Meet me at the Fair!

Our annual trek to the New Mexico State Fair didn't disappoint us one bit.  Today was an absolutely beautiful day.  Warm weather, but not too hot.  Breezy.  The smells of horses and cows, deep fried concoctions and, well,  that overall carnival aroma was perfect.  We arrived at the opening, and had the pleasure of an almost-empty main street.  By the time we left in late afternoon, the crowds were thick, and we were exhausted.  A few highlights:

Best of NM

It's a dogpile!  Pigpile!

A steer being ridden down Main Street - classic!

He waits all year for his Navajo Taco

YUM - need I say more?

Halloween costume?  Or just for when you're feeling like having a smackdown....

I truly loved the matching outfits!

She was just too cute....watching the Chinese acrobats.

Hip Stitch young quilter, Campbell, won a ribbon!

As did Haley!

Hip Stitch student/customer Sarah's quilt.....sorry about the glare, but do you see the TWO ribbons?!

Amanda, MQG member, won a "Best of Show!"

School Art by high schoolers from Grants - recycled fashion.  Fabulous!

Another great creation.....

....and one more!

....sigh.....until next year, when these girls will be 16 and 14!

Yesterday in the lounge.....

.....2 beautiful Multi-Tasker Totes were made!

Great class, Bralia!

Returning to normal.....

.....after our weekend with Jacquie Gering, which was FABULOUS!  If you came, you know what I mean.  If you didn't, I'm sorry you missed it!  We miss her already!

Just a few quick shots of the weekend.....we have them uploaded on the Hip Stitch flickr site HERE

Block of the Month Sew-In!

Last Saturday, our block of the month group gathered to begin our final journey together - putting our blocks together into a quilt top.  This fall, we'll be sandwiching, pinning, quilting and binding.  It was wonderful to see them all come together - to see the fruits of the past year ripen.  Here are some pictures of the day:

Rosanne will begin this journey again in January 2014 with a new group - will you be joining her?

Summer Sewing Academy....

.....has ended for the summer.  It's been a fabulous, flurry of classes for kids.  So much fun and sewing going on.  My camera hasn't always been available when I wanted to capture a picture of a quilt....or a mug rug....or a zippered pouch....or one of the many other items made this summer by talented girls and boys, so I'll share one of a special girl who is so proud of her drawstring backpack:

And this week?  Back to school classes!  Today we made reusable snack bags....more pictures to come!

I see a collection growing.....

Thanks to the awesome hipster crafters, I've been slowly building a 

pin cushion collection:

Thank you Melissa, Cindy and the young college gals from a few years ago  (whose names I regretfully forget who made the felted hedgehog)!

Craft Show success.....and a wind-down vacation

If you missed the Hipster's Craft Show last Saturday, I'm so sorry!  It was the best yet - and that wasn't just my opinion.....new customers stopped in to tell me how fabulous it was.  Thanks to our Albuquerque talent, the crafter's put on a great show!  Here are a few pics from the day:

Then it was off for some family time this past week.  We took off for Colorado - my husband made the reservations at 2 different campgrounds - one outside Durango, one outside Ourey.  I must admit, I left with a tiny bit of trepidation.....as I get older, sleeping in a tent doesn't quite have the same appeal as a comfy hotel room bed.  Well, after the 1st 2 nights in a state park with no neighbors around us, we hit a KOA for the next 2 nights, and I actually missed the solitude of just us.  It was memorable, breathtaking in the settings, and a just-what-we-needed trip!

Here are some highlights:

Walking around reservoir in Mancos, CO.  Our only neighbor - mule deer.  Shoes off and feet in the mud!

Quilt shops are the perfect place for a short nap!  Beautiful quilts in Durango shops.

Colorado wildflowers - I do wish New Mexico had these!

Beautiful Colorado.....Silverton & Ourey.