This is great. The only show that I have been to was one in the Twin Cities in MN. I have always been dreaming of a quilting cruise. I think that would be very exciting. Quilt whenever you want. Have classes available and other quiltly things.
Mary
I think one of the other perks that I would love about a quilting cruise or retreat is that I wouldn't have to cook...all I would have to do is sew. :-)
Oh yeah!! I didn't even think of that. And I'll bet the food would be really good too! No housekeeping either! LOL
You already have Sisters, Oregon on your list, but have you been there? I took two of my sisters there several years ago, it was amazing, we made it a week long vacation and started in Portland and stopped at quilt shops from there all the way down the Oregon coast and then traveled back up to see Crater Lake and through the mountain passes to get to Sisters for the quilt show, then on to Mount Hood to see Timberline Lodge where part of the original movie "The Shining" was filmed. After that we followed the Columbia River back to Portland and then flew back to Minnesota. It was such an amazing trip and we have hundreds of pictures of quilts and I still have quilt fabric that I haven't touched. It was simply amazing. I had fun driving my sisters and scaring them a little on those mountain passes! LOL I had already been out to Oregon twice before, and they had never been there, so they let me do all the driving.
As far as Minnesota goes there is a quilt shop in Waite Park, Minnesota, Grubers Quilt Shop, they have a building right across the street where they offer for retreats and they will teach seminars, etc. It is a fabulous quilt shop that I could spend hours and hours in. It isn't the largest quilt shop that I have been in, but It's one of the largest in Minnesota. And 9 times out of 10 I can find what I need there, plus they have a yarn department, which always makes me happy! :)
Loretta
One quilting project, like one cookie, is never enough.
Loretta,
I used to live in St. Cloud, MN so I know about Gruber's. That was BQ (before quilting), but I loved the fabric that I saw there. They had in such beautiful arrangements too!
At last, temps are lower, the girls are lined up at the gate, time to choose one of my beautiful ladies and go for a ride! YIPPEE! Great start for my patio party today!`
Congrats Merrilee,
You may be the last to post your guesses but you were tops in correct answers with six right. You are this week's winner!
For all of you who participated, here is the list of items in my travel bag:
I was impressed at some of the good guesses you all made. Quilt Daddy correctly guessed the Quilters Travel Companion, Sue guessed the hat, and Lisa Marie got the chocolate right. But I think you got the most Merrilee because I was packing more for a quilt retreat and not a shopping road trip.
Thanks to all of you for your suggestions on what to pack and where to visit! I really liked the idea of packing gifts too - How thoughtful!
Take care and see you next Thursday!
QCA Liz S.
Dear Liz, Thank you so much! I am absolutely delighted. I have to say that since joining QCA I've already been totally delighted with all that this group offers, and that was before this wonderful and unexpected bonus! I have had so much fun and found such inspiration from looking at all of the beautiful quilts and have enjoyed picturing myself at this wysteria draped patio, drinking a cool glass of lemonade and enjoying some hand piecing. I'm only just getting starte with quilting now that I've retired although quilts and quilt shows have changed my life, truly! Thank you again and big hugs to all of the Patio Party People!
Merrilee
P.S. Oh, oh, I forgot to say that the reason for keeping my list simple and to the quilting tools is because when I have traveled to conventions, as long as I've had money in my bank account I've been able to find the regular necessities like chocolate and a hat, etc.. What I had trouble finding were the specialized materials tha i needed for the classes I was taking so I always concentrated on packing those. Another trick is this: a friend told me, take a couple of old pairs of pants, any other old clothes that you can just hang out in, work in and if necessary, leave behind! More room to take things home in the suitcase!
Space in my suitcase for what I buy on trips...I always have a hard time finding room! LOL! I love your idea of leaving old clothes behind....you definitely have your priorities straight!