I'm back!

I'm back after a fabulous week at From Our Hands ~ Creative in Peninsula, Ohio! 

I spent two days at home and work and then it was a quick two day trip down to my parents' home. Now I am back for a few weeks and can share all the fun that has been going on :)

I had to revisit a few of my discoveries from last year.

Maumee Antique Mall with 2.75 acres of antiques was a must see again.

I found a few antique treasures on this trip - all sewing related.

I loved this collection of antique mother of pearl buttons that someone took the time to sew onto a quilt and the price was right!

I was so thrilled to pull up to Mabel & Ethels's Quilt Shoppe and see the banner that they are featured in the newest issue of Quilt Sampler magazine! It wasn't out yet, but I can't wait to read the article!

They will be offering a tuffet class soon and look at the fabulous painted featherweight machines in the background!

The store was as beautiful as I remembered it and Mabel & Ethel are still just as sweet!!!

I think that their wool section might have grown...

And they are still packaging their fat quarters so beautifully!

Loved their t-shirts - gotta love some "me" time and some M&E time too!

I wish that they were closer! 

The t-shirt came home with me along with some fabric and patterns, but I realize now that I didn't take a picture!

After visiting with Mabel & Ethel, it was time to head the final leg to Peninsula.

The next morning it was time for my first class...

"Chalkware Cat" Sewing Caddy with Rebekah L. Smith.

I love the little pocket that Rebekah designed for the back.

It was such fun to take the class with so many friends ~ both old & new!

I was so happy that this year, several of my Bittersweet Sisters were able to join me!

(Nicki you were missed terribly!)

Aren't those big windows wonderful? Perfect natural sunlight for stitching!

Our morning class was over way too soon, 

But I did make a bit of progress on my kitty.

There is a lot more to share and at the end I will have a little giveaway so be sure to stay tuned...

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

~James 5:16

Blessings, Patti

I'm back!

I'm back! And what a phenomenal time I had!!!

I guess the best place to start is the beginning. Before I left I asked for suggestions of places to stop and you came through :) Thanks to Felice and Jackie, my first stop was in Sandusky, Ohio where I stopped at M&E (Mabel & Ethels') Quilt Shoppe. Boy was I in for a treat!

I was excited the moment I saw the lovely old building - renovated and beautiful!

I took a few photos and couldn't get in fast enough.

Yes, the inside was even more beautiful!

The gorgeous punched tin ceiling and chandeliers set off the wonderful fabrics and samples.

They had a sweet corner for wool.

And their packaging was one-of-a-kind. I loved these fabric pack quilt stars - each one included a sewing themed charm. I just wanted to hold them :)

They also offer unique classes:

I've never heard of making your own umbrella!

How cool is that!

And although not quilting related, a local artisan comes in to teach how to make a feather tree. Can you imagine?! Yes, they really are goose feathers. I'm thinking I might need to consider another road trip for that!

Since it was a long drive, I needed a pit stop. And I know this is a bit crazy, but I have to share their wonderful bathroom.

This sign really made me laugh out loud!

And look at these lovely mirrors - what a fantastic idea!

The best part? Why meeting Mabel and Ethel of course!

Debbie (aka Mabel) and Jackie (aka Ethel) are two of the kindest, friendliest souls that you'll ever meet. After a minute, I felt like I was with old friends and didn't want to leave!

You can find Mabel & Ethel's Quilt Shoppe here and be sure to visit their Facebook page as well here.

So if you are in the area, or if your kids want to go to Cedar Point, 

tell them fine as long as you get to go to Mabel & Ethel's Quilt Shoppe!

I'm sure that you won't want to leave either!

When it was time to leave, they suggested I stop at Clare's Stitching Post (her Facebook page is here).

Clare's was a sweet little shop chock full with stitching goodness.

She had all the latest from market and a few things I hadn't even seen. I could have spent quite a bit of time here as well, but knew that I still had an hour or so to my destination.

Here are my treasures from Mabel & Ethel's.

And my treasures from Clare's. I hadn't seen this pattern before and if you look at the photo of the store window above, you can see it in the bottom right hand corner. She stitched it in white on a sky blue linen - a totally different and lovely look.

I didn't forget about the giveaway! 

Thank you all for responding! There were 53 entries in all.

Using random.org, the winner is #32 Sheila from PA!

Congratulations Sheila! Your prize will be on its way shortly!

There will be many posts about this trip - I have so much to share!

If you can hang on with me to the end, I'll be having another little giveaway for a few little things that I picked up along the way.

Thanks for letting me share!

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

~Romans 12:12

Blessings, Patti