Sixth Store - 7/31

OK...all my Quilt Buddies know that after visiting Rosebud's Cottage last year, I check Roseann's blog daily (rosebudscottage.typepad.com) and that I consider her a "Quilting Rock Star". I was so impressed with the personal assistance she and her staff gave me when reserving both Metro Bus Tours. They were so generous and kind with their time and efforts.
Having this painted on their wall is a testament to the atmosphere Roseann and her staff create in this shop. It is a place where you immediately feel comfortable!
The shop is located in North St. Paul in what appears to be sort of a main street with charming buildings and two lanes. Roseann explained that every Friday night during the summer North St. Paul hosts an antique car show. People from all over park their retro cars on the street, there are food vendors and live music, they were beginning to arrive while we were there. It looked like such fun. Above is Roseann and her staff, Roseann is the one wearing red.
Her samples were displayed in such a way that you could easily appreciate each and everyone.
Lots of eye candy...
...I just wanted to soak it all in!
The displays were very creative...
...lots to see and touch...
...no shortage of inspiration.

Every shop in the Metro area gives out a charm that represents their shop. While talking, Roseann offered to give me extra charms for my Quilt Buddies back in Alaska. I thanked her for her generosity, but told her that I had too many to count and that they should come and earn their own charm. We laughed and then Roseann offered to put on a special workshop if a group of us decided to come. What a thoughtful and kind offer! Soooo...you Quilt Buddies...lets take the savings plan we created seriously...I would love doing this again with all of you! We'll talk more when I get home! Thanks to Roseann and her staff...Rosebud's Cottage was a wonderful way to end a perfect dillydally day! The website is www.rosebuds-cottage.com

The Fifth Shop - 7/31

Welcome to Charlotte's Quilting Web located in Stillwater, Minnesota. Mr. DillyDally's favorite novel as a child was Charlotte's Web, so I thought of him immediately. This is my second visit to this shop as well, and it was great to return.
Here is their staff, the owner is the second one from the right. They were all a bit camera shy, but I told them how much my Quilt Buddies would enjoy knowing the people behind the creativity...I appreciate them being good sports, as I also hate to be in front of a camera. Thanks ladies!
Again...samples everywhere! I loved this rocket ship quilt...it is made with fabric that has a rocket/space theme. I came awfully close to buying the kit...I just may have to contact them later. This was the only place I saw this fabric and pattern!
How lovely...two of my favorites...hand embroidery and 30's fabric. Of course...I bought the pattern!
I purchased this pattern last year...more favorites...30's and aprons...took the photo to inspire me to make it...wish you could all see it live!
Another apron...amazing retro fabric...love it...love it! It was so kind of the shy staff person to model it for me...yes, I coerced her into it...I know...I have no shame...but it was so cute and wouldn't have looked nearly as nice without the model! Hope she forgives me!
More lovely samples...
...such diversity in style for a shop this size...I was very impressed again this year! Take a look yourself at www.charlottesquiltingweb.com

Fourth Store - 7/31

The Bear Patch Quilting Co. is located in a town or suburb called White Bear Lake. It is a lovely location in a "downtown" sort of area. A beautiful building and wait til you see what's inside! This shop is famous amongst my Quilt Buddies because this is where I purchased the charm square bag pattern. After making it, one of our local quilt shop owners ordered the patterns and I taught a workshop.
Here is the staff, minus one. I got the impression that the woman second from the left was the owner. They were all so pleasant and helpful, just a joy to talk to. The woman that I think is the owner, noticed my bag as soon as I entered the shop. I told her that I had bought the pattern here last year on the tour, and how our local shop has had to order the pattern multiple times...isn't it rewarding to see how far those common threads can travel? Love it...love it!
Here is the photo of the staff member who tried to get away! She gets her very own photo! Too cute!
Samples everywhere....
...veggies...
...and fruit! I just thought this collection was so cute...I may have to get the patterns later...good thing I have their business card!
I loved how they displayed the precuts...look how they used the fastest jellyroll pattern ever as a tablecloth...what creativity!
More samples...
...talk about eye candy...wonderful. During our one hour visit, it came out that I was a big Terry Atkinson fan...as we were leaving the store owner stopped me and gave me a coin purse that she had recently made during a workshop with Terry. I was so touched...how generous...a random act of kindness...the world really is a wonderful place filled with wonderful people. Check out this shop at www.bearpatchquilting.com

Third Store - 7/31

Our third stop was the Fat Quarter Quilt Shop in Coon Rapids. I will be able to find this shop easily as I drive by when returning to Minneapolis from my brother's place in Bemidji! It is located in a cute strip mall...coffee shop...yarn shop...bead shop...everything we dillydallyers enjoy! Toooo much fun!
What wonderful women! The owners are the women on the left and right, a mother and daughter-in-law team! I know...we all hope our sons are as smart and worthy! The woman in the middle is Mary, she served as the "Bus Mom" on my second tour (8/7) and we got to know one another well...not because of my delightful personality, but because I was always the last one back on the bus. She is a delight, very kind and patient! The woman on the right was the one who organized the Metro Bus Tours. I can only imagine what a huge job that was...her efforts were appreciated by the many who attended. Thank you!
These are their samples using the 2009 MN Shop Hop fabrics! Lovely! The quilt is a Terry Atkinson pattern. I bought the kit...think it will make a great graduation quilt for my nephew!
My Quilt Buddies and I are huge fans of This n' That patterns by Sherry Falls so I just had to take a picture of this rack...and yes girlfriends...I'm coming home with more!
Samples, samples every where....
...love it...love it...love it...
...there is noooo such thing as toooo many samples! What a great shop! Hope you enjoyed your visit...I sure did! You can visit them on line at www.fatquarter.net

Second Store - 7/31

Our next stop was the Blue Bamboo quilt store. Again I was so happy to be on a tour, I would have had difficulty finding it as it is located in an industrial park. I'm sure the locals have no trouble. The store front is understated compared to what you find indoors...
Here is the staff that greeted us...such lovely people. Am unsure who the owner is, but the woman on the right appeared to be in charge. Look at the quilt above them...I know that Diane will go weak at the knees when she sees it! There were incredible samples everywhere!
This is the sample that they created using the Minnesota Shop Hop fabrics. Every year they publish new fabrics for their statewide shop hop! I know....how amazing is that!
In this photo I was attempting to show you how large the store actually is...what a gold mine of fabric.
Not only are there samples everywhere, but kits for every sample! I took this photo to show you how the fabric was displayed and kits are stacked above the bolts and in the wire cubes. I could have spent a week just going through their batik section! Check them out at www.mybluebamboo.com Entirely awesome!

Minnesota Shop Hop - Day One - First Shop 7/31

Finally! I got the camera and computer to work together! I have been having the best week ever and dying to share it with my quilting buddies! We began the day at 8:00 am. This tour was the northern route of Minneapolis / St. Paul. It is so relaxing to be on a tour bus...not having to worry about traffic or directions...I could get used to this! Our first stop was Glad Creations...isn't the store front picture perfect?
This was the staff that greeted us! This store has been open for 33 years...talk about success! It was a Mother/Daughter team, now the daughter owns it. She is the one second from the left. You can tell these ladies have a good time, the atmosphere was so warm and inviting...I could have spent all day here!

The patterns hanging (with the black borders) are published by Glad Creations. They are all beautiful and are of pieced quilt designs. I have bought some of them over the years...now I know where they originate from. I added a few more to my collection! They had samples of these quilts (some in several color ways) hanging up in a special area...they were hung like rugs at Home Depot...it was soooo inspiring! They were difficult to photograph that way...you'll just have to come and see them yourself!

Our bus of passengers filled the store!

There were samples everywhere! Here are some hand applique' quilts! I'm glad that I accidentally got these two women in the photo. They are Lola and Marcie from Washington state! Lola is a teacher close to retirement who intends to begin a quilt vacation business! They were so fun...I plan to stay in contact with Lola...Washington state quilt vacation here I come!


Check out Glad Creations at www.gladcreationsquilts.com, you'll be "glad" you did! It was a wonderful way to begin our tour!

Sorry...Stand By

For whatever reason...UGH!...I am having difficulty getting my computer to download my pictures. I would call Brother DillyDally for assistance, but it is too early Alaska time...will contact him today and hopefully he will be able to help.

The bus tour was fantastic! Enjoyed the weekend in South Dakota! Am now in Moorhead, Minnesota trying to make Brother DillyDally's apartment livable! Beautiful weather...it should be a lovely drive to northern Minnesota to visit family.

Hope to post again soon! Hope you are doing a little DillyDallying today!