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Thursday, July 26, 2012

"Yours to Discover" Shop Hop

I am totally blaming my sister for this one! I was prepared to "pass" on a big, 10 store, month long shop hop since July is such a busy month, and it involves a lot of driving. But my sister convinced me that it would be a fun challenge to see if we could visit all 10 quilt stores this month.
So we started off on the "Yours to Discover Shop Hop". I have been quilting for more than 20 years, so it was a surprise to find out that half of the stores were new to me!
We discovered some great quilt stores and I will mention my two new faves from this shop hop:
1) Quilt Junction in Waterford 
Their website does not in any way reflect this store...it is an amazing store in a renovated train station! It's a bit of a drive from anywhere, but it's a "destination location". They have adorable displays of the various fabric lines they carry and tons of finished quilts to enjoy.
You need to plan for a lot of time to have coffee/tea on the deck by the river, while you enjoy the scenery, visit with other quilters, and do some relaxing hand work. My sister took this photo of me stitching down some binding while enjoying the deck.



2) The Marsh Store in Ilderton
We really loved the Marsh Store, which is a renovated general store built in 1869. There are many rooms in this building which contain a huge variety of fabrics, and many products I haven't seen before. They also have a good supply of fabric paints, and specialty threads.





It was delightful to be greeted by their very friendly store manager Nellie (curled up in front of the door). Next time I visit, I will take treats for Nellie!







Just when you think it can't get any better, we found out there was a 30% sale this week... woohoo! This blue sale bucket had half meter cuts for $2, or 6 for $10! 
Some people got carried away and dug right to the bottom to see every single piece of fabric! 
Even though it was a lot of driving, we thoroughly enjoyed the Yours to Discover Shop Hop and are completely inspired to get in our sewing rooms and SEW!

13 comments:

  1. Scrappy Nanna says you must come shopping with us more often. The girls have taken me to both of these store and yes they are great. Especially love Nellie!Waiting to hear if you made all 10 shops!! How exciting for you!
    Northern Blog Stalker!!

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  2. I love shop hops and yours looks like it was so much fun. Looks like good bargains were to be had, too.

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  3. PS You've got another beautiful header, you certainly have a talent for it.

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  4. I went on my first shop hop 6 or 8 years ago, and I look forward to participating (at least a little) each year. These two shops look like such fun places to visit! I love the porch. And I am a sucker for a scrap basket. I find it easier to dump the contents out on a classroom table than it is to dig to the bottom. : )

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  5. What fun. And how nice to have a sister who still likes to get you in trouble.

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  6. Very fun. Sisters are good for things like that!

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  7. the hop should be fun. I do like the building those 2 shops are in.

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  8. So glad you paid a visit to The Marsh Store.....It is one of my absolute all time favourites! Hope Nelly doesn't get too worn out meeting and greeting this week. LOL

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  9. Oh, how fun! They both look like great shops to visit. Maybe next time I cross the bridge....

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  10. Congratulations Kathy on your July Shop Hop adventure. I finished the "Western Swing" yesterday and it was my first time visiing "the Marsh Ladies". They are all awesome including the four legged one! So is the store awesome. Jack, my husband, even enjoyed it and found out that there is a local market at the back of the property that sells only Middlesex grown produce. The sale made it even yummier! Melanie and I were to the Quilt Junction last year as well. I love the venu there too. Jack always asks questions and last year he found out that the owner was an engineer before she discovered true joy! Glad she made the discovery because it is a pleasure to visit....and shop there. Good luck on the draws!

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  11. What a fun thing to do with your sis. Glad ou found lots of bargains and new shops too!

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  12. Looks like you had a lot of fun! If I were in your shoes I might just go to the Marsh Store JUST to visit Nellie :)

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  13. The Marsh Store and Waterford are two of my favourite quilt shops too...I'm lucky to live only 35 minutes from Nellie and the Marsh store :-). Everytime I go, I spend the $10 and pick up 6 half metre bundles...they are a wonderful bargain! I finished the whole shop hop on Saturday....fun! I also discovered several new shops that I've never visited before.

    Jacqui

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