All Things Amish–Lolly’s Fabrics and Quilts
For the next few Saturdays, I want to share with you some of my favorite spots in Shipshewana, Indiana … the setting for Falling to Pieces and my upcoming release, A Perfect Square. When I decided to use a real town for my fictional series, I kept some things the same, and I changed other things whe
n I needed to for the story line. Lolly’s is, of course, Daisy’s Quilt Shop.
I had an awful lot of fun visiting the town. So far, I’ve been three times, and I hope to go back again soon. You can see Lolly’s shop in parts of this video and you also see it at the top of this blog. Lolly’s is owned by Mike and Kris Stutzman. Kris has read an early copy of A Perfect Square, and this is what she had to
say:
when I was reading A Perfect Square I was sure you had written it after being in Shipshewana. I could almost hear the horse and buggies going past the shop in the book. You did such a good job of showing the interaction between the Amish and the English. I could not put the book down. Growing up I was Amish, so I felt like “Deborah” at times. But, more times than not I was “Callie”. My Aunt Leora, who we all affectionately call Lolly moved out West in 1984 with her family. I’m keeping Lolly’s candle burning bright for quilters who came from all over the world to visit the shop with an abundance of warm fuzzies. I was awarded a scholarship for college, but with my aunt Lolly’s departure my father felt a certain sense of responsibility to keep the shop going. The rest, as they say, is history. After graduation I went right to work at Lolly’s, I’ve been there so long that some of the customers think I’m Lolly!
Kris has always been kind to me when I visited Lolly’s, and believe me …
when you visit this quilt shop you want to STAY! It’s just one more thing that makes Shipshewana special. If you’re ever in northern Indiana, I hope you’ll stop by and say hello to her.
V~
ps – you still have time to enter last Tuesday’s contest. I’ll draw a name tomorrow evening. Just click back to Tuesday’s blog post using the back arrow at the top of the page.
Lolly’s is the BEST of quilt shops. I visited there last July for the first time and did NOT want to leave. The employees make you welcome and are oh, so helpful. LOVE Shipshewana and can hardly wait to go to the quilt fest in June!! I loved reading your book and recalling the places that I had been. Made it sooooo real!
Oh… why did you say the words QUILT FEST. Hmm. Maybe I could … : )
Oh, Vannetta, you HAVE to go!! It is around the end of the third week of June and all sorts of special events are going on. We stay at a B and B in Middlesburg, out in the country, amongst the Amish farms, just 10 minutes from Shipshe. Big House in the Little Woods. Then, Joan and I would get to meet you!!! I don’t know if I will take any workshops but I will do the Shop Hop!! Sounds like fun, doesn’t it!!!!
I love Shipshe. My son goes to school two hours from there and can’t wait to visit he in the spring so we cango back to Shippshe. My mom was the sewer and quilter in the family so we spent a lot of time in fabric stores. I love picking out the fabric and imagining the finished product. I will be looking for Lolly’s Quilt Shop. Hope she sells your book, Vanetta.
Sheila, Shipshe is such a sweet place. It’s awesome that you have a reason to traipse through occasionally. Be sure to drop us a comment when you do! : )
I loved your video it was so cute and I am really getting excited for the new book “A Perfect Square” to come out…I loved the first book and this one liiks so good!!
Geri Kelley
Gkkel@aol.com
Geri, we had a lot of fun making the video, and you are going to love A Perfect Square. No kidding. I should offer a money-back-guarantee, b/c I think God had a special plan for this book! : )
Vannetta, stop making me want to quilt, dang it! I don’t have the money or the neck for it, lol. DO however, keep writing your lovely stories!
Stacy A
Ha ha ha. SORRY, Stacy. : )
My husband and I are planning a trip down there this summer any suggestions of places to stay, eat or visit. We would love to know your experience
Ilene, I’ll probably highlight some places to stay, but you can also go to the chamber of commerce page. All the folks I’ve met have been very pleasant and friendly. I think you’ll be happy anyplace you stay … and the eating. Oh, I can’t wait to talk about the EATING! : )
would love to win.
Mona, be sure and sign up under last Tuesday’s blog. I think I saw that you did that. : )
Oh my Looks Beautiful and Peaceful. Loved your new books. rose Cookie Rosado
Thanks, Cookie … and yes, Lolly’s is a beautiful place. : )
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