Snowy Minnesota landscape (car and bike packed and ready to head South), to a , DH-suggested quick stop……in Missouri……at a place/town that is on the map today, largely, because of the vision of one gal and her family. Any thoughts???? Maybe this “little” clue will help……..
Well, maybe this is a better clue……….
Could I say no??? Of course not!!! But, was I totally unprepared/without a plan or list??? Yes!!!! So, with only a few moments to grasp the whole idea, we were parking the car and heading out to………. Well, for those who have not kept up with the growth of Missouri Star Quilt Company and the impact on the little town of Hamilton (which is also the home of James Cash Penney….yup “J.C. Penney!), there are 12 (yes! count ‘em!) individual buildings that house various categories of what would comprise just one ordinary shop. 
The first building we entered is a composite site of what each location has for a them……batiks, primitives/wools, children, animal/themed, etc.
Each place is well-lit, with signage that clearly marks each category of fabric. Shopping made very easy!!!! 
I will admit, this was a “speed run” and purchases were extremely minimal!!!!!!
A few fat quarters and a ‘tumbler’ cutting template that works with charm/5” squares. We zipped in and out of most all the shops, except for the café, bakery and “man cave”, that were bypassed completely. A (better) planned stop in the future would probably be a good idea! Ha!
We were headed to Higginsville, MO, for an overnight with friends Celeste and twin sis, Celia. I had made a tie pillow for Celeste a year ago. I acquired her dear hubby’s fave ties upon his passing and wanted to give her a special remembrance………
A construction note…..using the narrow tie ends, I merely zig-zagged the appropriate lengths to a black denim piece of fabric which gave the pillow a very nice stability and smooth surface. Maybe a good item idea when a quilt is a tad too much???
The rest of our southern trek was wonderfully uneventful. I wish I could say that we are having fab warm south Texas weather but the “cold snap” has even this area in its grasp for a few days. Lows at 31F will be found throughout the Rio Grande Valley at some point with “wind chill” readings that are most unpleasant. Now, for my Northern friends…….yes, this is a bit of a ‘whine’….sorry…………….
Back to quilting….and warm thoughts…….soon………………….
Treadlemusic 
How fun! My sister lives in Missouri but closer to Arkansas so it would be a bit of a drive to get there. It’s on my list though!
It would definitely take a whole day of just being there to do the MSQ shops and there are brochures available for other things fairly close by. I agree though, it would be a bit of a trek for your Sis!
Sounds like a fabo trip and very impressed with the use of the ties. They make a nice lush cushion.
That pillow turned out so nice! I know I’ll make more of them. The black denim I have on hand for the “business” side of potholders that I make.
Glad you got to stop in Missouri. Your stop in Hamilton must of been like mine. I speed stop. Did DH like the man shop? I would love to go back someday with a list and more time. Hope you are enjoying warmer weather. Cold here.
“Warmer” is the correct word! We’ve had “Freeze Warning” and “Wind Chill” advisories for the last 3 days!!! Maybe I’ll get the geraniums out by tomorrow!!!!!!
I meant to also add that I love the tie pillow
Thank you, friend!
I stopped there about 4 years ago? when it was just one store before the whole thing grew so much – plan to stop there next time we are in the motorhome heading to dear daughter in Wisconsin, but now that hubby has a new contract job that might not be for over a year unless it is a quick trip! I don’t really think I will drive that far on my own – I tire too quickly doing all the driving it would be a 3 day drive for sure if I stopped in Hamilton!
I understand the distance thing. With their on-line store being so good, it’s a destination like Paducah is.
Well this will warm you up – day 7 of over 35 degrees (that’s high 90’s I think). I’m OVER it!! I’m so envious that you’ve been to Hamilton and at least had a quick visit to Missouri Star. It looks fab – thanks for the overview.
Oh my!!! That is way too warm/hot!!! Ppl don’t function real well with temps like that (even with AC)!!!!
The next time I/we stop in Hamilton, I guarantee a more detailed report…….and probably more $$$ spent!!!!!! LOL!!!!!
we were in Hamilton this past summer- wonderful place! We rode our bicycles around the area after shopping!
Great idea!!! …….next time………
So glad you got to MSQC. I was a little overwhelmed the first time we went. Better to go prepared with projects in mind. Love the tie pillow. Glad your trip was good and hoping you (and us) get warmer weather soon.
Yes….the next trip to MSQC will definitely be after better preparation!!! LOL!!! Prayers for us all with this widespread weather chaos.
On my list of want to visit there!!! Love the tie pillow, it is just enough in my opinion. Sometimes those large “memory” pieces seem overwhelming, at least to me….too much Norwegian and German in me I guess.
And, I suspect, a high number of other projects in process, too!!! I just priced some full-priced home-dec pillows and…well, yikes!!!! Each was around $100!!!!! For a pillow!!! Ha! Even the smaller ones were (too) close to $50!!!!
Oh wow, I nearly fainted when I saw the interior of that shop. Heaven on earth
The tie pillow is beautiful.
Have fun in Texas. This is a good week to skip out of town.
Safe travels
That shop is pretty amazing!!! Weather-wise, I think a body would have to be on the equator to find warmth!!! LOL!!!!!
Sorry about the weather however I can’t say I really mind you shivering as we are freezing up here in the North of the UK.
How perfect to visit Hamilton, home of my favourite the MSQC and Jenny my mentor. How I love her tutorials. I just like to watch them instead of the TV. Plus I get lots of ideas. Wish I could buy the BLOCK magazine they have but after checking it isn’t possible to get it to the UK yet.
I feel so badly that all my out-of-the-US friends come up “out of the loop” for so many of the wonderful resources we have here. And, of course, the major lack of (reasonably priced) fabric availability. If that darn postage wasn’t so high!!!!!! Ugh!!!
Right now, I think most everyone is experiencing some type of weather issue!!!!
I wonder if I got up a petition we could get MSQC to offer a franchise here in the UK. I am of course joking. You are right there is a lack of quilting stores here. There is a favourite online shop that I use for many of my quilts and the owner Julie is fantastic but I have to hope that the online pictures are true to the colours I am trying to match. We have one local store that is slowly getting more quilting fabric in but they are primarily a curtain and furnishing store. Although their quilting fabric is great quality the choice of colours and patterns is somewhat limited.
Do you have “thrift”/second hand shops?? They are a great source of fabrics too (especially shirtings)!
How nice with the stop in Missouri. At least the temps will be in the 80’s in a week.
It truly was an interesting stop and one that I look forward to making again (with DH comfortably ensconced in the “man cave”!!!!)……..yup….warmth to return very soon………
I really like the Neck Ties Project. I’m currently searching for Men’s Neck Ties, if someone you know have and don’t need I do. Thank you in advanced. Blessings Always, Mtetar
What a fun way to brighten the winter cold spirits! Lucky you! I love the pictures of the shops and hope I get to go there someday…. I also love the beautiful tie pillow:). Have fun in TX. It will warm up soon!
Warmth by Monday! Today ….. quilting!! Yay!!!!!
A trip to Hamilton! A great fabric destination!
It was fascinating and really not exactly what I expected. The selections were awesome and even DH commented on the outdoor/animal prints that were available. (It took me 2 years of looking for such for the grandsons’ graduation quilts!!!!! I could have found all right there!!!!). Next time the preparation/list will be in place!! LOL!!!
Oh, my favorite store….They have my address and probably know it by heart! Every morning I check their website. I love your selection of fabrics. They are my colors and style. The pillow is gorgeous! What a special gift.
Take care.
Sun is out and a day of quilting awaits…..will definitely take my mind off the frigid TX weather we’re currently experiencing (through tomorrow, then back to the 80s!!!)……
How fun, to go to that shop complex!! You will definitely need to go back. Glad to know you’re settled in for the winter–enjoy!
It’s wonderful to be w/0 the “white stuff” but now we just need to get rid of this “deep freeze” that the nation is stuck in (us, too!!!! Woke up to 30F with a wind-chill in the mid 20s and a freeze warning til 9 a.m.!!! AND we’re just above Mexico!!!!!!)…….