Tag Archives: Quilt shop hop

Tu-Na Travels: The 2016 Quilt Minnesota Fabric Loot

This post continues with my journey on the 2016 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop. In case you want to catch up with all the fun and frivolity, click here to find a link to the free and almost free loot and click here to find a link at the bottom of the page to all the posts about the daily top shops on the hop posts. Now on with the loot disclosure.

This fabric line is a one-time only printing. When the shops run out, it is gone forever.

My husband said, “Share the love.” So I divided up what I wanted and took 2 yards of the orange hash from three different shops.

I said in a previous post that I prefer the hunt and find method to pre-ordering this fabric line. It’s the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

Two 2 yard cuts of the brown hash and 1 1/2 yards of the green hash made it into the basket.

This approach doesn’t guarantee that I’ll end up with any of this fabric collection, but then again, it is exciting.

These 2 yard cuts will be nice in my MN Quilt but will also work well with other quilts.

This year I was fairly successful in finding what I wanted.

I’m thinking that 1 yard of each of these cuties will be used up all too fast. What was I thinking? It’s also the agony of regret.

It’s always interesting to see which fabric is the most sought-after fabric from the collection. Which will be the one that quilters chase after and regret not buying more of?

I did get bit by these cute bugs and took 2 yards each.

This year there were several: the mosquitoes and the colored fish were gone in a few days.

I got it! At some of the first shops we stopped at, I asked which fabrics they thought would be sell-outs. This one was predicted by three shops. So as soon as I found it, I bought a yard. But….

…a yard is so little. So I found another shop and bought 2 yards. Then my daughter-in-law called and asked if I’d get her some. “I’ll take even a fat quarter if you find some,” she said. It had been 4 days since we had seen any colored fish. Later in the week we found some at a remote shop in the lakes area. So I bought her a yard and took another yard for myself.

Since the colored fish were sold out, someone came up with a brilliant solution to use fabric crayons to color the plain fish. After posting this idea on the Quilt MN Facebook page, it then created a shortage of the plain fish.

Luckily, I had already reeled in 2 yards.

From the Quilt Minnesota Facebook page, many people are still looking for the orange and brown hash too. I was also successful in catching some other cute fun fabrics from this collection.

Canoes in light and dark–one yard each.

And oars to go with the canoes. Two 2 yard cuts of the brown and 2 yards of the blue oars.

The 2016 MN fabric line had 26 prints, a panel of 4 blocks and a pictorial stripe. While I didn’t get some of each of them—I never intended to, I did get what I liked and wanted to use.

One yard of the blue Trillium and two of the green.

One yard of the orange and two of the blue.

My husband spied a quilt that he liked at one of the shops. I decided he deserved to have one after going with me on this trip. So I’ll use the colored fish and several other prints from this collection to make a special one for him. I also have a couple of other quilt patterns in mind for this collection.

I just couldn’t resist adding another yard and a half of these hungry looking guys. No bug spray is necessary when using this fabric.

What I Learned Today:

I’d better start sewing a lot faster.
Mosquitos on fabric are a lot nicer than mosquitos on the arm.
Maybe pre-ordering isn’t such a bad idea (Nah-probably not going to happen).

Question: Do you shop faster than you sew or sew faster than you shop?

Linking with

Beth at Cooking Up Quilts for Main Crush Monday (Button on the sidebar)

Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts for Let’s Bee Social (Button on the sidebar)

Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun than Housework

Tu-Na Travels: The Free and Almost-Free Loot

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Was it just my own mom, or did yours, too, prolong the agony on Christmas Eve? Before we could open gifts, we had to have every dish, pot, pan, and cookie sheet washed, dried, and put away. There were a lot of them because she had been making Christmas cookies all day long.

I’ve read from your comments that a lot of you have been wondering and waiting patiently for me to unwrap and reveal my loot from my 2016 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop. Click here to find a link towards the bottom of the page that lists all the posts about that fun trip.

Let’s see just what snagged my line and made me cast my credit card to be netted and put in that cool treasure chest pictured on my last post. First up is the FREE STUFF! ’cause we all love FREE!

Each of the 72 participating shops provided every shop hopper with an 8″ finished pattern designed by their shop.

Here’s all 72 patterns I got!

Each shop on the hop also gave each hopper a 5″ square of the 2016 Quilt Minnesota Fabric.

I got from 1-4 squares of each of 25 prints. I was only missing one print-the parchment.

Here’s some close-ups of my favorites. Did I take the bait or keep on swimming by? You will find out on the next post whether I was able to catch any or regret not having pre-ordered. I can’t reveal all my woes or I’ll have nothing left to write. In the meantime, I have loads of free and almost-free stuff to reveal.

The colored fish would be the first one to sell-out within a few days after the shop hop started. Will I have predicted it and bought early on the hop or not?

Cute little retro campers would also be in short supply. These could also be found with an olive background, if you were lucky.

Everyone also loved those mosquitoes in either the tan or aqua background. Who could resist those buggy eyes? Obviously no one, since it also was a sell-out. Did I get bit or was I left sitting on the bank wishing I would have thrown in the line a little earlier?

All of the participating shops on the hop were also participating in the Row by Row and I used this opportunity to collect the patterns from all….

…except one shop, that is. There’s only 71 Row by Row patterns here. We were so excited to check out at one shop and get the incentive prize that we forgot to ask for their Row by Row pattern. It’s too far off the beaten path to return to again. It was a really nice one though and it gets even nicer as I dream about the one that got away.

In an effort to keep organized in the beginning of the hop, my husband and I each used a gallon zip-lock plastic bag to hold our patterns and fabric squares. We were delighted to receive this vinyl and canvas zippered pouch as our first incentive prize as it held our patterns and fabric squares nicely. We could be seen emerging from the car with the pouch in hand heading straight for the shop door.

It also held the Row by Rows that we were collecting. I also had room in mine to keep a yard or two of fabric that I was trying to match. Here’s how stuffed it was with 72 shop patterns, 72 fabric squares, and 71 Row by Row patterns.

Hingeley Road Quilt Shop in Floodwood, MN went above and beyond in providing us hoppers with patterns. They’ve published several quilt pattern books and gifted each hopper with a 40 page book which includes 15 quilt patterns including one that I have my eye on to use with those new Quilt MN fabrics. This was in addition to their fabric square and 8 inch block pattern! Thank you Hingeley Road Quilt Shop. I look forward to seeing you again.

In the book, Melissa says “……….my philosophy has always been: A quilt is a sum of your experiences and memories of creating and making it. Quilts are made for the enjoyment and experience, not for perfection. That crooked quilted line is because my 3 year old wanted attention and pulled on the quilt top, that point is cut off because I had to hurry to meet the school bus, those are the things I think of when I look at my quilts-not ‘I should have been more precise’ life is too short for perfection-just enjoy the experience.”

Many of the stores provided us with bottles of water, coffee, fruit (bananas and cuties), snack mixes, granola bars, chips, cookies, candy and chocolate. We appreciated those sweet little treats for us weary shop hoppers. Some of the shops also gave us fun little freebies to take.

Here’s what’s left of the candy. My husband found a flattened Rice Krispies Treat in his pouch. (I told him it would taste just as good and offered to test it for him; he didn’t fall for it either.) Anderson Factory Outlet and Quilt Shop provided the mini retractable tape measure (it will be handy in my tackle box, err purse), nail file and notepad. The Quilted Ladybug and Rather Bee Quilting gifted us with pens. This is Sew Broadway included a notepad with our Quilt Minnesota patterns and fabric squares.

There was a shop that included a thank-you with my purchase.

Thank you ABC’s of Quilting in Grand Rapids, MN for that sweet little fat-eighth. it’s perfect for my black and white project.

The Metro section was giving free charms with a $10.00 purchase and I netted some.

The fish is just a scale width over 3/4″. These probably will be sewn onto a project since I don’t wear bracelets. Three more charms are hiding in a safe place. I didn’t want to lose them and now I can’t find them! I sure hope they’re not in my tackle box (purse) as they will be lost forever!

The incentive prizes from each section were a really big catch.

Northwest Section-12 Batik fat quarters: Northeast Section-Layer cake (21 10″ squares) of Flannels: North Central Section-Snack Pack of 42 2.5″ x 44″ strips (We had our choice of snacks and we each selected the red and white without consulting the other.): East Central Section-9 solid color fat quarters: Central-lunch box: Southeast Section-Zippered Vinyl and Canvas Pouch and 5 quilt patterns: Southwest Section-12 fat quarter bundle: Metro Section-entered into a drawing to win some fabulous prizes. If one of us wins, you’ll be some of the first to know.

It’s official; we are now part of the SWAT TEAM!

A fun little prop from Fabrics Plus, Marshall, MN that I used as a personal fan until my husband decided to use it to swat a fly.

Now onto the really good deals that seemed ALMOST FREE.

The best deal I found was at DeAnn’s Country Village Shoppe in Litchfield, MN. They were having a sale in their demolition room (clearance). So for just $3.00 per yard (that’s correct—no typo), I was able to catch two excellent quality backings for quilts. However, this could also be the “fish that got away” as I wish I would have bought even more!

The orange with white dot is 7.75 yards of Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Joanna Figueroa for Moda. The text print on the right is Odds and Ends by Julie Comstock for Moda.

I was working on a project before we left and this text print would be perfect. So I reeled it in and said I’d take all that was on the bolt! It was a whopper at 8.5 yards.

In case you’ve been thinking that I’ve just been lying around resting since we got home, I will let you know that I now only have 3 yards of that text print left.

But that’s another upcoming post with an interesting story that I will warn you will require a box of tissue.

I only bought 3 fat quarters on the trip this year compared to the 125 I bought last year.

Those two green fat quarters were a steal of a deal at only $1.50 each at Anderson Factory Outlet and Quilt Shop in Blackduck, MN.

Each store in the Central Section had a special Dollar Ditty promotion. If you spent $10.00, you could purchase the promoted item for just one dollar more. I purchased some of them. Since the policy was one ditty per person, I did what every devoted quilter would do. I divided my purchases in two so my husband could also buy some.

The seam gauge and measuring gauge together counted as one dollar ditty from Cottage Quilts & Fabrics in Elk River, MN. I’ll keep the little sewing kit in the car as we live by the Boy Scout motto “Always Be Prepared.”

Finally, some of the stores even gave us “invitations” to come back. How can I say no?

Coming up next: A look at which of the 2016 Quilt Minnesota Fabrics didn’t get away. But first I have some zucchini that needs freezing and now the crab apples are ripe enough for making jelly.

What I Learned Today:

Free is always fun!
Life is too full of regrets. Fabric at $3.00/per yard is an incredible deal. I should have bought more. Next time shop more so there are less regrets.
I still worry about perfect seams.

Question: What was the best deal you ever found?

Linking:

Tuesday to Connie at Freemotion by the River for Linky Tuesday

and Sew Cute Tuesday

Wednesday to Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts for Let’s Bee Social (button on the sidebar)

and Silly Mama Quilts for Work In Progress

and Friday with Busy Hands Quilt for Finished or Not Friday (button on the sidebar)

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

Tu-Na Travels: So Where’s “The Loot”?

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Hi-ho, thar buckos!

Tu-Na’s Treasure Chest. Actually, my sister found my hiding place when she came shop hopping with us for Day 8. She peeked inside to see what was for lunch.

’tis be Cap’n Tu-Na tellin’ ye that I have th’ loot counted, ‘n safely stowed.

She sure was surprised! I called it my “high fiber” diet.

Thar’s much more thar than I thought. ’tis just taken much longer than expected. Be back in a day or a pair wit’ th’ first ‘o th’ loot from me 2016 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop to show ye. In th’ meantime, here’s a couple a pictures to whet ye appetite!

Were you thinking that was all?

Look what was waiting for me when I arrived home! Inside the envelope was the tiny Dresden plate template that I bought along the hop at the Spinning Spools Quilt Shop in New Ulm, MN. They were sold out but said they’d ship it when it was back in stock. I’d forgotten I ordered it so it was a nice surprise to have it waiting for me along with a hand-written note from the owner. It will be perfect for my 1930s repro fabric.

In addition to taking lots of pictures, I’ve had a pressing project to work on, too.

I’ll show you this project soon; I promise.

And these giants need some tending. The garden produce got out of hand while we were gone.

I’m thinking Oven-Baked Zucchini Fries, Zucchini Brownies, and Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread; my husband is thinking compost.

Stay tuned for Part Two of “The Loot—The Free and Almost-Free Stuff” coming up soon. Yes, I came across some really good deals—so good, in fact, that they made me think I was a pirate; I’ve got the credit card debt to prove otherwise! If you haven’t caught up with all my Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop adventures, you’ll see the list here.

What I Learned Today:

The cooler holds more than I thought.
The cooler made a good storage place after the garden produce was left at my daughter’s.
Receipts add up faster than I thought.
380 pictures of loot are a lot to weed out and edit.
The loot—it’s almost embarrassing.

Question: What do you do with overgrown zucchini?

Linking Sunday to Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun than Housework for Oh, Scrap!

Monday to Beth at Cooking up Quilts for Main Crush Monday (Button on the sidebar) and Love Laugh Quilt for Monday Making

It’s a Finish! 9 Days, 3368 Miles, 72 Shops, Lots of Memories and a Car Full of Fabric!

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VERY IMPORTANT!—If you haven’t done so, you might like to read the first part of Tu-Na Travels: Day Nine on the Quilt MN Shop Hop: 503 Miles, 6 Shops, Diamonds Would Have Been Cheaper! so you know what’s going on and then come back to finish reading the ending here. (click on the title in this paragraph to go there)

Here’s all my posts about the 2016 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop, just in case you need to catch up as you won’t want to miss out on any of those daily adventures and top shops on the hop posts.

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 Featuring Quilt Haven On Main in Hutchinson, MN.

Tu-Na Travels: Day Two on the MN Quilt Shop Hop: 507 Miles, 10 Shops, Made a New Budget Featuring Old Alley Quilt Shop in Sherburn, MN.

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

Tu-Na Travels: Day Four on the MN Quilt Shop Hop: 258 Miles, 8 Shops, Car is Filling Up Featuring Eagle Creek Quilt Shop in Shakopee, MN.

Tu-Na Travels: Day Five on the MN Quilt Shop Hop: 232 Miles, 12 Shops, The Tires are Bulging Featuring Quarry Quilts and Yarns in Sandstone, MN.

Tu-Na Travels: Day Six on the Quilt MN Shop Hop: 261 Miles, 9 Shops, Wishing We Drove a Truck Featuring Timeless Treasures Quilt Shop in McGregor, MN and ABC’s of Quilting in Grand Rapids, MN.

Tu-Na Travels: Day Seven on the Quilt MN Shop Hop: 354 Miles, 5 Shops, Credit Card is Smoking Featuring Cabin Quilting in Cook, MN.

Tu-Na Travels: Day Eight: 466 Miles, 9 Shops, Credit Card is Having a Meltdown Featuring The Old Creamery Quilt Shop in Randall, MN.

Tu-Na Travels: Day Nine on the Quilt MN Shop Hop: 503 Miles, 6 Shops, Diamonds Would Have Been Cheaper! Featuring This is Sew Broadway in Crookston, MN.

Now on with my adventurous journey.

The door closed right in front of me. I grabbed it and pulled hard hoping that it was still open although it was after the mall’s closing time. Miraculously it was not locked even though the clock said it was 5:05pm. That’s 5 minutes past the mall’s closing time.

My husband had gone to another door but that one was locked already. I held my door open and waited impatiently for him to catch up. We were now running down one hallway and then another looking for the quilt shop. Because of construction around the block, we were forced to park in an unfamiliar area and our bearings were off. Nothing looked familiar in this mall.

It was silent in the building. There was absolutely no one around. Were we in the right place? Frantically, I called The Quilted Ladybug hoping that someone would answer. When she did, I asked where they were located in the mall.

And then I looked up.

They even left the OPEN sign on to welcome us.

There I was right in front of the shop. We’d made it and they had waited for us!

Thank you to The Quilted Ladybug so very much for waiting for us! Otherwise, we would have had to wait to check-out until noon the next day or head for home and not finish the shop hop.

We did it! We are happy and tired statewide finishers; the first ones to finish at this shop.

Here’s the front and back page of my Quilt MN Shop Hop passport with all the participating store stamps. We are now entered in the big drawing for some really fantastic prizes. My husband thinks they should also have a prize to refund half the purchase price of items that were purchased from shops during the hop; in my case, that would be a very nice prize.

And here’s the inside with store stamps. It looks a lot different now than when we first got them (check it out on the day 1 post). There’s those ladybugs again confirming we stopped at and finished the NW section at The Quilted Ladybug.

While we were driving to the shop racing against time (but not speeding—well, not too much), I called The Quilted Ladybug in Moorhead to let them know that we were expected to arrive 5 minutes after closing time. “No problem, We’ll wait for you,” was Lisa’s cheerful response. “The outside doors will be locked so just give us a call and someone will come and let you in.” Thankfully, the mall door I tried was still open.

Our prize for finishing the Northwest section: 12 fat quarters of Blue Botanical hand dyed batiks by Clothworks. We picked up this prize from The Quilted Ladybug.

I have to admit there were several shops along the way that we called to ask if they would be around a few minutes before or after closing time.

It was refreshing to be the only people shopping in the store. I left my purse on the counter above and found more fabric to buy.

We didn’t bother to call shops if we would have arrived more than 15 minutes after their posted closing time. I did make it worth their extra time by making purchases at their shops. I never had difficulty finding something to buy.

There are ladybugs throughout the store. Can you find some in this pic?

So where’s all my “loot”?

Lisa remembered us from when we checked out at her store a year ago. Now that’s customer service!

Look for lots of pictures of my one-time only, special edition, never to be printed again, 2016 Minnesota fabrics; many solids for my grandson’s Minecraft quilt; thread; patterns; and some fabric I bought just because “I liked it” coming soon.

Thanks again, The Quilted Ladybug, for going above and beyond!

But first I need to rest a bit and look at what’s in the picnic cooler! ???????

Thank you Quilt Minnesota for a great shop hop experience!

What I Learned Today:

It’s (life) is all about the journey.
I have a terrific husband (but I already knew that).

Question: What’s in your picnic cooler?

Linking on Wednesday with:

Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts for Let’s Bee Social (Button on the sidebar)

Linking on Friday with:

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

The Quilt Journal for TGIFF

Myra at Busy Hands Quilt for Finished or Not Friday (button on sidebar)

Linking on Saturday with:

Caroline at Sew Can She for Show Off Saturday

Tu-Na Travels: Day Nine on the Quilt MN Shop Hop: 503 Miles, 6 Shops, Diamonds Would Have Been Cheaper!

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Diamonds may have been cheaper but definitely not as much fun as this trip has been.

“Take a deep breath and relax,” my husband said. “We only have 6 shops to visit today and then we are done. It’ll be an easy day.”

It’s been a long, tiring but happy trip. Our car is loaded with quilting fabric and patterns that will take me some time to organize and put away. Today should be the last day of our 2016 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop. Little did I know that it would be leading up to an unplanned Amazing Quilt Race at the end. Will we finish or not?

The first stop on today’s route would become my pick for today’s top shop on the hop.

Located at 113 S. Broadway, Crookston, Minnesota

The shop, This is Sew Broadway, is owned and operated by a father/daughter team. Jenn was away attending to a bus trip of quilters when we visited but I did get to talk to Robin, her father. Click here to go to their website for more info.

This building also houses Jenn’s other creative outlet, The Krazy Kiln, in the basement and three finished apartments upstairs. All those front windows let lots of light into the quilt shop making it a bright and happy place.

When we stepped into the door we knew they were waiting for us shop hoppers. Although we didn’t do any camping this trip, I did buy some MN fabric with campers on them.

Initially, Robin and his wife started the quilt shop in 2010. Sadly, his wife passed away in 2012 leaving him to operate the business with his daughter, Jenn. This is the fifth year This is Sew Broadway has participated in the Minnesota Quilt Shop Hop.

This is Sew Broadway offers a variety of classes in their classroom.

Originally, the building had been a grocery store and then served as a corporate office for Montana Dakota Utilities. When Robin purchased the building, it was in need of renovation. The apartments were not livable. He removed three layers of flooring to expose the original flooring.

There is a large selection of batiks and wooly flannels.

The new rubber roof was under construction when severe weather opened up the roof flooding all three stories. In an attempt to dry out the building, they had to gut more walls. This extra work revealed unopened cereal boxes hidden in the walls. Obviously, through the years when the building had been a grocery store, the boxes had been pushed off the back of the shelves through an opening into the inside of the wall. Some of these boxes are on display in the shop.

They also offer a wide selection of modern prints from RJR, Northcott, Wilmington, Michael Miller, Maywood, Moda, and more.

Robin does the sewing machine maintenance and repairs at the shop and says quilters should not to be afraid to turn the dials and change the settings on their machines to adjust and set the tension. “Learn your machine,” he advises. He also advises new quilters to start with the basics and get a good foundation of techniques.

Many samples hang from the walls.

As we were talking, a customer overheard our conversation and added this advice for beginning quilters, “Do one project at a time.” I should heed that advice but I think it’s already too late for me.

Robin also had advice for someone wanting to open a quilt shop. He cautioned, “This is not a 9-5 job.” According to him, new shop owners need to be prepared for the amount of work and the number of hours that are required to make it a viable business. He said it most eloquently, “It ain’t always greener on the other side of the septic tank.”

Emily, who works part-time here and has another job elsewhere, told me “This is my fun job.” I think it would be fun working there, too.

When you visit This is Sew Broadway ask to see those cereal boxes, but leave the milk at home, and tell them Tu-Na sent you.

Continuing on our journey we finished the North Central section and received our fabulous fabric prize.

A snack pack from Fabri-Quilt containing 42 2.5″ strips of red, white, and blue fabric and a pattern.

We only had three shops left to visit and then hand in our stamped passports at the last shop in order to be entered into the drawings for some amazing statewide finisher prizes. I checked the Quilt MN Shop Hop brochure for the shop hours of the last shop in the town about 40 miles away. “They close at 6 today,” I told my husband.

What a relief not to feel rushed. So we leisurely shopped the two quilt shops in Detroit Lakes and then stopped for root beer floats to celebrate our soon-to-be finish. After all, it had been quite a journey and we wanted to celebrate. Back in the car, my husband remarked that there was a lot of traffic on the road for a Saturday when everyone should be at the lake already. “Saturday!” I exclaimed as I reached for the brochure again. “Oh, no! They close at 5 on Saturdays!” My husband was not happy…

So the unplanned Amazing Quilt Race began as my husband and I tried to get to that last shop before the mall doors closed. The GPS on his phone said we would arrive at 5:05 but there was construction ahead. When we finally parked in the lot, I ran to the entrance. Someone was leaving the building and I wanted to catch that door before it closed and locked behind them. But I was too late. The door shut just as I reached for it.

Did we finish or did we not? Tune in tomorrow for the thrilling conclusion of the Amazing Quilt Race!

What I Learned Today:

Wait to celebrate the victory until there is a victory to celebrate!

Question: Do you work on one project at a time before starting another? Or do you have multiple projects in progress?

Linking Tuesday to

Connie at Freemotion by the River for Linky Tuesday

Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework for Oh Scrap!

Tu-Na Travels: Day Eight: 466 Miles, 9 Shops, Credit Card is Having a Meltdown

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I remember when I was a teenager and my little sister wanted to tag along with me. Back then, I didn’t like it. Fast forward many years and now it’s a different story; it’s lots of fun to have her around now. When my sister asked if she could come with us for a day, we were able to make our route work and let her tag along.

The three of us: my husband, my sister, and I, left her log cabin early to get to the first shop by opening time.

One thing is for sure; the scenery in Minnesota is very interesting and beautiful. Especially when comparing it to the flat open plains of North Dakota.

These cars in Park Rapids are not waiting for the street light to turn green. This is one of the few towns around with parking down the center of the street (as well as on the sides). My sister says it probably has something to do with the logging industry in prior days or maybe the streets were extra wide so Paul Bunyan could get his cart through.

We found Paul in Akeley. Look at that gorgeous Minnesota sky; I just couldn’t crop it.

I think Paul spilled his bag of cotton balls!

Along the route, my sister pointed to another quilt shop as my husband kept on driving past. “What’s this?” she asked. “If it’s not on the hop, we don’t stop?” Well, that’s the way it’s been on our trip. We’ve driven past quilt shops (and also thrift stores) and we don’t stop unless they are part of this year’s quilt hop. What’s interesting is that she used the exact phrase that we had been saying during the whole trip! I guess, sister’s do think alike, too.

My husband and I completed two sections today; we had stopped at most of the required stores earlier in the week.

9 fat quarters of solids from the East Central Region and a vintage-looking lunch box from the Central Region.

I thought I was dreaming when we happened upon my pick for today’s top shop on the hop.

The Old Creamery Quilt Shop is owned and operated by a mother/daughter team.

Starting a quilt shop had been a dream for this mother/daughter team. They would drive by the old creamery building located off Highway 10 and think about the potential this historic building offered. When the chance to buy it became a reality, they worked hard to fulfill their dream of a business incorporating their three loves: quilting, knitting, and food.

The Old Creamery Quilt Shop is located at 120 Superior Ave., Randall, MN.

I contacted Linda and Janelle, the owners, to find out more about their unique building. They said the historic building was in horrible condition when they purchased it. You can click here to go to their website to see pics taken during the major renovation. They hired a carpenter who let them finish projects in the evening to help save some money. They said “We started renovating in December 2011 and finished June 1st at around midnight!! In preparation to open on June 2nd! We should have given ourselves a little more time, but looking back, we may have not ever been ready!! It has been a labor of love that is still going strong.” This shop is beautiful and I could have spent even more time and money there.

The Randall Creamery was built in 1920 for butter churning and other processing needs of local dairy farmers. It continued to be a butter-churning facility until 1970 and then a place for farmers to bring their milk until 1973. The second floor served the community as a place to hold dinners. get-togethers, and theatrical plays on its stage. Since local homes did not have indoor plumbing, the upstairs lavatory allowed local men to come and shower for a dime. Hey, what about the ladies?

When we visited, the owners had already gone for the day and had left the shop in Ruth’s capable hands.

I am talking with Ruth who has worked in the shop since it opened. She suggests that new (and experienced quilters as well) work towards becoming as accurate as possible especially with 1/4″ seams.

Where ever you look, quilt samples are on display.

In the excitement of the day, we didn’t take any planned pics of my sister. Imagine my surprise when I discovered her on one of them anyway. She’s by the arrow, just in case you can’t see her.

You will find a large variety of traditional and modern quilting fabric at The Old Creamery Quilt Shop. There are Civil War prints as well as lots of bright modern fabrics.

About the time you think you’ve seen all they offer, you turn around and discover there’s another room to explore.

Linda and Janelle offer this advice to beginning quilters: “Take your time and enjoy every piece. Quilting is therapeutic. If you have set a deadline to finish your project, be sure you have given yourself plenty of time so you don’t get burnt out. Choose simple. Make sure your first project is not too difficult! We don’t want you to get discouraged on your first project!”

Linda started quilting 25 years ago and makes 1-2 quilts or table runners per week to display in the shop. And like many mothers, she taught Janelle to sew.

If you are thinking of opening a quilt shop, they suggest having a solid business plan and patience. “If you have the drive and enthusiasm, your dream can come true like ours did!” Thanks, Linda and Janelle. That’s good advice!

The shop is light and bright with all those large windows.

When it’s time to pay, just mosey on up to the counter between those vintage machines.

They also operate the coffee shop and yarn shop which is found just across the hall from the quilt shop inside this wonderfully restored historic building. Their three “WONDERFUL part time employees, Ruth, Eileen and Mary” help them out. Maybe if I lived closer, I could work there, too.

The coffee shop is open 10-2pm M-F and 9-4pm on Saturdays.

You will also find a variety of gift items available.

This yarn is so pretty; I think I should learn to knit! When I do, I know just where to go to buy some.

Janelle has quilted more than 300 quilts since the shop opened in 2012. The shop’s longarm studio is located upstairs on the second floor. They provide longarm quilting services for quilters and also offer longarm classes allowing quilters who’ve taken the class to rent time on the longarm to complete their own quilts. The second floor is also used for classes and has a large ballroom with a stage that is rented for Yoga every Friday, the knitting group, a community theater, aerobics classes, and expos.

Lois Brenner of rural Randall, from left to right, Jean Clark of Little Falls, and instructor Kristie Roach move into tree pose during a yoga class on June 4, 2013. Yoga classes are held Tuesday and Thursday mornings in a second floor studio space at The Old Creamery Quilt Shop in Randall. The 1,200-square-foot room is used for classes and workshops and is also available for rent. (Ann Arbor Miller for MPR)

View of the spacious upstairs and a yoga class in action. Pictures used by permission from The Old Creamery Quilt Shop.

When you visit The Old Creamery Quilt Shop, plan to spend lots of time there and be sure to have a cup of coffee. Oh, and tell them that Tu-Na sent you.

What I Learned Today:

Little sisters can be lots of fun when they get older.
Dreams really do come true (with a lot of hard work and maybe just a bit of luck).
If it’s not on the hop, we don’t stop; even when my sister is with us.

Question: What is your dream?

Linking on Monday with:

Beth at Cooking Up Quilts for Main Crush Monday (Button on the sidebar)

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt.

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

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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.