Gran and Kim's Excellent Adventure

Today Gran and I took advantage of the wonderful spring weather we're having here in northern California to take a little field trip north (but not too far) to the small town of Loomis--our destination was a little shopping/dining/gardening center and our plan was to visit the Tin Thimble and have lunch at the Conservatory. First stop, after making lunch reservations at the Conservatory, was the Tin Thimble.

Someone asked me if the Tin Thimble was a quilt shop. Well, . . . I'm not sure what the answer is. Sort of. Not really. But I CAN tell you the Tin Thimble is the kind of place a quilter would love to visit. Want to see a few photos?

The Tin Thimble occupies part of a loft-like space in what's called the packing shed. The photo above gives you some idea of the open space. And in that space is packed all kinds of wonderful goodies, many of which are vintage finds and artistic creations.

Vintage embroidery transfer patterns, vintage partially-completed embroidered projects, and newer embroidery supplies filled this corner. (Isn't it reassuring to know that OUR generation isn't the first to NOT complete each and every project we start?!)

Here we found older books and vintage rick rack, bindings, and other goodies amid new notions and other sewing supplies. Not shown are spools of vintage lace and one of those round umbrella-looking contraptions strung with clothes line (like our moms had before dryers became common) on which hung vintage needlework items, such as pillowcases and doilies.

The Tin Thimble is also known for their hand dyed wool and wool roving--doesn't this photo make you want to take up needle felting? Look at the wonderful colors of all that wool roving! There was a class in session when Gran and I were there, and the ladies were kind enough to show us their projects--they were needle felting wool onto white chiffon tunic vests. Click HERE to see a photo of one of these finished creations. They had similarly constructed scarves for sale--I would LOVE to make a scarf!

After what seemed like the fastest hour in history, it was time to leave the Tin Thimble and head over to the Conservatory for our lunch.

We dined inside this glass-walled building, although with all the windows, glass roof, and the large doors open to the nursery, we felt like we were dining outdoors.

Please don't drool on your computer, okay? Next up are photos of my lunch--homemade potato chips with an artichoke/lemon/dill dip . . .

. . . and a spinach/bacon/almond/Fuji apple salad.

Yummmm! Of course, we couldn't leave without a stroll around the nursery.

If Gran drove a truck, my yard would be overflowing with new plants right now. For instance, there were some wonderful espaliered pear and apple trees that I wanted very badly to adopt! As it was, we filled the back seat of Gran's Honda. She ended up with three blueberry bushes, and I brought home something called an Echium, Star of Madeira. (We're still working on landscaping the front yard and this is my very first plant purchase for it--woo hoo!) Here's a final photo of the nursery--this also shows a part of the conservatory where we had lunch. It's DEFINITELY a trip worth repeating--SOON!

Besides the plant, I brought home a little bag of goodies from the Tin Thimble--

You would think that after dyeing all that wool the last couple days, I wouldn't have to buy another piece of wool as long as I live, wouldn't you? But I don't have these yellows, and I just couldn't pass up that blue--which happens to match pretty well with the two kinds of vintage blue rick rack and those blue buttons. Did I happen to mention the Tin Thimble also has a most excellent supply of vintage buttons for sale? I'm such a sucker for buttons, too! And as we were hurrying out to get to lunch on time, I saw a small, vintage, plastic, aqua/teal-colored sewing box. Now why didn't I see that before? Yep, definitely a day out worth repeating soon.

P.S.: If you love vintage but can't quite make it to Loomis to visit the Tin Thimble in person, you can check out their Etsy shop HERE.