A couple weeks ago, Kelli and I visited the Amish to the south of us, stopped at the quilt shop and took a flying run to Cedar Rapids to visit my niece Jody while she was in the hospital. I’ve told you about all it except the trip to the quilt shop.
Some of you might remember Lou Ann’s Quilt Garden and Retreat. It’s was in Oelwein Iowa and that’s the location that we held the retreats. We have long loved Lou Ann and knew that she was thinking of retiring but wanted a buyer for the shop and retreat. At one point, Lou Ann had even asked Kelli and I if we were interested in it. NO WAY!! I am not a business woman at all!
We had heard the shop had sold and wanted to take a look. It’s now called Farmer’s Daughters Quilts and Retreat Center. You can find their website HERE. We were hoping we might get a chance to meet to the new owner but…she wasn’t there. We also wanted Georgie to have her first trip to a quilt shop.
Inside, this is what greeted us. Oh…LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. I told the gal in the shop that it was my first time seeing Lori Holt’s fabrics in person. The gal working was shocked. She figured being we sew as much as we do that we are in quilt shops all the time. Seriously, we are not. In this last year I’ve been to more cross stitch shops than quilting shops!! I never have been a big quilt shop goer. I have lots of fabric already. I sure was tempted by these Lori Holt prints though.
I went back to the prints several times but left without any. Someday When Georgia is a big girl and gets a big girl bed, I want to make her a Farm Girl quilt. There’s a sequel to the Farm Girl Vintage book and I already have it on pre-order. I can’t wait to get it.
There were fun things in the shop…
Lots of cute little spots decorated up with goodies.
I love the checkerboard quilt…and the Christmas quilt. Typically I don’t make smaller quilts but these sure caught my eye.
I adore the colors in this quilt. ADORE. This is such a pretty color combo.
Lou Ann’s was known for Judy Niemeyer patterns and projects. I asked if the shop would still be doing them and the answer was YES. They have a certified instructor come in and everyone loves it.
To date…I have not made one of these patterns.
I can paper piece…I think I have the ability.
…but scrappy is more my style.
Right now, being the shop just changed hands, the shop still has a bit of a Lou Ann feel to it. I’m hoping that in the next year or so, it will become a bit more of the flavor of the new owner.
I was asked if I have plans to put on a retreat. I quickly said no…no plans for me to host one. Then I was asked if I wanted to have a reunion retreat…hmmmm Maybe??? What do you think gals?
Are there any of you out there who have retreat with us before that would like to come to a retreat? Is there anyone new who would like to come to a reatreat? I said I would send out a feeler to see if anyone was interested. Consider this your feeler. If you’d like to be contacted about a possible retreat leave a comment here. I’ll collect names and see if we have enough people interested to host something.
Let me know….
I would love to do a retreat! On my bucket list for next year! Count me in.
I didn’t attend your retreat because of the distance but if I were closer, I’d come. I do attend a retreat twice a year. We all sew on our own projects and love it! If you do host a retreat, make it easy on yourself. Have everyone bring their own projects to work on so you and Kelli can sew on our own projects too. Happy Stitching!
Sorry, I meant to say so you and Kelli and sew on YOUR own projects, not ours!
Beautiful Shop and I love all the quilts! Great scrappy patterns too! And I love Lori Holts patterns. Iowa is a bit far from Florida but thanks for the offer.
Absolutely interested in a retreat.
Shop looks lovely. I wasn’t at previous retreats but would certainly be interested. Thanks for hosting.
I’d be interested in a retreat. It’s been on my bucket list for quite some time and now that I’m retired, it can happen! So, keep me informed if you decide to go forth with one.
Hello Jo and Kelli. Yes yes yes. I would LOVE to attend the reunion retreat. Others from SW Iowa would probably enjoy coming too. Thanks for all you do!
I would love that!
A reunion retreat sounds fun!
I’ve never been to a retreat but I’d love to attend one with you gals!
Yes!! A reunion retreat would be great!!
Count me in !
I’d love a retreat
Prob yes ,depending when , and if I’m healthy and can handle getting my stuff in.
Please put me on the list. If we’ve moved to Lincoln by then it would be great fun!
A retreat would be fun. Let me know the costs so I can save money for it.
The lovely pinky peach and lavender quilt did the shop have a name and pattern for it. I’m just getting to the point of trying more intricate patterns those colors were shouting sun’s up Good Morning to me.
I’d road trip to you if snow wasn’t involved! Kathleen S., Normal, IL
I would love to come to a retreat. I guess the only thing is time of year.
Interested in Retreat plus at least 4 along with me.
I would be interested
Hello Jo! Yes please put me on the list-was at the BH retreat and had fun. Hope it would be early fall time since it is a nice time of the year to travel. Thanks for taking the time to ask us!
I would love a reunion retreat! Excited to see what new owner has done to shop! Jo, I know you don’t have a pattern when you do your alphabet quilt blocks, but maybe a demo?
I have never been to a retreat but would love to come, just not during winter.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Had such a great time at the retreat with you and Kelli and Bonnie Hunter! The retreat center was the best! LOVED seeing all the quilts on the beds upstairs and the people attending were so warm and welcoming (I had traveled by myself and did not know a soul.) AND you and Kelli were great teachers! I still have two quilts to finish! LOL!!!
Yes, Jo, I am interested in a retreat. I’d love to meet you and Kelli, and enjoy time with other quilters. Put me down on your list!!
I have been to two BH retreats and one other one at the retreat center. Would love to come to another one. It was so much fun.
Jo from the looks of all the retreat takers, you are on and running. This is a great idea, Sounds fun. Have a good time.
I would be interested in attending a retreat and also have some friends that may be interested. Please keep me posted. This would be my first time.
I’d be interested in a retreat, depending on my health at that point.
Also interested. . .and I have friends who will likely travel as well. :)
Yes, Please…I would love to come to a reunion retreat…I love Oelwein and staying at the retreat center….It would be so good to see you all again….
Interested in a retreat. I have been reading your posts since spring. i grew up in Decorah, Iowa, but now live in Minnesota. I would still come this distance for a retreat
I sure wish I could come I’ve never been to a retreat and I could visit my family in Des Moines! But it’s not in the cards for me right now. How ever the next time I travel home I plan on stopping by to meet you in person! Have fun everyone!
Jeri in Texas
Jeri…Please do stop. I truly love meeting readers.
I absolutely would love to join in on a retreat!
I would like to be on your list….. depends on how it plays with my calendar.
Wow … I hope that’s a big retreat centre … LOL!
Yes one of the. Best retreats ever And ditto Jo I think a demonstration on how you make your letters would be fun! I’m sure I could bring a few friends.
I was signed up to attend your retreat but had to cancel due to family responsibilities. I would love to come if I can schedule it. I grew up in Iowa and would still love to attend a retreat there. Now that my mother is no longer living I don’t get back there very often.
Would love to retreat with you!
I would love to retreat with you.
I would love to come to a retreat. I live in Salt Lake City Utah. I just had my 3rd pet scan yesterday. Waiting to hear results. I follow your blog and you are amazing! I’m so sorry about the loss of your husband and niece. I lost my oldest son 2 years ago. The worst thing in my life. Love to you and your family. Carol Benson
Hi Jo. Definitely a reunion retreat would be great. I attended your retreat in 2017. So I am ready to make the trip to Oelwein as one of those many SW Iowa Quilters.
I would love to come to a retreat!
I would be interested in a retreat. I had wanted to come to the one you had with Bonnie, but it didn’t work out.