Fabric Inspiration

Have I mentioned how hot it has been in my neck of the woods?  Yes, I know I have.  It is so hot and humid here in the Mid West that I'm having flash backs to a few summers ago when my family and I flew to Puerto Vallarta.  I am not over-dramatizing here... I actually thought I would die on that vacation.  I dreamed of diving into snow banks instead of the pool, which was more like warm bath water than anything remotely refreshing!  It was beyond hot there!  Here is the lesson I learned:  DO NOT book a vacation to P.V. in July!  Better yet, never book a vacation to Puerto Vallarta!  Okay, that may be a little harsh.  Maybe P.V. is nice in December??

Rant over.  I want to show you a few fabrics I picked up during my recent vacation to Branson, Missouri.  I shopped two fabulous fabric stores to find these yummy goodies:

"Kids at Play" by Chanteclaire Fabrics & "Space Cadets" by Michael Miller

"ERA-C" by Timeless Treasures Fabrics

I don't know the names of the fabrics pictured in the last two photos.  They both look "vintage-y" and I love them!  If you are ever in Branson, Missouri, be sure to shop at Quilts and Quilts and The Fabric and Decor Shop!

Besides the gorgeous fabric, I also bought a Get Hooked: Rugs From Scraps "kit."  The kit includes pattern instructions and a large crochet hook.  I haven't started a rug yet because I'm a bit concerned as I didn't really think the included crochet hook was actually going to be used for crocheting!  I thought it was probably going to be used as a kind of latch hook type tool.  Yet, after skimming the first pattern direction, it is clear there is actual crochet involved here.  The label reads, "No Experience Necessary-Very Easy."  Hmmm.  We'll see.  I can't crochet.  I've tried.  I even took an online crochet course a few months ago.  I managed to crochet (loosely said) a few amoeba-shaped flower-like "things," but that's it.  That all said, I'm going to give it a go because I thought it would be a fabulous way to use up fabric scraps.  I'm a hoarder; I can't bear to throw out my scraps.  I was also inspired to try this because of my visit to the College of the Ozarks, specifically, Edwards Mill and Weaving Studio, located on the Branson, Missouri campus.  There, I saw students weaving placemats and blankets on large looms.  Their work was so intricate.  I didn't take any pictures as they were working in the studio, but I found a few photos on other sites showing the looms.

Photo from Life at Rora Blog

Photo from the Golden Gang Blog

 Besides the Mill and Weaving Studio, there is also a fruitcake and jelly kitchen, an orchid greenhouse, and a museum on the campus.  As a matter of fact, inside the  Ralph Foster Museum, you can see the Beverly Hillbillies car as well as numerous dolls, including those made by Rose O'Neill, the creator of the Kewpie Doll!  Fun fact:  O'Neill's Missouri home, Bonniebrook, is located about 10 minutes outside Branson.  

I sound like a tourism ad for Branson, huh?  I actually learned a lot about that area of the country during my trip.  For example, I had no idea so many great artists called that part of Missouri home!  Some of these artists include Jesse Barnes, Thomas Hart Benton, Thomas P. Bennett, among others!

Stay cool everybody!  Tootles!