Friday, May 15, 2009

To Market, To Market

After the Atlantic, it was time to head back to Pittsburgh for Quilt Market. First, we stopped in Lititz to see Wilbur's chocolate factory,


and the historic Sturgis pretzel factory.

Then it was off to Harrisburg to see the capital building.

When we got to Pittsburgh, we rode up the Monongahela Incline for a view of the city.


And it was time to set up my booth for the International Spring Quilt Market, a wholesale trade show. This is the "Before" picture of my booth.

And this is the "After" view.

Here's an overview of Spring Market 2009, or at least half of it, from the overhead walkway in the D. L. Lawrence Convention Center before it opened on May 15th.


I'm in Row 1800, a little speck on the horizon.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Lost and Found

After a wonderful day in Gettysburg we headed east towards Red Lion, PA, to find Family Heirloom Weavers, which I'd seen advertised in a magazine and always wanted to visit.

We got lost along the way but eventually found the shop and it was definitely worth it! An old 3-story stone house at the end of a country road, and every floor filled with woven blankets, coverlets, pillows, tablerunners, you name it! Here's the entrance to the house:
And some pictures of the rooms:

The company has also made woven items for several presidents and for the movie "Cold Mountain"!
Then it was off to Lancaster and the Primitives by Kathy wholesale store for more shopping!

In downtown Lancaster we checked out the Heritage Museum where they have an old printing press still in operation.

My husband Ben did his part to give me some free advertising:

The next day was spent exploring the backroads of Lancaster county.

We found an Amish store:

And lots of other amazing shops, like this converted barn near Strasburg:

And the best quilt shops:


Today was Mother's Day and we drove down to Cape May, New Jersey where the beaches are lined with buildings like this:


And I got to wade in the Atlantic.


Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Greetings from Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania's one of my favourite states to explore and I'm enjoying a wonderful vacation here before Quilt Market in Pittsburgh next week. Here are some photos of our trip so far.
Loved this textile shop in Gettysburg:

And these buildings in Gettysburg that predate the Civil War:

And then off to the battlefields:

Tomorrow we're off to Lancaster and Amish country. Can't wait! So much to see and so little time!