Have you ever felt it? You know, that feeling of just missing out on that last piece of perfect fabric?
There I was...I'd had a ratty day at work and was just "zenning out" at the local big name fabric/craft store. i didn't really need anything, just felt I needed some brain wandering time before going home and launching into household tasks and reality in general. So I was just flicking through the "bargain crate" when a couple of pieces caught my eye...so pretty, so versatile, so nice and ..mmmmmmm crisp...and new and......(zenning out quite nicely at this point
) . Well, what the heck, I'll buy them; they're cheap and will come in handy. And then....like a vision from above, (and no, no alcohol had been consumed at that stage...gimme a break, it was only 3.30 in the afternoon) I suddenly had this complete picture in my head of how I was going to do my second attempt at the mystery quilt...it was all there......so glorious...even the maths was clicking into place in my foggy little brain!
I made a bee line for the fat quarter sale bin...yes, yes, it was all coming together......2 of those sewn together would equal a half metre.....now 1 of those ones, if I cut it in half widthways and then sew it to its partner will make a 1/4 metre.........heart rate is up a bit, eyes are glazing over with excitement, work bag is cumbersome on my shoulder and getting in the way when I lean down to rummage through bin. But it's okay at this point...my objectives are clear, my colours and shading choices coming together nicely.
And then like a visit from hell another woman comes over, eyes similarly glazed, and she's clutching some fabrics that look very similar to my little handful...and she's starting to rummage.....and suddenly it's a race...and it quickly moves from a polite smile and exchange of pleasantries to wide sweeping arm movements and strategic work bag placement (ie, blocking the intruders' view). She has the advantage though...she's lithe, she can lean further into the bin and she has sharp finger nails good for snaffling up partially hidden fat quarter corners that look "oh so possibly THE colour I need"!!!
It got fast, it got furious, it even got a bit, gulp, undignified as we waged battle against each other and the unruly, overflowing fat quarter sale bin but at last I emerged dishevelled but happily clutching exactly what I needed! Smiling gaily I paid for my purchases and drove home.....ratty work day forgotten and even a tea plan worked out to feed Mr.Ruby. Win all round!!
Until..................later that evening over a cup of tea I perused my little bag of fabric. What's this? Oh no......in my "fat quarter panic" and "showdown" with "lithe woman" I had accidentally picked up the wrong fat quarter!
Guess where I had to go first thing this morning....to do battle at the fat quarter sale bin!
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