About the time the sun started to rise, that cicada decided he was done partying for the night and quieted down. As his tired little voice gave way to sleep, I heard another sound—the alarm clock. (Remember he was stuck in the air conditioner unit—read about it here if you haven’t already done so).
The loons did not call us to arise as they had last year (read that post here) but we awoke before the alarm sounded anyway. We both sighed — for me it meant that my shop hop fun was coming to a close and for Tu-Na Helper it meant that his fun could now begin.
If you recall from yesterday’s post (day 5), we secured the last hotel room in the greater Brainerd area for the night.
We arose early to prepare to drive the short 30 minute trip to the quilt shop in Pequot Lakes in order to be there when it opened at 9 am. I was still getting ready as Tu-Na Helper announced he would start taking our bags to the car.
He grabbed the cooler, slung his bag over his shoulder, unlocked the door, reached for the handle, and pulled. Nothing happened. He moved the deadbolt to the lock and then to the unlock position again and pulled on the door handle. Again, nothing happened. We looked at each other. Could we both still be sleeping and dreaming or is this the beginning of a quilting thriller? Help! Let me out. There’s shops to visit and fabric that needs to be bought!
He tried several more times locking and unlocking the door and pulling down on the handle with the same result and then searched the room for the telephone to call the front desk. There was no phone.
I knew something (or should I say someone) was missing when I first stepped through the door of Heather’s Book Nook & Sew Much More in Granite Falls. I looked around and then I asked.
Maybe it’s my imagination or maybe it’s not but this year’s route seems to be flowing so much better and faster. The first two days found us visiting a fair amount of shops each day because we were able to get to shops that open at nine in the morning and then to several that were open far into the evening. This really helps to get us moving down the list but it sure makes for a long, tiring day and a short night.
That being said, I now have leverage to admit that I forgot to mention that we checked out of the Metro section last night (day 2 post). It was about 7 pm when we arrived at Eagle Creek Quilt Shop in Shakopee. I featured them a couple of years ago (read their interesting story here).
A class was in process but I still was able to look around at the shop samples; ask if they had the pattern, A Little Bit Shorter Tall Tree, that was on my list; leisurely browse the clearance fabrics; and make a purchase before we got our passports stamped and received our incentive prize for finishing the Metro section.
However, I need to apologize to the lady waiting to use the restroom. Since the classroom tables usually hold the clearance fabrics, the staff had stacked the many bolts alongside one wall inside the single-use, spacious restroom and I took the opportunity to “kill two birds with one stone” albeit a little too leisurely behind a locked door.
We each received a mesh bag for completing the Metro section. There were only 8 shops in this section which is down from 11 a few years ago. Several quilt shops have closed but some have decided not to participate. Tu-Na Helper still abides by his motto, “If they’re not on the hop, we don’t stop.” I guess he has to draw the line somewhere.
Somehow, I missed showing you this gorgeous barn quilt that we saw on Day 7 (post found here). We found it on the drive between Wahkon and Rush City. I thought I’d include it here as it’s just too nice to forget about.
This barn was right next to the road.
After closing our hotel room door on the second floor, I stopped to take a close-up pic of that moose head above the fireplace.
While I was doing that, I happened to notice Tu-Na Helper waiting patiently for me in the lobby below.
Since we spent last night in Moose Lake, we didn’t have to travel far to find:
Today’s Top Shop on the Hop
Kathy Lundgren opened Kathy’s Country Square about 20 years ago in a building that once housed a furniture store. In addition to fabric, she sells home décor items. I also found antique items scattered throughout the store including several antique quilts hanging on the wall that are for sale. Kathy suggests that people get more than one opinion if you have an old quilt before you get rid of it.
Kathy’s Country Square is located at 100 Hillside Terrace, Moose Lake, MN.
This is the seventh year, Kathy’s Country Square has participated in the Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop. She says it’s definitely worth all the work. She thinks the public’s idea for the hop has changed through the years. “(In year’s past), hoppers expected things for nothing and now hoppers are sweet and more are making purchases.” She has seen her shop sales growing because of it.
Kathy tells new quilters, “Welcome to the world of quilting.” Kathy’s daughter, Loretta, was working in the shop with her mom, today. Loretta says “It’s (making a quilt) not as overwhelming as it looks.” She started making some potholders and then her sister said “a quilt is just a lot of little potholders put together.” However, Kathy still hears people say making a quilt is too overwhelming.
You could spend hours in this shop on it’s two levels. When you’re there be sure to look under the stairs.
Kathy discovered receipts, sale bills, and other memorabilia that her parents had saved and lovingly placed in bags. Not wanting to throw some of those pieces of papers of her past away, she decided to use them to wallpaper the space under her steps to the upper level. I asked her why she did that and she replied, “If I put them in a box, no one is going to look at them. So I put those there so someone will look at it.” While she didn’t keep everything, she did keep the bits and pieces that meant something to her such as the receipt from the baby buggy her parents bought for her use when she was little. Harry Potter probably would be envious of that space under the stairs.
Kathy has a long arm quilting machine in her shop that she uses to quilt her own personal quilts. She teaches quilting classes in the classroom located in her shop.
I can relate…
Kathy says, “I’m happy to be here.” Her daughter agrees. We were very happy to stop in and visit and I spent a lot of money here on a new project. I’ll show you that later when I reveal all the loot I found on this trip.
Be sure to visit the showroom upstairs while you are there!
Check out Kathy’s Facebook page for more information. We found Kathy’s Country Square a bit difficult to find but is definitely worth searching for (watch for the sign) and when you do, say Hi! to Kathy and be sure to check out underneath the stairs. Oh, and tell her that Tu-Na sent you.
Loretta, Kathy, and I
While we were in Kathy’s shop, Debbi from Rosemount, MN, caught up with us. She had read my posts from last year’s hop.
Hi, Debbi! Thanks for reading my adventures and following my blog. It was nice to meet you. I hope you had a great weekend.
Before we left Moose Lake, we did a little rock hunting. Kathy told us that the World’s largest Lake Superior Agate was found nearby and is on display at First National Bank in downtown Moose Lake. So we set out to find it.
I think we found it! It’s housed just inside the doors of the bank.
This Lake Superior Agate weighs 108 pounds.
After our rock hounding, we were anxious to get to our next shop as we would be checking out of the East Central Region. When we arrived at Timeless Treasures in McGregor, I felt like I had returned home as Diane and I reconnected like good friends. I featured this shop last year here.
The incentive prize was an art bin which also has a removable tray for holding supplies. It just might become my traveling hexi bin. I am not sure what Tu-Na Helper is going to do with his. Hi, Diane! It was great to see you again.
After stopping at the Quilted Dog Quilt Shop in Cloquet, we headed to Hannah Johnson Fabrics in Duluth. This is a fun shop specializing in bright modern prints and I found the perfect strip of minky elephants to add to the back of the elephant quilt that needs to be finished before that baby turns one.
Before heading to the car, we stopped at Lakeside Bakery & Coffee Shop located right next door to Hannah Johnson’s. While I couldn’t find any treat that I could purchase, my husband bought himself a delicious looking cinnamon roll. While he was driving, I unwrapped that roll and took a whiff before handing it to him. It was indeed delicious smelling and I sniffed so long and hard that I sniffed the smell right out of it. There was a lot of satisfaction in that.
Our visit to the North Shore wouldn’t be complete without stopping to view Split Rock lighthouse located just outside of Two Harbors. I’ve been inside of it twice and have lots of pictures. Some day, I’ll do a post about it.
Continuing up the North Shore drive, we arrived at Quilt Corner in Beaver Bay. Although it was still early, we wouldn’t be able to arrive at the next shop before closing time since it was almost a 2 hour drive, so we started looking for a hotel room. My husband started searching the internet on his cell phone. There were no vacancies near the next shop we’d be going to in Cook or nearby Virginia. He then started searching for rooms available around the Beaver Bay area going all the way back down to Two Harbors and found nothing. We didn’t want to drive all the way back to Duluth.
I was just beginning to think we would be spending the night in the car when he exclaimed, “I found one and it’s only $60.00 a night.” “Hmmm,” I thought thinking that it was too good of a deal to be true, or good, or clean. He told the owner/manager that we’d be there soon as it was only a few miles away in the direction we would be heading in the morning.
During that short trip, Tu-Na Helper nonchalantly mentioned that our room would be upstairs in the lodge and we wouldn’t have internet. I started to get a bit skeptical when he continued, “We won’t have a private bath but would share the bathroom with the campground.” Shortly before we arrived at the lodge, the owner/manager called back and said, “Bring cash.” Now I WAS skeptical!
We drove up to Lax Lake Resort.
After checking out the room, Tu-Na Helper returned to the car and said it would be fine. We have differing definitions of “fine” so this was not comforting at all. But I agreed to give it a try. After all, this is an adventure.
We found Wi-Fi in the office to use to check our email. Our bedroom was very clean with just enough rustic charm to give it some character. The mattress seemed very comfortable. The bathroom, located on the first floor below the 4 upstairs bedrooms, was also very clean and was equipped with 4 pay showers. We found $2.00 in quarters on the dresser in our room. And then we pulled back the vertical blinds covering a very generous sized patio door and discovered…
We ate supper at Lemon Wolf Café in Beaver Bay. This great restaurant is 17 years old and the chef accommodated my limited dietary choices.
When we returned to our room, I sat at the table in front of the patio door looking at the lake and writing this post until the light faded, darkness overtook the lake, and the moon rose. Ahhh, the room was great!
Block of the Day
Many of the shops had block kits for sale and I bought them. Because I couldn’t choose just one to make, I decided that this was a good day to make three blocks.
This block kit was purchased at Hannah Johnson Fabrics. I liked this one because I like half square triangles.
This friendship star block kit was purchased at Quarry Quilts & Yarns. It went together easily.
This block kit was purchased at Kathy’s Country Square and showcases the 108 pound Lake Superior agate location. Kathy’s pattern came with a smaller drawing of the Minnesota state outline which I will do when I get back home. This state cutout comes from Aitkin Quilts and Fabric.
What I Learned Today:
Question: Have you seen a barn quilt? Where? I’ve seen several now and I’ve also painted a small one: 2′ x 2′. I’ll have to post a photo of that one soon.
Coming Soon:
The Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop has now concluded and we are back home. I will post these items as soon as I can.
I read and appreciate every comment I receive. I’ve either been busy writing posts or shopping or sewing up those blocks so I haven’t had time to reply but I do plan to when I am home and recovered from the trip. Thank you for all your kind words and encouragement.
Thanks for stopping by and do come again.
Karen, Tu-Na Quilts
See my other posts about the 2017 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop:
Tu-Na Travels: Day One, 352 Miles, 11 Shops, Only 55 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Two, 334 miles, 7 Shops, Only 48 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Three, 210 Miles, 4 Shops, 44 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Four, 276 Miles, 9 Shops, Only 35 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Five, 274 Miles, 8 Shops, Only 27 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Six, 243 Miles, 8 Shops, Only 19 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Seven, 259 Miles, 6 Shops, 13 Only Shops Remaining
All the links to my posts for last year’s Quilt MN Shop Hop can be found at the top of this blog under the Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats title. Click on the Shop Hop tab; in the drop down menu, click on 2016 Quilt MN Shop Hop Posts.
At this time, I have no affiliation with any of the shops, products, companies, or services that I mention here on Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats.
Linking to:
Let’s Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts
Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation
Midweek Makers at QuiltFabrication
Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Today would be a shorter day for shop hopping. My husband had a video conference meeting he needed to attend and had made plans to do so at the Brainerd Public Library. But before that started, we took an early morning drive to Randall to see The Old Creamery Quilt Shop. I featured it last year and I was excited to get back (you can read about it here).
There’s been a lot of changes at The Old Creamery Quilt Shop in a year. I noticed the new handicap accessible ramp on the front as we walked to the entrance which will make this quilt shop accessible to all and helpful for those dragging their rolling sewing machine bags. Carl, the husband of Linda one of the owners, showed us the new classroom on the main level that he is finishing as well as the longarm studio and the space where the knitters and weavers meet upstairs. We peered out the window at the new Woolen Mill that will be opening soon. Lots of changes and lots of fun happening here.
We checked out of the North Central Region in Randall and received our incentive prizes of fat quarter bundles.
We each received a 12 fat quarter bundle by Paintbrush Studios. I selected the one on the left and my husband chose the black, white, and red. I like fabric prizes!
All too soon, we needed to leave and return to Brainerd in time for the meeting. I joked about getting to see the view again but this time coming from the other direction and in the rain.
While my husband attended his meeting, I looked around the library. Quilts were hanging from the ceiling.
These quilts are a sampling of the quilts made by volunteers for Quilts for Kids based in Pequot Lakes. The group started in 1990 and makes 250-300 quilts each year to give to kids in need in the Brainerd Lakes area.
Soon we were on our way to Aitkin Quilts & Fabrics in Aitkin where we met Kari Meyer. She’s doing the shop hop, too, and wanted a picture with Tu-Na. I am thrilled that my readers have been enjoying my stories and posts.
Hi, Kari! Thanks for reading my blog and following me. Did you finish the hop yet? How many shops did you visit?
This small town has two quilt shops to visit so after we were finished, we headed to Sew Much & More. Ina was digging in a tub of scraps when I walked into the shop. I walked around for a couple of minutes, just to be polite, before skipping my way over to the tub. Those were scraps that I wanted. Things started out cordially at first.
Hi, Ina! Nice to meet you. Can I have that one, please?
And then they got a little heated.
Just kidding. Ina was looking for strings to make a string block quilt and I was looking for small pieces or triangles that would be big enough to cut 1.5″ pieces for my postage stamp quilt. We helped each other find scraps. All too soon, we said our goodbyes and were on our way.
Today was rainy and cold and we had a bit of a drive to get to Wahkon where our next shop would be. I’ve visited there before but have always been curious why the owners selected the name: Country Caboose Quilts. So when I entered the building, I asked. Kim answered and then I knew I’d found:
Today’s Top Shop on the Hop
Back in 1995, Kim had opened Country Caboose Crafts and Quilts in a Soo Line train caboose right on their property. She sold handmade gifts made by herself and area artists. In 2003, Kim’s husband offered to let her take over the front half of his garage so she could expand her business. Luckily for us, she accepted his offer and added 30 bolts of fabric to her inventory. Within a year, she decided to discontinue the craft items and increase the fabric inventory to become a full-fledged quilt shop. They’ve since added onto the garage to increase her space making room for Kim to expand her inventory to over 3500 bolts of fabric and over 1000 patterns.
Country Caboose Quilt Shop is located at 108 South Main Street, Wahkon, MN.
The fate of the caboose that stood on their property took a turn for the worse, or the better depending on how you look at it, when the tracks needed repairing and the cost to make those repairs was more than Kim and her husband wanted to spend. They sold the caboose to a historical society and it was moved to Lakeville to be restored. It was then set in it’s permanent location in Northfield where the caboose was originally placed on the tracks about 100 years ago. If you visit the caboose in Northfield, you will see it all shiny and yellow now and “not the red that it was painted originally”. Kim should know as she had lived beside it and worked in it for awhile.
If you exit through the rear of the shop, you will enter a working garage. Kim’s husband tinkers and works on projects there, while Kim is on the other side folding fabric and chatting with her customers.
In addition to selling fabric and patterns, Kim offers a longarm quilting service. She was quilting on a longarm before she opened her shop. Kim started sewing at the age of 5. Her mother brought her upholstery samples from Dayton’s Home Store and she turned them into quilts for her brothers.
Kim advices new quilters to start small and not to jump in over their head. She teaches baby and lap quilts classes and suggests those sizes make good first projects. She says quilting is a great hobby as you meet people and share ideas.
While I was in the shop, a new shop hopper filled out his passport and Kim handed him a packet.
The pocket folder contains her shop’s block hop pattern, a 5″ charm square of the Quilt MN Shop Hop fabric, her longarm quilting service information, the Quilt MN Shop Hop newspaper with map, and the passport. That’s a nice way to send shop hoppers beginning at her shop on their way.
Each year, Kim usually uses the same block pattern titled “Railroad Crossing” for the shop hop. That block name is fitting for her store. You can see it on the left in the picture above.
Thanks for telling me your story, Kim.
For more information about this shop, see their website here. It just might be worth going out of your way to see it. Oh, and when you do, tell Kim Hi! and say Tu-Na sent you.
Kim received this Quilt Starter as a gift. It’s filled with genuine cotton seeds, just in case she wants to make another quilt or plant a cotton field.
We turned our Prius, now much heavier than when we had come, towards the next shop on our route. We arrived at Quarry Quilts, which I featured last year here. This shop is just as amazing as I remembered it from last year but a lot fuller with expanded inventory and Toni is just as friendly. I bought an unofficial Row by Row kit that fits this year’s theme “On the Go” perfectly. You’ll just have to wait a couple of months until I can reveal it.
We found a room at the Days Inn in Moose Lake for the night. Kathy’s Country Square was closed for the day but we’ll be visiting there first thing in the morning. We don’t usually reserve hotels ahead of time on the shop hop. At times it can be a bit stressful wondering if we’ll be spending the night in the car. In all the years that we’ve done the hop, we’ve never had to.
This foyer is decorated in the Northwood’s theme found in upper Minnesota. I never realized a moose’s head was so tiny.
We ate supper at Gampers, a restaurant and bowling alley. I must have sat in the right booth as my paper placemat sported an ad for the Quilted Dog which we would be visiting the next day.
Then it was back to the hotel for a bit of sewing and some sleep. Hopefully, the sun will shine tomorrow. On our way, we found a new use for canoes.
Do you think Tu-Na Helper would miss our canoe if I turned it into a flower bed?
Block of the Day
I purchased this block kit from the Old Creamery Quilt Shop. It sewed together easily. There was no title on the pattern, but Tu-Na Helper and I think “The Aquarium” fits or maybe “Fisherman’s Dream.”
What I Learned Today:
Question: When you travel do you plan ahead and reserve rooms or tickets or do you plan to let happen as it may? Since we don’t know where we’ll end up at the end of shopping hours, we risk it and don’t reserve a room. Some vacations are well-planned but this one is just “fly by the seat of our pants.”
I read and appreciate every comment I receive. I’ve either been busy writing posts or shopping or sewing up those blocks so I haven’t had time to reply but I do plan to when I am home and recovered from the trip. Thank you for all your kind words and encouragement.
Thanks for stopping by and do come again.
Karen, Tu-Na Quilts
See my other posts about the 2017 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop:
Tu-Na Travels: Day One, 352 Miles, 11 Shops, Only 55 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Two, 334 miles, 7 Shops, Only 48 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Three, 210 Miles, 4 Shops, 44 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Four, 276 Miles, 9 Shops, Only 35 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Five, 274 Miles, 8 Shops, Only 27 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Six, 243 Miles, 8 Shops, Only 19 Shops Remaining
All the links to my posts for last year’s Quilt MN Shop Hop can be found at the top of this blog under the Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats title. Click on the Shop Hop tab; in the drop down menu, click on 2016 Quilt MN Shop Hop Posts.
At this time, I have no affiliation with any of the shops, products, companies, or services that I mention here on Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats.
Linking to:
Sunday Stash at quiltpaintcreate
Just as I expected, morning came early.
There is nothing better than a bowl of piping hot oatmeal topped with spoonfuls of brown sugar, raisins, chopped nuts and some milk to get the tired body ready for another busy day of traveling and shop hopping.
Even the countryside seems to be decorated for the quilt shop hop. We had seen a barn quilt yesterday, too, but weren’t able to get a picture as we were in a hurry. Visit this site for a quilt trail map to see more barn quilts located in several counties in Minnesota and watch a video of how those painted quilt blocks were hung in Carver County.
We saw this barn quilt on the road between Litchfield and Kimball.
Our second shop of the day, Gone to Pieces in Kimball, had me very excited. My husband noticed the scrap bin in the back and I accepted the challenge to stuff that snack bag full.
I’m collecting scraps for my 1.5″ postage stamp quilt. I’ve cut and sewed several thousand already but have still more to go. I stuffed this snack Ziploc bag as full as I could make it and then added a few more pieces for good measure.
I needed a bit of help in getting it closed so while my fabric was being cut, Tu-Na Helper rose to the challenge and did his little magic of pushing and shoving that fabric into place. He worked and worked and finally presented the sealed bag. We all cheered. It was mighty full.
It took him awhile but he managed to get it closed. It stayed put long enough for us to pay, say our goodbyes, and get out the door. I also saw a good idea for making a ruler tote which I will work on at home.
We would be checking out of the Central region at Gruber’s Quilt Shop so we turned our Prius towards Waite Park. When we arrived, we were cheerfully greeted and had our passports stamped. Who could this gal behind the desk be? She was so full of energy and happiness. I had to find out. We received our incentive prizes: a Sewing Tidy and a Bangle.
We each received a Sewing Tidy and a Bangle. What’s a bangle? It’s that cute little metal plaque with a wire hanger bearing the state of MN.
Being the inquisitive type that I am, I started talking and asking some questions. This gal knew the answers. It was then that I knew I’d found:
Today’s Top Shop on the Hop
This story is about making a dream come true. For awhile now, I’ve been wondering how Quilt Minnesota and the Shop Hop idea started. I didn’t need to wait long to find out more. That smiling, exuberant gal behind the desk, knew all the answers.
Almost twenty years ago, Sue Poser had a dream of starting a statewide shop hop. She had been approached by Eileen Taylor, a representative of Moda Fabrics, about starting a statewide shop hop. Finally, after 5 years of thinking and hoping and wondering, Sue presented the idea to a tri-state meeting of quilt shop owners. It was unanimous. 100% of the shops were behind her. Sue worked to get the idea going in Minnesota. Business is slow for quilt shops in the summer in Minnesota, so a shop hop in August would help boost business as well as increase exposure for the shops. I am sure this dream needed a lot of hard work and long hours from Sue and a lot of support from the shops in the state to make this dream a reality.
This year Quilt Minnesota celebrates it’s 11th annual shop hop. Sue had been instrumental in starting it and keeping it going all these years. She has now passed on the business baton to another shop owner and is confident that the Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop will continue getting bigger and better each year. Sue’s enthusiasm and exuberance for the Quilt MN Shop Hop as well as for her own shop and personal life is unmatched. I think she leaves big shoes to fill.
Gruber’s central location in the state made it a natural choice for getting a statewide hop started.
The Quilt MN Shop Hop has seen more shop hoppers participating each year. Each year more of them have finished visiting all the participating shops in the whole state. Seventy-five people completed the shop hop last year with this year’s figures still driving all around the state getting their passports stamped, buying yards of fabric, and seeing quilting inspiration unparalleled in any state. It’s still not too late to complete at least three sections to try to win some prizes. The Quilt MN Shop Hop continues through August 13th.
According to Sue, the grand prize of an Alaskan Cruise is really meant to satisfy the men belonging to the quilters. While a quilting cruise might be a perfect prize for many quilters, the trip to Alaska would be of interest to both the gals as well as the guys. The guys, who escort their quilting wives or send them with friends to explore the many quilt shops all around the state of Minnesota and spend enormous amounts of money, would appreciate a trip and a cruise. This trip for two appeals to all ages and even for those who aren’t married (participants must be over 18 years of age to be eligible for state level prizes).
Sue (Gruber) Poser is the present owner of Gruber’s Quilt Shop. She is the third generation of Grubers to own and work in the store. Sue’s grandfather started Gruber’s as a general store in 1932 in a tiny town called Genola (population 97) located about 35 miles from today’s present location. That first store not only sold groceries but also had an award winning meat market. Sue remembers it as “a real Laura Ingalls store where you could buy anything and everything including fabric.”
About 20 years ago, Gruber’s moved to downtown St. Cloud. When the opportunity arrived a few years later, Sue quickly decided to branch out and create a quilt shop in Waite Park. She didn’t have to think long about it. Quilting was in her blood. “I love quilting. My grandmother taught me when I was 5 years old. I made yo-yos.” She continued, “A bad day ends good if you’re quilting. I do it one fat quarter at a time.”
Here’s the bargain room. I have to admit that I shop at the clearance sections first. I often find quality name-brand fabrics that I could use.
She presently has a staff of 20 full and part time employees including a 4th generation Gruber, her daughter, working right along side her in the shop. Sue boasts that 7 of her staff are pattern designers.
After shopping the clearance section, I shop the regular priced fabrics and quilting notions looking for items on my list.
Gruber’s has been in in its present location for 15 years after moving into this vacated furniture store. The painter decided the space above the quilt shop door needed just a little something extra so Sue gave him permission to do what he wanted. She was surprised at what she saw and a bit unsure if it should stay.
You will see this sign just above the door as you enter the shop from the interior courtyard. I had to admit to Sue that the first time I stopped at Gruber’s four years ago on the shop hop, I walked around the shop and with each corner I turned or doorway I walked through, my eyes got bigger and my jaw dropped more. I left empty-handed. I was overwhelmed. When I was back home after that first visit, I thought about that shop and couldn’t wait to get back to it to explore it further. There definitely is truth in that sign so be prepared to be overwhelmed when you enter or as Tu-Na Helper says, “Enter at your own risk. You may not find your way out for a very long time.”
Gruber’s tagline “The Quilt Shop for Every Quilter” matches the 10,000+ bolts of fabric and many quilting supplies as well as a yarn shop found within its walls. Click here to go to Gruber’s website to find out more info about this quilt shop as well as tour their online store.
Sue has seen a resurgence of knitting interest with the younger generation. Half of her staff knits.
Sue’s advice for new quilters is to find a group to sew with. She says, “It’s (sewing) social. Sew with friends.” I know that quilters make very good friends.
Gruber’s offer a variety of classes in their well-lit classroom. About 15 years ago, a retreat center was started to meet the needs of quilters who like to sew and socialize. Sue said that I had just missed seeing Amanda Jean Nyberg as she had been there over the weekend (I am a follower of hers at Crazy Mom Quilts). The retreat center has room for 15 quilters to sew, snack, and sleep. That sounds pretty good to me.
The classroom
Other quilting celebrities and important people have visited Gruber’s. Back in 2004, the shop received a phone call. “This is the White House calling.” Sue’s daughter, who had taken the call, suspected it to be a political call and hung up the phone. Luckily for Gruber’s, they called back but this time asked not to be hung up on again. Laura Bush wanted to come and visit a successful small business run by a woman. The visit was arranged and Mrs. Bush came to Gruber’s in August of that year. She spoke to female business owners right there in the courtyard. Read more about her visit here. There is a link to listen to her remarks, too.
Gruber’s prides itself in taking care of the husbands that come along with their quilting wives. They’ve installed a TV and some leather chairs for the guys in the large courtyard. “If we hear snoring, we know we did a good job,” Sue said smiling. In addition, the shop has a café located in the courtyard where meals and pastries are made by a chef who attended Le Cordon Bleu. Plan to visit Gruber’s to shop and stay for coffee, and then lunch, and finish the day with some dessert. Strolling through this shop just might take some time.
Sue and I are chatting at the tables in front of the quilt shop and beside the Café in this interior courtyard. You can see that sign above the door.
Gruber’s has benefited from the shop hop as it has given the store more exposure to quilter’s coming from many states in the country. They gave out 500 of their Quilt MN Block Hop patterns in the first 5 days of the hop this year.
This quilt, on display in the courtyard of Gruber’s, has all the block patterns from all 66 participating shops. Which one is your favorite?
I wanted to have stayed longer at Gruber’s. Sue has a zest for life and for caring about her customers, but we needed to be on our way.
It was hard to leave this shop as I felt like I’d just found a new, dear friend.
Plan to stop at Gruber’s, the largest quilt shop in a 5 state area, for a bite to eat and a bit of fabric or yarn shopping. But don’t come on Sunday (except during the shop hop) as they are closed because, according to Sue, “Everybody should have a day off.” When you do visit, say Hi! to Sue and the gals and tell them that Tu-Na sent you.
What’s this? I spied these state flower fabrics made by In the Beginning Fabrics on my way out of the shop. I’ve never seen them before. I might have to add them onto my list. I’m holding North Dakota’s state flower fabric on top of the bolts.
Block of the Day
I bought this cute Minne-Sewta Jar block kit from Gruber’s Quilt Shop which came with an option to sew it into a pincushion. Because of lack of time, but not lack of ambition, I wasn’t able to complete it, yet. I was happy I got this much done! Note: The pattern gives directions for making a 7.5″ unfinished block. If you are sewing your Minne-Sewta Jar block along with the other patterns provided by the quilt shops in your quilt, you will need it to be 8.5.” You can make the adjustment by cutting pieces B and C 1/2″ wider than given on the pattern and sew a 1.5″ x 8.5″ piece to the bottom. Just be sure to keep the lid on the jar so those dragonflies stay in.
What I Learned Today:
Question: Have you ever been to Minnesota? I have been there many times from enjoying the big city life of Minneapolis to visiting my sister in a very small town. It’s a very interesting state.
I read and appreciate every comment I receive. I’ve either been busy writing posts or shopping so I haven’t had time to reply but do plan to when I am home and recovered from the trip. Thank you for all your kind words and encouragement.
Thanks for stopping by and do come again.
Karen, Tu-Na Quilts
See my other posts about the 2017 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop:
Tu-Na Travels: Day One, 352 Miles, 11 Shops, Only 55 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Two, 334 miles, 7 Shops, Only 48 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Three, 210 Miles, 4 Shops, 44 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Four, 276 Miles, 9 Shops, Only 35 Shops Remaining
All the links to my posts for last year’s Quilt MN Shop Hop can be found at the top of this blog under the Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats title. Click on the Shop Hop tab; in the drop down menu, click on 2016 Quilt MN Shop Hop Posts.
At this time, I have no affiliation with any of the shops, products, companies, or services that I mention here on Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats.
Linking to:
Let’s Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts
Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter
WIPs at Silly Mama Quilts
Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
When I walked into the second shop on our fourth day, Fabrics Plus in Marshall, the gal behind the counter cheerfully greeted me, “Hi, Karen!” Oh, my goodness, I thought. She knows her customers by name and I haven’t been back since last year’s hop—now that’s customer service!
With a smile like that, who wouldn’t feel welcome here? Tracy is explaining what Marshall Moonshine has to do with the Shop hop.
I was floored and flattered to find out that Tracy Veglahn, an owner of the shop, reads and follows my blog and had recognized me from my pictures on it. Fabrics Plus is a fun shop with friendly staff and we spent a fair amount of time there.
Each year, the Southwest section compiles a cookbook with recipes and a quilt pattern from each store. This year’s theme was “Get Crocked in the Southwest.” This year’s cookbook contains crock-pot recipes and the pattern for this lovely quilt above along with patterns from the 8 other shops in the section.
Tu-Na Helper said we needed to be on our way, so we said our goodbyes, grabbed our purchase, and off we went.
Heather’s Book Nook & Sew Much More in Granite Falls treated each of us to a dipped pretzel log. How did they know that pretzels are Tu-Na Helper’s favorite snack? Thank you!
Continuing on through the countryside, I begged my husband to stop just outside of Olivia, MN. I guess there still is a bit of farm girl left in me as I wanted to get out of the car to see for myself exactly how tall that crop of corn was.
I was totally amazed by that corn patch. I am 5″ 4″ and knew my dad wouldn’t believe me unless I had a picture with me standing in it. What do you think of that corn, dad?
We soon came into New Ulm, population 13,342, and saw:
Today’s Top Shop on The Hop
If Day Two’s post read like a love story, this one reads “A Family Affair.”
The Thimble Box is located at 10 North Minnesota Street, New Ulm, MN.
As I entered The Thimble Box, a pretty, young lady cheerfully greeted me from behind the counter. I made my way through the store and being the curious (although some would call me just plain nosey) type that I am, I ventured into a work room and discovered Brenda Seidl, the owner, doing a bit of work. Hexis were spread all around her and we chatted about them and the class she is teaching (pictured below).
It was then that I saw THE BOX.
THE BOX was filled with basted hexi pieces all lined up in color coordinated rows.
Brenda learned to sew from her mom and now Brenda is sewing for her mom. Brenda lovingly bastes them all and gives them to her mom, Judy Eastman, whom Brenda called the manager of the shop, to sew together into flower shapes.
There’s even a second box of basted hexis waiting in line for their sewing orders.
Judy loves to sort and organize the hexis and sew them together. She showed us her hexi quilt that she is working on and I asked how long that’s taken her. Brenda asked me, “Do you mean the first time or the second time?” Well, the story goes that Judy had noticed a problem and tried to fix it but the more she fixed it the worse it got. So finally, she just took that lovely hexi quilt top all apart and is now patiently sewing it all back together again. Now, that’s a dedicated quilter!
Judy, Me, and Brenda holding Judy’s hexi quilt. The countless hours are definitely evident in this beautiful quilt.
If you’re thinking that Judy is making a small quilt, think again. This is going to be queen size.
Even the back is pretty!
I asked for some tips on making hexis as I’ve wanted to start a project myself. I’ve been collecting 30s fabrics during the last two Quilt MN Shop Hops but have been a bit timid in actually starting. I stopped at just the right shop and asked just the right people for help.
These two are masters of this method and they willingly shared some secrets. Judy recommends leaving the papers around the edges until they’ve been sewn onto the next piece and then they can be removed. Brenda says to use pink silk thread to sew the hexis together paying no attention to the color of the fabric. I checked out Brenda’s class sample and it really does work. I’ll have to add pink silk thread onto my list.
One more picture of this box with precisely basted hexis waiting for Judy to work her magic.
I’ve been searching for a good, traditional 30’s solid green color of fabric to use for my hexi project and Brenda suggested Kona Old Green. I learned a few tips and tricks from these masters and Brenda sent a couple of little starter packages of hexis with me so I can give them a try. I’ve also been warned that they can be rather addicting causing one to forget about doing housework and making meals. Poor Tu-Na Helper. He may have to go out and buy himself a case of Hamburger Helper or Tuna Helper.
I also asked Brenda if everyone in this small town quilts or exactly how could this small town support not just one but three quilt shops. It didn’t take her long to answer, “We each have a different flavor. I specialize in wildlife, trucks, and dirt.” That took a bit of explanation which was accomplished by showing me the wide variety of hunting and fishing themed prints in addition to other fabrics.
Here’s two bolts of fabric showing some of the trucks and dirt that you’ll find at The Thimble Box.
I also couldn’t help but notice the number of panels hanging on the walls.
Brenda admitted that her accumulation and variety of panels started with her buying one. If you’re in the market for a panel or some wildlife, trucks or dirt fabric, this is one shop to stop at.
Brenda designs and writes many patterns and has them for sale in her shop. Her patterns are great for beginners, or those of us who learn by looking at pictures, as they not only contain clearly worded directions but also many pictures.
Don’t leave the shop until you buy this potholder kit. Unfortunately, I was distracted and forgot to look for some purple ones. Now I’ll just have to go back again sometime soon. And maybe I’ll have sewn some hexis to show them.
Those potholders above looked like thongs for the hand (I grew up wearing thongs on my feet) and reminded me of the purple thang story I wrote for Day Seven of the 12 Days of Christmas in July post here.
While we were in the shop, Pat brought in her quilt she made during a class that Brenda has been teaching. They were auditioning borders but I left before she had decided which ones to use.
Brenda tells new quilters, “Don’t give up at your first road block and don’t be afraid to ask for help.” She also says to give yourself 15 minutes each day to do something just for you whether it’s sewing or quilting related or not.
Brenda’s started a yo-yo project, too.
Brenda’s owned The Thimble Box for 11 years. The previous owner was going to retire and Brenda didn’t want to see the store closed. However, Brenda’s mom gave me the real reason; “Her husband told her she can’t bring anymore fabric home.” To learn more about this shop, like them on Facebook.
I could tell that this family has a sense of humor. Brenda designed this pattern for this year’s Row by Row and titled it. “Gas It Up.” This year’s theme is “On the Go.”
In addition to Brenda’s mom, Judy, working 2-3 days a week (and doing a very good job at managing, I might add), there are 4 other part-time employees. However, today, Brenda’s husband, Maurice, cut my fabric; her daughter, Chandra (the very same gal who greeted me so cheerfully when I walked in) was the cashier; and son, Tony, reshelved the bolt. This teamwork and dedication is why I call this shop operation a family affair—a family happily working together helping to make this a very interesting shop to visit. Oh, and when you do, say Hi, to Brenda and ask to see her mom’s hexi quilt and THE BOX. And tell them that Tu-Na sent you.
Maurice, Tony, Brenda, and Chandra. Chandra comes up from Florida for two weeks every summer to help her mom with the shop hop. Tony lives in Rochester and comes to help, too.
We headed back to the car and noticed this sign in a store window.
I think it’s missing the word “quilt.” After all, with three quilt shops in town, there must be a lot of quilters around.
I was up for a challenge at our next stop, Spinning Spools in New Ulm; just how full could I stuff that quart bag with scraps. I’ve been working on gathering, cutting, and sewing 1.5” squares (and even some 1” squares) for a postage stamp quilt.
My goal is to use all different fabrics in my postage stamp quilt so that means I need a lot of different little pieces.
This box of scraps was perfect and I accepted and met the challenge.
The zip lock bag stayed shut just long enough to pay for it and take this picture. I don’t think another piece of thread would have fit in it.
We checked out of the Southwest section at Sewing Seeds, also in New Ulm, and received our incentive prize. It’s been a few days since we’d checked out of any sections so receiving these prizes was very rewarding.
We each received a 12 pack of fat quarters of Wilmington’s Flannel Essentials for completing the section.
We turned our Prius toward Norwood Young America and headed for the new shop on the hop this year, The Quilting Grounds. My husband and I were a bit confused about the name of the shop until we stepped foot inside the door. Wafts of coffee scent greeted us along with several cheerful HI’s. While I perused the racks and racks of fabric and finally settled on a couple of yards of 30s, my husband ordered us smoothies. By the time I had paid for my purchases and we had filled out the info for checking out of the Southeast section, our smoothies were ready.
We received six half-yard cuts of bright Modern Solids by In the Beginning Fabrics for each of us. A fantastic reward for completing this section.
Each of the shops in the Southeast section also offered an extra special offer they called the “Two Buck Chunk.”
These chunks were a half-yard cut of Modern Solids by In the Beginning Fabrics for $2.00 with a $10.00 purchase (limit of 2). Of course, I couldn’t pass them up. After all, who doesn’t need more solids? Choosing was very hard to do. Here’s my pickings. I have 14 of them so one must be hiding in the accumulating stash.
We were just about to close the shop’s door behind us when Barb caught up with us.
Hi, Barb! It was so nice to meet you, Barb, (a reader and follower of Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats), and know that you’ve been enjoying my adventures and sharing this shop hop journey.
We picked up our smoothies and off we drove to see if we could arrive at the next shop before closing time.
I had the Peach-Pear-Apricot and my husband had the Four Berry Smoothie (blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, and strawberry). They were wonderfully cold on this hot day and very delicious. I highly recommend them.
We still had one shop left for the day, Quilt Haven on Main in Hutchison, MN. I featured them last year; click here to read it. Google maps told us we would be arriving at 6:03, 3 minutes past closing time. It’s been pretty accurate predicting our arrivals all along and it was exactly 6:03 when we parked in front of the shop. I quickly opened the car door not even sure if my husband had put it in park yet and hopped out. I checked the door and it was still open so I rushed in. I must have breathed a very loud sigh of relief because when I rounded the corner inside the shop two staff members looked at each other. “Should we tell her or not?” questioned one of them. “That the store is closed,” I said hanging my head in disappointment. “No, that we’re open until 7 tonight.”
Now, I had time to leisurely shop on the first floor and visit with a group of quilters on the second floor. I walked up and down the steps feeling like Scarlett O’Hara.
It had been a long day so we found a room at the Days Inn in Hutchinson and ate at the Tokyo Grill. Morning would come early again.
We started our meal with soup and salad. The shrimp and chicken were delicious. You’ll just have to take my word for it; my camera battery was complaining it needed to be recharged and so did we.
The 2017 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop continues through August 13th so you still have time to join in on the fun!
Block of the Day
I purchased this block kit from Heather’s Book Nook and Sew Much More in Granite Falls. It is an easy block to sew.
A perfect 8.5″ square.
The pattern doesn’t include written directions so here’s some if you need them. Make sure you cut the pieces as given (8) A pieces at 1 5/8″ squares of white and (8) A pieces at 1 5/8″ squares of green, (4) B pieces at 3 7/8″ x 2 7/8″ of green, and (1) C piece at 3 7/8″ square of the blue background turtle. Sew one B to each side of C. Press your seams toward the dark green fabric. Make the four patches for the corners using the A pieces as shown on the picture on the pattern. Sew a set of them to each side of a B piece. Make two of these strips. Sew one strip to the top of your BCB unit and one to the bottom of it. Trim to 8.5″.
What I Learned Today:
My son sent me a picture of how the corn in our garden is looking today. It should be much taller by now. My grandson is 38″ tall. I’m sad, too, because we may not get any sweet corn this year. I guess if we do, it will be the right height for this little guy to pick.
Question: Have you tried English Paper Piecing and if so what shapes? I want to try hexis especially after today. My goal is to make a Grandmother’s Flower Garden. Armed with Brenda’s tips and enthusiasm, I have no doubt I will start soon. And if I run into problems, I know just who to call for help.
I read and appreciate every comment I receive. I’ve either been busy writing posts or shopping so I haven’t had time to reply. Thank you for all your kind words and encouragement. Eventually, I hope to reply to you.
Thanks for stopping by and do come again.
Karen, Tu-Na Quilts
See my other posts about the 2017 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop:
Tu-Na Travels: Day One, 352 Miles, 11 Shops, Only 55 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Two, 334 miles, 7 Shops, Only 48 Shops Remaining
Tu-Na Travels: Day Three, 210 Miles, 4 Shops, 44 Shops Remaining
All the links to my posts for last year’s Quilt MN Shop Hop can be found at the top of this blog under the Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats title. Click on the Shop Hop tab; in the drop down menu, click on 2016 Quilt MN Shop Hop Posts.
At this time, I have no affiliation with any of the shops, products, or services that I mention here on Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats.
Linking to:
Oh Scrap at Quilting is More Fun than Housework
Main Crush Monday at Cooking Up Quilts
Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt
Linky Tuesday at Free Motion by the River
Yes, we are going to drive all around Minnesota for the 2017 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop, again. This will be our fourth year. Last year we not only shopped but also took our first sailboat ride. You’ll find all the links to posts about that journey at the top underneath my blog name in a tab called SHOP HOP. Click it and a drop down menu will appear, click on 2016 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop. I wonder what adventures await us this year?
Sixty six shops have been busy preparing for us and other shoppers to descend upon them and swoop up all they have to offer. They’ve been busy creating samples of quilts, bags, runners, and other fun things using the exclusive shop hop fabric. In addition, they’ve been designing their 8 inch finished block and cutting a 5″ charm from one of those fabrics which they will present to each of the hoppers for free. They’ve been assembling the incentive prizes.
This is the 11th Annual Shop Hop which brings quilters (and even some of their husbands) from all over the country to scour the shops finding inspiration, fabric, and a special kind of quilting kinship.
We’re all packed and headed down to our daughter’s house in southern Minnesota so we can get an early start tomorrow morning.
As we left North Dakota, and in fact all along the way to her house, we encountered lots of construction. We’re sure hoping this is not a sign of what’s to come.
Just how did we prepare for our quilty adventure?
Perusing the Quilt Minnesota Website
The Quilt Minnesota website is jam packed with all the information us hoppers need including a list of participating shops divided into sections, shop hours, state map, section information and incentive prizes, and the special Minnesota Fabrics designed and printed ONLY for this hop—I’m showing you a few of them here.
Many of the fabrics are available in several different background colors.
Programming the Route
My husband—lovingly named Tu-Na Helper by my sister on last year’s hop—put all the zip codes into the computer website, OptiMap. A minute later it spit out the route map in the order that we should take. While we know we will deviate from that route because of shop hours, it gets us going in the general direction and provides us a base to use the phone to navigate.
To navigate around, we use Google Maps on my husband’s smart phone. My husband puts in the address of the first shop from the OptiMap suggestion, and then when we get to the location, he puts in the next one, etc. Oh, I love technology! We’ll see how off-course it takes us this year.
The fabrics are an exclusive line designed by Emily Krueger and manufactured by Clothworks.
Creating My List
Tu-Na Helper wouldn’t let me go without a plan. So, yes, I have a list which reads:
Patterns
Books
Fabric
I wonder which fabric will be the statewide sell-out this year? The one most sought after by quilters. The one that those of us who didn’t pre-order will wish we had. My guess is the lady slipper or the birds will be the first to go. But could it be the fish instead like last year? My husband doesn’t think so, as he prefers last year’s colorful ones. I guess this year’s fish look too realistic for him. But, if given the chance I find some, I might get some anyway. Who knows? His preference might change.
Misc.
There are lots more fabrics to this line including a panel. Check out the website listed above to view them all.
Packing the Cooler
We carry a cooler for lunches. There’s a lot of miles to cover and not a lot of hours to do it in so we opt to eat in the car for lunch and splurge in the evening at local fare. We’ll be restocking at grocery stores along the way; in the meantime, we can enjoy a snack of string cheese and some baby carrots.
While this exclusive fabric can be pre-ordered, I, again, decided not to pre-order. Instead, I will hunt and seek and discover which fabrics I will buy limiting myself to only purchasing one at a shop. I call it a lesson in decision making. Which one can’t I leave behind? Which one do I risk but may not see again?
Deciding to Take the Sewing Machine
Some of you may wonder, why I would do that. Each shop provides a free charm square of this year’s Quilt Minnesota fabrics and a pattern for an 8 inch block. My plan is to buy some of the kits for those patterns and sew a few up in the evenings. After a few days, we’ll see how that goes and whether it was worth bringing it along.
The agate is the state gem. This fabric, by that name, is available in several colors. This one might be a contender for the first to sell-out statewide.
Reminder:
The giveaway to win the Christmas stocking and ALL the stocking stuffers I made for it is still open through August 1st. If you haven’t entered click here to go to that post and leave a comment.
Last year, there were mosquitoes. This year it’s the dragonfly.
The hop continues through August 13th. There’s still time for you to join in on the fun. If you can’t travel the whole state, you might like to visit just a section or two.
What I Learned Today:
Question: What makes a good shop hopper? Help me list some Shop Hop Etiquette. It will be a good reminder for me. I make a point to stop and shop or at least look around each of the shops. We avoid the grab and go approach. We don’t look at the hop as a race to finish first. But rather think of it as an experience to be enjoyed. It’s kind of like stopping to smell the roses or in this case, petting the fabric.
Thanks for stopping by and do come again.
Karen, Tu-Na Quilts
Linking to:
Oh, Scrap at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework
Main Crush Monday at Cooking Up Quilts
Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt
Moving It Forward at Em’s Scrapbag
Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats 