Summer Camp at the Country Sampler, Part 2

Up and at ‘em Day 2 with Tomorrow’s Heirlooms as our first stop.  Another lovely store with the friendliest staff.   The whole  “Stitch from Stash” mantra did not work so well.   So many pretty things!      I went with a small list of the floss I needed to fully kit up one chart for an SAL and ended up with more.   At this point, I can’t even recall what was purchased except for a Jeannette Douglas Designs chart that I didn’t realize I had already.   I didn’t even check the X-Stitch Ap  inventory because it was on my XStitch Shopping List.    I guess the left hand isn’t sharing with the right hand what is going on.    No worries, I donated the chart to the Door Prize pile for my Guild’s Retreat. 

Tons of charts and more important, tons of fully finished pieces to inspire!

They have a fantastic variety of frames ready for purchase. If you every to there, either take your measurements or better yet, take your finished needlework with you so you can select a frame or two.

And do they have threads…….wow.

And another wall of threads

Next up we stopped at Culver’s.  Culver’s is a big thing in the mid-west and a must stop.

Before we made it to our lodging, we meet up with the rest of our party at The Country Sampler.   Two girls flew in and one drove in from Chicago.   Of course, Stacy and I are the road trippers.   I think however, if I were to go again, I would fly unless we had more travel days to and from.  

I have to admit that I walked into this shop and I exited in less than five minutes.   It was just plain overwhelming.   So - much - stuff in one small place.   It was beautifully staged and absolutely the best eye candy.  We seemed to get to the store about the same time the other 100 attendees did.  Not to worry.  We went back several times during the weekend when it was less crowded and did a fair amount of damage with the Capital One card.   

There is nothing like seeing the charts made up and in person.  This is from the Artful Offerings.  Like so many times, I would have passed by the pattern.   I saw the finished piece first and it was done with Jean’s touches.   One thing this store is known for is their color conversions.

Here it is as chart.  The finish in the muted tones was just so much more appealing to me.

So many beautiful, fully kitted quilts.   It was hard but I stood firm and resisted any quilt kits purchases.   

We had a lovely Air B & B.   Vicki did a great job.     I would highly recommend it.  It was a Frank Lloyd Wright-ish styled mid-century modern home in Dodgeville,   Very well appointed and could sleep up to 11!  Of course, I am drawn to the nature outside. 

It’s funny how their Iris and Peonies were just coming out and mine have bloomed and been spent.   I guess it meant I got double the season length to enjoy them.

Photos just don’t capture the mid-century modern vibe this place had.  It was quite literally in the middle of nowhere.  After leaving the main road, there was another 15 minutes drive and not another car to pass on the twisty turning backroads.  

I did not know this was the Land of Frank Lloyd Wright.   Born and raise in Wisconsin, the area is dotted with his architecture.   I never realized there were so many FLW houses.  There must have been 40 or 50 in the immediate area either his or inspired by his design and by designers of his school.   Some were open for display, but again the schedule did not permit.  Others were private residence.    There is a 200-mile Frank Lloyd Wright Trail that includes 9 public sites.   

Taliesin is the name of his 37,000 square foot home - no that is not a typo and an extra zero in that number.  It was not just his home; it housed his studio and a school on an 800 acre estate.  It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019 and is a National Landmark.  It contains the only Wright-designed restaurant.  Tours are available.    

My house-mates and I shared some gifts.  I made these scissor fobs for my roommates and I can now share them here.   They are from the “I Collect” pattern from WTNT.    Vicki made us each a project bag.  Debra gave us each the Wisconsin State pattern.  Pat gave a little bag of treats - some of which are now gone.   Stacy gave us each a ceramic tomato filled with M & M’s. 

Next up, the Country Sampler Summer Camp Retreat.

Thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching.