After four days of quilt-show joy in Austin, we thought we would go on a mini road-trip around Texas, starting with a couple of very cold days in San Antonio and a visit to the Alamo. This unassuming old building in the centre of downtown San Antonio is where, in 1836, a small Texan army stood up to over 1,000 Mexican soldiers until, completely outnumbered they finally fell on the third day. The battle so outraged Texan settlers and adventurers from the United States (Texas was actually independent at this time and did not belong to the union) that many joined the Texan army to take on the Mexicans. They went on to defeat the Mexicans at the Battle of San Jacinto which ended the Texas revolution.
The town of San Antonio is very pretty, and I imagine even more so in the summer, man it was cold! They have this lovely canal circling the centre of town below road level where you can walk along the pathways lined with restaurants and shops - definitely worth a return visit.
We then drove down to Fredericksburg... while we're on about driving, can I just scratch my previous comment about US freeways being easy to navigate... with no road signs until seconds before you turn off, constant toll roads to avoid by driving on perfectly fine roads right next to the tolls, and elevated junctions that put spaghetti junction to shame... we are definitely getting a satnav next time!!
Anyway, where was I... lovely Fredericksburg is a town founded by German settlers in 1846 and which still keeps it German traditions today, with schnitzel and Bratwurst on restaurant menus, and inspiring antique shops full of furniture from the 'old country'.
On our last day, guess what... I found another quilt shop!! I loved One Quilt Place! Now if I'm ever lucky enough to have my own quilt shop, this is what I would want. I love the quilts hanging from the ceilings - so inspiring! They've also used old pieces of furniture such as that gorgeous bed frame to hold traditional fabric ranges, genius!
I especially loved this colourwall of fat quarters, how yummy is that!!
My final fabric purchase of my hols was from this amazing shop, they have the best 1930s fabric range! As I'd already spent far too much, I had to control myself and just went with these to add to my stash.
Linking up with...
Heck, I mix my organic cottons with conventional ones. I say, let the designs lead your decision making!
ReplyDeleteBTW: Thanks for the reminder about Cloud 9's site and patterns. I've been meaning to make their Ribbon Box Quilt for a while now!
I like you're thinking, in the stash they go! I'm looking forward to exploring Cloud 9's website more thoroughly too. Even more projects to add to my list 😀
DeleteYay for the 30's reproduction prints. I think they are lovely. Do you have an idea of what you might make with them?
ReplyDeleteI have quite a few of these beauties in my stash already, just waiting to find that special project, maybe some EPP... :)
DeleteLooks like you had a fun little roadtrip!
ReplyDeleteIt was great, just soooo cold!!
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