Mama's Quilt Shop

I discovered a quilt shop in Independence, Louisiana; Mama's Quilt Shop. Independence is a town next to my hometown, Hammond, Louisiana. Actually, my sister DeAnna found the shop months before by Googling quilt shops in the area.

The story goes in bullet points leading up to going to Mama's Quilt Shop...

• We laid my precious father to rest, Monday, August 27th.
• We had a day to prepare for hurricane Isaac before it made landfall. We secured items that were outside. We filled the cars with gas and got gas for the generator. We checked flashlight batteries, and lantern oil.
• Five women, riding out the storm. It would be the first time to ride out a hurricane without our male protector (Dad). However, we knew he would be watching over us. We were in no harm of flooding. We camped in the living room, in recliners, in front of the TV watching The Weather Channel.
• We were on the west side of Isaac which had the most rain. The wind blew and the rain came down. Finally, in the late afternoon, Wednesday, the lights went out and stayed out until Thursday afternoon, August 30th.
• After the lights came back on and the rain and wind subsided, I told DeAnna I was in need of quilt therapy!! I suggested we go to Mama's Quilt Shop if they were open. Would they have electricity? Were they flooded? DeAnna looked up their number and called several times but no answer.
• Saturday morning, DeAnna's phone rang and it was Mrs. Brenda, the owner of Mama's Quilt Shop. She had seen DeAnna's phone number several times on caller id and said Yes, she was open!

Finally! at the quilt shop, the therapy began as soon as we walked through the door! I enjoyed looking at everything in the shop, I never thought to take pictures! (I will next time though!) As we walked through the shop, we met Mrs. Martha! She works there on Saturday's and showed me a beautiful rag quilt she was working on! I made it over to the area where they had kits. They were on sale! I wanted to buy a couple of lap size quilt kits for my prayer quilts.

We all chatted with Mrs. Brenda and Mrs. Martha off and on while browsing through the shop. We talked about our different experiences with Isaac, about Dad being sick, about the prayer quilt we made for him. (We didn't think to bring it, but I will next time though!) Surprisingly to me, Mrs. Martha had heard of prayer quilts before. I showed her some of the pictures in my phone, of the quilts that I'd made. We also talked about blogging. Mrs. Martha maintains the blog for the quilt shop.

Mrs. Brenda and Mrs. Martha made us feel very welcome, just as quilters do! Then a wonderful thing happened but a wonderful thing was already happening, we were making new friends. Mrs. Martha pulled me aside and said she had a box of give-a-way fabric. She wanted me to have it for my prayer quilts. I was very touched! I was speachless! I was humbled! I said Thank You!

I want to show you Mrs. Martha and Mrs. Brenda's generosity.

This will make fantastic backing fabric

Various fabric... love those frogs!

More various fabric... lots of ideas dancing in my head!

Beautiful fabric panels

I love the white tiger panel and the greens are beautiful!

I bought this lap size kit for a prayer quilt.
I love the red and white! 

I think a Razorback fan will like this one!

I bought this lap size quilt kit too!
A design that should be easy!

I bought this book and fat quarters too!

 I haven't made a rag quilt yet, can't wait to try some that are in the book!

Take a moment to visit Mama's Quilt Shop website. If you have the opportunity to visit the store, in person, you will be blessed, just as I was blessed. I am blessed to have new friends! Today is Saturday, I know Mrs. Martha is in the shop, and both Mrs. Brenda and Mrs. Martha are chatting and smiling with everyone that comes in the shop. I wish I was there!

Have a Blessed Day!
Gina