The adventure started on Wednesday morning. My husband texted me and told me to be safe. He had visions of me stuffed in a trunk and abandoned somewhere between Mason City and Cresco . It is a fear he always has when I say “Hey—I am going to go meet a bloggy friend”. It is unfounded and silly but it has become our little joke. Since I am writing this post you know that his dreaded fear did not come to fruition. What did come to fruition was a positively delightful day.
I connected with Doreen from Treadlemusic through following Audrey’s blog over at Minnesota Prairie Roots. That is how this blogging world operates. One blog leads to another which leads to another which leads to another. We are all a huge connected family and the blogs that I am drawn to seem to feature creative, talented and inspiring folks. Today’s meeting was no different and I made 3 new friends in the process.
Doreen is a wonderful woman with talents that I can not even begin to list here. Check out her blog and see a bit of what she is about by clicking here. She is a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, biker, small hobby farmer and above all a quilter. Chris’s grandma Kate was a quilter and left behind several tops that needed finishing. My sister in law graciously told me that I could have one and the one that I picked for me is perfect—red and beautiful. The other two , including one that is partially finished, will be the ones that my sister in law and niece will have. They are a little bit of our history and a lot of love.
After some emails back and forth Doreen suggested we meet in Cresco at Quilter’s Garden which is owned by Katie Mast. You can check out her Facebook page here. What a FABULOUS shop! I have been out of sewing for a few years but it stirred something deep within me…..The colors, the fabrics, the finished products….beautiful!
Quilter’s Garden (photo courtesy of Quilter’s Garden Facebook page)
Cram packed with fabulous fabrics!
Vivid colors on bolts await the perfect project
Machines and more machines!
The “mack daddy” of quilting machines!
While we were figuring out what the perfect fabrics were to use for backing and finishing the quilt tops a delightful young woman named Thavret entered the shop. As we listened to her almost perfect English we discovered that she was visiting the US from Cambodia on a cultural tour of sorts. I did not get the official name of the organization but I do know that she is associated with the Volunteer Student Club of Cambodia. One of the things that the students do is sell jewelry so of course we all purchased something from her and spent a while chatting about her experiences. The group combines home stays and camping experiences so she is getting a great experience. She was so enthusiastic and well spoken and she was thrilled to make “new friends” as were we. She asked me to be her Facebook friend so you know I found her as soon as I got home!
Katie , Thavret and Doreen
Me, Thavret and Doreen
Doreen and Katie chatted about projects and techniques and all things quilting and I just soaked it all up. I am thrilled to have someone so talented and lovely who is going to finish up these quilts for me. They are going to be such lovely reminders of Grandma Kate and of course I will be thinking of Doreen when I see them also.
Things Quilters Really Think!
Finished samples everywhere!
I especially loved this Iowa fabric featuring my own county–Cerro Gordo front and center.
I loved watching these two talk about some of the projects that Doreen had brought along to show me her work. Such excitement and enthusiasm!!!
Doreen shows off one of her masterpieces !
Details
Explaining just how it is done!
After hugs were exchanged for the last time Doreen and I walked down the street to the recommended restaurant (by Katie)—Teluwut where we had fabulously large or in their words “super” salads! My Caribbean was beyond delicious and Doreen and I shared more conversation while we ate.
I could not have envisioned a more perfect day. The hubby texted me several times during the day to check my status. Fortunately I was not stuffed in a trunk someone in the middle of nowhere Iowa. Thanks, Doreen and Katie, for a fabulous day! I look forward to our next meeting!
