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.
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 Quilts, Travels, and Eats 