Tag Archives: Minnesota Quilt Shop Hop

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

Hello, Canada!

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.

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.

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.

Me and Sadie Rae

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

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.

Now that’s a room with a view!

Bald eagles soar over the lake.

What I Learned Today:

We live in a beautiful country.
My sister is a fantastic cook.
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

Tu-Na Travels: Day Six on the Quilt MN Shop Hop: 261 Miles, 9 Shops, Wishing We Drove a Truck

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Continuing to drive around the entire state of Minnesota on this quilt shop hop is kind of like a marriage. We made the commitment in the beginning and we are going to see it through to the end.

Have you ever been around someone who is so positive and happy that no matter how tired you feel, you just start to feel energetic and happy and good about yourself?

Someone who welcomes you with open arms.

Diane, the owner of Timeless Treasures Quilt Shop in McGregor, is just that sort of person. This quilt shop has been in business for 13 years. Click here to go to their website for more info.

Timeless Treasures is located at 371 East Highway 210, McGregor, MN. The landlord built this building to look like the saloon in Gunsmoke (a TV Western series that ran from 1955-1975).

Diane has been quilting for 25 years. She says “Life is wonderful. I’m so lucky.” However, I think the quilters living in this area are the lucky ones.

That’s me digging in the wash basin of remnant goodies and, yes, I found some.

Prior to starting her business, she became very sick. During her recovery, her husband asked her, “If you could do anything you want, what would you do?” Because she loved quilting, her answer was, “Open a quilt shop.” And so she did. “I’ve met the best people in the world in this shop,” she tells me.

Diane’s advice for beginning quilters is to enjoy the process, accept that you will make mistakes, and just let yourself have fun with it. Her advice for aspiring quilt shop owners is to realize that there will be times that you will get discouraged and to develop “stick-to-it-ive-ness.”

I left Timeless Treasures having made two new friends and with 4 yards of Amazing Grace fabric that I’d given up hope of ever finding! (Diane, me, and Dakota)

Diane is not the only person working at Timeless Treasures with an infectious smile and personality. Dakota has worked at the shop for only three months. She’s made 10 quilts and is already designing her own patterns. Her advice to a young person looking for summer or part-time work is to, “Get a job at a quilt shop. You’ll meet some of the best people.”

I contacted Dakota later and she had this to say about her experience working at Timeless Treasures. “I absolutely love everyone I meet at the quilt shop and getting to know all the ladies in the hop has been the best thing to happen to me! Everyone of them brightens my day a little more! And I honestly love my job more than anything! Diane is the best part of my day and she appreciates everything I do for her which makes me love her even more!”

The front porch has an inviting bench for weary shop hoppers.

I left that shop a lot happier and with a smile on my face because of these two. When you visit Timeless Treasures Quilt Shop, tell them that Tu-Na sent you and be prepared to leave with a skip in your step.

Because sometimes things are just too good to pass up, I have a second top shop on the hop to share today. Continuing on the journey, we came upon this building in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids is also the birthplace of Judy Garland; at least that’s what the sign said as we came into town.

ABC’s of Quilting is located inside this historic building at 10 NW 5th St. in Grand Rapids, MN. This school was built in 1895 and was the first high school in northern Minnesota. In the beginning it was used for K-12 students. The school closed in 1972. Several shops, including the quilt shop, are located inside.

On the main floor is a huge split staircase with a balcony all around. It looks incredible and is worth the drive to see it and take a walk up and down.

ABC’s of Quilting is located just to the right of the stairs in the picture above.

This quilt shop opened in 2000. When we visited, the owner had left the shop in Linda and Megan’s capable hands. ABC’s of Quilting offers a longarm service for others and has an online store sending orders around the world. You can click here to visit their website and learn more about them.

Linda and Megan’s advice to new shop owners is to always remember to smile. Megan advises new quilters to keep going and try new things, and not to worry what others think. “Don’t worry about making mistakes.” Linda emphasized.

The shop uses two of the school building’s classrooms.

We continued towards Duluth as we had 4 more shops to complete before day’s end.

Our first sighting of Lake Superior.

Where the water meets the sky. Lake Superior by Duluth.

As we traveled along the North Shore looking for a hotel, we soon discovered everyone else had decided to come here for the weekend. Finally, we found one remaining room at Two Harbors and it offered a free round of mini golf.

Obviously, it’s been awhile since I played mini golf.

Much better, but I still lost by three points.

It just wouldn’t be right to leave the area without a stop at:

What is a Pastie? We had to find out.

We shared the Pastie (pictured on the left. A pastry crust covers chunks of chicken and potatoes and is served with gravy.). Word of warning to prevent embarrassment: Pastie is pronounced past + tee and not with a long A as in paste. I also had the blueberry salad with blueberry dressing which had really small blueberries which I suspected were local.

And we just had to have a piece or two of Betty’s pies. Click here to learn more about Betty’s Pies.

I chose the Great Lakes Pie which had rhubarb, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.

My husband had Turtle Coconut which was delicious–he shared.

And then it was back to our hotel room for a good soak. After all, the only hotel room left when we checked-in was the honeymoon suite.

A king-sized bed and a super big whirlpool tub–the perfect end to a perfect day!

What I Learned Today:

Smiling can be contagious.
No matter how often I hear “Don’t worry what other’s think,” I still worry.
Eating out is fun because someone else does the dishes.

Question: Who or what makes you smile?

Tu-Na Travels: Day Five on the MN Quilt Shop Hop: 232 Miles, 12 Shops, The Tires are Bulging

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My husband and I are a bit more than half-way done with completing the entire state on the Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop and we are still smiling and talking to each other. We’ve endured construction and experienced some detours. At one point, my husband had to refer to the map and said, “It’s a little longer. but it’ll get us there. We will survive.” I’m not sure who he was reassuring—me or himself.

Minnesota seems to have some of the most interesting skies I’ve seen. We’re traveling through an area that suffered a severe wind and rain storm two days earlier. Trees are snapped in half and several roofs on houses and buildings have holes or are partly gone.

If you need to catch up with my travels on the Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop, just click on each title to go to each post. Each day and each shop I feature is so unique, that you won’t want to miss any.

Tu-Na Travels: “All My Bags Are Packed, I’m Ready to Go” to Quilty Destinations Ahead

Tu-Na Travels: Day One: 635 Miles, 8 Shops, Blew the Budget Already

Tu-Na Travels: Day Two on the MN Quilt Shop Hop: 507 Miles, 10 Shops, Made a New Budget

Tu-Na Travels: Day Three on the MN Quilt Shop Hop: 152 Miles, 5 Stores, Forget the Budget

Tu-Na Travels: Day Four on the MN Quilt Shop Hop: 258 Miles, 8 Shops, Car is Filling Up

What’s this at Cottage Quilts & Fabrics in Elk River?

Curiosity got the best of us and we peeked.

We finished up the Metro area today and are heading north. This section incentive is a drawing for lots of prizes including a sewing machine. I’ll let you know if one of us is lucky and gets a new machine. I’ll need another one in order to sew up all the new fabric I’ve been buying.

My top shop on the hop for today is Quarry Quilts & Yarns in Sandstone, MN. The shop is in its third year of business and its second year on the shop hop. They have 9 part-time employees. Click here to view their website for more info and pics.

Quarry Quilts & Yarns is located at 326 Quarry Place, Sandstone, MN. Look at that pretty, blue Minnesota sky!

Have you ever felt that sometimes things are just meant to be? According to Toni, the owner of Quarry Quilts & Yarns, this shop was meant to be here at this particular address. Toni started making quilts just prior to 1980. She wanted to sell her quilts and opened an on-line shop on Etsy but she needed a name. She chose the name Quarry Quilts because the town of Sandstone is known for its quarries. The stone has been sent and used all over the country including buildings in Washington DC.

There is a large selection of quilting cotton, batiks, flannels, and yarns.

After a short time, she wanted to start a brick and mortar store in town. When this building came up for sale and she saw the name of the street, the decision was made. Serendipitous for sure, Quarry Quilts should be located on Quarry Place.

Toni’s advice for beginning quilters is to “take a beginning quilting class and learn about seam allowances and pressing.” She also states that beginner quilters need to know what good fabric is and where to buy it.

Toni’s advice for anyone interested in setting up an on-line store or a brick and mortar store is to do a lot of research first: know what futures are, the type of fabrics the quilters in the area want, suppliers and companies you will be ordering from, and most importantly where to locate your store. Toni says, “You can’t stock just what you want. You need a variety.” She emphasizes that you need to have good customer service, lots of samples on the walls, and most importantly, “It’s location, location, location.”

Toni also has an Innova longarm quilting machine which she uses to quilt for others. She boasts a one-week or less turn-around time. So if you need quilting done quickly, check with Toni and tell her that Tu-Na sent you.

The free pattern and 5″ square of Minnesota fabric from Quarry Quilts & Yarns.

We spent the night at a small, but very clean, motel in Barnum and ate at The Lazy Bear.

This is the balcony view from our motel room at the Northwoods Inn and Cottages in Barnum. It was quiet and peaceful. The new owners of this motel just took possession a few days ago.

Look who we found! Did you think it was Paul Bunyan? It fooled us, too; then we thought Paul carries an axe and not guns. According to the waitress at the Lazy Bear, it is Big Louie, a monumental 25′ tall statue of a French fur trader. We will have to keep looking for Paul.

We ate our evening meal at the Lazy Bear Grill located just a few hundred feet from the motel in Barnum.

What I Learned Today:

Taking the longer way will be OK.
Good internet connections are invaluable.
Poor internet connections make this modern life difficult.
Don’t apologize for my mistakes in my quilts. (Learned this while listening to American Patchwork and Quilting’s podcast today.)

Question: Do you point out your quilting mistakes or apologize for them?

Linking with Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts. (Button on the sidebar)

and Leanne at She Can Quilt for Scraptastic Tuesday (Button on the sidebar)

and Connie at Freemotion by the River for Linky Tuesday.

Tu-Na Travels: Day Four on the MN Quilt Shop Hop: 258 Miles, 8 Shops, Car is Filling Up

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Today started early as we said goodbye to our daughter and headed towards the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Our snacks in the car have been dwindling. Yesterday, we ate the last of the banana bread that I made at home before we left.

Years ago, my Mom gave me a great recipe for banana bread and for years I’ve made it but it has never looked this good before.

Many of the shops along the way are treating us to snack mixes, bottled water, candy, chocolate, and even fruit. It is so appreciated and we feel so welcomed. Thank you very much!

Someone is going somewhere. The suitcase on the right reminds me of my mom’s which she showed me lately but mom’s is loaded with fabric!

My top shop on the hop pick for today was Eagle Creek Quilt Shop in Shakopee. The cart pictured above is located outside the building along the sidewalk just to the right of the picture below.

Eagle Creek Quilt Shop is located at 333 Second Ave W., Shakopee, MN.

This quilt shop, located in a beautifully renovated Railroad Depot built in 1909, opened for business on June 28, 2001.

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However, that is not the building that the owners had intended to use for their shop. They originally had renovated another building at The Landing in Shakopee. In January 2001, just six weeks before opening, that building burned to the ground. While fire was destroying all of their hard work and their fabric inventory which was still in boxes, the two owners, Lori and Becky (who is now retired), began talking about the future of their business. Upon Becky’s urging, the old railroad depot was selected for their new location. Lori said, “It was a disaster” since it had been vacant for 30 years after the railroad stopped using it. The old depot was purchased and another renovation project begun.

The original floors were cleaned and polished and woodwork was refinished.

The depot has 16′ high walls which gives lots of space to hang quilts. To add to the charm, they have retained the names of each of the rooms. Here in the freight room, you will find batiks, wools, and Kaffe Fassett among other items.

The telegraph room has…

remnants of the telegraph equipment high on the wall.

Classes are held in the Women’s waiting area which sports it’s own women’s restroom. Back in the day when this depot was built, women had a separate room to wait for their train to arrive.

In the Women’s Restroom (since it is the only restroom in the building it is also available for men as well), look up and see this wonderful original light fixture. The original men’s restroom is now the business office.

Lori and I are talking in the Main Passenger Waiting Area. The ticket window is between the white shelves.

“My business partner and I didn’t want to be the biggest shop in the world,” says Lori but at 2400 square feet, the shop boasts a wide selection of fabrics including batiks, Kafe Fasset, contemporary, traditional, historic, and the largest selection of wool in the Twin cities.

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In 2003, American Patchwork and Quilting named Eagle Creek Quilt Shop as one of the top quilt shops in the country for that year and in 2007 it was one of the 20 best shops ever. Look for their cookbook, coming in October, which will contain 450 recipes with proceeds going to their local food shelf.

Several antique sewing machines are on display in the shop.

Lori’s advice for beginning quilters is to find a good quilt shop and take classes there as that can help you avoid making mistakes. She says getting involved with your local quilt shop will help you with your quilting questions and also provides a way to build friendships through socialization opportunities. Eagle Creek Quilt Shop offers a monthly Breakfast Club with food, fun, demonstrations of a new technique or tool, and a free pattern. Click here to visit their website, to learn more about the Breakfast Club and other events and classes, and see more pics.

Lori showing us railroad pins and keys that belonged to her grandfather. I bought 2 yards of the Minnesota Oar fabric.

“If you have to work, it might as well be fun.” says Lori. I guess they got it right as Kathy, one of their 12 part-time employees says, “It’s (Eagle Creek Quilt Shop) my happy place.”

When you visit Eagle Creek, be sure to take a selfie with the most photographed quilt in the shop and tell them that Tu-Na sent you.

Oh, dear. I forgot to take my picture with it. I guess I’ll have to go back to see them again.

We completed the SE section and received this project tote. It will come in handy to store my patterns and charm squares that I collect along the route and also hold the piece of fabric that I am trying to find in black. Inside the tote, is the free pattern and 5″ square of the elusive fish fabric from Eagle Creek Quilt Shop. This colorful fish fabric is the one that is selling FAST! Luckily I spied some, cast the credit card, and caught 2 yards.

Hello Minneapolis! We are now on our way to dinner with my friend and her granddaughter.

Dinner tonight at The Good Earth is Sea Scallops with Caramelized Bacon, Pesto Risotto, and Pea Tendrils. I didn’t know tendrils could be eaten. They were tender and tasted like peas.

And a Dark Chocolate Cherry Smoothie.

What I Learned Today:

The sign I saw at a shop along the route was right: I shop faster than I sew.
When bad things happen: pick yourself up, make a new plan, and keep going.
Spending time with a very good friend is time well spent. Thanks Jann!

Question: Is your local quilt shop located in an interesting building? I’d love to hear about it.

Linking to Beth’s Main Crush Monday. Button on the sidebar.

and Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt.

and Lea Anne at Podunk Pickin’s

Tu-Na Travels: Day Three on the MN Quilt Shop Hop: 152 Miles, 5 Stores, Forget the Budget

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Little did I know when I awoke this morning, that I would be in for a very special treat!

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While visiting the quilt shop in Lake City, the gals told us about an event being held at the marina a few blocks away. Since my husband and I like adventures, we decided to check it out.

The event involved 30 sailboats and 110 volunteers.

Fifteen minutes later we found ourselves setting sail on a one-hour sailboat ride on the Mississippi River.

For a small donation of $40.00 to the Sailing for Leukemia fundraiser sponsored by the Lake City Yacht Club, we could set sail.

We got the “princess” seats in the back.

Two foreign exchange students enjoyed the ride way up front.

Holly, the owner of the boat and a Dairy Queen, tells me that she is a quilter, too. What a coincidence! Holly started sailing at age 10. Dianne is piloting the Royale Treat today.

All too soon it was time to fold up the sail.

Now that’s a big steering wheel.

I would have liked to have sailed longer but another treat was awaiting as we still had one more shop to visit. My top shop on the hop today was Bluffview Quilts.

Bluffview Quilt Shop is located at 1671 1/2 W. 5th Street, Winona, MN.

As I stepped into Bluffview Quilt Shop, I was warmly greeted by the owners: Mary, Pauline, and Randi. The shop opened in May 2012. This is their third year on the hop. Originally, the shop had been called Clubhouse Quilters but with some partnership changes it was renamed.

Mary, me, Randi, and Pauline

Each of the owners has an area of specialty that they bring to the shop: Randi specializes in hand applique and embroidery, Pauline in paper piecing and Mary in traditional quilting. The three work well together as a team. Pauline says, “We all have different tastes. It gets pretty exciting sometimes.”

The wall color was picked by taking a well-liked fabric swatch to the paint store. It was so well matched that if they had any more of that fabric left and placed it on the wall, it wouldn’t be found.

Mary has been quilting for 25 years. Pauline is a “born again quilter” having restarted three years ago after a 25 year hiatus and Randi entered the business as a new quilter. Pauline’s first quilt was used as a store sample and sold for $600.00 but she also says “If you look around and see the unfinished ones-those would be mine.”

The building originally held a hair salon and golf equipment. The back part (where the tables are) was a garage. It still has the original flooring.

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Mary’s tip for a beginner quilter is to talk to your local quilt shop as they will help you get started. Mary, that’s good advice. Bluffview Quilt Shop is “All about fabric, fun and friends” and I can see they have all three of these. When you visit, tell them Tu-Na sent you.

What I Learned Today:

Spontaneous activities can be lots of fun.
Slow down; enjoy the ride.
It is hard to shop hop all day and try to write a post at night.

Question: What have you done at the spur of the moment?

Tu-Na Travels: Day Two on the MN Quilt Shop Hop: 507 Miles, 10 Shops, Made a New Budget

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Our daughter, also a quilter, joined us for day 2.

We are enjoying some mother-daughter time sitting on the front porch waiting for opening time.

The day began early as we left her house around 8. After a quick stop for coffee, we headed down the road. Making our way along I-90, so close to the Iowa border we could almost see it, we stopped at Old Alley Quilt Shop in Sherburn. You can find more photos and info on their website.

Come along with me and I’ll show you why this shop scores a perfect 300! Located at 115 N. Main St. in Sherburn, MN.

The two owners had been school teachers and friends and shared a love of antiquing. Sharon was the quilter with Becky having no interest in it. During those antique-hunting trips, Sharon would drag Becky through some quilt stores and somehow, neither can quite remember how it happened, a quilt shop business idea was born. The big question was where. Sharon had lived in Sherburn for many years and had never thought that the old bowling alley would make a good business. Goodness, it had been abandoned for five years. After a quick inspection at 4:30 pm on Halloween night of 2003, they discovered this “diamond in the rough” complete with bowling balls, pins, and even cases of beer. Using a flashlight, brave Becky inspected the building walking through to the back while Sharon stayed and guarded the front door.

I think only these two could have seen the potential!

Becky’s husband, Joel, counseled them, “Don’t let a hole in the roof stop you.” So with that advice, they bid a $1.00 and scored the building for $125.00 after additional fees.

They spared no expensive, putting on a new roof first. No more hole in the roof now! The inside was completely gutted.

Renovations took a full year, even with the help of family and friends, and finally on October 30, 2004, they opened their door for business. By now they’d moved the front door to the side of the building and added windows.

The outside sports antique sewing machines and flowers. Becky is the nature lover and keeps those flower beds tidy.

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They kept the original bowling lane flooring.

Close-up of the floor.

Extra original flooring was used as a cutting counter.

This was the back of the bowling alley as you can see the places to set the pins.

When you visit Old Ally Quilt Shop (it is worth traveling out of your way for), be sure to look on top of the shelves as you will find more antique sewing machines.

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Sharon has her mother’s and her grandmother’s machines on display and says that people are now bringing their old machines to them.

The inside of the shop was furnished by dumpster diving and curb shopping. They held a rummage sale selling off the items found in that old building.

Sharon is showing the thread cupboard that they purchased for $3.00.

So where was Becky today? She’s gone fishing. According to Sharon, “Becky has come a long way (she now quilts and runs the longarm). I don’t fish.”

Thanks, Sharon, for telling me about your fabulous shop!

If you get the chance, and it’s worth going out of your way to find it, do stop in at Old Alley Quilt Shop to look around, talk to the gals, look at their scrapbook of before and after pictures, and of course, shop. Tell the gals that Tu-Na sent you.

During our drive we enjoyed watching a storm build.

There’s much more to tell when I get home and have better internet connections. In the meantime, here’s the three of us at the end of the day.

One more store to visit and we will finish the southeast section and earn a 12 fat-quarter bundle.

We each earned a 12 fat quarter bundle of Ariel by Robbin Rawling from Quilting Treasures.

What I Learned Today:

There’s beauty even in storm clouds.
Quilters and quilt shop owners are some of the friendliest people I’ve met.
A bowling alley makes a great quilt shop.

Tu-Na Travels: Day One: 635 Miles, 8 Shops, Blew the Budget Already

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The alarm rang at 4am signaling that our adventure was about to begin.

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By day’s end we had traveled 635 miles, visited 8 quilt shops in Minnesota, and bought many yards of Minnesota fabric.

The first shop was 250 miles away from home. When we arrived, we filled out our passports.

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Each shop on the hop will stamp their spot. We will also receive a pattern for a specially shop-designed block and a 5″ square of the Minnesota fabric.

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I love road trips as there is so much to see while traveling. Each day on the hop I will choose one amazing shop to showcase here. Picking today’s featured shop was difficult as I had many favorites from which to choose.

And then I found it!

Quilt Haven on Main is located at 7 Main St. in Hutchinson, MN.

Quilt Haven on Main in Hutchinson, MN will be celebrating their 4th year in business in November. Learn more about them here. This is the third year they have been participating in the hop.

As I entered the store, I could tell this was a place with some interesting history.

Interesting signs and other items greet you in the entrance. Be sure to look for their beehive and bee cookie cutters.

When I visited, the owners had left the shop for the day in the good hands of their employees: Marcie, Connie, Linda, and Karen. After talking with these gals, I knew they were partly responsible for putting and keeping the “fun and inspiration” into this shop.

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The building was built in 1913 and initially housed a furniture store. However, my husband remembered there was more to this story and I pressed Marcie for more information. She, rather reluctantly, said that furniture stores in that era were responsible for making caskets. Yes, caskets had been made downstairs in this building.

Later, the building became the design studio for Lynette Jensen of Thimbleberries with an attached Thimbleberries store. The store and design studio closed in 2012. However, Lynette continues to design for RJR. Sometimes customers ask the staff at Quilt Haven if they still carry “Lake Life,” Lynette’s fabric line.

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When visiting this shop, be sure to look up at the original tin ceilings which are found throughout the building including the basement. And don’t forget to look all around at the beautiful quilts on display on the street level as well as upper level.

Speaking of the upper level, Quilt Haven on Main offers “Laughter in the Loft” on the first Friday of every month. The girls will tell you that Laughter in the Loft is the free open-sewing time that is sure to inspire you to create in the presence of friends. Be sure to call ahead ((320) 587-8341 or (888) 843-8215) to reserve your spot as they are often filled. I know if I lived closer, I would be there often to sew and share.

When you visit Quilt Haven on Main, take a walk up and down the “Scarlet O’Hara” staircase so aptly named by Marcie.

“Oh, Rhett, I’ll take a yard of that red one and maybe three of that.”

Marcie, Karen, Connie, and Linda will welcome you to this shop and help you find fabric for every project you have in mind and even some you don’t. But then again, with so much variety to choose from, how can one resist adding some to your stash?

What I learned today:

4 am is really early.
Whatever I forgot to bring with, I can buy along the way. My husband assures me that they have stores in Minnesota, too.

Question: Have you been to Quilt Haven on Main? If you do visit, tell them Tu-Na sent you.

Tu-Na Travels: “All My Bags Are Packed, I’m Ready to Go” to Quilty Destinations Ahead

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Plans are underway for my husband and I to travel the entire state of Minnesota in a few days. The MN Quilt Shop Hop is beginning! Read more about it here. For the third year in a row, we will visit over 70 shops, get our “passports” stamped, enter to win prizes, earn some incentives for completing each section, and buy some unique quilting fabric—ok, probably buy a lot of quilting fabric.

Each year a fabric line is designed just for the hop. Looks like it’s the year of the mosquito! Campers is available in light olive (pictured) and light khaki.

Last year we spent 11 days traveling 4343 miles visiting 70 shops resulting in a fabric bill that was larger than our gas, food, and lodging combined! In my defense, we stayed at the homes of several friends and family members along the way, carried a cooler in the car for lunches, and drove a Prius which averaged in the mid 50s mpg.

I’m sure some of this fabric line will find its way into my house. Mosquitos is available in light khaki (pictured) and light aqua.

So how does one prepare for this event? My husband has entered all 73 shop addresses into a computer program and it’s been churning to give us the best route. The problem is that I closed his computer last night and he had to restart it all over this morning.

These fabrics could be pre-ordered but can not leave the shop until the hop begins. Trillium is available in light aqua (pictured) and light olive.

I’ve located the cooler. Why do we carry a cooler for lunches? Even with extended shop hours during the day, there isn’t much time to find a restaurant to grab a bite for lunch and still be able to get to many shops before they lock their doors for the night. In the evenings, we enjoy finding a local restaurant and eating a delicious meal but during the day, we snack out of the cooler and from the snack bag: cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, trail mix, and some fresh fruits and vegetables.

Just like last year, I decided not to pre-order. I guess I like the thrill of the hunt. Canoes is available in light khaki (pictured) or dark taupe.

I have my cell phone and charger in case I need to check with a store regarding their closing time. Several times in the past two years that we’ve done the hop, I’ve called ahead as the GPS says we’ll arrive a few minutes after closing and they’ve been nice enough to stay open for us until we arrive. Of course, I do reward their extended time by doing a bit of extra shopping. Yes, we use a GPS and my husband’s I-phone and, sometimes, we even have to resort to a paper map. We’ve been directed to dead ends, found ourselves miles off-course, and been re-routed by detours. Last year was the year the entire state seemed to be under road construction as even our detours were detoured. Eventually, we found our way to the shops often joking about having arrived by way of “the scenic route.”

Last year one particular wildflower fabric sold out within the first few days. Luckily, I happened to snag a yard of it. Oars is available in light teal (pictured) and dark taupe.

I’m bringing my running shoes. This year’s goal is to complete the hop in 8 days or less. This will require me to do a bit of running and fast shopping. I’ve got my list (and my mom’s list): Aurifil thread, more 1930 repro fabrics, solids for a Minecraft quilt for my oldest grandson, and, of course, some of this cute Minnesota fabrics.

And who couldn’t resist some fish? Fish is available in cream (pictured) and light taupe.

The fabrics pictured here are just some of the special fabrics printed just for the hop. See the rest of them here. Which ones will I find and which will I let get away?

All that’s left to do is load the car and drive…a lot!

What I learned today:

I left my favorite rolling suitcase at my winter house.
My husband says, “You need to have a plan for the fabric you will buy.”
I plan to like all that I buy.

Question: Have you ever gone on a shop hop? Tell me about your shop hop experience.

Your comments are appreciated! Click on the title of this post if you don’t see the comment box. I respond either by email or here on the blog. Thanks.

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