Tu-Na Travels: Day Seven on the Quilt MN Shop Hop: 354 Miles, 5 Shops, Credit Card is Smoking

29 Replies

My heart skipped a beat! Traveling along North Shore Drive north of Duluth, we curved along the road and this came into view.

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This is the third time I’ve seen Split Rock Lighthouse and it still impresses, calms, and comforts me.

If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that lighthouses are one of my favorite things to see. If you are new, click here and here to check out more about me.

We’ve been plagued with some road construction and detours on our journey through Minnesota but not nearly as much as last year. Or maybe, it just didn’t bother me as much as last year.

 

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Even waiting for the pilot car, didn’t phase me much because the view was so beautiful! Maybe it takes a long road trip through countryside and city, to give us time to pause and reflect on this great country in which we live.

After a long drive and a lot of Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion, we came to the small town of Cook and drove right up to today’s top shop on the hop.

 

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Cabin Quilting is located at 227 1st St. SW & HWY 53, Cook, MN.

 

 We were warmly greeted at the door by Jill and Brandy. These 4-legged welcoming committee members ran to meet us, sniffed, and were a bit disappointed that we had not brought any treats. Next time, girls.

 

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There’s a lot of fabrics, patterns, and items in here. Those white drawers hold lots of fat quarters.

 

Susan, the owner of Cabin Quilting, opened for business 5 years ago. According to Susan, this log cabin used to be a “mancave.” Chain Saws and parts were sold out of the front and the back had a small engine repair shop. She overlooked the grease on the floor, saw the potential, and purchased the building.

 

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Cabin Quilting carries a wide variety of fabrics including Repro 30s, Brights, flannels, and over 200 bolts of batiks.

 

When selecting a building for her quilt business, the most important criteria it had to fulfill was to fit her longarm quilting machine. This beautiful log cabin did just that.

 

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Susan offers long arm quilting service for others. She began quilting in 1996 and has now quilted over 5000 quilts in her career. Now that’s experience, and dedication!

 

Susan offers this advice for beginning quilters “Don’t mess with cheap fabric. Buy quality fabric so it won’t fall apart and join a quilt guild as you will learn much.”

 

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When you visit here, remember to go up the stairs into the loft to see quilts and gift items for sale.

 

For new shop owners, Susan highly recommends having a business plan and a knowledge of business. She says, “Do your research as anybody can throw fabric in a shop.” She highly suggests that wanna-be shop owners have business skills and encourages owning your own building rather than renting.

 

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She also ships.

 

Susan doesn’t have a website but Cabin Quilting can be found on Facebook. Stop in at Cabin Quilting to pet that doggie welcoming committee and tell Susan and the girls that Tu-Na sent you. 

 

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Susan, me, and Jill (one of the girls)

 

Continuing on our journey we found ourselves as far north in Minnesota that we could possibly go without our passports.

 

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Hello, Canada!

 

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A friendly greeting for travelers entering from Canada.

 

When we were in International Falls, we completed another section and received another fabulous fabric prize. I bought the pattern for the Labyrinth Walk quilt that’s been circulating around Facebook. We actually got to see a labyrinth quilt in person and talk to the quilter that sewed it so I know it’s doable.

 

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21 Flannel 10″ squares

 

Back into the car and on our way to another shop. Walking into Sadie Rae’s Quilt Shop, we discovered this very appropriate sign.

 

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57 times in 7 days. Need I say more?

 

Now a lot of people think Sadie Rae is the owner and so did I until I actually met her. I thought you might like to, too.

 

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Actually here she is in person.

 

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Me and Sadie Rae

 

Now onto my sister’s log cabin by the lake for supper and sleep.

 

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On the menu tonight was Grilled Barbecued Ribs, Oven Baked Cauliflower, Steamed Kale, Rice Medley, and Fresh Tomatoes and Pea Pods. All the vegetables were fresh-picked from the garden; I know that for sure–I helped.

 

 

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Now that’s a room with a view!

 

 

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Bald eagles soar over the lake.

What I Learned Today:

  1.  We live in a beautiful country.
  2. My sister is a fantastic cook.
  3. I really like log cabins.

 

Question: Have you seen or made the Labyrinth Walk Quilt shown on Facebook?

Be sure to read my previous posts for my daily top shops on the hop and my packing my bags posts. I’ve featured some great shops: you won’t want to miss a one. Only two more days of hopping left.

Linking to:

Myra at Busy Hands Quilt for Finished or Not Friday. (Button on the sidebar)

Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun than Housework for TGIFF

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?

Caroline at Sew Can She For Show Off Saturday

29 thoughts on “Tu-Na Travels: Day Seven on the Quilt MN Shop Hop: 354 Miles, 5 Shops, Credit Card is Smoking”

  3. Demaris Soso

    Karen, This is fantastic, scenery is out of this world, shopping in this shop would be a
    privilege like non other, supper at this log cabin by the lake would be like heaven, I know this for a fact, as I also have enjoyed this lovely B&B. You, as always have done a fantastic job of transporting us to another day of fun, what a good job of reporting your travels. Would love to
    see what other shops you will find along your route.

    Like

    Reply ↓
    1. Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats Post author

      Some days, the words just seem to flow! Other days, I sit and look at my computer. But usually once I start looking at and organizing the pics, it just seems to write itself. Glad you are enjoying my writing. There were quite a few other interesting shops that I didn’t choose for my daily top shop on the hop posts but sure could have.

      Like

      Reply ↓
  4. Jen R

    What a wonderful adventure! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. It helps us imagine that we were there shopping and visiting fun quilt stores instead of sitting in the office or at home. 🙂

    Like

    Reply ↓
  6. Christine

    What a wonderful day!! Love the pictures of all the gorgeous views, the furry friends, and the quilty pictures too! That sign is hilarious! And so very true. I have the Labrynth Walk quilt on my list of quilt patterns to buy. I’ve had no less than 10 non-quilty friends post the picture to my timeline on Facebook! I figure I should make at least one so they’ll stop posting it! Hahahaha!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats Post author

      It was so fun to walk into the quilt shop and see a customer picking up her labyrinth quilt from the longarmer. And to talk to her was amazing (pun intended). I only regret that I didn’t take any pics of it. I think I was totally blown away by it. Her quilt was in burgundy and had the maze effect.

      Like

      Reply ↓
  8. piecefulwendy

    The North Shore is one of my favorite places on this earth. I could sit by Lake Superior for days on end, and there are some great little shops up there too. I’ve not made a labyrinth quilt, but would like to some day. Hope you enjoy making it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats Post author

      Thanks!! It’s been a very fun experience and I’ve learned so much! I am so glad that I documented my journey here on my blog so that others could share in my experiences too. One more day to go! Will we finish or not? Then a really big post about all the loot I’ve bought!

      Like

      Reply ↓

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