Mercantile On Main

Coshocton, OH, DH's hometown, has a sweet little quilt shop that I love to visit when we are in town. I recently had the chance to visit - yes, and shop! - and I thought I would share this cozy shop with you. 

I always seem to find something I just have to have when I stop in. Usually, I am just enhancing my stash; rarely, if ever, am I there for a specific project. So I browse around every single nook and cranny.

 

This most recent visit made me realize that I have not done a whole lot of shopping this year - fabric shopping and otherwise. First, I really don't need anything, and second, Covid-19 has interrupted so much of everyone's "normal" activity. When it comes to quilting needs, I just make do, or order online. That mentality of online shopping will be the death of small shops, so when I get a chance to stop and shop, I try to find something to buy; I don't want these family-owned, small businesses to shut their doors!

 

 

 Mercantile on Main has some fantastic display quilts - they would appeal to a wide variety of quilting interests. I recognize that last quilt as it is on the cover of a Carrie Nelson book I have. I sorta' want to make it. And even though I would love it made as it shown, I sorta' dream about how it might look made up in some really awesome soft florals. Hmmm...

But I digress. That one quilt on up a bit reminds me of the Periwinkle quilt I made this summer. Of course, it is slightly different, but similar enough that I would still call it a Periwinkle design. I love that blue border. 

And I had to take a picture of that Churn Dash quilt up at the very top. (Click on it to zoom in.) I have really been on a kick with those lately. That one is soooo pretty. Do I have yet another one in me?? Maybe. *grin*

So, you're probably wondering what I bought, right? Well, here ya' go. I picked out a fun little grouping of fall-colored fat quarters, 2 mini charm packs of Christmas fabric, a floral FQ package and a bit of yardage to go with it. Little ideas are forming for each of these, and it was enjoyable just randomly picking out little things.

 Here's a couple of closer views of the floral pack and the accompanying yardage, with my apologies for the glare. Also note the attractive packaging. That really puts a unique touch on the product, don't you think?

Anyway, if you ever find yourself in Coshocton, OH, be sure to stop in at Mercantile on Main. It is right downtown across from the court house. Years ago, the shop was called Vac Shack (or something along that line), and they still sell and service vacuum cleaners, as you see in one of the pics. I have found some great fabrics in this little shop, and the owner always makes me feel welcome.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Into Each Life...

. . . some sadness must fall. And that has most certainly been the case for our family this past week.

On Sunday, November 11, my dear father-in-law passed away at age 89. His passing is a great sadness for us - especially my husband, the oldest of the four surviving children. We have spent the week in Coshocton with the family and many friends celebrating his life. What a hard week; what a tremendous life. It has all been so very overwhelming and exhausting and heartbreaking. Whew. The veteran (Korea) passed on Veterans' Day. Ironic.

I can report only one little bit of quilting-related news. On Wednesday morning, DH and I took a walk to Coshocton's LQS (local quilt shop) Mercantile On Main. It is located only a few blocks away from the hotel in which we stayed, and while the morning was unusually chilly, the walk was invigorating.

The stunning quilt above looks even more spectacular in person. I wish I had been concentrating more, but I forget the name of the quilt and the fabric the shop owner told me she used. It was a fabric I never would have selected, but this display! What an awesome quilt! I believe she told me that they have it in kits, however I did not see it on the website. Maybe it has yet to be added.

Here's what I bought. At our Veterans Day sewing with the Frienzies, Kay gave me a (Henry Glass?) Christmas panel. (I have not shared all the fun we had on Veterans Day - hopefully, I can do that soon, but don't hold me to it!)  These fabrics will all be used to make the panels into a lap-quilt or wall hanging. I will get a good picture of the panel when I get started cutting and stitching. (That's a promise you CAN hold me to!)

Perhaps things will return to normal around here soon. Losing loved one - a parent - jolt's one very being. I truly adored my father-in-law; he was always kind and supportive - from the very first time I met him. We will soldier on and honor his memory always.

Thanks for letting me ramble. I'll try to get back on track one of these days!

Happy Quilting, Friends!