Quilt hunting in La Conner, WA

 

Welcome to  La Conner, WA!  On Sunday, Tom rode 52 miles in the MS Washington Bike ride fund raiser.  We drove up early Sunday morning (before dawn) to Mt. Vernon, where the bike ride started.  After getting him off, I drove out to La Conner, on the water about 15 minutes west of Mt. Vernon.  I had booked us a room at the La Conner Country Inn as a surprise for Tom.

I was really pleased to be able to check in at 8:30 in the morning for that night.  Our room was rustic but perfect.  Just look at the bed coverings.

I have fabrics like this I never thought to put together, but now I will.

La Conner is a small little artsy town on an inlet in northwest Washington state.  It is several blocks long and lined with galleries, boutiques, and gift shops of all kinds. September is supposed to be quilt walk month in La Conner.  Each business is supposed to have and display a quilt made by a member of the Washington State Quilters-Spokane Chapter.  I really looked forward to spending time strolling through the shops and seeing the quilts.  I was very disappointed.  In most shops, the quilts were not displayed well, and in some I couldn't find them at all.  I did find one that was displayed well and I liked.

This one was made by A. Morton and is called Cranes at Sunset.  I did find quilts I liked at the quilt shop in town, Quilt Diva.  The one of the left was the first quilt made by Michael who works in the shop and recently won a ribbon at the local county fair. It is made with fabric by Marcia Derse.

Speaking of Marsha Derse fabric ----

This is the first time I have actually seen any of her fabric in person.  I fell in love with it, and bought four quarter yards.  I took Tom in again today, and he bought three more quarter yards, plus a couple of other lights for my stash.  What a fabulous husband!

Yesterday afternoon, after Tom's ride, we went to the La Conner Quilt Museum housed in the old Gaches Mansion, built in 1891.  There was a fantastic display of Japanese quilts created especially for this exhibit - At Play.  The exhibit was filled with a variety of quilts in many different styles, mostly hand sewn and quilted.  Tom and I were very impressed with the designs and workmanship, and the variety in these quilts.  Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos and the book about the exhibit was poorly done, so the colors are far from true.  I bought one anyway for the reminders of the designs.  If you are in the area, the exhibit is worth seeing and is there through October 7.

One last must do in La Conner is dinner at Nell Thorn Restaurant. This is a farm to table restaurant where the food is fresh and excellent.  Tom and I shared polenta cakes in a creamy mushroom sauce, heart beet and endive salad, portabella mushroom sandwich, peanut soup, and incredible pot stickers.  It was all totally amazing, except the portabella mushroom sandwich which was served on a mediocre bun.  It is worth the drive to La Conner to eat at this restaurant.

Next, I have my three days with Bella, and then back to the studio to play with my new fabrics, and finish up some old projects.  I hope you have enjoyed my little travelogue.  Joyful quilting, everyone.