Tova Dress + My fabric + St.Paul trip

Well, I think I might have made a match that was just meant to be-----my fabric from the Here to There collection----and Jenny's fantabulous Tova Dress pattern!!! 
I made a shirt earlier in the month (see previous post), but definitely wanted to take on the dress. I had some grey fabric in my stash and paired it up with one of the coordinates from my collection.
I have to admit, that since seeing that coordinate pattern printed up, it's been screaming to become something in the apparel world. I think this is it!

Jenny's pattern is so versatile. It is this great silhouette with that lovely little placket up top that allows for so much creativity in matching up fabrics to use. In this case though, I decided to add a couple of my own touches to the dress. I had this lovely buttons floating around for a while now that needed a home........

And, I decided to add a belt to cinch it at the waist a bit. While, I love the dress without it, I think it fits my shape better with the belt....plus---I've never made a belt. So, that was a lot of fun to try! 

Also, last weekend I got the chance to go to Minneapolis to visit one of my favorite people, my darling friend Marie. We spent the weekend sampling lots of goodies from around Minneapolis/ St. Paul including more craft beers than I should admit. It was such a great weekend. Admittedly, I have only been to the area once, when on a synchronized swimming team trip---and I can only recall going to the Mall of America. Needless to say, a grown-up trip was long overdue! Not to mention, that hanging out with her, Laura, Tim, and John was just a blast. Hanging with that group of great friends never fails to be a good time filled with laughter, conversation, and fun. 

I may have crushed someone with a very large cherry. oops. 

Marie gags John with a spoon

Farmer's market goodies! 

yes. this was delicious! 

When you're in a town with outstanding espresso and beer---you sometimes have to have both at once.  

Succulents galore at the Walker outdoor area! whoa. 

Iowa City Quilt Show

Last week, in the midst of the Arts Festival in Iowa City and a family visit, I had the chance to stop by the Old Capitol Quilters Guild show at the Methodist Church downtown. It was so great! 

The quilts themselves were outstanding and impressive, but I have to say that my biggest thrill came from just viewing the show as a whole. Hundreds of quilts were draped over the pews of the church and hung from the balcony above. Behind it all was a glorious display of stained glass that provided a backdrop like no other. It was just truly, truly beautiful. It was really astounding how the quilts echoed the beauty of the windows and vice versa.....just lovely and so inspiring!! 

This was one of my favorites of the show....a quite traditional design, but I just fell in love with the ombre pattern of this double wedding ring quilt.  It was just stunning!

 I also found a little history of the wedding ring pattern here as I was doing this post.

I also thought these were really great!