Greetings assorted fillies, steers and armadillos! Guess what? I have some news! Very exciting news! Want a hint? OK. Here’s a hint.
Any guesses? Any guesses?
Mr. Bug, Lucy the bear and I are moving to TEXAS!! At least, that’s the plan. We found out last week that Dan’s position is being transferred to the Dallas/Fort Worth area (actually, Denton, for anyone familiar!) He was offered a chance to tag along, and we decided to go for it. Folks, it’s CRAZY!! Last week at this time I was likely reading my Kindle thinking that I should get some sewing done. And here we are a short week later, having already met with a couple of realtors and instead of wasting my time re-reading another young adult paranormal mystery/romance, I’m industriously photoshopping a pink cowboy hat on my dog. You never know when life is going to throw you a curveball, do you?
So what does this mean to you? Well… we are likely going to sell our house. I expect one of you to buy it. If that doesn’t pan out, you will at least be subjected to a few more Stage My House type blog posts than one would normally expect to find on a blog dedicated to garment sewing and the obsessive acquisition of colored tights and cashmere. Other than that, we’ll just bumble along as we’ve been doing. Lord willin’ and the crik don’t rise, we’ll be nicely settled in Texas by June 1st. I understand that’s TOTALLY still the cold season down there.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the giant distance between Minneapolis, Minnesota and Dallas, Texas, I photoshopped this nice map with a helpful comparison of the UK placed on top of the western US…
So there’s our exciting news! I have an entire houseful of white trim to repaint over the next few weeks. And cushions to make, pillows to sew, cabinets to wash, clothes to stow away, basset hounds to trap in cardboard moving boxes… it’s going to be a busy spring!
OH! That reminds me… if any of you actually live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, let me know! I am in dire need of a lowdown on the location of fabric stores. There ARE fabric stores, right? And we are going to have to decide where to live! First scouting trip is less than two weeks away!
I lived in DFW area for 30 years and went to college in Denton and specifically lived there for 10 years! Email me at sarobinson2370@yahoo.com and I’ll give you some info on neighborhoods, restaurants, etc. Denton is a pretty cool college town. It does get HOT in summer so the weather might send you into shock, but just find a nice swimming pool!
So I went to college in Denton and lived there for 10 years. I grew up in the area and lived there until I was 35, which was 6 years ago! I live in NC now but DFW has everything you need and then some. Feel free to email me for info on neighborhoods, restaurants, etc! I’ll ask my Mom who still lives in the area about fabric stores. Yes, there is an over abundance of everything in DFW, including summer heat and fabric!
To quote Lyle Lovett, “That’s right, you’re not from Texas, but Texas wants you anyway!”
I’m so jealous you are moving to my homeplace, while I’m stuck in Missouri. Sigh. Don’t just go to Dallas, hon. Fort Worth has fabulous art museums–FREE admission. Great restaurants. I’m no longer sure about fabric though, not having lived there in years. My parents are there, but my mom is strictly into quilts these days and has no idea of current garment fabric selection.
A little bit o’ Denton culture you gotta try–Brave Combo. Google and behold the wonderful weirdness.
We moved to Albuquerque last Nov. Hope you like Denton as much as I like ABQ! Safe and happy packing.
Hey! I live in Denton! I can’t believe you’re moving here! Denton has a great music scene, trees (very important in TX), lots of thrifting, etc. Two independent quilt stores (there are also more in the next town), Joanne’s, Hobby Lobby. Plus you can shop anywhere in DFW, just have to plan around traffic. We also have a really nice quilt guild that meets once a month (dentonquiltguild.org). If you wanna talk good places to look for a house, email me and I can send you in the right direction.
I positively love your blog! I found your blog after noting you on Patternsreview. I love your style and have learned a great deal from you! I hope you keep up with your blog while you are moving so we can cheer you on. For now, just a little Texas wisdom– “Always drink upstream from the herd.”
As someone who hates hot weather, I’ll admit my first reaction was horror. Followed by disappointed because I was determined to go on a road trip from Winnipeg to Minneapolis this summer and had hoped to tempt you into a coffee meet-up. But after I got over that selfishness, I thought about the fact that you’ll be able to do pretty dresses for longer (are you as sick of winter apparel as I am?) and that this is probably a good opportunity for you guys, so yay!
I hope that Texas turns out to be awesome for you!
Heather recently posted..Wooly Coat: Fabric and Cutting Woes
Congratulations! You are in for several more months of sundress weather!!!! I live in Houston now, but I went to college in Denton and my family still lives in the DFW area. Denton is a beautiful little town, that if I moved to the DFW area I would definitely look to. As for fabric shops, I never really sewed when I lived there, but I have heard there is a lounge somewhere in the Oaklawn (near downtown) area. Congrats!
Stacie recently posted..French Roses quilt update
Texan here. Born and raised. Welcome to the Promised Land. August is hot but you’ll love your big new house and yard.
Hi, I live on the west coast, but spent two months living in Dallas in 2010 (summer at that, yeah, it’s hot).
I saw someone posted about City Craft-it’s adorable and the ladies couldn’t be nicer.
Also, since you knit, you MUST visit, “Shabby Sheep”, by downtown. They have great yarn and are super friendly. It’s a little small, but they make up for it in charm.
Another yarn store, that is not small, but a wonderland is “Woolie” Ewe” in Plano.
What an adventure!
Two words: GOLDEN D’OR!
Google it. You can thank me later.
oh my. ohmyohmyohmyohmyohmyohmyohmyohmyohmyohmyohmyohmyohmyohmy….
thank you!!
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
Glad to hear another sewing fanatic is moving to Texas! (You are, aren’t you? A sewing fanatic I mean!) There’s lots of fabric stores around here, but my favorites are on Perth Street. It’s a lot of fun and you can spend the whole day there! As everyone mentioned, there are others – and quite a few great quilt shops with great cottons. If you want, you can email me when you get here and we’ll go shopping!
Yes! For certain a fanatic!
I googled Perth and found this link….http://www.reddawn.net/quilt/stores.htm – it looks a bit quilting oriented, but it was hard to tell! I like LOOKING a quilting cottons, and think they’re fine for casual summer dresses, but it’ silk and wool I really love. I don’t suppose I’ll be able to wear wool quite as much in TX, but it certainly is cool enough for a wool pencil skirt during the winter… right? This looks awesome! Drop me your email address!
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
Wow! That is so exciting, Patty! Good luck with the move and all the house shifting. Also, a couple months premature, but…Welcome to Texas! We’re so thrilled you’re coming.
I don’t know much about the Dallas sewing scene, but if ever you make it down to Austin, we have some FABULOUS new indie fabric stores. Definitely worth a weekend trip!
Mary Danielson recently posted..Shabby Apple Giveaway!
I cannot WAIT to finally see this magical place called Austin! I knew you were in TX, but I was thinking you were in Houston or San Antonio! Austin’s only a few hours from DFW, right?
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
Only three hours! Just a short drive (down an, admittedly, hellish stretch of highway) to our magical land of food trucks, bats, and fabric stores. When y’all make the pilgrimage, let me know and I’ll happily send some must-hit spots your way.
Mary Danielson recently posted..Shabby Apple Giveaway!
Exciting!
even more exciting after reading these comments!
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
Yeah, I can’t wait to take a sewing class with you!!
We have all the usual suspects for sewing supplies and fabrics. There’s also a shop called City Craft in Dallas http://www.citycraftonline.com/ that has really cool fabric and is a great place to spend a few hours and too much money.
Welcome to DFW!
Awesome! I totally remember checking that website when I was putting together the Sewtropolis revisions! Can’t wait to see it! Send me your email address!
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
WOW! That IS big news. Good luck!
Clio recently posted..Purple. Puffy. Perfect for a 13-Year-Old
I’m super excited – I hate Minneapolis winters!
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
Welcome to the DFW Metroplex. There are your standard JoAnn and Hancock stores all over but there is a mini fabric distric in Dallas which I have visited. If you are into sewing with quilting cotton, there are tons of independent stores around.
Yay! Thanks! Please send me YOUR email address too!
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
Congrats! You will love the winters but probably hate the summers! As for fabric stores, I know Dallas has several independent ones, which makes me super jealous. I’m in San Antonio and we don’t have many! Anyway, welcome to Texas!
Forrest recently posted..You know you’re obsessed with sewing when…
Thanks! I’m hoping that the summers won’t be TOO bad – I like it HOT. And I like A/C!
Congratulations!!! My sister has a house in San Antonio and they love, love, love Texas. She is currently here in California but they can’t wait to get back. You will be in Peggy Sagers Silhouette Patterns Land. Many blessings on the house selling and moving!
OOoooo…. does she live in the Dallas area? It would be fun to take a fitting class from her – if she offers them. I’ve seen her videos. She has such an interesting approach.
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
Peggy does a whole fitting conference called Education in Textiles, Dallas (ETAD) and it is in February. So you can plan for next year!
I have spent time in that area and my favorite place is Denton. Dallas is close, but Denton feels more homey and funky and just nice. I’d sure try to find a house there, and one with trees. Those mild winters have a way of turning into blistering hot summers!
I can’t speak to the fabric stores, but there are some great thrift, antique and book stores. And really good pizza at J.J.’s (in the main square)
Have fun!
I’ve seen a few references to J.J.’s! Denton SOUNDS like it could be cool! Some of the references reminded me a bit of Madison, Wisconsin.
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
Exciting! Good luck with your new adventures.
I’m not sure the extensive painting in my near future will a great adventure…
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
What a wonderful adventure, what a lot of work! keep us informed because even a sewing blog needs a little diversity!!!
Corinne recently posted..The Friday Issue
Ooooo… diversity is good! I hope I don’t make you guys crazy – so close on the heels of all the crafty Christmas sewing!
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
Congratulations! That’s going to be such a big change. I’m looking forward to the staging posts. I know we’ll need to move at some point but the process of moving does not excite me at all. Watching you go through it would be inspiring.
Seraphinalina recently posted..Time Management
I’m super excited to move, but I know that since Mr. Bug and I share house-related OCD, it’s not as bad as it COULD be. Both the realtors we met this week seemed QUITE impressed with the level of organization. They were, unfortunately, note impressed with how small our house is. Boo.
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
You’re in for some culture shock, for sure. But Congrats and Good Luck!
ladykatza recently posted..Rock Star Couture
Well, I managed the move from northern MN to Mpls… what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
Welcome to Texas. Three of my five kids went to college in Denton so know the area well. There is a Joanns and Hobby Lobby in Denton. In Lewisville there is a Hancocks. In Dallas there is a large group of outlet stores. I can give you info if you need it. You’ll love our mild winters, it is going to be 68 today. Email if you need any info about the area. Good Luck.
I just sent you an email!
Congratulations and I’m sure you will find some great fabric stores in the area. But boy do you have alot of work to do between now and June 1st! And please make sure you have a sewing room where you’re going because I’m going to miss the lovely one that you presently have.
Carolyn recently posted..Pockets, Pockets, Pockets
Ooooo… Carolyn I can hardly CONCENTRATE on all the move stuff, I’m so excited about my new sewing room! The housing market in TX is different than MN – I think making the move is akin to a New Yorker coming out to Minneapolis and looking at real estate. Long story short… we should have a bit more room and a bit more light in the new place!
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
Congratulations on your new adventure! I don’t know much about the DFW area, but if you make your way down to Houston after you’ve settled, maybe I can help out then!
Andrea recently posted..My Abingdon fabric finds
Houston…. it’s by the gulf, right? I’m really looking forward to exploring that part of the country! I’m SO much more familiar with the midwest, heading east towards Michigan and Ohio, and Mr. Bug and I went out to Montana for our honeymoon. But I’ve never really been south and hopefully we’ll get some good road trips scheduled!
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
YOWZA! i’m so excited for you! mainly because i’ve spent time in both states, and while i love both, texas is hella warmer
dallas has a great downtown area by the arts center with fun restaurants and shops– it’s called “deep ellum”, actually i had to google to find the name and stumbled on this cool site:
http://www.iliveindallas.com/fun-things-to-do-in-dallas
he lists a ton of great stuff. HAPPY STAGING!
awesomepants! Although, i PROMISED mr. bug I’d never made him go to the JFK 6th floor museum again. He hated it.
You are clearly going to have to come BACK to texas to visit!
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
WOW! CONGRATS! That is soooo exciting!! I can’t wait to follow along on your moving/texan adventures!!!
Debi recently posted..Mission McCall Monday: 9111 to 9120
well… if YOU guys can move all the way to Scotland, Dan and I can make the trip down south! I’m so looking forward to a new adventure with him! He and I lived (separately) in Mpls for 10 years before we met… Texas will be new to both of us – so fun!
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
That’s awesome Patty! Good luck with selling your house and your move.
Mia recently posted..My first video!!!
Thanks! I’m nervous about selling in this market, but we’ll see how it goes! We’re very lucky and have a lot of options!
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
Wow! Congratulations and good luck!
Thanks!
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!
Congrats on the house move for the 3 snug bugs!
And… what fun, you’ll get to plan and make a new sewing place!!
Claire (aka Seemane) recently posted..Sewing Spaces… Drawers for Drawing, Wheels for Wheeling! (Part 1)
With sunshine! Lots of sunshine! Texas is the sunshine state, right? No. Wait. That’s Florida. Is Texas the lone star state? MN is the land of 10,000 lakes, which always struck me as not much to brag about. Hold on…
Official texas motto: “friendship” Concise, that’s good. I think I was thinking of nicknames…
yes, yes. It was nicknames. LICENSE plate nicknames, no less. Texas is the Lone Star state. Hm.
Patty The Snug Bug recently posted..Big news for the Snug Bugs!