WHY I LOVE APRIL :: TWO

Another reason I am totally in love with the month of April is the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo comes to town!!

photo from here

HOORAY! THE SEWING EXPO!

As if I weren't lucky enough that it actually comes close enough for me to drive to, the Expo is always held right near where my parents live! That's right -- free, all-day babysitting! They play, they get fed and they even get bathed. Seriously, can you get any luckier??

This year the Expo was fantastic but (sigh) not quite as good as in previous years. Some of my favorite vendors were missing! MQX was held the same weekend up in NH so some of them headed that way -- as did my BFF Giuliana! I'm sure she had a blast and I can't wait to see her and hear all about it!

Missing vendors aside, the Expo was a lot of fun! I took a class with Peggy Sagers who is so brilliant when it comes to sewing techniques! I had taken one from her last year too and I learned more in one hour, I tell ya! The rest of the day I spent my time wandering and ogling all the pretty things! Just look at a mere section of the Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods booth!

Unfortunately, I panic when I see so much pretty and didn't buy from them this year. Maybe next year.

I bought two patterns from Jennifer Sterns who I had originally met at one of my RISN meetings last year. At that time, she was just finishing up her patterns and getting them ready to be printed. I bought one for an insanely cute top with a peplum and one for pants. Jen is WAY too cool and actually helped me out and took my measurements so that I would make the right size. THANKS, JEN!



I then walked over to Vogue Fabric and bought some black stretch cotton (what else!) for the pants. I also bought some very cool tan striped cotton from "the wool guy" to make Edzo a pair of shorts. No one ever knows this guys name but he sells all of these imported wools, linens, cottons and bamboos! Gorgeous!!

Could I have any more fun, you ask??

Why yes! I could!!

Since I was born and raised right there in Worcester where the Expo was held, I made a big plan with my old High School girlfriends for a little night on the town! I know, I hear you laughing! But a few glasses of wine and a some Mexican style mini -burgers helped ol' "in-bed-by-eight" Shellie actually stay up and have a fantastic time!




Look at these ladies! Can you believe we've been out of school for almost ACHEM years! A few of our crew couldn't make it and were sadly missed but luckily I was able to have a very early coffee with Brenda which made up for it.


And as far as April is concerned...