And here it is….

…my paltry haul from my trip west.  Can you believe this?  Two shops and just this!  My second stop was at the Quilter’s Store in Sedona, Arizona where I found these.  Really nice shop also…just not my “stuff”.  But if you like batiks, this place is for you!  Nice ladies and great service.  I also purchased another pattern that didn’t make the team photo above because it had to be ordered.  It nearly beat me home!  I had it in less than a week.

The shop is for sale.  I told my husband that since he’s retired and I will be shortly we should buy it.  Go home, sell the house and buy the shop.  It would give us something to do and we could live in drop-dead gorgeous Sedona!  Sounds like win/win to me.  He just turned the radio up louder!  Go figure…..

It’s a miracle!

While visiting a small town in South Dakota,  we drove past a quilt shop.  Later in the day we took walk down the street to visit.   And….wait for it….I didn’t buy snything!  Not one fat quarter.  Not one spool of thread.  Not one needle.  My husband is still stunned.  I may leave him stunned…he’s much quieter that way

In fairness, the shop was small and very nice.  Just didn’t have things in my “style .  It’s interesting how fabric trends are different in different areas.

Millstone Quilts

As promised….the quit shop!

In the Fall/Winter issue of Quilt Sampler,  I was introduced to Millstone Quilts in Mechanicsville, Virginia.  Since we had already planned a trip to Virginia in July ( I know….hot, hot hot!) I convinced my chauffeur that we had to stop!  Besides, I was sure it was air-conditioned!

After visiting the Cod Harbor battlefield, we set out to find Millstone Quilts.  It  was nearby.  How difficult could it be to find?  Pretty darn difficult!  But, please, don’t let that hold you back.  When we travel, my husband and I can get lost going around the block!  After driving down some very beautiful backroads, we finally reached our destination.  The shop is in an old nineteenth century grist mill.  You can see some of the workings on the third floor.  Yes, I said third floor.  There are three wonderful floors of fabrics!

I’m so sorry that I didn’t get the name of the woman working that day.  She was so very nice!  She made us feel welcome the minute we walked through the door. There is a small collection of 30s prints in the first room.  Made me think of MiniQuilter.  She loves those prints.  I had to buy her some Sock Monkey fabric.  OK…maybe for me, too.  😉

I nearly made camp in the next room.  It was full of Civil War reproduction fabrics and samples.  I did drop some coin there!  I got a nice bundle of CW fat quarters, some fat quarters for my sister…and for me…and a Kim Diehl book.  I fell in love with the Idaho Girl sample that was displayed.

The two upper floors had a nice variety of Thimbleberries and fabrics with a country feel.  And of course, the mill workings that fascinated my husband!  Guys!

If you’re looking for brights or batiks, this may not be the place for you.  But if you love reproduction fabrics as much as I do, you might want to bring a lunch!

Enjoy the slideshow!

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I feel as though I’ve been MIA….even to my family.  I’ve been hanging out here this past week with Kaye England.  I learned that you can certainly teach an old dog new tricks!

Look what I got!

Yesterday my aunt and I took a road trip two hours south on Route One to Threads of Time Quilt Shop and Retreat.  It was truly worth the two hours in the car!  I’m sorry that I have no photos of the shop.  I’m timid about asking if I can take photos.  I think it goes back to when I tried to take a picture of a line of dresses at a Renaissance Faire and was politely told to put the camera away.  Geesh…..I only liked the colors, not the dresses!  So, I guess I’m just afraid that someone will say no.  I know….get over it!

I’ve never met friendlier people.  When they found out it was our first trip to the shop, we got a guided tour of the shop and the retreat.  I’ve never been to a retreat.  I kind of like to be home at night, but I think I could be persuaded to stay there.  Very nice rooms…a huge workroom with many design walls.  There are design walls throughout the retreat area.  They have a beautiful garden out back with a fountain and a lighted patio.  I can see where it could be quite a relaxing weekend.  Sew…eat…sleep…repeat.

The shop itself is very nice.  They have a nice selection of fabrics.  As long as I can find Civil War repros I’m happy!  They carry a lot of Superior and Aurifil threads.  I really liked that since my local quilt shop doesn’t have a large selection.    We got a demonstration of a new product…..iron on thread.   It’s a heavier, glittery thread that you iron on to fabric…..much like a stained-glass look.  I can see where I might use that in holiday projects.

Anyway…if you are ever near Danville, Illinois, be sure to stop.   They’ll feed you cookies!  🙂

Reasons for Quilts (Edyta Sitar) is really a nice book.  It’s not really a pattern book although it comes with a DVD  containing patterns for some of the quilts.  It’s more the stories behind many of her quilts and the reasons why all of us quilt.  It’s beautifully photographed.  It would make a wonderful gift for any quilter….even a gift to yourself!  Hey, we deserve it!

As you can see, I found fabric.  Sometimes I feel like the Queen of the Fat Quarter.  I do so love them!!  :-). It’s obvious they followed me home!  I think you can tell which fat quarter I brought back for MiniQuilter.

Tomorrow, it’s another road trip with the husband.  We’re off to the Grout Museum in Waterloo, Iowa to see an exhibit of Civil War quilts and tribute quilts and Civil War letters and artifacts.  I’m going to ask about photography.  I’m guessing no….but I’ll ask!