Bonjour, Mes Amis!

I’ve added a little side hustle to my work-a-day life. I was offered the chance to teach a Workplace Communications class to adult learners. The course takes place every Wednesday for 8 weeks on the college campus in Brockport, NY. I’m excited about the opportunity to lead the class because these students have been identified as those who have strong potential to move into management from their current positions — plus I get to geek out on effective communication theory and techniques for several hours each class meeting.

Happily, I’ve discovered that Brockport has a homey quilt shop called Country Treasures.  (Brockport also has a TJMaxx – another personal addiction that we can discuss at a later time.) Country Treasures is on Main Street and when I walked in after class last Wednesday it couldn’t have been more picturesque. Although the sky was relatively clear, a few fat snowflakes were drifting around and the wind smelled sharp and cold after its trip across Canada and frigid Lake Ontario. Downtown has been restored, so each of the shops looked historic, warm and cozy, but I ignored the others and made a bee-line for the quilt shop.

The window display was gorgeous! Inside, the shop was filled with warm country treasures and not a few Valentine’s Day items. It was so pretty and it smelled great too – like new fabric and scented candles, accented with a faint undertone of chocolate (although the chocolate smell could have been coming from my bag where I was testing a little snack for the long drive home).

The fabric selection was perfect for the theme of the store. They have a giant display of wools and threads for hand work. I’m in love with Kim Diehl’s patterns and fabrics – there is just something about her color choices that strike a chord with me. Kim was well represented in the fabric racks. Kansas Troubles, another favorite, was also there along with many Civil War reproductions.

I wandered into the back of the shop and I almost jumped out of my shoes when I found a French General quilt kit on sale. I snatched that baby up so quickly that the wall samples fluttered for a moment. Mine! Mine! Mine! French anything is my alter ego, but this is the first time I’ve owned a piece of fabric representing the mother ship. WooHoo!

I was so happy with my find, that it didn’t occur to me until just this minute that perhaps there were other French General fabrics there that I overlooked? This might require another side trip on my way home from class this week.

I hope you are on track for completing all of your Valentine’s Day quilted surprises!