The loons did not call us to arise as they had last year (read that post here) but we awoke before the alarm sounded anyway. We both sighed — for me it meant that my shop hop fun was coming to a close and for Tu-Na Helper it meant that his fun could now begin.
If you recall from yesterday’s post (day 5), we secured the last hotel room in the greater Brainerd area for the night.
We arose early to prepare to drive the short 30 minute trip to the quilt shop in Pequot Lakes in order to be there when it opened at 9 am. I was still getting ready as Tu-Na Helper announced he would start taking our bags to the car.
He grabbed the cooler, slung his bag over his shoulder, unlocked the door, reached for the handle, and pulled. Nothing happened. He moved the deadbolt to the lock and then to the unlock position again and pulled on the door handle. Again, nothing happened. We looked at each other. Could we both still be sleeping and dreaming or is this the beginning of a quilting thriller? Help! Let me out. There’s shops to visit and fabric that needs to be bought!
He tried several more times locking and unlocking the door and pulling down on the handle with the same result and then searched the room for the telephone to call the front desk. There was no phone.
Morning came early and we headed toward Randall to visit The Old Creamery Quilt Shop (I featured them in 2016 here). We both groaned when we pulled into the parking lot as it was filled with cars AND a bus!
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.
Maybe it’s my imagination or maybe it’s not but this year’s route seems to be flowing so much better and faster. The first two days found us visiting a fair amount of shops each day because we were able to get to shops that open at nine in the morning and then to several that were open far into the evening. This really helps to get us moving down the list but it sure makes for a long, tiring day and a short night.
That being said, I now have leverage to admit that I forgot to mention that we checked out of the Metro section last night (day 2 post). It was about 7 pm when we arrived at Eagle Creek Quilt Shop in Shakopee. I featured them a couple of years ago (read their interesting story here).
A class was in process but I still was able to look around at the shop samples; ask if they had the pattern, A Little Bit Shorter Tall Tree, that was on my list; leisurely browse the clearance fabrics; and make a purchase before we got our passports stamped and received our incentive prize for finishing the Metro section.
However, I need to apologize to the lady waiting to use the restroom. Since the classroom tables usually hold the clearance fabrics, the staff had stacked the many bolts alongside one wall inside the single-use, spacious restroom and I took the opportunity to “kill two birds with one stone” albeit a little too leisurely behind a locked door.
We each received a mesh bag for completing the Metro section. There were only 8 shops in this section which is down from 11 a few years ago. Several quilt shops have closed but some have decided not to participate. Tu-Na Helper still abides by his motto, “If they’re not on the hop, we don’t stop.” I guess he has to draw the line somewhere.
If you’re looking for the Fall Into a QAL, you’ll find my post here. Of course, you’re welcome to stay and read about my adventures on the Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop as Tu-Na Helper and I travel the entire state visiting 59 shops or at least we hope to visit them all.
Our first stop for the day would be Country Loft Quilt & Design in Forest Lake. The quilt made from all the shops patterns was displayed here.
Tu-Na Helper and I submitted our entries to win the 59 kits which contain the fabric to make each of the blocks.
We arrived at Bluffview Quilt Shop just a few minutes past opening time to pick up our passports and begin this hop. It’s our fifth year of hopping around the state. The gals at Bluffview are just as friendly now as they were when I featured them two years ago (read it here). They told me that this years Quilt MN Shop Hop fabric is going fast. I was able to convince a few yards of the swans on teal background to fly into the car and I quickly closed the hatch to keep them there.
Starting bright and early in the morning (Monday), Tu-Na Helper and I (well maybe only I) will be singing:
We’ll be starting in Winona and working our way around the state. If you happen to see us out and about, do stop and say hi. We’d enjoy talking with you.
Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats 