You probably recognize this magazine cover of “Where Women Create” and have heard of Jo Packham the creator and editor.
And you might recognize the name Heidi Kaisand as being the past editor of American Patchwork and Quilting and Quilt Sampler. (Why didn’t I take their picture?). Heidi has a shop in Conrad, Iowa and to celebrate having that shop for 5 years, she hosted a Creative Harvest Festival with Jo. Here’s the ad we noticed.
Connie and I ran into several friends from our beginning quilt days and caught up with them during the luncheon. We listened to Jo’s publishing “story” which was remarkable and then we of course had to shop. Heidi’s shop is called Hen and Chicks and she has a full retreat area upstairs with beds, bathrooms, kitchen and washer/dryer. Think what fun could be had up there!
Another great day trip!
Remember the day before when I stopped at church to teach straight line quilting? Here’s part of the Zion Sewing group who make 100 or more charity quilts every year. You ladies rock!
It sounds like you and Connie had a fun day. I like the Where Women Create magazine , and I’m sure it was wonderful to hear Jo speak. Heidi’s shop looks nice, too. I wanted to visit Country Threads for years, but I live in PA and unfortunately never got there; however I feel like I know you personally from reading your blog.
Sara – You DO know me personally because I write about almost anything that takes place in my life – good or bad! Ha! Thanks for your comment.
Aren’t you so happy to be able to take the day and do these kinds of trips?
I want to open a store like that up here. There isn’t a quilt shop in my entire county here
Rhoda – go for it, girlfriend! You’d be good at it and it sounds like your area needs you!
Your Zion ladies prove charity quilts don’t have to be ugly quilts.
Jane – I will tell them – they will be so pleased!
Don’t you just love church ladies? They are so giving and I love the quilts!! That looks like a great shop. Like Sara, I never made it to Country Threads from Ohio, but I did meet you and Connie a couple of times at The Country Living Fair. Anytime you want to come back, you can stay with us and Squeak:)
Diane – what a generous offer – one that I won’t forget! Would be such fun – the fair and meeting you and Squeak!
Bless the church ladies. Their good deeds are reflective of their religion. They don’t preach it, they live it. Amen
Mary, that is my home town. In fact, the town is named after my great great grandfather. The store used to be the town general store, so it’s always a little ahrd for me to see it as anything but that.
Mary – it’s such a great old building! How’s the flooding situation at your place?
We crested this morning . The huge community effort paid off and hesco barriers held around the power plant. Still 2nd highest crest ever and much under water by the river.So hard for folks that got hit 8 years ago too. Check my facebook page for some video by drone. Bill and I have been working Red Cross shelters in C Falls and Cedar Rapids. Thanks for asking.
Does Heidi work for APQS yet? I know she used to. Would be fun to visit her shop. She is a delightful lady. We had her in our guild a long time ago when she worked for the magazine.
Jeanine – Heidi no longer works for APQ – but is very busy with her shop, her retreat center, husband and three kids plus she just purchased American Quilt Retailer – a busy gal for sure.
Thanks for the update, Mary.
Is there anything in the old Conrad general store now? About ten years my sister and I went to a very nice quilt store in the old Conrad General Store. It went out of business some time after that, but I wondered if the store you just went too might be in that building. My sister lives in Colo, Iowa, and I live in Michigan. We visited your store when I was visiting her ten years ago too, loved your store!
Marie – yes! Hen and Chicks is in the old Conrad General Store building – a really classic old building! Just lovely really.
Thank heaven for those wonderful Zion church quilting ladies and the pretty quilts shown.
I recognized Heidi’s name and wish I could be browsing in her Hen and Chicks store…like I don’t have enough fabric now…we always find something more, tho.
My two teenage granddaughters are spending the weekend with me and after a game of tennis called and asked if I’d like Sonic Drive In burgers and fries in about 40 minutes as “the line is very long?” Anything we don’t have to cook sounds fine with me.
We’d love to have you!! Squeak might even come out to say hi. Very shy.
Mary,
What great work your church quilt group does! Their quilts look beautiful! I’m just sorry that in my church and a lot of others as well, that there are not more younger quilters participating. Makes a person wonder if they come along after us “more mature” quilters are gone or if the ” church quilters” around the country will just go by the wayside. I certainly hope not. Thanks for sharing!
Love that blue bicycle in the store! Wouldn’t get as much fabric and stitch related projects done if I had one like it, but I might be a smaller woman! 🙂