Not a Hopper

So this weekend was the Heart of the Valley Shop Hop.

I'm not a hopper.  I've unintentionally hit a couple of hops in SoCal and Napa, but for the most part?  I'm not a fan of crowds.  And I don't like to drive just to drive.  But on Friday?  I headed out and hit 3 of the participating shops that are in my neck of the woods.  :)

I always stop by Thimble Towne.  It's 5 blocks from my house.  To NOT see what Jeremy has done to get ready for the hoppers would just be rude.  :)  He had a Sock Hop, complete with vinyl records and poodle skirts (or leather jackets) for everyone's photo op.  The proof is all over Facebook.  It was a lot of fun, and I did shop.  :)

I also drove to Porterville.

I had to go to the walnuts, which is already halfway there, so a stop at Tina's seemed like a good idea.  I shopped there too.  :)

But the main reason I got on the road on Friday was to see the results of the Iris Challenge, hanging at the Calico Mermaid.  See me smile.  :)

The Chamber of Commerce acts as the judges, and I guess they had quite a time deciding.  They finally ended up with ties for first AND ties for second.  My "Iris Garden" tied for first with Becky Haley's quilt, which hangs just to the right of mine.

Georgia was also taking photographic evidence of shoppers.  Sure, I'll be a sport.  :)

As to quilting, I've made a few cards recently, which have been sent on their way.  I feel bad when I'm sending March birthday wishes in May, but then I remind myself that, after all, we did have a quilt show.  :)

Thank you, Blogger, for not messing with the orientation!  :)

Other than that, I've been madly piecing and embroidering on a piece that I dream of submitting to Houston this year.  That dream means that I can't waste time.  This is a time-intensive exercise in handwork. 

If nothing else, I'm likely to finish Season 2 of Downton Abbey.  Goals are good!  ;)