Stitching fun in the North Woods

 

While our weekend in Washington D.C. was amazing,

I always look forward to our return each year to Northern Wisconsin.

This is our week of relaxation ~ spending time doing what we love at our own slow pace.

 

Most of it is spent on the water...

 

 

We spend a lot of time kayaking the flowage and exploring the islands.

The little dots on the water are a pair of loons feeding their two babies.

We let our kayaks drift quite close, but I was afraid that if I moved to get my camera we might startle or alarm them.

 

 

My husband and I had good luck fishing and caught enough for a Wisconsin style fish fry or two...

 

 

And our boys were pretty lucky as well.

 

I even got to do a bit of wool shopping...

 

Rivers Edge Quilt Loft is housed along with an antique shop in this lovely building.

When you pull up, you are greeted by a pretty garden that includes antique garden tools and implements.

 

The inside lives up to all expectations...

 

 

It has the serenity and peacefulness of a church with beautiful stained glass windows that softly filter the light that shines on the bolts of fabric.

 

 

Pretty displays and models fill the room.

 

 

I'm not a quilter, but this owl really caught my eye.

 

Then it was time to head up to the loft, where the wool is found :)

 

 

A lovely selection  of patterns from my favorite designers.

 

 

And look at this beautiful display of Valdani threads!

 

 

Gail Grassel is the owner and I had the pleasure of "meeting" her online through the Facebook Wool Applique group. It was such fun to met this sweet woman in person.

 

Don't you love the antique sewing collection behind her along with the Buttermilk Basin banners?!

 

I was lucky to get a sneak peek at her projects in progress. 

 

This Crane Designs by Jan Mott is so fabulous in person!

 

 

So much detail! I love the whale weathervane and the dolphins!

I think that she will be kitting this up. Hmmmmm....

 

 

The hand dyed wool in the irises in another Crane Designs by Jan Mott piece really make it.

(I think Gail is kitting this as well.)

 

 

Of course I had to make some purchases.

Lakeside Cabin is a perfect souvenir.

Oak 'n Berries is phenomenal finished and in person, how did I not take a picture?!

Gail was working on a kit for this one and I may just need to give her a call ;)

 

Do you see the fun little scissor fob that I bought too?

Love the heart in hand. I found the ladybug scissors on my last visit down to my Mom and Dads'.

Of course I bought some fabric to finish some wool projects that you will see soon.

 

Gail, I so enjoyed my visit to your shop. I just wish that I had more time.

I think next year I will have the guys drop me off on their way to the golf course...

Then I should have enough time to peruse ;)

 

You can find the Rivers Edge Quilt Loft website here

and their Facebook page is here.

If you are ever in Hayward, Wisconsin in northwest Wisconsin, be sure to stop by!

 

My only other shopping was a trip to the local flea market...

 

 

I found some interesting course, nubby wool, a pair of small pinking shears from Japan, and an old spice tin with an "alligator finish".

 

I'll be back to share what I stitched while in the North Woods...

"I keep my eyes always on The Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

~Psalm 16:8

 

 

Blessings, Patti