Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Sulphur Springs

I've been helping family this past month which entails traveling around the state and across the country. One of my favorite sights in Texas is the beautiful county courthouses. Hopkins County boasts one of the loveliest examples. It's built on the northeast corner of the square providing more room for a spacious park including a WWII memorial, board game tables and a small fountain.

Hopkins County Courthouse (Texas)

But the most amusing sight was this restroom. Sulfur Springs built a clear glass unisex restroom on the courthouse square. At night, floodlights around the base keep the outside brighter than the interior so no one can see in. But you clearly see everything around when inside the room. A bit disconcerting. I used the facility. Would you?

Sulfur Springs public restroom viewed from the outside and inside.

Handwork is still iffy and most of my relatives don't have sewing machines. {They depend on me for all sewing.} However, She-Who-Wore-White has a featherweight. At first I thought that wouldn't work for quilting then remembered my first quilt was done on a featherweight. As it happens, I want to make a baby quilt for a friend living in the same town. Here are two possible layouts.

Possible string block layouts

You might recall these blocks. I sewed them around New Year to clear out my scrap bag. They both include the same whites. Do they look better with black or yellow?

Enjoy the day, Ann

31 comments:

Stephie said...

Oh wow - that restroom facility would freak me out! I suppose it could be consider a 'p** with a view'! (It's what my outdoor friends refer to when we're out hiking, etc!) Not sure it's the kind of view I'd like though. And, yellow for me all the way :) Love your travel posts Ann, so refreshing.

Sophie Zaugg said...

I don't feel comfortable in any public restroom. Can't imagine myself using that one ! ;-) I prefer the layout on the left but maybe yellow is sweeter for a baby quilt.

LA Paylor said...

I would linger to see if I could see in when another person went! Then go for it!
I like those blocks so much, but would choose yellow. I just love yellow, and this is so cool. It's inspired! I like the movement in both, but think the black and white could have some appliques in a color. Circles? shapea? LeeAnna

sue said...

I like the yellow too.

I guess it would depend on how badly I had to go if I would try out the glass bathroom!

Sue said...

I am not particularly restroom phobic; it's just a fact that you need to use them once in awhile. Is this some odd Texan sense of humor though? Haha, I'm imagining sitting there with LeeAnna lingering around outside!

I like both the layouts, but would probably choose the yellow for a baby. I'm ruminating on a black and white quilt though, so that one appeals to me a lot as well.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I like the yellow strings. As for that bathroom, I think I would walk around it a few times, watch someone else first, and then give it a try. What a concept!

Katie S. said...

I like the yellow. Somehow I think the black makes the other blocks look "muddy".

Lara B. said...

That bathroom is too funny. I'd wait until someone went in and then pretend I could see them with a really shocked expression on my face. It's interesting how we all are mostly reacting to the bathroom and not the gorgeous courthouse.
Ann the string blocks are wonderful! I guess you should choose the layout based on what you think your friend would like best.

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

I think I prefer the yellow but it's hard to choose. You have such an interesting way with colour.
Smiles
Kate

Ann said...

Funny. I've gone in the woods but took great care to be "hidden" behind a bush. It was very hard to use this facility. If I can see them they must be able to see me, right?
I like the yellow, too.

Ann said...

And this is a very public restroom. These are all the black and yellow blocks I have although there are some more whites.

Ann said...

Great idea, LeeAnna. The black and white does need color applique. I don't think I have time to do that right now and finish it in my time frame. I must remember this idea; it will be useful later.

Ann said...

It was funny how hard it was to even see the restroom. The glass is so reflective, it's great camouflage.

Ann said...

Yes. The older I get, the more frequently I need one. These people must have a great sense of humor. Very useful restroom. Very clean, too. It does encourage you to do your business quickly!
I think the yellow and white might be better for a baby, too. Thanks, Sue.

Ann said...

Thanks, Julie. Yellow seems to be the overall choice.
I walked around a while, too. Very disconcerting! And amusing.

Ann said...

I see what you mean, Katie. There are fewer black blocks than yellow so I added more white blocks and the further I went down the white pile, the more beige and grey strings there were. Thanks for pointing this out.

Ann said...

You have a WICKED sense of humor, Lara! I'd have a heart attack if you made faces at me. And you're right, I usually walk around the courthouses, going up and down all possible steps, looking in windows. Basically making a nuisance of myself. But the restroom completely distracted me.
Good idea. I'll ask my daughter which she thinks our friend would like best.

Ann said...

Thanks, Kate. I think I like the yellow best, too. Before laying them out I thought I'd prefer the black and white combination. Oh, the things we can learn.

Glenda said...

Hi Ann my first visit and it is very interesting. Courthouse is amazing and I had a good look at it, but I must say the toilet held my attention longer LOL it reminds me of one I used in Paris, but this one was revolving and you had to finish before it went the full circle or else?????? I Like the wee string blocks and both will work well, some will like the yellows more and others will like the black more. Thanks for sharing Cheers Glenda

Julia Graber said...

This has been an interesting read. My sister lives in Sulpher Springs and took me, my mother, and another sister to see the courthouse and of course the public rest room. We had a good time pretending we were watching the person inside when really we couldn't see a thing! ... I really like the string blocks. Have you seen the strings over at "String Thing Along" ? http://stringthingalong.blogspot.com/2016/03/red-and-black-strings.html .... Here is another one that I like. http://stringthingalong.blogspot.com/search/label/Julia%20Graber

Ann said...

A revolving restroom? I think that would startle me more than this glass one. The courthouse is so beautiful but the restroom is taking center stage.
Having string blocks on hand makes it easy to complete a baby or lap quilt as needed. At least until I start fussing about the color choices. Ha.

Ann said...

You and Lara as such jokers. It is a beautiful town square, isn't it?
I participate in String Thing Along and have seen some of your work over there. I enjoy the grouping of string quilts by so many different artists. People are so inventive. When this is finished I'll post it there as well.

Marsha Cooper said...

Seeing these has me back to wanting to do the soscrappy challenge each month making string blocks! So many things I want to do, but so little time.

Mary Marcotte said...

Love your idea for the string quilt...I like the yellow but agree that you should consider what the recipient would prefer. Either one will be stunning.

We've enjoyed some of the courthouses in TX and here in Louisiana. They can be architecturally interesting, and I'm afraid that I also make a nuisance of myself especially taking my bad pictures! I'd never be able to use that restroom. I might go in and display myself, but my shy bladder would not cooperate--I can barely go in a public restroom that is "private" (a single seat rather than stalls). LOL On second thought, I'd give up and not go in knowing that it would be useless.

Ann said...

I know what you mean, Marsha. There are so many "shiny objects" that it's sometimes hard to decide what I really want to do and how much time I have.

Ann said...

Thanks, Mary. I will recognize you at the courthouse - the other crazy lady taking poor photos. Ha.

Kaja said...

Love the courthouse, and rather like the restroom too (I would use it, but then I have little sense of shame). I like both sets of blocks but prefer the yellow. LeeAnna's idea of adding colour to the monochrome is an interesting one.

Ann said...

You and I. Although it was odd to "drop trou" while people walked by. Just went with it. LeeAnna has good ideas.

Nicky said...

Great building with lots of character but that toilet would scare me! Love the string blocks but I'd choose yellow for a baby I think! Thanks for linking up to #scraptastictuesday!

Leanne said...

These string blocks make such a lovely quilt, I like both.

Mel said...

Both sets of string blocks make for gorgeous quilts...but the yellow reminds me of rays of sunshine...perfect for a baby quilt! And I enjoyed reading about your travel adventures...that is quite the bathroom!! You are brave!