at a great price!) about 7 or 8 yards of a batik for Ian's T-shirt quilt backing and sashing.  We left a few weeks later so I never made it back.  Susan suggested we stop yesterday, which I was quite happy to do!

We both found lots of fat quarters and yardage.   These are for an upcoming project, Blue Dog (George Rodrique), for our Masters Exhibit.  I know they aren't blue but it is work inspired by Blue Dog!!

The green piece is for our Garden challenge coming up the end of March.  At least I don't think it will make it for Blue Dog but you never know!

I also needed some fabrics for the hex pieced background I am working on for my 2nd hex horse project.  These should fit the bill and be perfect for adding to my existing hexes I've already have left over.

I was also looking for some orange fabric to create a patchwork background to use with the fabric I dyed last week.   This is a piece I am making for the Master's on Mary Ann Beckwith's work.   I must be on this orange/yellow/blue kick all of a sudden!!   Actually, I am going to stamp/stencil/screen print some of these..similar to what you see in the horse pieced fabric above.
Well, after all that shopping, Susan and I had a great lunch at Crazy Flats behind Dick's Sporting goods (HeathBrook Mall).  What a great lunch..I had the Spinach & Artichokes flatbread and it was delicious!  Susan had the Margherita flatbread...I will go back!!!!  Delicious!

While at the Yards N Yarn shop,  I was  looking for some black yarn to make another shrug, which I just realized I didn't post a pic of my finished shrug.  I've worn it several, several times and have had so many compliments on it...anyway, I digress....again.......

Well, I didn't find enough skeins of black so thought I'd wait....but on the way out I spotted the cubics circular needles by Knitter's Pride.  Well, I wasn't sure what size I needed for the shrug sooooo...to make a long story shorter (?? I know it doesn't seem like this story is getting shorter does it!)...anyway, I came home and knitted up a swatch with some black yarn I purchased from JoAnn's...decided #10 needle was what I needed and I called the Yards N Yarn shop and asked if she had a cubics in #10...yep, so off with Kalee and we headed to the shop and I came home with these!!

I have read and watched YouTube reviews on using these needles and I'm so happy to have found them!!  They are suppose to be good for arthritic hands!





Well, I remembered when we were at the shop earlier in the day I spotted a pretty grey yarn.  I brought with me the gauge/old yarn label/etc. and decided I liked the gray better than the black (easier on the eyes for sure!) so along with the needles I picked up these!  They are the perfect weight/etc. and I think the gray is very nice.

I'm not sure but I may just use the black yarn for the rib row for the back and sides.  I wear a lot of black but I think the gray will do nicely in a shrug.  Can't wait to start on this project today!!!

So if you are in the Ocala area and want to look for some batiks/cotton/yarns/sewing notions/etc. stop by the Yards N Yarn shop!!!  The owners are a delightful couple and are very helpful!!!  My next favorite shop here in Florida for sure!!! Yards N Yarn are also on FB!!!  Check them out!