A small break from my travels!

Hubby, who religiously read my blog and offers unsolicited but sometimes constructive opinions ;o), mentioned that I have a tendency to leave my readers hanging.

Anywho, it appears that I do not, at times, follow through with my posts. So there's a New Years Resolution for you, to follow through with my posts. ;o)

Here I go buttoning things up! lol

The December 20th, 2008 post needs a closure.

If you recall, I blogged about the Yankee Swap gift I was making.

This is what I ended up sewing for the swap. I wanted something that would go with every one's decorating style and this was a perfect table topper.

DH made a beautiful wooden bowl, which I would have gladly posted a picture but he forgot to take one! Too bad because it was gorgeous! Very artsy fartsy! lol

We were the only ones that had a hand made gift! It was fun to watch people trade for them!

The next post that needs buttoning up is that of December 9th, 2007.

On that blog entry I made mention of a machine quilting design I had come up with for the Winter Sentry Quilt.

It can take me a bit of time to come up with a design for a quilt. Especially for this one since the blocks were only 4 inches finished.

So far I like the way it turned out (if you click on the picture, you'll get a much closer view). It is a little bulky at the center but acceptable! I still have a tad more machine quilting to do on it before I consider this wall hanging complete.

The final post that will be buttoned up in the near future is the Crayola affair! I am still working on that one! The objective of the experiment was not only to test the "washability" of the markers but also how long it could safely remain on the fabric.

So stay tune for the final post of the Crayola affair coming soon on your computer screen!

If there are other post that I have not "button up" please do let me know!

Have a great day every one and thank you so much for stopping by!

My Travels - Partie III !

The entrance to The Old Country Store! Don't ya just love the store front? So not like anything we have in my neck of the woods!
For those interested in reading more about this shop, it was featured in the Better Homes & Garden Quilt Sampler 1998 issue.

When you walk in, this is what greets you, lots and lots of beautiful "gifty" items!

It's my understanding that some of the items are locally made!

The shop really has a warm welcoming feel to it! Would you be surprised if I said I spend a few hours in there? ;o)

And check out that old stove! It's just gorgeous.

I'd love to have that in my kitchen. Of course I'd have to change the lay out a tad! ;o)

This is a separate room on your left.

It has a plethora of various items to suit any one's fancy. They even sell clothing that fits an 18 inch doll!

I love that cabinet!

On your right, after that gorgeous stove, is the quilt for sale room.

I tell you there are some beauties in there! The hand quilting is phenomenal! The prices are quite reasonable too!

Someone had once told me that some Amish people/stores buy quilt tops made in China, hand quilt them and pass them off as "Amish quilts". Now, the quilts I saw in this shop did not look like they came from China. You can tell that a quilt is from China by the type of fabrics they use to make their cheap quilts. No, the one's I saw were real beauties! I did go to Glick's Craft Shop in the town Bird-in-Hand and they actually had a large sign on their back wall stating, "We do not sell quilts made in China." So, perhaps some shops do go the China route!

During my very first visit to Amish country, (oh so many moons ago ;o), I was taken aback by the number of quilts that were made with printed fabrics. Given that traditional "Amish" quilts are made using plain cotton fabrics, it struck me odd. However, it dawned on me that although it would be against their principle to have a "printed fabric" quilt in their home, it does not mean that they cannot make them to sell! Perhaps they are better sellers than their traditional quilts! Myself, I would much rather have a traditional quilt any day!

The last part of the "gifty" section of the shop are, of course, the Amish dolls!

What struck me strangely were the faces on the dolls, forth row down!

They must have had a request for dolls with a face because it is not part of their tradition that's for sure! Never mind the rosy makeup cheeks!

Now for the "quilty" stuff!

They certainly had a very good selection of fabrics!

Their Batik section was sweet! You know, it's wonderful to be able to buy batiks at such a low price compared to other stores!

There was another room on the right of this one that I did not bother to photograph. It had a good selection of flannel fabrics as well as a section of fabric bolts that were "marked down".

Check out their fat quarter section! I love that cabinet!

They also had quite a nice selection of books to suit any one's taste.

Their notion wall was not as elaborate as some shops I've seen, but hey, keep it simple no? ;o)

This pretty much concludes the tour of the shop! Isn't sweet? There's just so much to explore!

Stay tune for The People's Place Quilt Museum tour located on the second floor! I'm telling you, you could spend hours in that store!

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit with me! Have a great day everyone!

My travels - Partie II !

If you are into gift stores, Intercourse is definitely for you!


The Kitchen Kettle Village is the place you want to be. You can easily spend a day in Intercourse if not more!

The Kitchen Kettle is actually a store full of amazing home made preserves and pickled what evers. By the way, their pickled beets are out of this world and so is their salsa!

Aside from the Village Quilts, there are numerous little gift shops that make up this unique attraction.

Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to wonder around from shop to shop. One thing about Amish stores, they do close early on Saturdays and of course are closed on Sundays.

Just next to the Kitchen Kettle, sort of behind Zooks Dry Goods is the Country Accents .

They have an array of "country theme" items to decorate your home. Of course I stayed away from that store because I knew I would blow my budget! ;o)

I have visited these places in the past and due to my time restraint, I felt I should forgot these shops and concentrate of the quilt shops.

There are other shops within Intercourse that sell quilts and gift items. One of my all time favourite shop, which is across the street from the Kitchen Kettle Village is The Old Country Store.

What a sweet looking quilt and gift shop.

I was tickled pink when the owner allowed me to photograph not only the store but The People's Place Quilt museum, which is located on the second floor of her shop.

Stay tune for the tour!

Thank you for stopping by! I always enjoy reading your comments!

I'm back from my travels... partie I!

Such beautiful landscape!


I truly enjoy driving in Pennsylvania! It is so relaxing! Some areas can be quite stunning!

As you drive through the country or in a town, one must always be on the look out for buggies! They are really every where!

I was reading an article in the Amish Country News that the Amish people are perhaps the most photograph ethnic group. Interesting! I would never think of going up to one and saying "Hey, can I have my photograph taken with you?" lol I can certainly understand how difficult it would be for some people to comprehend the Amish lifestyle, perhaps even assuming that this was all part of tourism.


My first stop was at Sauder Fabric in Denver, PA.

Bonus for me, they were having a 10% off on all items in the store.

If that wasn't enough, they were having a Year End Warehouse sale. You could actually buy bolts of fabrics anywhere from $1.75 to $2.80 a yard. They mainly had B&P Textile, VIP and Kona cottons on bolts.

This is the entrance to Sauder Fabric.

Sauder's had a wide selection of fabrics from Modas, Kaufman to VIP etc. Lots of discounted fabrics.

Word of advice, when you look at their plain cotton fabrics, you must be careful to read the label on the bolt. They do have poly/cotton blends intermixed with their Kona cottons.
My next stop!

This is Zook's Dry Goods in Intercourse, PA.

Amazingly, Zook's had a bit of festive decorating on the outside. However, the inside is not decorated at all.

One thing about Amish fabric stores in PA, they are not cute or decorated with the latest fad. The shops I visited were all very plain, functional and clean. They do not have "displays". Everything they sell is neatly laid out.

Their fabrics are much cheaper then any of your "standard" quilts shops. I would say that they tend to price their fabrics approximately 25% less then other stores. This would also apply to notions.

I did not take any pictures of the inside of Sauder or Zook's Dry Goods because there wasn't anything to show. Both places have a huge inventory of fabrics neatly laid out.

In another post I will write more about Intercourse. It's a wonderful little town!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! May the New Year bring you all that your heart desires or better!
Thank you for stopping by!

I'm off again!

This time we are headed to Landenburg, PA.

Stephen's best friends live in Pennsylvania. I have always liked going there. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't mind moving there. The country side is beautiful and well, the Amish atmosphere is so relaxing. The horse and buggies are a reminded for me to slow down!

While Stephen will be jamming with the members of his band Interview, making lots of music, I'll be getting lost in Lancaster! Oh...... I cannot wait!

I have a couple of shops in Intercourse that I like to visit, The Old Country Store and Zook's Dry Goods. I was thinking of heading out to Denver and visit Sauders. I'll see how much time I have. I'm just thrilled to be able to get lost in Amish country!

After my expedition, it will be time to celebrate. They have planned a dinner for the spouses. Let me tell you, they know how to entertain! There is nothing more enjoyable than good food, good wine and good company. The guys are all great cooks. When they're together in the kitchen it's quite entertaining to watch them!

I will remember to bring my camera!

Have a great weekend everyone! Thank you for taking the time to stop by and see what I've been up to!