Another South of the Border Run

Hi Everyone Just got back from my latest south of the border run. Left town on August

26th after attending my friend Linda's surprise birthday party. For those who don't know her Linda is our membership chair and former newsletter editor. She is an amazing lady who helps without asking and it was fun being a part of her surprise. Which we got her good by the way. Woke up for an early start and our first stop was a quick stretch break at Joann's Fabric in Bellingham. They are re-organizing the store and couldn't find anything but good deals. This is not good, only 1 1/2 hours out and finding things 75% off! Down to Centralia and found Quilters Junction. It's in an old house and has a great assortment of fabrics and gadgets. I found a cute lithograph called The Happy Quilters. It has three women under a very bright quilt by Dixie Rogerson-Bill. Her website is at She is from the Centralia area.The shop was a participant in the Western Washington Shop Hop and still hadcopies of their instructions which she shared with me. Onto Kalama and TheNine Patch. She had an amazing collection of felted wools. Got a neat pinkone that almost looks tie dyed. She also had a copy of instructions for herblock. Onto Vancouver Washington and Connecting Threads. I've had their catalogue and always wondered what their store was like. What I didn't realize was they also do a yarn and painting catalogue business. They had a great warehouse clearance sale going on. I found some Mylar hexagon and triangle shapes for a good deal. They also had books, fabrics available. is their website if you don't already know it. The salesclerk was kind enough to direct me to the two LQS in Vancouver The Quilter and Quilt-n-Stitch are both great shops. We then headed down 99E one of my favourite routes and by passed Portland this time and saw that Speckled Hen Quilts was open. They're open late on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Last year when I found the shop they were just in the process of moving in. What a great shop. They also have an amazing amount of gift items. They opened up a huge backroom that they use as a classroom space. Karen is a very nice lady. Mom was sort of interested in some hen/rooster hangings and she offered to take 40% off [that would make the price equivalent to the Canadian dollar]. Mom declined but found a cute attic windows hanging done with a Timeless Treasures chicken print, so we got the fixings and I'll make one for her instead. Check out the Speckled Hen at I love the comment under her sign. Spotted Roosters & Speckled Hens...this is where the FUN begins. Next stop was Salem where we spent the night. Next day we got up and went to Greenbaums Quilted Forest. I usually go there when going to the Sisters Quilt Show, very different. The shop was not crazy with people so asked about a guild discount. Was told they only offer it to LOCAL quilters. I'm not sure what happens in your area, but at most of our shops, if you are a guild member they offer you a standard 10% discount and don't require you to have any cards or punch tags. When I said this I was told to "talk to Sylvia", I just said no and left. After walking across the street and checking out an antique shop and remembering how accommodating Karen at the Speckled Hen was I went back. I asked to speak with Sylvia and said she might want to talk to me in a private corner. She held her hand up and said, "in a second" and that blew it...I just started saying how rude I thought it was that this shop did not offer discounts to anyone but local quilters. Her response was...no we offer it to all quilters...yeah right, bet it would have been different if there weren't a lot of customers hearing me complain. Not sure if I'd go back again. Time will tell. Next stop was Dallas and Grandma's Attic Sewing Emporium, Inc. I love this shop. She has a file with a lot of free patterns, take one take ten, as many as you like. She also has an "economy cupboard" [sale fabrics] I found a copy of EQ5 Drawing and some cracked ice in a pretty blue. Asked about a discount, got it on everything including the book! What a difference from that other shop. Can't wait to try some of the hints in EQ5 draw. I find it easier to try reading and doing the lessons at the same time. I find reading, then trying it later doesn't work for me. We made a quick stop in the Wal-Mart and I found some great carved wood pumpkin baskets in 3 sizes. I've seen them at Pier 1 for a ridiculous price. These ones ranged from $2.97-6.97. I think I got all three for less than one at Pier 1. They also have some great lemon scented potpourri. Back on the road again and down to Eugene and found The Quilt Patch. They have a display of antique quilts hanging in the store right now. They also re-located last year. No business card but they are at 3rd and Lincoln downtown. They do letterbox quilts, check out their website at found Factory Fabrics, a close out shop that has everything, end ofbolts, satins, velvets. All at a very low cost. Found two cute fallfabrics, at $3.99, why not?Next stop, one of my favourite towns, Cottage Grove. I found it in 1999 andpanicked when it moved in 2000 across the street. Unfortunately a lot ofthe antique shops have closed down. Sue had opened a cafe called theBrothel Cafe with a friend that had to be closed, she's hoping to be able tore-open it shortly. She had taken head and foot boards from beds and madethem into benches to sit at the tables. Long sad story, but at least theshop is still in business.Oops, in Junction City stopped in at Quilter's Junction, not a large shopbut has some nice fabrics.In Roseburg we stopped for the night. The next morning we went to CountryLady Quilt shop, they also moved their location. We also managed to findSeams Like Old Times Quilt Studio, despite the fact that for almost 2 yearsthe phone book has the incorrect address. They have some great Bali batiks.We also found a cute antique gift shop called Angels in the Attic. She wascutting [yes, cutting] old quilts up to make into stuffed fabric pumpkins.They look cute, but what a shame.We decided after speaking with our waitress to drive along the North UmpquaHighway towards Diamond and Crater Lakes. If you are ever in the area, makethe trip. Be warned there are lots of hills and curves. But well worth thedrive. Diamond lake is pretty, but Crater Lake is amazing. There was stillsnow on the inside of the crater. The road at times is incredibly narrowwith no guard rail, so it's not for the faint of heart, or motorhomes I'dsay. We drove around the west side before heading down to Medford. Bychance happened upon a small new quilt shop called Gingers, a lot of polycottons, mainly making quilts for dogs and cats. Good luck to her.Well, I guess that's enough for the first digest, hope you enjoy it and theothers to come.

-- Sandi in New Westminster B.C.