Sunday, August 9, 2015

Home again, home again, jiggedy jig!

After four long years, Mr. Painted Quilt and I went on a much needed vacation.

We left last Saturday and took the 11:15 ferry from Digby, Nova Scotia to St. John, New Brunswick then crossed over into the United States at Calais, Maine.

Calais is a small border town whose main attraction is Marden's, a kind of little bit of everything 'junk' shop.  One of Maine's best kept secrets is that inside this particular Marden's hides a HUGE fabric department with rows and rows of quilt shop quality fabric at incredibly discounted prices.  

How does $5.99 a yard or less sound?

I did manage to come across some Jo Morton by Andover fabric which I scooped up in the blink of an eye.



Did you notice the prices?

After an hour of shopping, we found ourselves back on the road again at about 4 p.m.  It was our intention to take a motel room for the night en route to Ontario to visit with friends who we haven't seen since moving to Nova Scotia five years ago but I think that we were both so pumped, the next thing we realized, eleven hours had slipped by and we were knocking on Lucie's door at 5 a.m.

Since Mr. PQ drove the entire way, he went straight to bed and Lucie and I sat up and talked for a couple of hours before I petered out as well.  We didn't do too much that first day but Lucie and I did manage to fit in some sewing while Mr. PQ went off to visit some of his old cronies.

It goes without saying that we had to visit a couple of local quilt shops where I naturally did my part to help the local economy.



I just couldn't pass up these gorgeous fabrics from Kathy Schmitz' new Sturbridge line for Moda.

We had a wonderful visit and I even managed to get some handwork done while drinking copious amounts of tea around Lucie's kitchen table, just like old times.  
Between hugs, tears and promises to get together again 'soon', Wednesday afternoon found us back on the road again headed back to Bangor, Maine via Vermont and New Hampshire.  We arrived on Thursday morning and for the next two days, Mr. PQ chauffeured me around from shop to shop without too much complaining.

I felt like I had been given a "get out of jail free" card.

Although I still can't get around without my walker or cane, I did manage to shop till I literally dropped.

Bangor and it's sister city Brewer across the river have most of my favorite shops including JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby, AC Moore and a quilt shop and Bernina dealer called The Cotton Cupboard, only to mention a few.  I did boost the local economy at ALL OF THEM!

Believe it or not, I forgot my camera at home so all I can show you are photos of what I purchased taken once I got home and not some of the gorgeous New England scenery.

Large, bright and colorful shopping bags from Joanne's.

  

The world's smallest mini steam iron because I dropped and broke my mini travel Rowenta before leaving...


Two Creative Grid rulers, my new faves!


Some notions...a new seam ripper and groovy pins.


A couple of spools of DMC thread and some jute rick rack...


and a "Row by Row" license plate and pin from The Cotton Cupboard in Bangor, Maine.


And of course, more F-A-B-R-I-C!!!


I also spent way too much on clothing...boring but essential...and groceries!  

We brought two coolers with us which we packed just before leaving and the ice hadn't even started to melt by the time we arrived back home!

Some new Autumn decorating items also managed to fine their way into my cart but I'll show those to you when I start the transition from summer to fall mode.

It's great to go away but there's  so much truth to the saying,

There's no place like home! 

I'm sorry to say that I didn't get too far on the next step of my Mystery Quilt-Along but I promise to get back at it in the next few days.

So please, stay tuned!


Happy stitching!

29 comments:

barcord said...

Sounds like the perfect trip. Enjoy all those lovely purchases. Im looking forward to the next part of your mystery quilt....when you are well rested.x

Rosa said...

Sounds great.Have fun playing with your goodies!

Jacqueline said...

Your vacation sounds wonderful. And the "hunt" for fabrics and goodies always soothes the soul. And at those prices, when you crossed into Maine, I think you showed great restraint.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Wonderful vacation! You sounded pretty busy and happy. Beautiful fabrics!

gracie said...

Sounds like a wonderful vacation

Needled Mom said...

It sounds like an amazing trip - fabric, friends and freedom!

Pieceful said...

I live about 70 miles north of Bangor and frequent the shops you mentioned. I agree that the Marden's in Calais is great. Hope you got to stop in the Marden's in Brewer, too! Each one has some great fabric!
So glad you had a great trip!

Bev said...

I love Mardens too.

ytsmom said...

Glad you had such a wonderful time. What a treat!

Margs Primitive Quilts said...

Kaaren, I'm so glad you got " out of jail" :) with hubby in tow. OMG ! You hit the jackpot on those gorgeous fabrics at a fantastic price! Wow!
Sounds like it was a very relaxing time. Just what you needed. I'm with you...always good to go and always good to come Home Sweet Home! Take it easy and don't overdo it! Hugs Marg.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip, and what great stash enhancement!

Chris said...

Oh Kaaren! I used to shop at Marden's in Acton, Me 25 yrs ago. I so miss that store! Glad you had a great trip.

Lesley said...

Sounds like you had a fabulous time! So glad you found some great fabric treasures at great prices! Welcome back!

Anonymous said...

Good for you, so much for that limited pension. LOL! *wink*

sunny said...

Sounds like a lovely trip! I've been through Calais twice, but our only stop was The Sandwich Man before we crossed the border. Thanks for the hot tip on fabric.

Baa. xxx said...

How wonderful! What fun!

Julimond said...

What a wonderful trip around to so many quiltshops.Here in Germany fabrics for quilts are so expensive. We have to import all.
Happy sewing and a wonderful week for you Mr. PQ
Greetings from Iris

Janet O. said...

What a great getaway!
You found some lovely Jo Morton prints. I've heard of Marden's from another blogger. I'm headed to NH this week and we had discussed the possibility of a trip to Maine, but don't know that we will make it that far north, if we do end up going.
You had quite the adventure. I'm tired just reading about all of the places you have been and the all of the shopping you did.

margaret said...

some great buys you made on your travels.to find fabric at that price would suit me fine and I am sure I would spend and spend! Sounds exhausting, such a big country you have to drive so much further than us on our little island!
Now you can recover from your jaunt, DH must be tired from all the driving too

Yvonne said...

It has been about 17 years ago since my husband and I visited Maine from the Netherlands. At that time I did not quilt yet....I guess we will have to return some day! Also because Maine is such a beautiful state to visit!

Pam in IL said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip and I love all the goodies you got too!!

Tina Marie the Willow Witch said...

Glad you had a awesome trip and fun finds along the way.

Susie H said...

It's obvious that a few days away was good for what ailed you. Now back to work!!! Hahahaha!!

Unknown said...

Sounds like you had a lovely time and I Love all that fabric you managed to find.
So glad you managed to get away. It was much deserved.
Mary

Ronda said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip Kaaren!!! I would love to travel that part of the nation someday soon! Cant wait to see what you make out of those wonderful finds.

suz said...

sounds like a great trip - isn't Marden's wonderful? I remember a few years ago when they apologized because they were going to have to raise their prices - I have to say we all took it well. :0)

ZHOBEYDA said...
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Eileen said...

I've been to Mardens! My cart was overflowing when I checked out. We've been to NS twice, first time drove Rt 9 in Maine to St. John's for the ferry. Second time, took the Cat from Portland to Yarmouth. Worst boat ride of my life! Heard it's been discontinued. I'd love to go back an just be a tourist; both times we were visiting the family of our son's godmother. It's a beautiful part of Canada.

Connie said...

Mardens in Calais is only 1.5 hour drive from me so friends and I often take a road trip to get our fabric fix. Did you know that if you show your Guild Membership Card BEFORE they cut your fabric, they will give you an extra ten percent off! How great is that! I bought some lovely flannels there this summer for $ 3.99 a yard.