Hi,
We were there this week. There was a very nice man who answered all of my questions and cut my fabric for me. I live near Keepsake Quilting up here and Rainbows End feels like KQ with a different flavor - so to speak. It felt a little silly buying flannel in Florida in April while it was about 90 degrees out but I just loved what I found.
Any info on quilting groups or guilds would be appreciated in that area would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
lots2do

I do. I love that shop. It is a little ways from Tampa but well worth the trip.

You live in a lovely area. We left NH last Saturday in the snow and so appreciated the weather and temp. when we got to Florida!

I was there last year and they were so friendly and helpful :thumbup: I was just visiting for a week and am afraid what my credit card would do if I lived closer :shock: LOL

I used to live in New Port Richey FL and Rainbows end was the closest LQS. If I remember correctly it was about a 45 minute drive to get there. I loved that shop.

Don't live there but have a condo on Anna Maria Island. I think RE is run by sisters and a brother sometimes works there... Or maybe a mother & daughter w/ son/brother sometimes there?

I live in Rochester, NY and visit my daughter in St. Petersburg. The Rainbows End is always on my list of places to go when we visit. It's a lovely shop.

Next time you are in town let me know we have some great shops. Not as big as RE but just as great.

I always say that if Rainbow's end doesn't have it, stop looking. I only go there if I can't locate what I need.

But as a friendlier shop and not so pricey, I prefer Country Quilts and Bears in Clearwater, and Happy Apple Quilts/Crafty Threadsin Oldsmar (mailing address, Tampa).

Jean in MI/FL

I always say that if Rainbow's end doesn't have it, stop looking. I only go there if I can't locate what I need.

But as a friendlier shop and not so pricey, I prefer Country Quilts and Bears in Clearwater, and Happy Apple Quilts/Crafty Threadsin Oldsmar (mailing address, Tampa).

Jean in MI/FL

Peaceandjoy, DH and I went to Anna Maria Island way back in the early 80’s. I have fond memories of it. Do you know if Fast Eddie’s is still there? It was at the northern tip of the island. There logo was “Cold Food, Warm Beer.” We loved that restaurant.

You just named my other 2 favorite shops. I also like Scrap and Sew in Lutz, Quilt Til You Wilt in Hudson, and Quilts on Plum Lane in Dade City.

Great to hear that there are some other shops to visit the next time!
I'll have to find out where Anna Maria Island is, too!

Rainbows end has an amazing selection, but I agree Country Quilts is very friendly and has a wonderful varied, though smaller selection. They have wonderful classes and a great Christmas mystery quilt activity. They can give you great advice in matching up to a group or guild too. I live here all the time, but many responsibilities at my school and family don't allow time for group/guild activities. Welcome to the Tampa Bay area and remember this phrase: Go Rays!!!!

AMI us about an hour south from the Tampa airport - or 25 minutes from the Sarasota Bradentton Airport. If you know where Bradenton is, you take a bridge over to AMI. We first went over 20 years ago, and when we had the chance, bought a condo there. Don't get there often, but in a few more years, hope to get away from western NY winters!

Nope, Fast Eddie's is gone. No chains in the island, still, but many of the restaurants that we used to love are gone. Rotten Ralph's, AMI Pier and the Gulf Drive Cafe are the only ones that have been there the entire time we've been going (maybe the Sandbar, but we didn't take kids there!).

Plugging a few more FL shops - Cotton Patch just south of Bradenton and Quilter's Haven in Palmetto

Country Quilts and Flying Needles are on the list to check out at some point, next time I'm down in the area. Stay cool!

Oh, good, more places to explore someday...thanks! I googled AM Island - looks like a neat place..