A few months ago, Ms Bitty Bit posted that she used to write tole painting books back in the day. The opening line in her post was “This is soooo funny…”. Only she didn’t know just how funny it was, ’cause I actually have several of her books in my old collection and I NEVER would have made the connection between THAT Ms Bitty Bit and the blogging Ms Bitty Bit that we know and love today if she hadn’t posted about it.
So, given that bit of shared history, along with our blogging friendship, I knew I’d HAVE to meet Ms Bitty Bit on my recent trip to Utah. OhMyGosh! It was fabulous!!! We had a wonderful time. (I’ll back up for a minute here to tell you that my Aunt Annie and I were on a little two-day shop hop — we visited the shops in Bountiful/Brigham City/Logan on the first day and on the second day, we visited a few in the SLC/Provo area.)
Ms. Bitty Bit met us just as we were finishing up at Thimbles and Threads on the second day. It was lunchtime and since Aunt Annie and I had never been to Pine Needles, Kim suggested we go over there and eat at the restaurant. What a great suggestion — we loved Pine Needles and Gardner Village. And our lunch was yummy. I can’t wait until we can go back! After lunch, it was on to Broadbent’s in Lehi where we got this shot for my Wilson collection!
We had a great time. Kim is just as charming, kind and FUN as I knew she’d be. And, can I just say, the woman is a celebrity? The ladies at the quilt shops all knew her and her blog — too fun! There was fabric purchased and I’d show you, but where fabric purchases are concerned, I’ve had to go into the witness protection program, if you know what I mean. (Oh, come on, if you’d OD’d on all those fantastic quilt shops in one place, you’d sneak it into the house too!)
Anyhoo, after the purchasing of fabrics, I had our star autograph my tole painting books while I played the paparazzi photographer. I was so sorry after this that we had to rush off — our day was WAY too short. (We didn’t even have time to go to Material Girls — I’ve heard so much about it and I wanted to go. And my favorite shop, Whimsy Cottage wasn’t open when we were there early that morning, so we missed that too.)
I was so touched that Kim would take a whole afternoon out of her busy schedule to spend with us. AND, just look what she gave me! My meager picture just doesn’t do her fabulous gift bag justice — that bag was chock full of goodies — CHOCOLATE and a delicious ear of carmel corn (which were both consumed on the long drive home (btw, Kim if you have any info on that carmel corn — I forgot to write the company name down before I threw the wrapper away in the middle of Kansas ;-) — I LOVED that stuff!)), this adorable bag made for her Moda Bakeshop Tutorial (how lucky is that?), the cute little teddy bear with the friendship embroidery, a stack of very pretty Moda snippets (they fell down into that bag), AND she thoughtfully made some very pretty handmade earrings for me, Aunt Annie AND SweetiePie! (I love that little bag — it reminds me of a retro sundress.)
THANK YOU SO MUCH Ms. Bitty Bit! I loved my gift bag, but even more, I so enjoyed finally meeting you. Aunt Annie kept telling me what a nice friend I have — I feel so lucky! Next time — and Yes there will be a next time — we’ll meet for longer — maybe with some sewing involved? I can’t wait!
XOXO,
Anna
P.S. Remember that darling little quilt Toni sent me? Well, Ms. Red Boot is giving a quilt pattern away — run over there and sign up. I was reading this post, and thought — Ooooh, that’s an adorable pattern I need to sign up. Well, hahaha, then I remembered that she sent me that pattern when she sent my little quilt. It’s a super pattern — I hope you win!
Hi Anna,
My mom & I are taking my daughter to BYU in two weeks and are looking forward to hitting a couple quilt shops. Any suggestions? If your ever in Southern California, let me know.
You are tooo funny. That photo gave me memories of another Wilson photo I have. lolol
Love the little bag, bear and pillow.
I have enjoyed catching up with you on your last two posts. I must say 115 degrees?? So not like the midwest! :) I thought the day with another blogger sounded like a lot of fun! :) Glad to have you back! :)
Now that sounds like a vacation-the shop hop-and I bet you brought back some lovely souvenirs. You gotta have quite a collection of your Wilson photos by now. And what’s up with this: since I haven’t commented here in awhile I had to put in all my info again. LOL. Welcome back!
What a cute bag. I did see that tutorial. What a fun story…looks like you had fun!
What fun! I just drove by a quilt shop in my town that I didn’t know existed….I think I must stop in the next time I am childless :) You just seem to have so much fun in the quilt shops!
This sunds like an extra special bloggy meet up Anna – lucky you. Your goody bag looks chock full of treats. Glad you had such a lovely time. I was sad not to see your naughty purchases though x
As Sharon said, it’s particularly lovely seeing your Wilson shots having posed in one with you myself!
And what lovely goodies too!
Lucy x
How cool to meet the author of books you love; that’s so fun. I love that picture of y’all hiding behind the fabric treasures. It makes me laugh.
How FUN Anna! I’m so glad you got to meet up with another blogger, I can’t wait to have my first bloggy meet up! I’m only sorry I didn’t know more about this trip, I’m only an hour north of Denver, I SO would have come down and met you somewhere!! You gotta tell me these things! Anyway, I love that bag too, it does look like a sundress!
HI Anna,
It sounds like you had a great trip. I enjoy reading Kim’s blog as well. It is always interesting to see real bloggers meeting other real bloggers. It gives one some different ways to know quilters other than what the blogger writes about in their regular posts.
What a fun time you had together. Thanks for sharing..
Warmest regards from another Anna
Those Wilson photos are very fetching. It must be fun meeting people you already know but have never “met”! So far I haven’t had the opportunity, unless you count my daughter and my sister~the un-bloggers!
You were so close! :P I need to go to that whimsy cottage – NEED to :) Glad you had a great time!!
Isn’t it the best when you actually get to meet these designers who you admire so much? Then when you do, they are like friends you just haven’t met yet.
How great to meat the author of books you have! And even more wonderful that she appeared to be a fellow blogger…!
Wow Anna, what fun to meet with one of your blog friends, it sounds like you had things in common before you ever knew each other!
Awww, that’s so neat – how fun to meet up with a blog friend on vacay!! She sure gave you some neat goodies.
Haha! I LOVE your photos you take of yourself! You’re like the neighbor on the “Home Improvement” show! LOL! It’s hilarious. I don’t take any photos of me, but if I were to that is how I would do it, LOL!
Your gift is darling! :)
well hello there sunshine.
great wilson photo… wonderful to hear that you got to meet a blog buddy IRL and she didn’t slash your throat and throw you into a ditch. i guess the quilting/crafting world probably doesn’t have that many serial killers.. but i’m just sayin…..
sounds like you had a great time.
whenever i buy fabric at our local shops they know to just throw the receipt into the trash. and they always mutter my motto as they do it, “destroy the evidence. deny, deny, deny.” with the nature of my job, i can get away with sneaking fabric in the door.
when you visit california, i’ll sign some books for you too.
i haven’t written any, so bring someone else’s books and i’ll sign those.
i could even sign it with their name instead of mine if you would like me to.
:waves madly
Hi Anna! I found your Grand Canyon Pics beyond scary! I could not stand under that arch!!
Love you gifts there, & good for you!
HugsXX
Is in’t amazing what blessings blogging came bring. I am thrilled for you Clarice
Wow! Your day was a little slice of Heaven, I must say. I’m glad you and Kim had such fun together – love the Wilson photo, too. The goodies Kim created are just too cute! I’m going to make a few of those bags, I am. I’m in love with them!
Oh, I signed up for the give-away on Toni’s blog – her patterns are wonderful!
I’ve loved visiting here today catching up with you. You’ve been busy!
Love that bright flowery quilt below, but I’ve always been a “bright color person” and never a “mauve & blue person.”
What fun to have a meet-up with a fellow blogger. Cute pic.
Jody
What a fun meet up!! It is always great to meet like minded souls. I was admiring the gift bag at the Bake Shop.
How wonderful Anna. I’m so glad you had a great time meeting a friend. Your trip sounded fantastic and I’m totally jealous.
I think you just bring fun and love where ever you go. Sounds like a great trip!
Isn’t it funny we all used to tole paint! I find that common thread with quilters. When I first met kim at our local quilt group I was so intimidated by her. She produced masses of quilts every month and they were all so lovely. When I got to know her I realized how incredibly talented she is and how beautifully she manages her life. She’s a great friend. She’s someone I could call and ask anything of her and she would do what she could. She’s a tower of strength as a friend. I admire her so much. I’m still kicking myself over not being with the 2 of you but my summer work schedule has been pretty brutal. Sigh. There is always another day. I hope.
Ah, I took tole painting classes when I lived in the US – I shall have to go and see whether I have any of her books stashed away too!
Now we HAVE to go to UT (and you have to return). A trip to Material Girls is a must do!
I love the Wilson shot… too cute!
You were so five minutes from my house!! I live vry close to Broadbents. Glad you had such a fab-u-lous shop hop of your very own.
What a fun day you had…and fun days often ends too soon! Sorry you missed the shops.