A Special Invitation

First I'd like to thank everyone who followed my train adventure and made comments along the way. I'm sure you didn't enjoy it as much as I did but, all you need do to experience the fun is take a train trip some day. I do think you will enjoy it.


I'd also like to invite you all to participate in our 24th Mystery Quilt Treasure Hunt. We opened our door to new designers for this hunt and are proud to present our Holiday Stroll pattern designed by Stephanie. It is a wonderful six part pattern designed to be used as a fall/winter decoration or given as a gift.

We have been hosting these hunts for almost 10 years. Hunters have had so much fun visiting shops and collecting clues to the Free Mystery Pattern. Gifts are also awarded both during and at the hunts conclusion.


To register and collect your free mystery pattern parts while qualifying for the gifts visit http://www.anilee.net/island/island.html for details.

Note: Information and emails you provide when you register are never used by anyone but us. They are used only for remembering the clues you register and notifying you if you have been chosen to receive one of the gifts being given away. You will not receive junk mail from us by registering.


I hope some of you will have the time to join us. Have a great day and Happy Quilting!

Train Trip part 21

Well, that was our train adventure. Yes, I would definitely do it again with a soft cushion of course. However, I do think it might be time for me to try and get over my fear of flying. Who knows, the next adventure you hear from me might be my first plane ride. I hope you enjoyed my story. Have a great day and take the train some day if you get the chance. It is worth trying. Time to get back to work now.

Train Trip part 20

Oh, I didn't mention, the trip out actually took 38 hours because our connecting train to Tacoma from Seattle was held up. Apparently it got stopped at the Canadian border where they had to take someone off. We never heard why they took them off. Anyone out there hear anything on the news about it. It would have been the 14th or 15th of September.

Train Trip part 19

Arriving in Mnpls. at 7:05 a.m. we were able to meet up with my daughter, her husband and a friend for breakfast. After breakfast we stopped at The Quiltworks in Minneapolis to pick up a roll of batting and some fabric (and other supplies). Then returned home to get busy at the quilt frame. I have many customers anxious for me to get caught up as quickly as I can. Hopefully before the Christmas rush.

Train Trip part 18

Got situated in our seats and visited and read until dinner time. Had another wonderful dinner. For the trip home, the train was quite full for most of the trip. Did not get to spread out to be more comfortable. Did I mention this was a 37 hour trip. The sitting was the hardest part of the trip. While a soft cushy for the tushie is a must, I think I just may have gotten over my fear of flying for long trips.

Train Trip part 17

I forgot to mention that my friends sister lives near Seattle so her husband brought her on thurs. and we spent the day at the docks and looking around the town there. She stayed with us the rest of the week. He picked us up at checkout time sun morn and gave us a tour of Tacoma where he grew up. Then we had lunch and they dropped us at the station to catch our train home.

Train Trip part 16

We were able to look around the area our last evening there and found many other hotels within walking distance. We may just try one of them out next time to see what they are like as well. We then finished our packing before hitting the sack. It was sad to say goodbye to all the new friends we made at the show but, it will also be nice to get back home and quilting again.

Train Trip part 15

Didn't care for the hotel restaurant food only because it was mostly seafood and I'm allergic. We did on our third night find a wonderful chinese restaurant 2 blocks away called the Shanghai House. OMG, the food and green tea was to die for. If you are ever in that area you really should check it out. We also ate there the next night so we could try more of the menu. Again, fabulous.

Train Trip part 14

As a side note, I should mention that we stayed at the Murano Hotel. It features a different piece of glass art and the artist on each of the 25 floors. I was able to get to each floor to take pictures and will feature them in some way at a later date. I am trying to figure out how to put them in a slide show. We did not get to visit the local glass museum but will next time.

Train Trip part 13

The next four days at the quilt show were fabulous. All three of my classes went exceptionally well. I thorougly enjoyed my students. They were all eager to learn, had great questions, and seemed to have a good time overall. I also enjoyed meeting many of the other teachers there. Cindy and her crew put on a wonderful show. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to take classes.

Train Trip part 12

Arriving at the station in Tacoma, we got our luggage in less than 10 mins. which is hardly ever lost I'm told, hailed a cab, and proceeded the few blocks to our hotel and checked in (cab fare $7.50). Our first task was to unpack and freshen up after the long trip. Then we proceeded to the convention center to get registered and receive our bags and class information. The bags were wonderful.

Train Trip part 11

Saw a report on the news about a lady who had to pay extra just to be able to sit with her two small kids. Guess what? The train doesn't charge extra for that. If multiple tickets are purchased together, seats are reserved and everyone in that p...arty are kept together when seated. Now on with the train saga.

The remainder of the ride was same o, same o. I would very much recommend traveling this way when and where train travel is available and time permits. You can take three 36"x36"x36" pieces of luggage checked and two 22"x22"x22" carry on bags (not including your purse, briefcase and laptop) at no extra charge. I would only recommend bringing a nice soft cushy for your tushy for long trips.

Train Trip part 10

Ate dinner the first night in the snack bar cafeteria. They take reservations for dinner and first class sleeper cars get first choice. Dinner in the dining car would have been 9:30 for us so we chose to get a sandwhich in the snack bar cafe. We did have dinner the next night in the dining car. That meal was just as good as breakfast. All in all I'd have to say the train food was GOOD!

Train Trip part 9

There were several stops where people got on and people got off so we were able to chat with new people from time to time as they got on and sat in our area. Met one man who does the same thing my DH did before starting his new business as well as a couple who live in the state I was born. They live in a town about a half hour from where I lived the first 12 years of my life. Small world.

Train Trip part 8

The observation car has a snack bar and downstairs is a small snack cafeteria. The sides of this car are all glass windows so you can watch the scenery. We sat for awhile and visited as we watched the countryside go by. Tiring of that, we returned to our seats and did more reading and visiting there. Most of the rest of the trip was the same since we had a 37 hour trip to WA.

Train Trip part 7

At 5:30 a.m. they announced breakfast was being served in the diner car. We went to have breakfast. Wasn't sure how it was going to be trying to eat with a train swaying back and forth but it really wan't bad. The food was excellent by the way. We then went back to our seats and read a book for awhile, then visited for awhile, read, visited, then decided to check out the observation car.

Train Trip part 6

A short time into the trip, we learn that if we ask the porter, empty seats can be used to stretch out more comfortably until more passengers get on at other stops and need the seats. My friend and I were able to sit across from each other and curl up on two seats instead of leaning back in one. Much more comfortable to get a little shut eye so we slept for a few hours.

Train Trip part 5

Found our seats and got situated. Now, it has already been a long day (up at 5:30 a.m. finished remaining packing, picked up friend and her DH, met with DD, SIL, and a friend for dinner, got to station, boarded train, got situated and it is now a little after 11:00 p.m.). One would think we would be tired and ready to sleep but we are too wound up. Even so, we tried to stretch back and doze.

Train Trip part 4

I should say a little about luggage. In checking out travel plans, I found that flying it would cost me about $150 one way to take the luggage I needed with class supplies etc. By train there would be no extra charges for the luggage I was taking and the train ticket was $6 less than the airline ticket. Did I also mention I have a fear of flying which is another reason we went by train.

Train Trip part 3

Sat down to wait until time to board the train. About 15 mins. later they are calling us to board. My friend who is traveling with me and I say goodbye to our husbands (they aren't allowed past the gate which is the only security measure I could see), grab our two carry on bags we each have, hand over our tickets and away we go. We are instructed by the porter to go to the front of the car where seats are reserved for us.

Train Trip parts 1 & 2

I recently started posting on Facebook about my train trip to WA. to teach at the Innovations Quilt Show and decided I should share it here as well for those of you who don't use FB. Because FB only allows for short messages, I will be posting one part each day. Below is the first two parts.

Train Trip part 1: Having never traveled by any means other than by car, I had no idea what to expect when I got to the station. It was recommeded to be there a half hour early if there was luggage to be checked and one hour early if it was your firs...t trip. So, got there an hour early and still had to wait 30 minuntes which I figure isn't bad since the airlines have you arriving 2-3 hours early.

Train Trip part 2: Arrived at the station prepared to open my bags, dump all my pocket contents into a container, remove my shoes and walk through a metal detector. I was in shock when I had to do none of the above. I went to the counter, they put each bag I was checking onto a scale to make sure it wasn't over the 50 lb. max and away it went. Next bag on, away it went. Done in less than 5 mins.

Return tomorrow for the continuing saga.