Here is Kim Thomas (center), owner of Chattanooga Quilts in Ooltewah, TN, with Ben (right) and me. |
Traveling from Chattanooga Quilts in Ooltewah, Ben and I dropped by Chattanooga Sewing Machines and More. Because of our tight schedule and the flurry of activity that was happening at this store (it was hopping!), I didn't get a photo. But I can say that shop owners, Kyra Rhyne and Josh Flinn were smitten with the collections and have childrenswear and garment sewing projects planned for them. Be watching their class calendar and stop in the shop in the next months.
From Chattanooga Sewing Machines and More, we made a quick stop at 4 Corners Cafe near Collegedale, TN, for paninis. True to the typical antics of a traveling sales rep, Ben took to eating our lunch on-the-fly in the car. [Ben--next time we'll have to make time to enjoy the home made gelato at 4 Corners!]
Ben outside Sew 'n So Quilt Shop in Rocky Face, GA. |
Ben shows customers at Sew 'n So Quilt Shop a photo of the glow-in-the-dark inks in the Fairy Lights collection. |
Meet and Greet with Ben Taphouse at Sew 'n So Quilt Shop. |
Anna Quarles, owner of Sew 'n So Quilt Shop and Ben Taphouse. |
The Bumbleberries fashion blender was used in this sample. |
Examining the strike-offs. |
There were lots of projects and samples on hand for people to see at the Meet and Greet. |
A lucky winner of Lewis and Irene charm squares. |
Ben Taphouse with shop owner,Lana Masengill, at Lana's Quilts and Sew Much More. |
The wrap-up
After hearing the stories behind the company and its fabric designs, I hope the Tennessee and north Georgia quilters and sewers won't be strangers to Lewis and Irene fabric collections that will be making their way to the area's quilt shops. Thank you so much to all the shop owners that allowed us to visit.
So, after:
2 days,
4 quilt shops,
2 Meet and Greets,
1 guild meeting, and
168 miles...
... Ben and I did a brain dump and recap of the visits and conversations with shop owners and all the quilters. Believe it or not, Ben recommended Smokey Bones for a great late-evening dish of mac and cheese and deep-fried Oreo cookies (and he claims he does not have a sweet tooth!). One minute it was 9 pm, and the next it was midnight! Time flies when you're talking "fabric."
Thanks for a wonderful visit and hope you enjoyed your trip to Chattanooga, Ben!
After hearing the stories behind the company and its fabric designs, I hope the Tennessee and north Georgia quilters and sewers won't be strangers to Lewis and Irene fabric collections that will be making their way to the area's quilt shops. Thank you so much to all the shop owners that allowed us to visit.
So, after:
2 days,
4 quilt shops,
2 Meet and Greets,
1 guild meeting, and
168 miles...
... Ben and I did a brain dump and recap of the visits and conversations with shop owners and all the quilters. Believe it or not, Ben recommended Smokey Bones for a great late-evening dish of mac and cheese and deep-fried Oreo cookies (and he claims he does not have a sweet tooth!). One minute it was 9 pm, and the next it was midnight! Time flies when you're talking "fabric."
Thanks for a wonderful visit and hope you enjoyed your trip to Chattanooga, Ben!