I look forward to this vacation every year

and it seems that just like that it was over.   Sigh….

 But it was a productive trip, that’s for sure! Once I arrived, the first thing I did was to set up my sewing corner.

This year I decided to start the Swoon quilt (for me) in three colors (Swoon Sixteen) with my Scrumptious fabric by Bonnie and Camille. It took me the first two days just to select and cut the fabric. I love this part!

I got a new hat, I love the beach but the sun is potent, so hats, umbrellas and sunscreen are a must! Not my best picture but you can see how I feel in my HAPPY place!

Although I did do a little jig whenever I finished one of these, I didn’t just go to sew.

I also read and enjoyed the sound of the waves. (Instagram has it’s advantages)

Of course one of my favorite parts is just walking along the beach

and see the sun set.

I was glad that my printed patterns arrived just before we left for this trip.

I made sure to bring some along to visit some local quilt shops.

Rainbow’s End Quilt Shoppe in Dunedin Florida was a new stop for me. It’s the biggest quilt shop in Florida I hear. It had three cutting tables and a back room filled with Christmas fabric. Go ahead gasp!!!  I grabbed some, of course, as extras for my Instagram Christmas Swaps. They had full lines, lines you can’t find online and tons of Riley Blake and the floor sorted by color. I’ll definitely be back.

I also visited my usual stop at Country Quilts and Bears which is always buzzing with classes and I came home with a stack of FQs. I also stopped by Happy Apple Quilts and Crafty Threads where I picked up a little something for my #BeachBound Swap.

Visiting those shops provided a great opportunity to get some on my designs and it was very encouraging.

On the next post: Quilt National, souvenirs and two more Swoons.