QBee & Me - Our Minnesota Shop Hop! Shop Two

Blue Bamboo - Plymouth, Minnesota

Our group of QBees in Cordova have been quilting together for years...we know one another well...some might say too well! ;-)  Because we know one another well, when we see certain fabrics, quilts, or projects they just call out to a certain QBees personality!  Last summer when I went to Blue Bamboo for the first time...that shop just screamed QBees Terry B. and Diane!  So when Diane decided that she was coming to Minnesota ... I was determined to make sure I got her there.

Coming from our remote corner of the world ... we were completely taken off guard by the experience called "rush hour traffic" ... we literally crawled our way from Waconia to Plymouth!  It took forever ... now I know where "road rage" comes from ... ;-)!  We finally got there 10 minutes before they closed!  UGH!!! I was trying soooo hard not to be upset ... I think I hid it well.

I wish you all could have seen Diane's response when we got inside ... talk about a kid in a candy store ... it was just too darn cute!  The owner, I apologize ... we never got her name was so enjoyable ... and kind ... she offered to stay open later for us!  Aren't quilters just the nicest people?  Gosh ... that made such a difference ... we could just relax ... soak it all in ... and shop!

The selection was over the top ... over 6,000 bolts worth ... and aren't the samples unbelievable?  Diane found many treasures ... so did I ... but Blue Bamboo's greatest treasure is the personality and kindness of the shop owner!  Thanks for staying open late and for the inspiration!

QBee & Me - Our Own Minnesota Shop Hop!

I welcomed a QBee to Minneapolis today!  What fun to have a quilt buddy join me here in Minnesota!  QBee Diane arrived from Cordova at 12:30 pm today!  I allowed her to take a bathroom break, purchase a latte' and then we were off to get our rental car!  We had to hurry...we had quilt shops to visit...fabric to fondle...patterns to peruse...and Minnesota's beautiful countryside to see!  By 1:30 we were on Interstate 494, our mapquest instructions in hand!  The itinerary I had created for today involved visiting 3 quilt shops and traveling as far west as Alexandria, where we are spending the night.  So come along...

Heavenly Patchwork Quilt Shop - Waconia, Minnesota

This shop had to be our first stop because Kay (the owner) is truly an angel...in every way...not only does she have a terrific shop...she is the one we subscribed to the Cobblestone BOM with.  The QBees and I had such a great time this winter, working on our blocks...all of which was documented here on Dilly-Dally Days!  She built such a valuable relationship with us...even though we are nearly 4,000 miles away...that two QBees signed up for their current BOM! It is pictured on the right in the photo below.  I can't wait to see the finished ones by our QBees in Cordova!

This is just a taste of all the goodness found at Heavenly Patchwork!  While there, a woman came in to show Kay two of her completed quilts...

She had made this for her parents in celebration of their 50th Wedding Anniversary!

The blocks that appear white in the first photo are actually antique white handkerchiefs.  It was a beautiful quilt.  Stunning!

This was the second quilt brought in by the same customer!  It was great to watch Kay and her staff encourage this quilter in her efforts.  What a caring and supportive place!

The Heavenly Patchwork crew has already begun working on their Minnesota Shop Hop projects as well.  What creativity!

QBee Diane and Kay with the next BOM

And after we had visited ... shopped ... visited ... shopped and visited some more ... Diane and I signed up for Sherri's (did I mention the designer of This n' That fame, Sherri Falls is Kay's daughter?) club called "Sweet Pickins"!  It will begin in September...each month we'll receive a new unreleased pattern and fabric!  We can't wait to tell the other QBees about it and hope that many of them will join us!

Our time with Kay in her shop was soooo enjoyable...she really is an angel!  Thank you Kay for a wonderful afternoon!

Why I travel nearly 4,000 miles to shop at Emily's Country Cottage!

Emily's Country Cottage is located in beautiful Bemidji, Minnesota!  This shop is located in a quaint building that I assume was at one time a home!

I started coming to Emily's Cottage many years ago when it was primarily a gift shop, with most of the gift items being handmade by Emily herself.  Multiple friends and family have handmade items in their homes that were made by Emily.  It has been such a privilege to watch her shop grow over time.  I look forward to visiting this quilt shop every year.  While there yesterday Emily was asked why people would travel 100 miles to visit her shop...you must understand that she is a soft spoken, humble person (yes...I know...nothing like me!)  and before she could answer...of course I spoke up...and announced that I travel nearly 4,000 miles to shop there!  ;-)

It is so easy to be a cheerleader for Emily and her shop!  Every square inch of this building is filled with inspiration!  Once you go there, you'll know that I am not exaggerating!  Literally...there are samples every where of every size imaginable!  Take a look see...

I loved how she used a chenille fabric for the plain blocks...hmmm...I wish I had walked out the door with a kit for this in my bag...I may just have to phone in an order when I get home.  Her service is wonderful...both over the phone and email.

This is a "Row by Row" quilt that they are sponsoring as a group.  Check out their website, they have several events that they sponsor...but I'll warn you...it makes you want to move to Bemidji...just to participate and join the fun!

I fell in love with this table topper pattern...of course it is coming home with me!  Love it!  I think it would make a great auction item for our guild's fundraiser!  Yes...there is more...

Yes...these are a few of the quilts that are hung on the ceiling...remember...I said every square inch!

Now we're upstairs...that is where she has most of wool applique fabrics, samples and patterns.

Next we travel down to the basement.  This is where her classroom is located, all of her flannels and batiks are also located here.

Even the porch is filled with treasure...

Talk about inspiration...and remember...this is just a fraction of the samples on display.  And don't forget that I didn't even show you the fabric and supplies that support all of these samples.  The variety is amazing...one can not help but be inspired!

Another reason I travel so far to shop here is Emily's original designs...here are but a few...

Emily is so modest about her talent...and this is just a very small sample of her original designs.  I left with two kits of her original patterns...can't post photos of them...they are 007 projects so must remain under cover... ;-) !

While we were visiting yesterday, I shared with her how much I was going to miss not participating in the Minnesota Shop Hop in August...she took pity on me...and showed me the fabric and designs she is working on...

Too yummy for words!  While there a large pieced quilt top made with these fabrics was brought in...it was incredible...came from the book, Traditions with a Twist!  Amazing!  Can't wait to see what else Emily and her crew come up with!  A couple of the earlier photos show quilts that were made with the fabrics from 2008 and 2009!  

As quilters, we're surrounded by an incredible treasure of fabrics, designs and supplies.  And we can find them everywhere...in our communities, when we travel and online.  So...I ask...if we can shop anywhere, at any time, in our pajamas if we want...why do we travel great distances to visit a quilt shop in person?  The answer is simple...

Shaun and Emily of Emily's Country Cottage

 

Yes...this shop has incredible samples, an amazing supply of fabrics, and unsurpassed talent, but I return each year because of the warmth, generosity and friendship the women who greet me share.  They empower those that enter their doors with support and encouragement.  So the answer as to why travel great distances to a quilt shop is simple....it is human touch that makes an experience enjoyable...and when we find pleasure in the company of others...we want more...and we will travel thousands of miles for it.  So Emily...I hope I have helped you answer that question...thanks for everything you've done to enhance my dillydally lifestyle...I am truly grateful.