Monday, May 9, 2011

I'm here, I'm here!

I'm home. I haven't lost my way. I have been away for a few days with the husband. It was a lot of fun to see new places and meet new people. The only real bad part was I couldn't get my computer to connect to the Internet. I have always had trouble with this computer letting me send emails while I was away but this time it wouldn't connect to the Internet no matter where we were or whether I was connected by Ethernet or wifi. Very frustrating!

So, where was I? I went to Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. All of the places were within 2-3 hours of Minneapolis so it wasn't much driving once we landed. It is just turning Spring there so there was still a lot of brown, but green was trying so hard to pop out. I say in the next week it will really be leafing out around there.

Of course I HAD to find a quilt shop or two, or three. The first shop was in Wisconsin and we found it by accident. Are there any accidents?  Anyway I had left my Quilter's Travel book at home since we were trying to travel in the small suitcase (never again!) and it didn't fit. So we are driving along and we see on a sign QUILTS-> so we exit and low and behold it is a wonderful shop! I will have to find my receipt to tell you the name because I forgot already. There were more samples in that shop that in the other two shops combined. WOW! It was great. Of course I didn't have my camera at this shop either and really could kick myself.
While there Ray found a small framed quilt he liked and bought the kit for me to make it for his office. As soon as I unpack everything I will take a picture. He has one on his phone, but alas I don't have it.

The next day we went to two shops.
 
The first shop was in Shakopee, Minnesota in an old railroad station. The name was Eagle Creek Quilt shop. Beautiful shop! This time I had my camera and my memory cap so I remembered the name.

I bought a kit of 3" thimbles. I love thimble quilts and since they were already cut I thought it was a good idea. I just wish I knew someone who had an Accuquilt Go! so I could get some more cut. I really would like this to be just a tad bigger but couldn't see paying for another kit. I have too much fabric as it is!
Then we went to Glad Creations. I didn't put the name with the design company, but was pleasantly surprised when I walked in and found all of the beautiful patterns I have loved for so long.  I own a couple of these patterns and I made a couple too. I bought the two newest patterns, Birds in the Air and Wishing Star.
Birds in the Air

Wishing Star
Once again not a lot of buying here.  I bought a couple of Kaffe FQs, a Suzi pattern by Lazy Girl and also the Maggie. I also bought a pattern by Vanilla House Designs to make my niece a dress. I am NOT a maker of clothes. I have made clothes in the past, but not for at least 20 years, so it had better be as easy to make as the pattern says.

Also one of my favorite applique designers Patricia Cox teaches there. I just love her patterns. You can click on her name and go to her website and see all of her many many applique quilts and patterns.
Today is going to be spent trying to get back into the routine. It will be hard since all I want to do is sleep.

Later,
Diane

2 comments:

Paula said...

Love, love, love everything! And, you better call with the latest size. Our niece is growing so fast. :) Can't wait to see the dress finished.

Anonymous said...

WOW! Sounds like a great trip. I was at the Minneapolis airport about two weeks ago and it was sleeting when I was there.
Linda G