New England Quilt Tour – Day 3
Posted By drsao on October 11, 2009
On the third day of our trip we were up bright and early. I loved the way we just put our suitcases outside our door in the hotel and then went to breakfast while the tour elves put our suitcases on the motor coach. I was always up by 5 AM – not wanting to miss a single moment of fun (and I didn’t have a roommate so there was no one to bother – I could stay up late and get up early!) I also had fun reading as long as I wanted to at night . I finished THE LACE READER on this trip and it was PERFECT because it was written in a New England setting! I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TOO – VERY ENJOYABLE AND INTRIGUING!!!
After breakfast we went to a wonderful Shaker village in New Hampshire. It was SO INTERESTING to see how these communities functioned in such an ORGANIZED way. Their lives were so simple and they were quite devout – although I wonder how happy they really were given that males and females were kept separate within the community.
I love the way they produced wonderful crafts, quilts, and innovative tools. They were always in the forefront of producing or acquiring new technology – including electric lights and an automated washer to do their laundry. There were baskets everywhere and everything was maticulously labeled. I wonder if Martha Stewart has any Shaker genes – I think I do! I was fascinated with the buidings, the beautiful fall foilage and the history of the Shakers!
Later in the day we traveled to America’s largest quilt shop…Keepsake Quilting. I thought that it was an interesting experience – I loved the great variety of fabric, kits, and quilt displays. It was fun for me to get to see the shop – I have heard so much about it and have seen the store behind the catalog that I get in the mail periodically.
Having said that I found it interesting (and I did) I wouldn’t give Keepsake Quilting a high rating on hospitality or being helpful, for that matter. I am totally convinced that a very important part of successful marketing is providing an atmosphere of HAPPINESS and FUN. Later in the week we went to another quilt store that did just that – refreshments, smiles, an enthusiastic welcome, and extreme helpfulness – and guess what, when people were happy and presented with coffee and brownies, they spent lots of money! 🙂 Although I enjoyed my time at Keepsake Quilting, I would have had WAY MORE FUN had they allowed picture taking inside the store! 🙂
Near Keepsake Quilting were other WONDERFUL stores (I had a wonderful time at the BELLA BEAD STORE) – and I found a great yarn store where the people were friendly and helpful…..so I bought needles, a pattern, and some beautiful fall colored yarn to knit the socks that I have been wanting to make for years! The yarn shop was fabulous and I could have spent hours in there!!!!
When we got to Vermont at the end of our third day I did settle down to KNIT MY SOCKS….with visions of a cute pair of completed socks (in gorgeous fall colors) to commemorate my trip. WELL, size 2 needles are VERY SMALL and the double points were slippery. I HAD TO START OVER 6 times because I kept making my stitches too tight and they got dropped (this is NO EXAGGERATION) but finally I got the stitches loose enough and got about an inch knitted before my entire SOCK slid right off one of the three needles. SO, given that it was 1:30 AM, the yarn was quickly returned to its original BALL STATE with visions of success for my next FREE TIME KNITTING OPPORTUNITY.
It was really a wonderful third day. I really enjoyed EVERYTHING – especially the DOUBLE RAINBOW that we saw from our motor coach on the way to Vermont! I keep trying to figure out which day was my favorite – and I can hardly choose because there was something good each day – but I really enjoyed Day 3 a lot!
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- Shaker Village Foliage
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- I am fascinated by this color!
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- I spent my birthday money here!
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- I want to make this cat!!
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- Keepsake Quilting
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- sao in front of Keepsake Quilting – loved the flowers!
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- Beautiful rainbow!
Oh my buddy, the photos simply transport me there along with you on your journey but your oration is beyond stellar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ever consider becoming a travel advisor? Everyone’s trip would be greatly enhanced just by your involvement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And you look simply faboo pictured in front of Keepsake Quilting! And to think that great look came out of one bitty bag and on the third day – you go girl, soooooooooooooooo very proud of you!