"Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold."
Last weekend I was treated to a very special visit from a long-time friend who came to see us for my birthday! I loved having Chris here in our home! (Remember when I visited her for the quilt festival back in February of this year?)
She had been wanting to come to the Farmers' Market this summer and check out the girls' booth in person after seeing so many market pictures on the blog!! So she drove 3+ hours to make it happen!
We strolled around the other vendors' booths and bought some of the first peaches of the season; she bought some of Hannah's soap; and we watched Sarah interacting with her customers: 
After we left the Market, we ate lunch downtown, and then I took her to some little shops along the street. I especially wanted to take her to Appalachian Piecework down at the Wharf. I've posted about this shop before but never tire of taking guests there: 
I was glad to see the owner's daughter in the shop that day. She explained to Chris how she made the scarves and dresses using the Shibori Method.
That tube she is showing us has the specially dyed fabric wound around it and will be an over-dress when she cuts it off the tube. There's a lot more to it than that, but that's all I remember. A customer out West was having it custom made and mailed to her:
Below: the dress after it's been cut off the tube and unwound. Here's the shop owner checking out the results: 
I love wandering around the shop and seeing the weaving taking place. Mostly I just look...because mostly it's expensive! 
I especially loved viewing all the vintage quilts around the shop which the owner has collected. Below is a sign about vintage quilts - I loved her wording: 
The plaque says, "I have collected quilts for the last 30 years. I am drawn to them. I repair them, launder them, and enjoy them. Many families have passed quilts down from generation to generation. The ones in my shop have come from different regions of the country. Many of them from the Shenandoah Valley, Pennsylvania, and Maine. Ask for assistance if you would like to open them up."
Appalachian Piecework also carries Hannah's soap in their shop. Here's one of the washbowl displays: 
After a quick visit to the quilt shop next door and the book store, we called it a day and headed back home and sat down to a delicious meal of Spicy Chicken over noodles, salad, homemade bread, and Sarah's cheesecake. Thanks, girls!
The next day Chris attended church with us before she drove back home to her family. What a good weekend!!
One last picture together after church: Thanks so much, Chris, for making my birthday special by your presence! And thank you to your family for letting you come! Let's do it again!
~Deb
Oh Deb..THANK YOU!!! You have the best B&B ever!!:) Yes it was a special treat and YES we have to continue to do these little trips, such fun; I think we can ALWAYS find a reason to celebrate! :) I am glad I bought a few extra soaps. Our little neighbor girl turned 16 last week. When Laura reminded me of that I thought "What can I give her that I already have on hand (no time to shop that day and she is like one of my daughters) and then I thought of the soap. She LOVED it. I gave her the Lemon Poppyseed and it was a hit! Thanks Hannah!! :)
Posted by: Chris | Monday, July 15, 2013 at 09:14 AM
Always fun when friends come to visit.
Posted by: Tammy C | Monday, July 15, 2013 at 10:03 AM
What a special treat to have a friend visit, sounds like you both had a lovely time. As always I so enjoy seeing the market and the girls booth.
Blessings to you and your family ~
Laura
Posted by: Laura | Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 05:19 PM
As always, I enjoy the virtual tours that your blog provides. I was most fascinated by the dressmaking. I am not into sewing (because I don't know how), so had a hard time understanding how the Shibori method works. I did read a bit about it online, and will try to find something about it on youtube. Your husband did a nice job on the planter, and your flowers are quite lovely.
Posted by: Cathy | Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 08:00 AM
what awesome pictures! i'm a hand-weaver and use woven shibori for some of my pieces; it's an amazing process!
Posted by: erica | Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 07:00 PM
Sounds like you had a great visit.
The shop looks like a treasure. I can see why you enjoy going there. Thanks for the pics, they're terrific
Posted by: Nic | Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 03:24 AM
Looks like a lot of fun. Glad you had such a fun birthday!
Posted by: Stephanie in MI | Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at 10:46 PM