Amish Country ~The End

On our last day, Aileen went out for her morning coffee run and found that a lot of Amish people were heading in the same direction - on their way to a flea market.

She picked us all up and away we went. 

What a wonderful experience! The flea market was half Amish and half English.

I was mezmerized by all the animals for sale.

My oldest son loves ducks, so I texted him this photo and asked if he would like a souvenir.

His response ~ "Yes, please!"

He was a little disappointed when I brought home cinnamon rolls and peanut butter instead of a duckling... :)

My favorites were the turkeys and the peacock.

Look at that face :)

There were lots of puppies and bunnies too. 

I chose not to think if those bunnies were for pets or for dinner...

 A bit out of town we stopped at a Mennonnite fabric shop.

I've never seen a cleaner and more organized fabric shop!

It was immaculate!

I tried to be good, but did end up buying a few things from the fabric shops that we visited.

On our way out of town, we couldn't resist taking this photo (while still trying to respect their culture.)

A mom and her 9 children.

We did get caught, when the little girl tried to see where her dropped juice box had gone...

And in a few short hours it was back to home sweet home.

"And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God."

~Micah 6:8

Blessings, Patti

Amish Country Part 2

Shipshewana is filled with shops. One of my favorites - A Thankful Heart.

I love the name and this sweet shop is filled with primitives and handmades.

There are also several nice antique shops

Rebecca Haarer Arts & Antiques

and Fisher's Antiques

Don't you just love their sign?!

This item caught my eye in a glass case. I wasn't sure what it was, but knew that I had to find out.

So glad that I asked to see it!

It's a needle case! The outside is a super soft leather that you see at the top.

There is a little place for your thimble and the two ends are velvet pincushions.

I'm so pleased with my treasure and found a bone stiletto and crochet hook as well.

I also bought this 1858 Mason jar - I love the bubbly, wavy blue glass.

And this Bennington, Vermont jug. It's been cracked and glued in many, many places, but the price was definitely right. The painted crocks like this are usually out of my price range and I really appreciate the effort that someone took to save it...

Soon after we were married, my husband and I took a long road trip to Bennington :)

My final purchase has a story...

Last year at a primitives show, I found this incredible piece. I was mezmerized as I had never seen anything like it. It was out of my price range, but I admired it for quite some time. 

They called it stumpwork. It reminded me of punch needle, except that the loops are sheared off and sculpted.

Fast forward to Shipshewana, where I found this:

Here is some of the detail.

All done with wool thread.

The edges have three layers of tongues and the backing is solid red.

I am so happy with all of my treasures, especially my stumpwork coverlet!

I'll have one more post of Amish Country Fun...

"Trust in the Lord forever,

for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal."

 ~Isaiah 26:4

Blessings, Patti