I’ve added a little side hustle to my work-a-day life. I was offered the chance to teach a Workplace Communications class to adult learners. The course takes place every Wednesday for 8 weeks on the college campus in Brockport, NY. I’m excited about the opportunity to lead the class because these students have been identified as those who have strong potential to move into management from their current positions — plus I get to geek out on effective communication theory and techniques for several hours each class meeting.
Happily, I’ve discovered that Brockport has a homey quilt shop called Country Treasures. (Brockport also has a TJMaxx – another personal addiction that we can discuss at a later time.) Country Treasures is on Main Street and when I walked in after class last Wednesday it couldn’t have been more picturesque. Although the sky was relatively clear, a few fat snowflakes were drifting around and the wind smelled sharp and cold after its trip across Canada and frigid Lake Ontario. Downtown has been restored, so each of the shops looked historic, warm and cozy, but I ignored the others and made a bee-line for the quilt shop.
![IMG_0911[1]](https://i0.wp.com/graybarndesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/img_09111.jpg?resize=620%2C827&ssl=1)
Did someone say fabric sale?
The window display was gorgeous! Inside, the shop was filled with warm country treasures and not a few Valentine’s Day items. It was so pretty and it smelled great too – like new fabric and scented candles, accented with a faint undertone of chocolate (although the chocolate smell could have been coming from my bag where I was testing a little snack for the long drive home).
![IMG_0914[1]](https://i0.wp.com/graybarndesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/img_09141.jpg?resize=620%2C827&ssl=1)
The woven throw could be inspiration for a future quilt design. I’m a sucker for a red quilt.
I wandered into the back of the shop and I almost jumped out of my shoes when I found a French General quilt kit on sale. I snatched that baby up so quickly that the wall samples fluttered for a moment. Mine! Mine! Mine! French anything is my alter ego, but this is the first time I’ve owned a piece of fabric representing the mother ship. WooHoo!
![IMG_0917[1]](https://i0.wp.com/graybarndesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/img_09171.jpg?resize=620%2C827&ssl=1)
My hands are still shaking from the joy of finding this kit at 50% off!
![IMG_E0921[1]](https://i0.wp.com/graybarndesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/img_e09211.jpg?resize=620%2C827&ssl=1)
Boots helped me inspect the fabric pieces included in the kit — he’s such a good kitty!
I hope you are on track for completing all of your Valentine’s Day quilted surprises!
What? You bought a French General kit at 50% off and didn’t call me? Oh well, it’s for the best as I have way too many projects in the hopper! That Boots is such a good helper…
grand minou!
Oopsy — it was the last one — I swear!
Looks like a lot of cutting! Have fun with this one…I know Boots will!
That shop is a great find.
I want to take a trip based on visiting quilting shops.
Wouldn’t that be cool?
Chela — I would love to take that trip too!
That French General kit was a great buy x
Thank, Lucie! I hope I can do it justice!
Wow..that looks like an awesome adventure..
That kit looks like a great find! And another friesnly quilt shop is always nice. Can you see me waving at you across the lake? Many years ago, there were regular ferries from Cobourg, just 10 minutes east of here, to Rochester .
Lisa — I’m waving excitedly back at you! I know about that ferry. I wish it was still there!
I understand about the TJ Max, I have a weird thing about that shop too any always want to go in them when I am traveling. Funny thing is I was on vacation with my 4 year old nephew a couple years ago and he too was obsessed with TJ Max and kept asking to go there!
Enjoyed your quilt shop photos and glad Boots liked your find, he has great taste!
Sandy, Felicitations on your teaching gig! What an added bonus to find such a lovely quilt shop with your French General quilt kit. I am a Francophile myself, my Father is a retired French professor.
Boots you are a wonderful inspecteur and tres cute!!!