4 Days & 800 miles later . . .

Four days & more than 800 miles later - a great All-Iowa Quilt Shop Hop & I visited only 18 (I think; I lost count) shops.  I really wanted to visit those shops that were new to me, so I did just that plus a few I've done business with for years.  I always love to stop & see the old friends, of course!

Monie Perdue at Heartland Quilt Shop

The Algona shops south of here were my first stops.  I always enjoy stopping to see Pat at Heartland Quilt Shop & Karen at Seams To Me.   Monie was a good replacement for Pat that day, so I got a great picture of her smiling face.

Those cute baby quilts behind Karen caught my eye so I had to get that pattern; especially love the one with the butterflies since I have a new great-granddaughter - our first great-grand!


Karen Boyken at Seams To Me



Saw this neat quilt at Heartland

I spotted the Christmas banner
at Seams To Me & had to show
a picture of it.    It's so different
from any holiday banners I've
ever seen - love it!  See the cardinals!


Karen must really be in the holiday mood
early this year since she had these sweet
pumpkins displayed, too.



 I have to go for now - will put up some more shops as soon as I catch up on a few things.

Have a great day!

Don't miss Mary at The Wooden Thimble

Another great quilt shop in Estherville, Iowa is Mary's Wooden Thimble right on Central Avenue across from the high school - you can't miss it.  Her's is a full-service shop of fabric, patterns, threads, & tons of notions.  I even saw some of the new wire barn quilts for sale at Mary's; these add a great touch to the outside decor of a house.

Mary has lots of ideas for warm, fuzzy baby quilts.  This is the new Softee that is so cuddly.  She has kits for this quilt & look at the popcorn circles of different colors on the back - it's so sweet!

Mary must love purses, totes, & little bags because she has oodles of them displayed here.  Who wouldn't love one of these to carry all your stuff in - you know how stuff just grows & grows . . . and we have to have a place for it.  (There's one of those wire house blocks in the left lower corner.) 

There always something new hanging on the screen door at Mary's!             And a wall of brights for fun children's quilts & crafts!

And a selection of hues & tones of reproductions!       Don't miss Mary's Wooden Thimble on your way along the All-Iowa Quilt Shop Hop through Thursday - extended hours keep the shop owners open for your business!  Come up to the northwest corner of Iowa!

All-Iowa Quilt Shop Hop!

The All-Iowa Shop Hop is on!  Don't miss out!  You can hop from shop to shop across Iowa through next Thursday, the 14th.  Extended hours at all 90 participating shops make it easier for the travelers - Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays 9 am to 6 pm; Thursdays 9 am - 8 pm; and Sundays 11 am to 4 pm.

I'm planning to leave Monday morning & head south & east, but before I go that direction, I'll be visiting some of the great shops up here in the northwest corner of the state. 

Candy Fredericksen, owner at Homespun Quilt Shop in Estherville, IA

Candy at Homespun Quilt Shop  in Estherville serves most of my needs for the great reproduction & homespun look; she is always willing to give a helping hand picking & choosing fabrics & patterns.  She just recently added a wonderful selection of batiks.   

I'm especially partial to her because she carries all of my Civil War Battle Series & Generals Series patterns.  And she has made & sold many kits for those patterns.  Candy frequents most all of the large quilt shows & travels a far distance to bring my designs to the public. 
I appreciate you, Candy! 

Here are some quick digitals of her & her shop in Estherville - don't miss it on your shop hop travels!

Candy also BAKES !!               Everything is homemade!                    

           Even the kringla is out for the Shop Hop visitors!!

More Visitors at Market !!

Here's Roseann of Rosebud's Cottage in White Bear Lake, MN!  Always full of new ideas, crafting & quilting, we had a super visit in the market booth !  Roseann is hard to keep up with; she just goes & goes like the Energizer bunny !  I have trouble just keeping up with her posts on facebook !  

She has added a new spot to her quilt shop location!  Another trip added to the list for this summer ... anybody want to go with me ... I'm sure we'd find lots to see & buy ! 

Follow her blog at

htttp://rosebudscottage.typepad.com .

Thanks for stopping by, Roseann!

We always enjoy a visit from Michelle Joyner of  Fat Quarters Quilt Shop in Vista, CA.  Another location I have on my bucket list. 

At market Michelle is on the run day after day, so we are always tickled that she finds time to stop & see us.