Hop.. Skip.. and a whole lotta goodies

The boys and I just returned home after spending a week with my parents. We had a great time.. the boys got spoiled by Grandma.. and went fishing with Grandpa. It was an all around good time.

So - after 7 days, we loaded up the car and headed home. We had to drive all across Minnesota and since yesterday was day 1 of the "Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop".. we made a few stops along the way.

I didn't travel off our route - so we only stopped at 3 stores. But they were all wonderful stores that I will be sure to visit again. My boys were real troopers too. What would normally be a 4 1/2 hour trip.. became 7 hours. I had warned them that we would be stopping and there would be NO COMPLAINING!!! They actually got into it.. my oldest was even saying things like "Mom.. look at this" and "Mom.. look at that quilt on the wall.. it has a lot of detail". LOL

Anyway - my first stop was "Back Porch Quilts" in Detroit Lakes MN (my husbands home town). I've been to this store before and it never disappoints. I need to save up some $$ and go back!!

Moda's very own Holly Taylor even designed Quilt Minnesota Fabric. And it's so beautiful!!! Every store gives you a bag with directions and fabric to make one block using the signature fabric. 

I had to get the charm pack.. love it!

My second stop was "Front Porch Quilts" in Walker MN. Let me just say ADORABLE!!!

Their flannel selection made my heart skip a beat... seriously.. I think I blacked out a little. When I came to I heard my son saying "Mom.. are you ok? Let go of the fabric Mom.. you're embarassing us"... ok, maybe not - but you get the idea.

I grabbed a charm pack of "Awesome" by Sandy Gervais. I'm going to make a cute fall table topper I think.

My final stop is a shop that is close to my house.. THANK GOODNESS!! Because I'm in love with this store!!! It's called "The Hingeley Road Quilt Shop".

Look at all these precuts...

Have you EVER seen so many??

All the joy made me a little dizzy..  I only took pictures of 3 walls of precuts.. but they have more if you can believe it! And I found this little jewel..

I need to go back very soon (without kids) and take my time searching through their stash to see what other treasures I can find. Let me just say.. if there is a charm pack you've been looking for.. they probably have it!!

This store also gave away (yes.. for FREE) this quilt book. The store owner is the designer... and she was giving this book to all the shop hoppers with their square. Very generous!

I'm going to visit the quilt stores in the Duluth area this week and sew what other treasures I can find. But first.. groceries!! The fridge was looking pretty empty after being gone a week!

And tonight.. SEWING!!!!!