What? This doesn't look like a quilt shop?

There's a perfectly good explanation for that. Well, I did go to a quilt shop and it was packed full of lovely fabrics, but I am having to get to work on a secret project so... no "show and tell" on that score. Sandy and I did get a little quilty-type stuff done... I showed her how to make crumb blocks- she loved that! I cut out ten more blocks for my feed sack quilt- which Sandy sweetly provided. We looked at some fabrics and patterns... and then I noticed all these doilies lying around.

She had a washer full of them! I lamented that I would never be able to do such a thing as crochet anything with a pattern, because I can't make sense of the patterns! At which point, she dragged out an old magazine and showed me these English charts for crocheting doilies. Have you seen these? It's like following a detailed picture. Very cool and even I seem to be able to do it. Well, then she grabbed a roll of string and a tiny hook and showed me how to make these adorable coasters. I think my sister needs a set of them- the white is right up her alley! I had a blast making it- didn't take very long at all! The hardest part was learning to hold the thread and the hook like someone else, but I was determined- I don't think I ever learned the correct way of doing that, and since she is such a fast crocheter... I felt it was worth the effort to do it her way. A better teacher I've never had- you know how some people can't describe what they do? She didn't have that problem and she really didn't make me feel like a total clutz with that itty bitty hook- which I was, but she was sweet to not say so! I made a good start at her house, but once I got home and scrounged up my applique glasses- things slipped into place so much easier- amazing what being able to see that tiny little hook can do for ya! And after I get done with the coasters, I'm going to try my hand at a bigger doily. Dh's mother has boxes of really cool variegated threads, which she doesn't use anymore. Now if I can only find them in that storage bin of a house! Am I going to give up quilting for crocheting doilies? Nah, but it is a lot of fun and it will be nice to have something to tote along in my purse. But now I think I need a bigger purse...

It's also the time of year that the green houses open their doors and show off what they have been working on since Xmas! I love walking through them! The smell and all that sweet oxygen they give off! This market had three large ones and I found this tiny white flower that had to come home with me! I can resist anything but a tiny white flower.