Monday, April 30, 2012

Monday Excitement -- and More Nebraska Quilt Shops

Most people don't like Mondays much.  But this Monday is shaping up to be a a Very Good Day!

First, I won!  I won one of the Fat Quarter Bundles from Maureen Cracknell's Handmade Cocoon Giveaway, sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop.  I even won the colorway I like best, how's that for lucky?  I'll post photos as soon as I receive my wonderful prize.

Second, I quilted my first real quilt on Meggie, the Mega Quilter:

My husband (and photographer) said, "But you won't be able to see the quilting in a photo."  DUH.  Actually, I think it turned out pretty good for a first try!  I used the ubiquitous "meander stitch" and a new poly thread from Superior Threads I got at the Cincinnati Quilt Festival.  The thread has a lovely sheen and it worked like a dream.

I pieced this quilt yesterday at Brown Bag Surprise at Ruth's Stitchery.  Do you recognize the pattern?  Yep, it's Yellow Brick Road.  My go-to pattern for quick and easy, and Ruth's fabric choices never disappoint.  I made it for a friend from church who recently underwent heart surgery.

This photo shows the fabric colors better, but isn't very flattering to me -- that's why I'm usually behind the camera!



Now, for the final "Nebraska Shop Hop 2012" report.

After departing Lincoln, I headed west to Seward and The Udder Store.  The sister store to The Cosmic Cow, the owner warned me that it is "a work in progress."  I was delighted with the selection at The Udder Store, although I had bought everything I wanted at the Lincoln store.

Once again, I took Highway 34 west, avoiding I-80's springtime construction.  The Quilt Basket in York was hosting an in-house quilt show, but I was hurrying to hit one more shop before closing time.  I foolishly returned to I-80 for the last leg to Aurora. The Picket Fence specializes in BOMs and kits -- and it was an even 100 degrees Fahrenheit when I arrived in Aurora!

Having learned my lesson, I kept to Highway 34 and arrived in Grand Island just in time for a quick turn through Material Girl before they closed.  Once again, I took a recommendation from the quilt shop owners and had dinner at a local Italian restaurant.  The shop opened early the next morning and I scored a great collection of Kaffe Fassett shot cottons.  Material Girl offers a huge selection of Kaffe Fassett, Amy Butler and other contemporary fabrics.



A second shop in Grand Island, Nana's Country Quilt Shop, is a haven for Reproduction fabric lovers.  They were hosting a Schnibbles quilt show, it is always fun to see the fabrics different quilters choose for quilts I've made myself.

Next up was The Quilters Cottage in Kearney.  Not a big shop, but a big selection.  By now, I was starting to flag, so I don't remember much about Kearney!

I do remember the next shop, because I was surprised at how contemporary a shop Prairie Point Junction turned out to be.  I guess I thought "Prairie Point Junction" sounded like a "Kansas Troubles" and "Thimbleberries"-type shop, but they really have a great selection of contemporary fabrics and a huge selection of wool felt.  I will definitely turn away from the Interstate to visit Cozad next trip East!

The Quilt Rack in North Platte is one of those shops that looks like it won't be much from the outside -- but is wonderful inside.  Row after row of color-sorted fabrics, the newest 30s repros and lots and lots of pre-cuts make this shop worth turning off the Interstate for.

My last stop in Nebraska was The Silver Thimble in Ogalalla.  This is one of those smallish shops stuffed chock-full of fabric.  I finally found the light blue polka dot fabric I'd searched for in every shop from Colorado Springs to Cincinnati and back again!  I visited enough shops to earn 27 points on my "Official Stamp Card."  Not sure what that means, but I had fun and found some new (to me) shops.

Because of the time zone change, I made it to Fort Morgan just in time to visit Inspirations Quilt Shop before they closed for the day.  I love this shop, but it's a long drive to Fort Morgan from the Springs, so I don't get out there often.  Inspirations has lots of kits  and beautiful samples quilted in their own shop.

Whew!  I count 30 shops visited in two weeks!  No wonder I might be a little fuzzy on the details of some!

Remember to go to here to sign up for my giveaway.




From the desk of your
auntmartisignature

5 comments:

  1. So glad that you enjoyed some of our Nebraska quilt shops. We are sooo lucky to have some very wonderful shops, and great variety, too!

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  2. The quilting shows up quite well on that quilt - great colours. Again I love some of the names of those shops!

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  3. Yippee! I think your first on Meggie looks great! PS--I LOVE her name! :)

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  4. I just got my first piece of shot cotton by Kaffe and I'm in love with it! I have plans to make it into a tunic after the baby is born. :) But a whole stash would be fun to add to a quilt, they have wonderful color.

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