Happiness is...Quilting, McKinney, TX

                                           
                      

                                                    

                                                       HAPPINESS IS...QUILTING!

Deep in the Heart of Texas, McKinney, TX, that is, there's a special get happy place just for quilters. A great fit for this charming and historical town just 30 miles north of Dallas, the shop is housed in a building that dates back to 1898. Unfortunately I had a tough time getting a photo of the shop exterior due to all the street construction going on out front. But you can't miss the unique giant frog adorned with a gazillion buttons!   He'll have you entering the shop with a smile on your face. 

You immediately notice the high old fashioned tin ceilings and the pink walls adorned with quilts and wall hangings.  No lack of ideas for your next project here!  Shop owner Laura Kay Houser is passionate about her quilting and handwork and it shows.

The selection of fabrics is very diverse, and includes brights,  civil war, batiks, 30's, novelties, Westerns (this is Texas, after all!), 1800's reproductions and more.  There are wools, flannels,  and even oilcloth and reproduction Dutch chintz fabrics Laura imports from Amsterdam.  

Notice the beautiful quilt on the wall at the upper right.  It was gorgeous.  And the old Singer treadle machine used for display.  A number of antiques throughout the shop added to its charm.

 The shop's expansion into the adjacent building a few years ago provided space not only for more merchandise but for the many classes offered throughout the year.  In addition to talented local teachers, Laura brings in experts such as Harriet Hargrave, Pepper Cory, Sally Collins, and Carol Doak.    So check out her class schedule and plan a relaxing getaway to learn new skills and take advantage of McKinney's numerous and unique places to stay, dine, shop, and just generally have a good time.








Soft and pretty flannels for baby quilts and more along this wall.  I always appreciate fat quarter nooks accompanying the shelves of bolts.  So quick and handy.

                                                         



Notice the beautiful skeins of threads on the table for
embroidery.  There were also many giftable items displayed everywhere in the store.







The area of the shop devoted to wools and wool felt.  Lots of patterns to utilize them too. To the left there is also a selection of lush flannels.  If you enjoy handwork using these types of fabrics, this is a plus for the shop.  These fabrics can be hard to find in Texas.

 

This room was a gold mine for threads, threads, and more threads.  Here is where I spent most of my time and money.  We had visited the shop's booth at the Dallas Quilt show and discovered that they had a larger selection of threads and wools available in the shop itself.  Since McKinney isn't that far from Dallas and I was going to be in the area for awhile,  we decided on a day trip to McKinney.  It was worth the drive.   

                                

   The shop's business card.  Stop in if you get the chance, otherwise you can always visit them on the web at happinessisquilting.com.  Also, if you can find the Fall/Winter 2011 issue of Quilt Sampler magazine, there is an excellent write-up on the shop.  Happy Quilting everyone!                                                                                                         

Dallas Quilt Show

Attended the annual Dallas quilt show on Sat., March 8th with my quilting sister and 2 of her friends.  There were over 400 quilts and garments entered in the judged show, 150 vendors, and a number of special exhibits.  There were also demos , lectures, and guided quilt tours.  Quilt appraisals were available by appointment.  So all in all, a well rounded show.  We spent the day and came away exhausted but satisfied with what we had seen and bought.  A two day visit would have allowed  for more leisurely viewing of the quilts and vendor  browsing.

Sis on the left with her 2 quilting friends.

Here is one generic shot down a quilt exhibition aisle.  I did take a number of pictures of quilts that I 

especially liked.  However,  posting them would have required written permission from the quilt owners which was not an option.

There were many excellent vendors.  We arrived at the show very early and were some of the first 

to enter.  I managed to get a general vendors booth shot before the flood of shoppers hit!  The following are a few of the vendors that particularly appealed to my interests but there was something there for everyone.

       PUNKIN PATCH CRAFT DESIGNS
 Pictured are Heather and David.  David, a former professional artist, is the designer of all of the original patterns featured in their booth.  Great patterns for all types of applique as well as other crafts.

WITH TIME ON OUR HANDS

I was on the hunt for wool for doing wool applique projects.  Spied this booth that had a  selection of  supplies for handwork and I did purchase some wool.  Lots of nice things here.                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                  

                  UNIQUELY YOURS
 This booth had a great selection of border fabrics.  I have made several of the border fabric table runners as gifts but had yet to find the right fabric to make one for myself.  I was excited to find this booth and fell in love with and purchased  a border fabric featuring lighthouses.                                                                            

                                                       

     

                                                KALEIDOSCOPE QUILT SHOP
The purse patterns really attracted us here.  Sis spied a pattern for a water bottle tote and purchased it thinking how great it would be to have a cute quilted hands free way to carry her indispensable water bottle.

                                                                                                                                                                    

HAPPINESS IS QUILTING!

  

    This booth had unusual yarns and embellishments for hand embroidery among other things.  The two ladies attending the booth did a show demo featuring a beautiful 4 Season Basket that they offer classes for in the shop in McKinney, TX which is not far from Dallas.

                                  

 

                                     SEWBATIK

 I have visited this booth at quilt show after quilt show and coveted their gorgeous batik fabrics.  But I always seem to find them at the end of the day when the wallet is empty and the plastic has been overused and abused.  Caught them early this time and finally indulged in some rayon batiks  (I love rayon batiks for cool summer camp shirt type blouses.) and a  flannel batik. The others in my group also found SEWBATIK's offerings to their liking.   Among other things, they purchased some really cute top patterns with the rayon batik fabrics to make them.  They have big plans to get together this summer and whip them up.  

                                        

That's my sis on the far right getting her rayon batik cut.

Hope you have enjoyed this review of the Dallas Quilt Show.  This was their 33rd year so they are a Dallas tradition.  If you happen to be in Dallas next March be sure and take in the 34th annual show! 

             

 

A Destination Quilt Shop in Trenton, FL

   On a tip from another quilt shop owner in the area, my friend Hilda and I traveled to Trenton, FL to visit The Suwannee Valley Quilt Shop.  We were in for a real treat.  Trenton is a very small town indeed but The Suwannee Valley Shops make it worth a day trip.  Sorry the picture of the shop exterior is not the best, but it was a very stormy cloudy chilly day.  It rained buckets while we were in the quilt shop.  But we didn't care 'cause we were having a great time warm and dry inside.

   The shop is owned by Stephanie Metts who was gracious enough to consent to photos and a blogspot about her shop.  Boasting 7000 bolts, the shop is located in a charming restored historic building.  There is a large central room with several other rooms branching off each with a "theme".   As seen in the photo at the right, there is a generous selection of batiks, a favorite of mine.

The area pictured at the left also contained Civil War and Downton Abbey fabrics.  Yes, Jane, there was a nice selection of your favorites.






  In the daylight filled open area at the far right end of the shop there was a comfy lounging  spot for hubbies or tag-a-long non quilting friends.  Here the left wall featured Orientals and the right wall opened into a room just for blenders and backings. From there you entered the batting room.  If I remember correctly, that opened into a children's fabric room.  So many rooms, my mind is getting fuzzy!

My kind of brights here.  Located in the central cutting area.

Below is a shot of the books and patterns room. Yes, a whole room dedicated to books and patterns!  And with a large table and comfortable chairs so you can give your feet a rest while browsing and making your purchase decisions. This is the best area of its kind I have ever seen.

                                                                                                 Here is a favorite of mine.  The room with Christmas and other seasonal fabrics.  Isn't it cool!  Year around Christmas shopping.  Lots of autumn and patriotic fabs on the opposite end of the room.                                                                                        



   We topped off our shopping experience with lunch here  in the Suwannee Rose Cafe.  You actually walk through the center of the cafe to enter the quilt shop.  I had the Crab Quiche and it was delicious.  Hilda bought some cookies from their yummy looking bakery case to take to our guys who were hanging out back at the RV park.  The Happy Days Old Tyme Soda Fountain is also right there in the building if you're in the mood for an ice cream concoction.  And while you are eating that, you can take a look at the quilt shop sale racks at the back of the room!  

The quilt shop's business card so you have all the specifics to find them.

There is still more to do in Trenton once you have bought more than you needed to for your stash and had a delicious lunch.  Right close by is the Suwannee Valley Cross Stitch.  Located in the same building is Suwannee Valley Custom Framing and Suwannee Valley Stained Glass.   We visited here and enjoyed ourselves tremendously and both made purchases.  Delightful owner, don't miss it.  We ran out of time but there is also Ann's Antiques & Collectibles that I would have liked to have popped into.  If you can be in Trenton on a third Saturday, you can enjoy a formal tea at the Ruffled Rose Tea Room by reservation only. These businesses and more are all located in restored buildings next to the historic Railroad Depot.  So you can see why I say that Trenton has a destination quilt shop!  My photos don't do it justice and there were lots more shelves I could have added pics of, but you get the picture!