I just got back from vacation this week and had a wonderful time! I spent several days with my sister, Debi, in Boise before driving to Missoula to catch up with more relatives. My aunt Karen (IggyMT) and I had planned our own little “shop hop.” In three days, we visited Deer Country Quilts in Seeley Lake. We visited my dad in Great Falls and while there we shopped at JoAnn’s, Quilt-A-Way, and Big Sky Quilts. We had a terrific time at the Quilting Hen in Carter, just north of Great Falls. In fact, after we returned to Missoula, my aunt Karen ordered the Hinterberg frame and Voyager 17 machine from the Quilting Hen!

We visited Creative Stitches and Ben Franklin in Helena. We chose to skip the Creative Closet in Townsend because we were an hour too early! Cozy Mountain Quilts in Whitehall was a great stop as was the Quilter’s Corner in Deerlodge. Then it was on to the Cotton Patch Quilt Shop in Drummond. We ended our trip with Vicki’s Quilts Down Under in Missoula.

After returning to Boise, I stopped in at Hancock’s Fabrics, JoAnn’s Fabrics, The Quilt Crossing, and Quilt Expressions. Quilt Expressions has 5 Gammills set up for classes and renting by the hour!

Kits I loved and had to have!

WOW! What an excellent time you had!

You chose some fantastic fabrics, I especially loved the neutrals. What a trip, I really envy you that.

Lovely fabric. I would love to be able to take a "quilting" vacation. So many shops, how would you choose what to buy?

Beautiful fabrics! Sounds like such a fun trip :-) I see some of that same fabric in my sewing room (I just did the Vintage Homestead as a wall hanging) :lol: You did great with your fab & kit choices - now to decide what to do first (that's the part I always get stuck on!)

What a great vacation you had. Great haul!

I just love that you went for fabrics that you had a purpose for. Smart woman!
I think my faorite (without seeing them finished) is the blue streak kit. But, I love them all really. How fun! Now, do you have the energy to start them? You must be exausted!

My aunt and I had a great time and we're already planning for another one maybe next year. I had been planning this trip for 6-8 months. There are only 4-5 stores on Oahu with quilt fabric. I knew I had to make the most of it while on the mainland and I knew that I would draw a blank when I entered a "real" quilt store. I had put together a 3-ring binder with about 15 projects I would like to complete and included a photo of the project and the fabric requirements for each project. My aunt was so impressed with the binder that she usually had everyone in the store take a look. Was kinda funny, but it sure kept me focused.

Next time you're on the mainland and in Boise, let me know...I'd love to met ya'll. I'm only an hour from Boise. :D

I love all your fabric kits.. but especially love the red, white and blue one...