Round Top, Texas

It's been a year since I've made the pilgrimage to Round Top, Texas. In April, I was held hostage by a volcano that exploded, leaving me trapped in England (poor me, I know). But, that Icelandic volcano did make me miss one of my favorite events in Texas.

Antiques for miles and miles! I spent a wonderfully relaxing week in Round Top going from tent to tent looking at all the antiques. I've learned over the years to only buy what you can't live without. This is a golden rule when you're driving a 4-seater vehicle (even though everyone should probably bring 27-foot U-hauls).

Sometimes I forget how beautiful and lush the hill country of Texas is. Grasshoppers were everywhere, watching all the women shopping from a table, clinging to the back of a white shirt, or just hopping next to your feet. The sky so open and so blue, it makes you never want to leave.

One of the bigger purchases, the white cabinet with glass doors. I know exactly where it's going to be in the store.

I have a standing reservation at A Light Unto My Path Retreat Center. There's nothing like visiting with good friends while staying in one of these cabins. The cool night in central Texas reminded me that the autumn season, did in fact, start already.

Don't barn-red dining halls just pull on your heartstrings? The community breakfast is always a great way to start the day.

The property is animal friendly.

I love sitting in those rocking chairs on the front porch listening to the hum of the cicadas and trying to not let the fire ants bite my feet.

There are many things I love about A Light Unto My Path Retreat Center. One of the nicest things is that Dave, one of the owners, will drive his truck to the tent that you bought a giant white cabinet (for example) and bring it back to the retreat center for you. He'll also store it until you figure out how the heck you're going to get it all the way back to Galveston. Please check out their website http://www.alightuntomypath.com/index.php but make reservations early because they tend to fill up fast.

Don't forget to drop by and see all the other treasures we found!

Strange Hauntings in the Store

I think we have a ghost in this old Nathan building. As I was walking around the store to clean things up, I found a quilt on top of the batting in one of our cabinets. Strange, since the quilt was pinned to the stair rail on the second floor loft. I accused our carpenter of playing a prank on me, but he denied it. I noticed the funniest thing when I went to re-pin the quilt back in place, all the pins were stacked nicely on a box next to the quilt! Again, accusations flew toward the carpenter. But, he still denied it. So, in honor of our newly found ghost, I posted a video to let he or she know that we welcome him or her.

But, in case this ghost isn't as friendly has he or she might seem, I always know who to call.

Classes Start in October

It's a gloomy day on the island. The sky is gray and the rain comes and goes with no notice of peoples' plans.I'd rather be curled up in bed under a warm quilt with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate. But no luck today. Instead I'll tell you what is making me happy on this hurricane influenced day.

We are very happy to say that we are starting up classes next month!

Our Schedule:

October 9th - Patchwork I (9:00-11:30 am) Patchwork Pillow (pictured above)

Free Demo (1:00 pm) Victorian salt icicle ornaments

Sew Simple I (3:00-5:30 pm) Pillow case and sewing basics

October 16th - Patchwork II (9:00-11:30 am) table runner quilt

Free Demo (1:00 pm) German Glass Glitter Banner

Sew Simple II (3:00-5:30) Farmers Market Tote

October 23rd - Patchwork III (9:00-11:30 am) Christmas Tree Skirt Quilt

Free Demo (1:00 pm) The Perfect Sugar Cookies

Sew Simple III (3:00-5:30 pm) The Classic Apron

For more information on classes, please email us at robynpandolphdesign@gmail.com or robyn@robynpandolph.com

This is the newest appliqué from the Studio! It will be in the 2011 January/February issue of

Fons &Porter's For the Love of Quilting

If any brave, brave, appliqué enthusiast would like to pre-order kits from us,

please give us a call (409)765-5772

Happy Stitching!

Somerset Cottage Update!

We're very pleased to let everyone know that we finally gotten our complete inventory of Somerset Cottage online! Just head over to robynpandolph.com and check out the selection.

A sneak peak of the website & Bespoke Bloom the block of the month with Somerset Cottage

Desiderata

Memoirs of a Geisha, Marie Antoinette, image of an old French map

Now for what I've been listening to all morning.

Coeur de Pirate "Comme Des Enfants"

Shop Updates

We haven't even been open a week and it's been great. ARTWalk was fantastic, and there was a great turn out for the ribbon cutting (more on that later when we get pictures)!

Here few great pictures of the store from our local photographer, Brooks Hirsch.

I've spent all day updating the online shop with Fat Quarter Bundles, Twice the Charm Pack, Charm Packs, patterns, and a few books.

Rue Saint Germain Fat Quarter Bundle

Beach House Twice the Charm

Fancy Hill Farm Charm Pack