Summer Needlework Tour = Day 5 (Final Day)

 

On our 5th day, we were heading home, but made a stop at 3 Kittens Needlework in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.  What a wonderful shop!  I think it was my favorite!!!!  It was very brightly lit, and had lots and lots of fibres to choose from.  The staff was also very, very helpful in finding substitutes for discontinue threads.  Although smaller in area than Stitchville, everything is easy to find.  The other half of the store is yarn and knitting and crocheting.  I never made it to that side and managed to do quite a bit of damage to my credit card.  It is definitely a shop I would visit again.  

Summer Needlework Tour Day 4

 On Day 4 we went to Stitchville, USA!  This shop was on my bucket list and it did not disappoint!  What a wonderful selection of fibres, fabric and canvas!  Great displays, and very, very helpful people in the shop!  We spent quite a bit of time there and did a great deal of damage to the credit card.  We will be back!

Summer Needlework Tour - Part 3 even more!

 The main reason for our road trip was to visit the new location of Welcome Stitchery!  

I was a welcome site to walk in the door, even though things are different.

There are some new racks and displays.

The holiday room is there.

Lots of fibres to choose from.

Justine (the new owner) is busy surging fabric edges.  

Lee and Monica sent flowers for the Grand Opening.

And of course I couldn't leave without purchasing some wonderful things!

Summer Needlework Tour - Day 3 continued

 After leaving Osage Iowa, we headed to Blue Earth Minnesota. This fellow greeted us as we neared the city:

Summer Needlework Tour- Day 3

 We went to The Stitchery Nook in Osage Iowa bright and early on Tuesday morning.  We heard this was a great shop and it did not dissappoint!

One of the owners was there to greet us and was very welcoming and helpful!  Lots of wonder things to look at and fondle!

This shop also has a huge scrapbooking section, but I didn't venture into that part of the store.  I am told they also have a retreat space upstairs, so we may have to go back!

Summer Needlework Tour - Day 2 continued

After leaving Mount Horab, we headed to Spring Green to visit the Country Sampler. I had heard lots of great things about this shop and wanted to visit in person.

 Sadly, I was not impressed at all.  The shop is a mixture of fabric for quilting, cross stitch and home décor,  I think.  It is cramped and things are not displayed, but put in crates that you have to flip through.  The two ladies working there were not friendly at all.  One was on the phone the entire time we were there, and the other peeked out of a back room at some point and asked if we needed help.  Definitely not welcoming at all.  My shopping list had lots of perle cottons and Kreiniks listed.  The lady didn't know what Kreinik was at all.  They only carry 6 strand DMC, some overdyed fibres, and high count linen.  The charts are all privatives and samplers.  Although I do stitch those, they weren't  displayed well. Add to that the feeling of not being welcome, I left without purchasing anything.  I don't think this has ever happened to me before.  

Summer Needlework Tour - Day 2

The first shop we visited was Witchery Stitchery in Mount Horab, Wisconsin.  I had been to this shop before, but they moved right after I visited.  It is no longer on Main Street but still easy to find.  It is a bit smaller.  I remember the shop on Main Street have two distinct areas, one side for needlepoint and the other side for cross stitch.  The new whop is smaller and things are co mingled.  Still easy to find what you need.  Lots of great things!

When I entered the shop, there were other people shopping, and one of them immediately shouted:  "I know you, you are the lady that makes the wonderful jams!"  Since we were all wearing masks at the shop owners request, I didn't recognize her, but she recognized me!  We have stitched together a few times, both at Stitch Mania in Zion IL and at UFO Saturdays in Crystal Lake, IL.   Good to see Barb Stanke again!  What a small world!