Quilting Road Trip, Part Two

When Carolyn left Texas on her recent southern quilting road trip, she headed east to Louisiana - the Pelican State. There is no shortage of quilters down on the bayou, and everyone was generous with their southern hospitality.

First stop, although not strictly speaking a quilt shop, was The Oakland Plantation in Natchitoches Parish, part of the National Park Service. The plantation was founded by Jean Pierre Emanuel Prud'homme who began farming the area in 1785. The tree in the photos is 170 years old, and Carolyn is shown on the front porch of the gift shop. Quilting inspiration abounds in the plants and other natural features in this lovely setting.

Quilt-N-Stitch in West Monroe, Louisiana, is a complete quilt shop as well as a BERNINA dealer. Owner Christy Dulaney in blue and Ida Rayford to her right made time to show Carolyn around the shop.

Owners Ron and Louise Adams of The Fabric Shop in downtown historic Ruston have beautiful, inspiring displays and are part of a thriving sewing community.

Ruston also boasts a new location for Quilteroo's, on Farmerville Highway. Photos feature Carolyn with Kathey King, Rhonda Ponder, and Melissa Ott holding the Add-A-Quarters.

At Fabric Boutique in Bossier City, Louisiana, Carolyn caught up with owner Shirley Warren, who has been in business there since 1972.

After a fond farewell to Louisiana, it was on to Mississippi, the Magnolia State. At Stitch-N-Frame in Vicksburg, Carolyn was greeted by Brigid (in teal blue), Shannen (in gray hat), and Aleisca (in dark blue). More than 7,000 bolts of fabric! Much shopping was done...

One more Mississippi stop was made at the Civil War Battlefield in Vicksburg. There were about 20,000 men that died during this battle. The photos are of the USS Cairo, the first American ironclad warship built at the beginning of the Civil War. It was named after Cairo, Illinois. It was commissioned October 1, 1862. On December 12, 1862 while clearing mines from the river the Cairo struck a "torpedo" detonated by volunteers hidden behind the river bank and sank in just 12 minutes. There were no casualties. It was raised in 1964 and placed at the Vicksburg National Military Park.

Then it was back home to Colorado and the Add-A-Quarter studio! We hope you enjoyed Carolyn's big southern road trip. Check back soon for more quilty adventures on the road!