An unexpected fun day

A week ago on our way home from Arizona we were tired of having long days of driving and wanted a shorter one. I casually mentioned to my hubby that I knew what we could do.  We'd still be heading in the direction of home and it'd be a shorter driving day of only 4 hours instead of 10.  I mentioned I always wanted to go to Hamilton, MO to see Missouri Star Quilt Company!  It was really only 22 miles out of our way(round trip). And they have a campground there and it just opened up the day before.  Hubby said okay!! 

As you come onto main street you are greeted with this beautifully painted side of the building, you definitely know where you are!

This is the side view of the main store which is store #1.  You want to go there first and sign in and get your passport and a map of where all the stores are.  Which is really all in two blocks.  In this building you will get a little taste of everything in each store. 

Most of the stores are in this block.  Each store has a theme, batiks, modern, seasonal, floral, tools, etc. I have always heard to allow at least a day if not more.  I only had an afternoon and I made all the stores with time to spare.  I didn't have a list of things I needed or wanted, but I found a few things anyway! 

This is the painted wall of the retreat center. Makes me wonder if the painter might be a quilter or turned into one after doing the painting. 

Jenny was not around, I was told it was Saturday and she usually stays home that day.  But her flat Jenny was around, LOL.  I couldn't resist asking the cute young clerk to indulge me with a photo!

I didn't know the town also had a quilt museum, so with time to spare I walked the two blocks only to find out it was closed already.  But I did get to see the world's largest spool of thread.  Afterwards I looked up the museum online to find out it houses lots of toy sewing machines along with loads of antique quilts. It would have been fun to see.

Oh you might be wondering what did I buy while at MSQC...I treated myself to a new Tshirt, and mug. And then picked up some fabric for future table runners for the shop, found a couple of fall panels to make wall hangings. 

It was an unexpected treat to be able to stop and see the stores.  I was there many many years ago when it was one tiny store.  We made it home the next day and the work of unpacking began.  It was a very fun trip again, but also glad to be home.  More trip photos in future posts;)

Did any of you have trouble getting into Bloglovin this weekend?  I tried several times and always says page not available.  And I didn't get any emails from them either.