Heather and I were coming down to Virginia this weekend to babysit Elsie, and we decided to make a road trip out of it and visit some quilt shops that we've never been to before on the way down. The first stop on our very rainy road trip started yesterday morning at The Artful Quilter in Burke Virginia. As soon as you walk in the door, you're greeted by this cozy sitting area. Their shop is very bright and inviting.
They had lots of very creative display space and packaged things in ways that just made them look "yummy". This shop was so Heather, and she bought some great Vicki Payne fabric for a bag she's going to make, and I got just the perfect variegated thread to quilt my Walk in the Moonlight quilt, along with various fat eighths and a magazine.
Then it was on to Historic Occoquan in the pouring down rain, but being the hearty souls that we are, and knowing that there was a quilt shop somewhere on Mill Street, we decided to brave the weather on foot. 
And the reward was Epicurean Crafts. This shop was more my style with lots of country collectibles and gifts intermingled with the fabric. I got some great cuts here on sale, and found a wonderful hand dyed piece of wool just the right color for something I have in mind. 
Eventually the rain subsided, and we got to watch some of the 3rd Annual Duck Race that was going on this weekend. Yes these are rubber ducks that are numbered, and apparently it's done for charity. We didn't hang around for the winner as the tide was moving very slowly and watching a rubber duck race was much like watching paint dry, but now I can say that I've seen one :)
This is Heather and I enjoying the little bit of sunshine that came out for us. We walked the entire town, it's very quaint and definitely worth a trip if you are in the area. The shops are full of character and there are inviting little nooks around every corner. 
The town hall is in a building that was once a Methodist Church that has a real gas lantern out front, and we enjoyed this cute gazebo and garden that led down to the wharf. 
After having lunch in a great little bakery in town, we headed off to Stafford and ended our road trip with this little ray of sunshine. Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn
3 comments:
Dawn, the next time you're down in Stafford take a quick ride to Warrenton to visit our shop, Kelly Ann's Quilting...we have alittle of what Sheri at the Artful has with some repro mixed in. Hope to see ya soon.
Occoquan is the best- especially when the sun is shining :>)- and when they have their annual craft fair.
Kelly Ann's Quilting is on my list for the next trip! We hope to do little road trips like this about once a month. Hope to meet you there Kelly Ann!
Post a Comment