I knew something (or should I say someone) was missing when I first stepped through the door of Heather’s Book Nook & Sew Much More in Granite Falls. I looked around and then I asked.

I was saddened to find out that the lovely, older, official door greeter who lovingly stamped our passports, handed us the pretzel rods, and bid us a good day would not be doing that anymore. She will be missed but I am sure she is now stamping the passports of those waiting to enter the Pearly Gates and redirecting those who don’t qualify.

Back into the car, we headed toward Gathering Friends Quilt Shop in Bird Island. When I pushed open the very heavy door, I knew I’d found…

Today’s Top Shop on the Hop

Deb Jacobs, co-owner with her sister-in-law, Kathy Ludowese, opened the shop in the old bank building which had been built around 1900.

Nudged by their Moda representative, Holly Taylor, Deb and Kathy began their book writing career sitting shoulder-to-shoulder at their office desk located inside the bank vault. “We had to like each other,” Deb laughed. I got a tour of the bank vault (or should I say I stuck my head inside the door) and noted that it indeed was not very big.

Together, Deb and Kathy proceeded to write 24 quilting books and many, many patterns. Check out their website here or their Etsy shop here to order books, patterns, and fabric.

 In 2004, they expanded the store by purchasing the adjacent two buildings.

Prior to opening the shop, Deb had been sewing from home. She was looking for something to do and attended a quilt retreat in 1995. She joined forces with her sister-in-law and they opened the quilt shop in 1998. Twenty years later they are planning to retire and are in the process of selling their business to a potential buyer. Had I known that it was for sale, I might have bought it! We wish them well.

Stop by this shop to browse the 3000 bolts of fabric.

The shop is filled with numerous samples to provide customers with inspiration.

Deb advises quilters not to be afraid to use color in their quilts. “Don’t be matchy-matchy. Every quilt needs a pop of color.” This is evident in their colorful shop samples.

You can find more info on their website here as well as check out their books and patterns for sale and class offerings.

Plan a trip to Bird Island to browse this shop and look for the picture of the bank being built. When you do get there, be sure to look up to see the ceiling and let me know if it is an original tin one. Oh, and tell them that Tu-Na sent you.

Tu-Na Helper’s Old and New Titles

We said our goodbyes and jumped into the car. Tu-Na Helper had another phone conference and he wanted to get to Hutchinson before it began. We didn’t make it.

When we finally arrived at Quilt Haven on Main (featured in 2016 post here), they remembered that Tu-Na Helper was dubbed CEO (Carry Everything Out) at their shop last year. He said the title still fits. Bonnie, the owner, showed me a wool pressing mat. I’ve seen friends using one and think I’d like one, too, but I need to do a little research first before I make a purchase.

We grabbed two jumbo raspberry/white chocolate muffins from a local bakery and two coffees from a coffee shop and then hit the road again. Sorry, no picture of the muffins as I didn’t think to do it until they were gone. You will just have to take my word for it that they were delicious!!

Our next stop would be DeAnn’s Country Village Shoppe in Litchfield. I’ve found great bargains there and was hoping I would again. I was not disappointed. They were celebrating Derby Days and their demolition room (clearance) was an additional $1-2 off per yard. I should have grabbed a bolt of bicycles on a pink background but I couldn’t think where I’d use it until we were far outside the city.

One more shop to visit and we’d check out of this section. When we entered Gone to Pieces in Kimball, we both remembered this shop. I headed right for the back and there it was—the big box of scraps. I overfilled two snack-size, Zip-Loc bags and handed them to Tu-Na Helper to close. He not only met the challenge but Linda dubbed him “Master Bagger.”

We checked out of the South Central region here and each of us received our incentive prize of a ceramic mug, two chocolates, and enough coffee for two mornings.

After leaving the shop, we had to backtrack a bit to pick up Quilted Treasures in Rogers as they had already been closed when we were there earlier in the week. We arrived just at closing time but Tu-Na Helper noted the sign on the door indicated they were open until 8 this evening. I guess he wouldn’t have had to drive so fast after all.

We also checked out of this section, East Central Region, and received our incentive prize. 

I found several fat quarters that were on clearance for $1.50. I would have found more but Tu-Na Helper informed me that we needed to be on our way if we wanted to make it to Gruber’s in Waite Park before closing time.

We made it there just minutes before closing time. Sue, happy and smiling as ever (I featured her shop last year — read the post here), invited us to shop anyway and we did.

Later, we found Joy outside of a hotel while we were looking for a room.

We grabbed some supper at the Urban Lodge in Sartell and then headed to the hotel. Tomorrow would come early as we had to drive to Randall and get there by opening at 9.

Tu-Na Helper’s Top Sights of the Day

 

Don’t Miss This Year’s Shop Hop Posts

Tu-Na Travels: On Minnesota Roads Again

Tu-Na Travels: Day One, 352 Miles, 10 Quilt Shops, Only 49 Remaining

Tu-Na Travels: Day Two, 339 Miles, 9 Shops, 40 Remaining

Tu-Na Quilts: Day Three, 346 Miles, 9 Quilt Shops, 31 Remaining

What I Learned Today:

1. When I’m tired, I can’t think fast enough. The fabric with the bicycles would have been perfect for the backing of my French Poodle quilt. We saw lots of bicycles in Paris.
2. I’m very forgetful. I forgot to add biscotti to our Trader Joes list and now we have to go without.
3. I can make biscotti when I get home.

Question: What do you eat with your coffee/tea? Usually, I don’t have anything but once in a while I’ll have a biscotti from Trader Joes when I’m home or a pastry when I’m traveling.

Thanks for stopping by and do come again.

Karen, Tu-Na Quilts

At this time I am not affiliated with nor receive compensation for any products, services, companies, or shops that I mention here on Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats. I just happen to really like them.

Linking to:

Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilt

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