This was the view when I landed in Bloomington, IL yesterday.
Don’t let the camera angle fool you – this place is flat!
I love seeing how things are at every corner of this globe, It’s so different than my little part of North Carolina --
Where are the trees?
They have corn instead!
And I know they do a lot of cycling here because it IS so flat – it’s perfect for many things like farming ((Did I mention CORN!?))
Upon landing and grabbing my luggage, I met up with Marie who asked me what I wanted to do while I was here.
“Have you ever been to the Treadle?” she asks ---
“No, I haven’t” said I. “But I’ve heard it’s a place to be experienced!”
And so we went!
Little business center – pretty unassuming, right?
The photos here can’t even begin to have decent captions. I was keeping my mind open, knowing that if I kept looking I might find what I wanted ----
In here somewhere?
Don’t think I can get through here!
What was it I came here to find?
I found it!
I left with a bundle that was marked 1/2 price and a 1/2 yard of the cute sewing notions neutral just because it was cute.
There was so much STUFF in this shop that many would have a hard time finding their way through the aisles or know where to find what, but the owner was friendly, we had a great chat, and she knew where everything was and very helpful!
After a shopping adventure like this.we needed sustenance!
I’m in Culver’s Country!
And yes, we did!!
Mine was the flavor of the day – Heath Bar Crunch – YUMMMMM!!!
It was a great start to a great day in Bloomington, IL! There is more to follow, We took a trip to the David Davis Mansion! But my ride is picking me up soon and I need to hit send on this and get moving! I'll post those photos later ---
I'm on my way to a My Blue Heaven Workshop!
I wonder what TODAY’s Flavor of the Day will be? Hmmmmmmm!
28 comments:
Just wanted to thank you for the wonderful presentation last night - I so enjoyed it and loved seeing all your wonderful quilts. My friend and I left inspired and excited to make some of your quilt designs Have a great day with the gals from HAAQG.
I am certainly adding this shop to my someday list! What fun to did around and what treasures to unearth. Have fun today!
My goodness! What a treasure hunt at the Treadle. I love the scissors fabric. Have a great day today!
Heavens above, I would certainly love to rummage around in that store, I would be there for hours. Enjoy your workshops etc.
Linda
I would love some of the fabric with the sewing basket. Do you know who makes it?
My husband says Illinois is Chicago and one big cornfield :) It actually is a beautiful state. I have put The Treadle on my quilt shop bucket list.
Ha ha, I've been to Treadle. Yes it is an experience to put it lightly. I used to stop there on my way to visit daughter in Springfield, IL. But like you said, the owner knows where every thing is- amazing. I remember the flatness of the land too.
Sweet corn is probably still available too. The locals will know the best places for outa this world sweet corn.
That quilt shop is a picture of my mind! My house, quilting and life is all jumbled up just like that. But I do function (sometimes). Would love to go see it.
If you like a stuffed full shop, really, really full, work Fieldstone House into your trip schedule. Located a few miles off Interstate 88 between Binghamton and Oneonta, NY. And yes, the owners do know where each fabric is. And you're slim Bonnie, you will be able to get thru the aisles. (probably)
When you are in Portland next time you need to go to Battleground north of Vancouver to the Country Manor fabrics shop. It is not quite as crowded but packed Full of Fabrics. You would love the Sale room in back. The Sewing Basket in Prosser Washington closer to me is another shop not to be missed! Any fabric you need you can ask and the owner knows where it is. That Heath Crunch looks Way Too Yummy!
Bonnie, there is a Culver's at the Carowinds exit on I-77!!!Exit 90 I think, right at the NC/SC state line! Next time you are traveling south on 77 you should stop.
We have ventured down there twice, just to eat and it is about 45 minutes from us. It feeds my WI memories!!!
We have a shop like that in Victoria BC, called Bib & Tucker. The staff knows where everything is, but is overwhelming when your just
Gwen Denluck
The Treadle reminds me of a store that used to be in the next little town over from mine....stuff, stuff, stuff. Move stuff, climb over stuff, dig through stuff to get to what you wanted. And yes, the owner of that store knew where everything was too. Have fun in Illinois!
I grew up not far from there. It is indeed flat, but there are areas of rolling hills and lots of trees. But, of course, you are right, everywhere you turn this time of year there is corn! I miss that area of the country -- just not the snowy winters!
Yes! The Treadle! I have been there and I agree that it is amazing that the owner knows where everything is. I almost get claustrophobic when I am in there, however, that does not keep me from stopping when I am in the area.
I'm from next door in Indiana. Yep! Lots of cornfields here. When I lived in New Bern,NC, I complained about all the pines! Sure do miss the pines and the coast now!
So glad you got to visit the Treadle. What an experience. I was on a Shop Hop last October with my cousin and we discovered that place. I can't wait to go back someday. Enjoy your trip.
Pat Bradford
tricia_bradford8@hotmail.com
Wow, The Treadle is a hoarder's idea of heaven! Guess you could spend hours in there unearthing goodies...ice cream was definitely needed after that treasure hunt!
Reminds me of Obies near Lancaster Pa! You need to wear a hardhat when you go in her store. Bolts of fabric piled to the ceiling and one way aisles, but she too knows her inventory. Oh do I miss Culvers in Wisconsin!
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois are known as the 'Corn Belt'. Corn is a heavy feeder and uses lots of nutrients, so Soybeans are grown the next year to replenishment the soil :)
Treadlle is a store for me! I would love digging through to find treasures. But I survive in chaos so it wouldn't bother me the way it might others. Thank you for sharing your experience there. Also all the info on David Davis and his house. Have fun in Culver Country!!
Bonnie,
Here are some "corny" facts from University of Illinois Extension:
"In 2006, McLean County produced almost 62,000,000 bushels of corn with a yield of 182 bpa. Our record county yield is 185 bpa. As a state we produced about 18% of the nation's corn crop. If you load the entire IL corn crop on a box car train, the train would extend from here to Hong Kong, or about 7600 miles long! If we took the McLean County corn crop and lined it up by kernel, end to end, it would circle the earth almost 1200 times! We could take a left turn and travel to the moon and back 60 times with that same county yield!"
We have a Sweet Corn Blues Festival in Uptown Normal, Illinois. Lots of fun.
Now you are ready for Illinois corn trivia :)
Bonnie as of today I am not a fan of 3M Sotch Brite
They have a pop up ad no "x" in the corner and it covers your whole blog text and moves to stay covering when I scroll
ER ER ER er er
So I can't read your blog I use an iPhone I had to open your blog in a new page and well er er er
I'll do what I have to to read your blog but 3M as much I do like and have bought their products just might become the # 1 on my do not buy list soon
Colleen
My sister lives in Normal/Bloomington and every time when I come home for Christmas, I visit the Treadle to stock up! Last time I brought $$ from friends and stocked up on sale fabric for them too! So glad you got to experience it! My nieces come along and play hide and seek while I'm shopping. As you can now well imagine, it's a great place for that! Enjoy your time in Illinois!
OMGosh! That looks like a quilting hoarders' paradise!!! I'd have to take it in increments stepping outside periodically to take a breath!!! LOL!
Hi Bonnie, Just a short note to say we thoroughly enjoyed meeting you at the lecture Thurs. night. It was worth the long drive to see your quilts in person, experience the Treadle shop and have a chance to see you in action. Thank you. Hope to see you next year closer to home.
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