Sleeping-in felt so good. We leisurely ate breakfast at the Hampton Inn in Rochester and then Tu-Na Helper prepared for his virtual conference. I sewed on my hexis, determined to finish all I had brought along. If I did, I would complete approximately 2/3 of what was needed for the project. It’s been my travel project for over a year now. I was ready to move this to the next step—appliqueing them to the background.
We arranged for a late check-out of 1 pm. Tu-Na Helper’s meeting didn’t last as long as he anticipated so we were able to leave the hotel shortly after noon.
Our first shop of the day would be Pine Needles Quilt and Sew just a short drive from the hotel. This was our last shop in the southwest region which was both good news and bad news—good in that we’d receive our incentive prize and bad because this was the last of the shops offering the two buck chunk deal. According to Tu-Na Helper that was still good news since I’d seriously gone way over my renegotiated budget.
We each received a bundle of Lori Holt from Riley Blake containing 3 1/2 yards of fabric (three halves and 4 fat quarters).
I opened up the yard and found the 4 fat quarters. This is the first time I’ve received or bought fat quarters this way.
We headed north toward the twin cities arriving at Quilter’s Haven in Rosemount which is in the Metro Region. We’d already visited two of the Metro shops several days earlier so we’d only have five to stop at this afternoon to finish that region.
We didn’t complete one region before going onto another region. Our Route 4 Me App directed us on the best route around the state. This often meant seeing other shops in different regions before completing a particular region. Sometimes, we had to skip over a shop because of opening or closing times causing us to either back track to it or stop by on another day.
I found it confusing to have several regions started on our passports. My job was to make sure we didn’t miss a shop. Tu-Na Helper was focused; he wanted to drive the shortest distance in the shortest time necessary to complete the mission.
We perused the fine fabrics, patterns, and samples at Quilt Cove in Eagan, Twin Cities Quilting in Roseville, and Knit & Bolt in Minneapolis before landing in Country Loft Quilt & Design in Forest Lake where we checked out of the Metro Region.
We each received 2 yards of Kona Eggshell. I’m really liking this basic one.
Back in the car, we breathed a sigh of relief. Shop hopping is hard work! We would be taking a break from the shop hop for several days and heading to Michigan to visit with our son and his family and attend our newest granddaughter’s baptism.
Tu-Na Helper: “How many shops are left?”
Me: “Four. I counted them. I’m sure.”
Tu-Na Helper: “We’ll be able to finish the hop easily on our way back home next week.”
If you’ve been checking my math, you know things were not adding up. Little did we know at this point that my math counting skills were inaccurate.
Tu-Na Helper turned the car in the direction of Wisconsin. He had already secured a room for the night in Eau Claire.
Tu-Na Helper: “I downloaded an audio book. Are you interested?” He showed me the title: Along Came a Spider.
Me: “Who’s the author?”
Tu-Na Helper: “James Patterson.”
Me: “I’ve never read any of his books.”
Tu-Na Helper: “Ok. I’ll take that as a yes,” and he proceeded to play it while I kept on stitching my hexis.
We would spend many hours during our drives to Michigan and back engrossed in that story. When we weren’t listening to it, we would be talking about it.
There would be no fancy or expensive food for us tonight. Tu-Na Helper had been craving a Crunchwrap for a couple of days so we stopped at Taco Bell along the route. I figured you didn’t want to see pictures of fast food anyway as it never looks as good in person as that displayed on the menu or TV.
This is the next day as we were rerouted to go through the middle of Chicago due to a delay on our usual route. I haven’t been on this interstate in about 10 years. Usually we take I-294 that goes around the outside of the city but the App said this way was 30 minutes faster. It took us 3 hours to crawl through the city! But I did get to see some buildings I haven’t seen in a long time.
A Look at the Loot for the Day
Here’s the six free patterns and 5″ squares of Quilt MN Shop Hop fabrics. I love the moose. It reads, Call of the Moose, which reminds me of Day Two and Tu-Na Helper’s near encounter with a moose.
A half yard of sunflowers for the floral applique project, a yard of blue, an almost full yard remnant of purple dot grunge, 1.5 yards of grunge with metallic gold for a Christmas wall hanging, and the last of my two buck chunks.
The Metro Area shops were giving shoe-themed charms with a $15.00 purchase. I don’t have a charm bracelet since I don’t wear much jewelry. I haven’t found a use for the ones I received in past years so I only picked up one this year.
Don’t miss out on my other 2019 Shop Hop posts:
Or the Shop Hop posts from prior years:
What I Learned Today:
- The shortest route may not necessarily be the fastest.
- I am slowing down with my purchasing.
- Listening to an audio book is fun; I can still sew and look around at the scenery.
- A full night of sleep makes me a much happier person.
Question: Are you a reader or a listener or a talker? For the past several years, I have not read much because it was hard to see for very long. I’ll have to give reading another try now that I’ve got my new glasses. I enjoyed listening to the book on our trip. But I am a talker; just ask Tu-Na Helper.
At this time I am not affiliated with any of the items, products, services, or shops that I picture or talk about here on Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats. I just happen to like and use them.
Thanks for stopping by and do come again.
Karen, Tu-Na Quilts
Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats 
I both read paper books and listen to audio books. The audio books I can download from the library using an app and I listen to them when I sew. I understand my new car will allow me to hook up to the tablet and I can play through the car speakers instead of using a stand alone speaker. We don’t usually talk in the car. I try not to be a side seat driver for my husband as he doesn’t appreciate the help. Of course, when we miss a turn, it’s my fault. That means I have to look out the right side window and daydream. I’m happy to hear your vision is improving. It seems like it’s been a couple of years since your surgeries. Looking forward to more of your travels.
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I’m glad you got some sleep. It makes everything much more fun. I love the colors of the fabrics you picked up. I only got 5 of the charms, since I didn’t spend enough at 2 of the shops. I haven’t used any of the ones I’ve gotten before. One year I bought a kit for a small tote bag. The model was made with the charms attached around the bottom edge of the top border. Maybe something like that would work for you.
Do you find yourself wishing that all of the shops would print their patterns on the same size paper? I do. I can understand how they have different complexity of designs that require more or less detail in the printing, but I think it would be easier to file them if they were all the same size.
The only time I’ve listened to an audio book was once when my son was driving us home from Milwaukee, and he played the first Harry Potter book. Unfortunately, it wasn’t over before we got home, so I’ve never heard the end of it. I can’t read while riding, because it makes me a little dizzy. Lately, it seems I mostly sleep!
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I’ve been enjoying your travels. I use those charms on zip bags or attach them to a pair of scissors with a ribbon or hair tie. Especially helpful when sewing in a group.
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Have you ever taken the ferry across Lake Michigan? You go from Manitowoc to Ludington MI it takes a couple hours
I love audio books – I didn’t at first but now I listen to one almost all the time I almost listen to more books then I read holding my kindle. I like that I can be listening to a book at the same time I am crocheting, walking, piecing, quilting – I put the ear buds in and listen from the ap on my phone for the library.
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We love audio books and have listened to the entire Chronicles of Narnia series.
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Sleep is good! I am not much of a reader as I can not sit that long…always feel I must be busy doing something…only time I sit is to be at the sewing machine…where in Michigan are you going? The drive around Chicago is always slow….love all the fabric💕 p.s….I am a talker but love to listen to other interesting people I meet!
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Taking the ferry that Karen talked about it worth it, just for the fun. It will give you plenty of time to stitch too! I’m a reader, hubby is a listener. I talk; him, not so much. Along Came a Spider might have been made into a movie, I think? I never read the book, but the movie was intense and suspenseful. Quilt Cove is one of my favorite shops.
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And the loot keeps rolling in!! A good night’s sleep makes all the difference in the world!!! I read every night before going to sleep! I have a Kindle and I read for maybe 15 minutes or so (or more if I can’t wait to see what happens next)! I have never listened to an audible book though. Thanks as always for your fun posts! xox
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Hi Karen! Ooh, I love James Patterson and Along Came A Spider is a good one to start on. There are quite a few to follow that one, and it’s been made into a movie as well with Morgan Freeman. Ugg, I travel that route every day from Wisconsin to the Chicago Northshore on Hwy 41/I-94 for work. 100 miles a day roundtrip. Depending on the time of day, I-294 is well worth the longer distance and cost in tolls than going through the City, but that’s just my personal choice. You sure have picked up a lot of sewing treats to keep you busy for a bit. I’m looking forward to your last (??) installment of four (plus) shops! ~smile~ Roseanne
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I could find a use for those cute charms…just saying!
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One of my local shops sewed 2 fat quarters together with a really wide stitch and used them as bags if you bought over a certain amount. It was a great bonus and I think they were trying to move some of their inventory. Your fat quarters stitched together reminded me of those bags.
I love audio books! Especially on long car trips.
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When I used my own car for traveling, I always had books on CDs! I like James Patterson, and that was a good book. Now I rent cars for travel, and most don’t have CD players any longer. I listen to conference talks from my church or have my church gospel library app read the scriptures as I drive, or sometimes I just have blessed silence. =) When I travel with friends, sometimes we talk, and sometimes we listen. I don’t really enjoy constant chatter. My brain needs a break!
You had some wonderful regional prizes in this hop. I’m really impressed. Even if you didn’t spend a fortune, you’d still wind up with some nice fabric and other good deals just from those. I don’t drive through Chicago, even if it takes me more time or more distance to go around. LOL It’s bound to be less stress. I’m so sad to see the end of your travel posts. I love going along vicariously.
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P. S. When I’m not driving, =) I read like a fiend. I read a book almost every day (or night!). Some from the library, some on my Kindle. If I don’t read, I’m like you without sleep. I do better without sleep, but I gotta read!
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