More Goodies from my Travels

Continuing on with my shop hop and retreat trip of a few weeks ago, here's some really good stuff from two more of my all time favorite shops!

I've had the pure pleasure of teaching periodically at The Quilter's General Store (Rockford, IL...near the WI state line) over the past several years, and it always feels like home when I'm there.  It's a warm and cozy shop, not only because of the nice people that work and take classes there, but they always have great fabrics, and I leave feeling inspired.  

Four Star General by Yellow Creek Quilts

Like this beauty that greeted me when I walked in the door.  This quilt, called Four Star General, is their newest BOM (they do lots of BOM's!)  If you're in the area, you still have time to join the fun as it starts the 3rd week of Sept.  

Did I mention the shop is located in an old farmhouse?  Yes...so charming!  The farm is still a working farm, too.  You'd never guess that it's all located on the corner of a bustling city intersection.  

The Quilter's General Store has offered the Prairie Women's Sewing Circle club from the very beginning.  I think it was the third shop to ever offer the club.  Former owner (and dear friend) Deb Peterson-Borcean lead the club for many years, and now current owner (and friend) Denise Rehnberg does it. 

Denise and Polly surprised me with show-n-tell of the shop quilts from Journey Four of the PWSC club!

I think you can see that if you're in the Rockford, IL area, you NEED to make a stop at the General Store!

My final destination was in Wisconsin, and if I'm ever entering the state, I HAVE TO go to JJ Stitches!  JJ's is located in Sun Prairie, WI (near Madison) and I think I've been going there for more than 15 years, and it's been grand each and every time.

Reproduction Pinwheels by JJ Stitches

I must confess that I didn't take as many photos as I would have liked for you because I was consumed with looking, touching, and buying fabric.  Dare I say you understand and will forgive me?!  Julie Hendricksen (peeking above the quilt) owns the shop and also designs fabrics for Windham.  I did manage to have the presence of mind to snap photos of several of Julie's latest offerings, like the gorgeous quilt above, called Reproduction Pinwheels.  I had to have that pattern!

Reproduction Chain by JJ Stitches

Julie often replicates and patterns many of the antique quilts from her large collection, offering unique patterns no other shop has.

She often has quilts in magazines, with the quilt above featured in 
the current issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine.

Old Soul pattern by Patchalot Patterns

Julie uses patterns from national designers, too, like this beauty called Old Soul from one of my favorite designers, Marcie Patch of Patchalot Patterns.  

There is just the most wonderful feeling that comes over me when I walk through the door at JJ's.  Maybe it's the antiques Julie uses for display, or the warm Civil War colors and fabrics. The soft music playing or just the fact that I know I'll find great fabrics and kits.  Maybe because I've been going to JJ Stitches for so many years, it's more like visiting a friends home.  It's probably all of those things, and I know you'll feel it, too, if you ever get the chance to visit.  You can always shop online!!

Needless to say, my shop hop was a great success, and perhaps now you can see why I lovingly refer to the shops on this route as "the holy land of quilting!"  

My final destination was the Second Story, located above another awesome, top notch quilt shop, The Country Sampler.

My pal, Tara Lynn Darr (Sew Unique Creations) and I settled in for days of wonderful, productive sewing.  Tara worked on new projects for her next book, and I worked on the final quilt for Journey Five.  We sewed, relaxed, gabbed, ate, and enjoyed a Downton Abbey marathon.  All good food for the soul!!