Quilting in Northern Michigan ~ Part 1

Can you believe it? When I went to the first quilt shop in this area I found out that a Shop Hop was going on! How lucky is that?? This darling quilt shop, Hearts to Holly, is in Charlevoix, one of the most charming towns I've ever seen. It is owned by Sue (2nd from left) and her daughters, sweet granddaughter and a good friend were there helping out on that busy day.




Sue carries TONS of great fabrics and everything else a quilter needs, all arranged beautifully throughout several rooms. Instead of having 'door' prizes, she gave away 'FLOOR' prizes! They tell everyone to stand on a number and then have a drawing to see who wins. It looked like great fun!




















Now, get this..... I'm browsing the books, and lo and behold! My eyes land on 'Sugar Sack Quilts'!! Well, being the dork that I am, I shout out, "Oh! You have my book!!". Immediately, several people look at me thinking that I am awfully weird to get so excited to see a book that I have already purchased, available in another quilt shop! Then of course, I have to explain. They were very nice to Miss Blabbermouth and sisters Sharon and Judy even bought themselves a copy since I was there to sign it. Maybe that made up for my outburst.

Anyhow, everyone was delightful and the experience was a perfect way to start my day. After bidding Adieu, I was off to the next shop. A few miles down the road to Bellaire and I entered another wonderful shop, Cousins Quilt Shop.

I found very little in common with the 2 shops which is what you hope for. This shop carried LOTS of Batiks and Wool. I especially liked the vintage pieces that were used for display.

So after a good amount of time, I was off to the next shop to look for more treasures. Shortly after I arrived, though, I heard something that made me abandon the Shop Hop altogether and head for parts unknown! Stay tuned for the next installment to see what it was that got me back on the road.....

Blessings~

Greetings from Petoskey, MI!!

Well, when they tell me that we're going to have a string of 100-105 degree days, I say it's time to get the heck out of Dodge! So we hopped in the motorhome and took off for Michigan! I've never been here before and it is wonderful! I thought you might enjoy some photos of where we are and what we've seen. If any of you are familiar with this area and have ideas for food or things to see, please leave a comment and let me know!

We're in a gorgeous RV Resort. Here's our front view [Pardon the SUPER BLUE HUE on these photos!!-- Don't know where that's coming from.... Ummm--Do ya think it could be because I forgot my camera and had to buy a $40 cheapo???] :-(

These Lake Michigan towns are some of the most charming I've ever seen. I had no idea. You almost feel like you're back in the 50's with the laid back and carefree attitude of the area. Of course, many of these folks are summer only and will head back to real life when the fall comes, I'm sure. Here's a view of Lake Charlevoix. There are some amazing boats to be seen around here!

Also in Charlevoix is an area of homes that were built by a famous architect named Earl Young. I guess people come from all over to see them. They are referred to as "mushroom houses". Very charming! Here's a pic of one of them:

Yesterday we took a 20 mile trip along Lake Michigan through the Tunnel of Trees....

We got to an area called Good Hart absolutely in the middle of nothing, but you could buy crepes from a trailer if you wanted to! How cool is that??

Then we went to a Polish restaurant that has been around for over 80 years! Again, in the middle of nowhere and with people standing in lines to get in! It's called Legs because the entire top of the roof is lined with old kitchen stove legs! We ate in the garden...

Across the street was this wonderful old Presbyterian Church:

Then returning home, this was our view of the sunset.....

It has been great to see things we've never seen before. I've never spent time this far east and it is such a wonderful part of the country. Tuesday we're off to Mackinac Island for the day. I'm hoping to see some quilt shops in Northern Michigan and give you an idea of what's going on around here quilt-wise. I find it interesting that there have been no quilt artists in the galleries we've been in. Any thought as to why?

Blessings~