Quilt Shop Hoppin'

I've always known I married the best guy ev-er.  Not only did Hubby book, plan, map out and drive our entire vacation, but he planned our route around several area quilt shops.  No, I won't share him.  And no, he doesn't have any brothers.  It sucks to be you!  I'm so terribly sorry you're missing out on all his hunky charm and uncomplaining willingness to sit in an idling truck for hours on end, but we must all play the hand we're dealt.

I am utterly spoiled, because the man took me 'round to six, that's SIX, quilt shops.  They are Beefore It's a Quilt in Port Lavaca; Golden Needles and Quilts in Rockport; Heirloom Elegance and The Quilt Cottage, both in Corpus Christi; Quilters Patch in Victoria; and All Around the Block Quilt Shop in Giddings. 

Now, my children judge a quilt shop's worthiness by whether or not they have a kids' area so, I'm sorry to say, most of the shops failed miserably.  Thank goodness then, that I judge based on staff friendliness and whether I can feel my latent ADHD kick into overdrive and submit to the overwhelming 'look here, look there, look everywhere all at once' that comes from sensory overload.  Exactly how many bolts of fabric can you fit into one quilt shop?  The world may never know...but it's sure as heck a lotta fun to try and figure out!

Thank you to each shop for making my credit card moan like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally (YES, YES, YES!).  I never realized that little plastic card was so slutty!!

Golden Needles and Quilts was having a fat quarter sale and I got a free fat quarter for spending $25...can you say yummy camping guy fabric?  I'd unfold it and let you drool, but you can go buy your own damn hotties, thank you very much!  I didn't catch the lady's name, but she was very nice, didn't hover and checked back every once in a while to see how my purchases were stacking up.  There was room after room of fabric fabulousness...stop by if you're down thataway. 

This bountiful bundle came from Quilters Patch.  The shop was filled with cheerful ladies who were very helpful, but not hovering which drives me bonkers, and frankly, I don't need a chauffer to get me to Insanity.  I like a shop where they take the occasional 'pulse check'...you know...are you doing okay, can I help you with anything and then let you go on fawning and fondling to your heart's content.

After my husband took those l-o-v-e-l-y shots of me in my bathing suit, I couldn't pass up this fabric panel which made me see my motherly physique in a whole new light.  I can't decide if I'm the pear or the pineapple.  Melons, anyone?

Here's an inside shot of Quilters Patch...many thanks to owners Karen Leach and Sherry Ware for giving me permission to take a photo.

And last, but certainly not least, is this heavenly haul from Heirloom Elegance.  I swear I know the owner from somewhere, but considering I can't remember my own kids' names half the time, I can't even begin to say where I know her from.  Paige spied the bag pattern and just had to have it made up with the pirate fabric.  I hope to have it done by the time she graduates from high school.

I've listed links for the shops I featured above.  I'm sure they'd love to see you come through the door!

http://www.heirloomelegance.com/
http://www.quilterspatch.com/
http://www.quiltscapes.com/

Happy quilting, ya'll!