The first afternoon

There never seems to be a really good way to do this hop without doing a lot of backtracking. I need to take into account which of the shops close later, so that I don't waste time doing them early in the day. The first year that the shop hop was done in 2007, the passport had the hours printed on it and that was very helpful. It also was several pages long and I was always worried that I would forget or lose one of the pages!

That being said, the next shop in Glad Creations. This shop had numerous kits that feature the Glad Creations patterns. I really like scrappy quilts and these really fit that idea. The shop is pretty crowded, the upstairs is roomy and quiet and has lots and lots of sample quilts. All the sale fabric is upstairs. The also have a great selection of thimbles for those of us who do handwork.

I thought that a quilt at the beginning of each post might be kind of fun. I did manage to get a few quilts actually finished this year. A guild show has a tendency to focus the mind a little. I had also thought that I would be able to get a few more pictures of Minnesota fabric projects, but I am getting some funny looks when I ask if I can photograph.

More backtracking. First I go west and then back east in order to go south, sounds like fun right. Thank goodness for GPS devices. I did get a new one this year, but even it doesn't have some of the addresses.

The Quilt Cove is one of the places that the GPS can't find. This shop is overflowing with fabric. There is fabric on shelves and tables and all over the floor. The have a nice notions wall and I pick up a magnetic quilt hanger. I really want to give this a try, I have lots of wall hangings and they are of various sizes, so I would like to see if this will work to help me get some of them hung up and displayed.

Rosemount is the next shop. Quilter's Haven is in new digs. This shop seems to be moving up and down the street since I was first here several years ago. The new shop's signage is not very easy to see from 146th St. and it is easy to miss. The new store is very nice, with lots of garment samples to enjoy. New place is also larger (or at least it seems larger to me) and displays are easy to see and walk around.

I am off to another shop that is not on the GPS! What is the deal? You would think that for as much as you spend on those things that they would be able to find a needle in a haystack. Oh well. Fabric Town is the place to be if you are into Civil War reproduction fabrics. Of course, they have a lot of other things, but an extensive selection of repros. They have a very nice display of the items made with the hop fabric as well.

Now off to the west side of the cities. Eagle Creek Quilt Shop is in an old depot. The display quilt with the MN fabrics looks like a great scrap quilt. No pattern or directions yet, will be looking forward to those. I really love quilts were you can use up a lot of 'leftovers'. This shop also has some nice landscaping. They are also offering smocking classes. Haven't seen much of that since I left southern Kansas.

My GPS finally(!!!) came through for me. I was able to get to Waconia and the Heavenly Patchwork Quilt shop in record time on a road with almost no traffic after 3 PM on a Friday. How's that for good, Very friendly shop, I am greeted as soon as I walk in the door. Lots of samples and patterns and the shop also sells sewing machines. This shop is worth the drive.

Sorry, forgot the picture.

Backtracking, again! I arrive at the Blue Bamboo just as everyone is leaving. They are nice enough to open the store up and stamp my passport. Thanks! I do need to stop back because I am looking for a couple of batiks, and this store probably has the most of any that I have seen. They also carry a lot of oriental fabrics and do a large mail-order business.

The only other store on the northwest side of Minneapolis/St. Paul that is open late today is Cottage Quilts and Fabrics in Elk River. Lots of different kinds of fabrics, they always have a cute display of baby quilts. This shop has a very nice classroom area. Guess that I am really getting tired because I drive off and forget to get a picture of the shop and it's new sign. Sorry 'bout that folks.

Minnesota State Quilt Shop Hop version 5

Well, Minnesota quilt shop hop starts again. I have been asked by my niece if I am planning to blog again this year. I do think that will be a little easier since I am now able to dictate my notes instead of typing. I am an extremely slow typist.

I started my trip this year at a new shop in Anoka, Minnesota. This is the first year that Millie P's is on the shop hop. It is kind of fun to be able to start the Minnesota shop hop at a brand-new shop. This shop had a really cute area display of items made with Minnesota State shop hop fabric. They also had quite a few very nice samples and displays. I do think that it helps to see a sample pattern constructed. Even if you don't use the same fabrics, it still gives you a good idea of what you can do with your fabric.

In addition the shop is next door to a small coffee House and across the street from an antique shop. This new shop is on Anoka's Main Street. And it is quite easy to find.


The next shop on the hop is Fat Quarter Quilting in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. This shop moved to a larger space in the same shopping mall last year. They have an excellent display of batiks, and I am able to find a border fabric that I have on my list. This year I decided to be a little more organized, and made a list of various fabrics, patterns, etc. that I was looking for, so that I had a better idea of what I needed. Unfortunately, the computer at the store was not working properly and they were unable to take my credit card. Lucky for me, I had some cash on hand to spend today.

I have a couple of options at this point. I can go to Rush City so that I can finish all of the shops in the Central East section, or I can skip Rush City and go the shop in Blaine. The decision will be made on time. I will have to take nearly 2 hours for a round trip to Rush City, so on to Blaine it is.

The Calla Lily Quilt Shop and Gifts is a smaller shop on the hop. They always have some nice samples made of the hop fabric. The quilts that they have this year are the pattern Sidelights and a pattern by a shop designer. I did try to get some photos but couldn't

The two shops in White Bear Lake are next. Parking here is always interesting, as there is a huge farmer's market in the downtown area as well. Too bad I don't live closer, I would really like to get some of this produce.

Rosebud's Cottage is the first of the shops that I go to, simply because I can park the closest. This shop has a lot of crafting items as well, including some vintage bottle caps! They have lots of small project made with the shop hop fabric kitted. Unfortunately, I also am here with a bus! Lots and lots of people.

Walking down the street and past the farmer's market, I arrive at Bear Patch Quilting Co. This shop always seems to have some great samples made from the Minnesota fabrics, and this year does not disappoint. Several cute 'non-quilty' sample like aprons are among the offerings. This shop has a wide range of fabric, lots of batiks and sells sewing machines.

It is almost time for lunch. There is a great little bakery and deli just around the corner from Charlotte's Quilting Web. This shop always seems to have a lot of sale fabric, so if you're looking for bargains for backs, there you go. This shop is much quieter, no buses.

Stop for lunch, but forget the cord to download pictures in the van! That will have to wait for later. I have been checking in with Foursquare. So far the day is going a little slower than I had planned, but no worries, it is vacation and I am really trying to not stress so much. I get enough of that every day!

Batik Star Quilt

I wanted to download this, even though this is an older quilt. This is a gift quilt for my niece and was delivered to her this summer. She had asked for a quilt with rainbow colors. I was able to find a pattern that I liked, but after getting it, there was no way I was going to cut and sew half-square triangles at 2 7/8 inches! I redrafted the pattern to a more usual size (9 inch block) and started collecting fabric. All of the delicious quilting was done by Sandi Stark from The Quilting Shed in Mason City, IA. It was really fun to work with all of the batiks.

I now am wondering if I can get the quilt back for the guild show.

New Year of Quilting

Finally had some time to spend in front of the sewing machine last weekend. Holidays and work have not been cooperating and I have not been doing much quilting. I did manage to finish a couple of projects that had been started some time ago.

The first one was a kit that I picked up on the appreciation sale that the shops in the Des Moines area had last fall. It is called Windows on the East, and yes, it has inset seams. I did the windows a different way than the pattern showed. The directions seem confusing to me, so I just decided to wing it. I think that it turned out OK

I think that will be able to do the quilting on this top as it is small. I need to get it done though if I want to show it at the guild quilt show in April.

I finished a second top that I had started last summer. It is from the book Livin' Large by Heather Mulder Peterson. This is the link to her books http://ankastreasures.wordpress.com/books-and-patterns/. I had to finish the applique and was hung up on how to do the rick rack. I didn't want to just sew down the middle because then it would roll up when the quilt was washed. I finally used free-motion sewing with a matching thread. It worked out quite nicely.

This top is going to my local quilter. I just don't have the time to quilt all of the tops that I make.

The top is on my design wall, which is actually a queen sized piece of quilted flannel that is attached to nails in the wall near the ceiling by using binder clips. I just fold up the wall when I don't need the whole thing, or stretch it out to full length when I need it. For the pictures the quilts a small enough that they just stick to the wall, if they are bigger, sometimes I have to pin them up.

I just finished all the blocks that were given away by the shops in the Northwest section of the 2010 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop. I need to add one more to make 12 block in order to have a number that will work better for making a top. I want to see if I can make a block by just using scraps from the other 11 blocks.

August 7 Day 9

I spent the night in New Ulm in order to get an early start. The plan was nearly thwarted when a thunderstorm rolled thru town and all the lights went off. Things to know - the electronic keys work even with the power off and hotel bathrooms are REALLY dark and it pays to carry a small flashlight! Luckily the lights are on but the time I want to get something to eat and the shop hop starts.

First shop on today’s rainy Saturday is the Spinning Spools Quilt Shop. I have always loved this shop and the little garden space beside it. They even have a little café table and chairs near the doe to stop and relax. The shop also sells handmade pottery and they have kits with the fabric in a hand thrown cup. If it hadn’t been so wet, I would have stopped for a while in the garden.

The next shop, just down the street, is the Thimble Box. They have a really cute display of the Tiny Ones patterns by Shelly Robson. Smaller shop with an eclectic mix of fabrics. I also run into a couple who are attempting the entire state.

On to Mankato, my next stop! Again there are 2 shops in town which makes the stop more productive. The first shop is the Firefly Quilt Shop. This shop has mostly batiks and contemporary with a nice area of juvenile fabrics. They also have a huge classroom with numerous samples and kits for sale.

The 2nd shop in Mankato is River City Quilts. This shop is just next to the mall and it very easy to find. A bigger shop with a wide range of fabrics. They have lots of quilt samples and kits. The shop is really busy this morning, as have all of the other shops that I have been at today. I guess that everyone is out getting their hopping done this weekend.

I need to get home today so I make the decision to cut the day short and so will go to only 3 other shops before I need to be back by 3PM. On to Montgomery and Quilter’s Dream. This shop is smaller and packed with people. They have a nice classroom and an eclectic mix of fabrics. A beautiful quilt is hanging in the window, as you can see in the picture.

Next is Lonsdale and Quilting by the Hearth Quilt Shop. This shop has an extensive selection of batiks. There is a large classroom in the back of the building and a large number of bolts of sale fabrics and sale kits.

The last shop for today is Cotton Shop in Owatonna. This is a smaller shop with an eclectic mix of fabrics and a nice selection of kits. I purchase a cute mouse pincushion. I should be great for holding my thread on the tail and my needles which seem to get lost in all of the other pincushions that I use.

Back to home, with restart the shop hop tomorrow. I should be able to finish the hop tomorrow, with any luck.

Thursday August 5, Day 7

Maggie and I need to be in Minneapolis by 4 pm today, so we need an early start. One of the shops in Duluth is open by 9am and I would like to be in town by then. We have to eat breakfast on the road as the restaurant does not open until 8 and we need to be on the road by then. The drive is pretty quiet, not much traffic this early in the day.

The first shop of the day is Kellie J's Sewing Center and Quilt Shop. This shop is in the country with a stable. Maggie breaks her rule and buys some more fabrics. This shop also sells sewing machines. Main shop is upstairs and sale items are downstairs. We stop to pet one of the horses on the way back to the main road.

The next shop is new to the hop this year. Hannah Johnson's Fabrics and Quilts is a house full of fabrics. There are lots of contemporary fabrics as well as some specialty fabrics, satins, etc.

Quilter's Coop is the last shop in the Duluth area that we will stop as today. This shop has a mix of fabrics and nice sale area. I love the chimney on the building that is a sign for the shop!

On to Creations Quilt Shop. Be aware there is a lot of road construction in the Duluth area. Be sure to allow extra time for the detours! This shop is a smaller shop with an eclectic mix of fabrics. This is the last shop that I need to attend in the northeast section of the state! Another section is complete.

We travel to MacGregor to Timeless Treasures. This shop has a good selection of northwoods inspired fabrics.

The next shop is Seems Like Home Quilt shop in Sturgeon Bay. This is a smaller shop. They have a nice selection of Snap Sacks and an eclectic mix of fabrics. Be sure to stop and see the decorated restroom.

Fabric, Fashions and More in Rush City is the last shop that we will stop at before we arrive at the Twin Cities. This shop has a nice mix of fabrics and their shop hop samples are at the front of the store. I pick up my pattern and my snowflake with my purchase and then we are off. Maggie needs to get home and get ready for work tomorrow. It was really fun to have her ride along for a couple of days!

Last shop of the day is Quilted Treasures of Rodgers. This shop also completes my central east section! This shop has a nice selection of reproduction fabrics. They have a large classroom where they have numerous sample quilts displayed. Three sections are now complete. I should be able to complete section four tomorrow am.

Off to St. Cloud to spend the night! I will start the day tomorrow with Gruber's Quilt Shop in Waite Park and finish the central west section tomorrow. I will only have the southeast and southwest sections left. I usually leave these sections to the last as they are closer to where I live and if I run short of time, I can make a couple of day trips to finish the shop hop.

Day 6: August 4

We arrived late to our hotel, Grand Superior Lodge, north of Two Harbors. If you go to the

web site, you can click on Lodging and Rates and click on the Lodge and then on the virtual tour and see some great pictures of the rooms, restaurant, etc. Mostly quiet (some people's children never learn about slamming doors!) and very restful. Maggie and I get a late start, but we do finally make it out of lodge.

First stop is at Quilt Corner in Beaver Bay. This is a very crowded shop. Maggie finds some kitchen towel decorated with the picture fabric from last years hop and it is on sale, so she picks some up to decorated some towels for herself. She wins a fat quarter by picking a purple Hershey's kiss out of the container. Some people have all the luck.

The small shopping center also contains a shop that has Christmas decorations. I collect tall, thin Santas and I do find a couple to add to the collection, one is on sale!

The final quilt shop for the day is Behind the Seams quilt shop in Silver Bay. Maggie finds some more fabric and announces that she is not going into any more quilt shops because she is buying too much. This shop has a good selection of sample to view and an eclectic mix of fabrics.

That's Maggie in picture of the shop. It is definitely not me!

We stop at the Split Rock Lighthouse which celebrating it's 100 Birthday! They have a video that is repeated every 30 minutes and is very informative. Maggie and I climb up in the lighthouse, no small feat for me, as I am afraid of heights. There is a great view from the top of the lighthouse. The park also has one of the keeper's home open for tour. One of the re-enactors is sewing using a treadle machine.

Picture of Maggie at the base of the lighthouse.

We arrive back at the lodge for a late lunch and nap. Man, I love vacations! I do have some time to take some pictures of the lodge and of the lake shore.

Gooseberry Falls State Park is just down the road so we make a quick drive to the park after a nap. It is sprinkling slightly, and when the sun comes out, there is a rainbow.

Back to the lodge for a great dinner and off to bed, we have an early start in the morning as we have to be back in Minneapolis by 4 pm. It's been a great day to kick back and enjoy some time with family!