Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Sometimes ya just have to get away!

And so I did!  I have been so busy with sewing my hands are about numb….so I took a much needed 3 day break and it was so worth it.

We had a great time with my brother and his wife as we always do…they are our best friends and that means so much to me having my brother as one of my best friends. Don’t get much better than that does it. He’s 7 years older than me but we sort of balance the years out just fine

When we decided to go up north to visit them I had a shopping goal in mind…A SIMPLER TIME shop in Ripon, WI.
I have heard so much about this store and asked by many who know I live in Wisconsin if I’ve ever been there…sadly I had to say I hadn’t…but now I can say I’ve been there and I’m a better person for it! lol

If you are into Colonial/Primitive and live close enough to this wonderful store then it’s a must for you to go! My husband and brother both thought it was one of the best they’ve seen and believe me Gail and I have taken them to MANY over the years.

I was so impressed just walking into the closed in porch….I didn’t need to go any further to know I HAD LANDED! Ohhhhh the scents of a Prim shop just wafted through the porch and when we opened the door I think we both went ….OOOOOOHHHHHH very quietly to ourselves.
This house/shop was transformed into one of the loveliest ‘period’ stores. Each room of this Colonial house was jam packed with tin ware, tin lamps, wovens, candles, pictures, cupboards, furniture, PEWTER to die for – oh I could go on and on but instead I’ll post some photos.

Later I will post pictures of the goodies I bought – which wasn’t much but the one thing I bought took most of my spending money!
(Click photo to enlarge)

Outside
A Simpler Time 1
A Simpler Time 2
A Simpler Time 4
A Simpler Time 5
A Simpler Time 6
A Simpler Time 7
A Simpler Time 8
A Simpler Time 9
A Simpler Time 10
A Simpler Time 11
A Simpler Time 3
Judy and karen
Judy A Simpler Time outside

After shopping and chatting with Judy – whom I felt I knew pretty good by then – we headed towards town for lunch and then off to some other shops that sort of didn’t have much appeal after our first experience at A Simpler Time.
If you get a chance please visit!  http://www.simplertime.com/shop/scripts/default.asp?s=asimplertime

paflagline1 I can’t thank all of you enough for going on the treasure hunt for my fabric.
I stopped at one today on the way home and bought what they had – 1 yard 11 inches WOW!  lol 
The clerk did finally tell me it’s discontinued and did check on line nation wide and found a couple JoAnn’s with some so they called and will have what they have sent to their shop and then I can pick it up…but it’s 5 yards….it will have to do cuz that’s all there is out there I guess.

Hope you are having a great week…mine started out wonderful and now it’s back to the ‘norm’ and back to sewing.
Hugs, Karen

19 comments:

  1. WOW! What a great shop! Isn't it SOO much fun when you find a new one that you love? Glad you had fun and I can't wait to see what you bought. Enjoy your week, Dawn

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  2. Karen,
    I have drooled over their stuff on-line for awhile now. I would LOVE to actually go there in person... you lucky lady!
    Okay lets see what you bought! You are killing us making us wait like this! ;-)

    I know exactly how you feel working repetitively like that, and it isn't like you have weekends off or set hours. At least I don't, and it seems 24/7 sometimes that I am working on stuff. Glad you got to take a little break. I hope you feel rejuvenated and ready to get back to the grind. Have a great evening.

    Prim Blessings,
    Kim

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  3. What a wonderful shop - full of eye candy!! It was great you got away and how blessed you are to have family as such close friends too and share the same interests. That is wonderful!!

    Looking forward to seeing your goodies!!

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  4. What a great looking store!! Enjoy your visit!!

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  5. Karen ~
    Sounds like you had a well-deserved great time. I can't wait to see what treasures you found.
    Pug hugs :)
    Lauren

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  6. Hi Karen......what a fun time. How special that you are so close to your brother and SIL.
    Oh, I forgot to tell you I looked at my JoAnn's and they didn't have your fabric. Glad you were able to find some anyhow.
    Linda/simplycountryseasons

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  7. Karen,
    Matt's family lives just outside of Ripon. It may just be the treat I give myself for visiting them. Looks like a shop I could do a lot of damage in! So happy you had a wonderful time and could treat yourself!
    Carrie

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  8. Karen,
    That is the best shop I've ever been in, too! I just love it. Next time you have some $$$ let me know. Maybe we can meet and go there together. My husband goes with me, but takes a brief stroll around, and then reads a book in the car while I have fun. This shop is to die for! It takes me forever to decide. For those readers who live too far for a visit to the shop, Judy is great to work with, and happily ships all over.

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  9. Looks like the greatest shop! I'll have to put it on my list in the event that I ever get up that way! Thanks for sharing, glad that you got a little break.

    Cathy

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  10. I'm glad you had a great time! I was drooling just looking at all that great stuff!
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  11. I too have been drooling ..ok frothing at the mouth over their stuff on line !!! I think I want it all everytime I look at it!! Would love to go in person... but I honestly think it might Kill me!!!! And if I was let loose with the Checkbook in there Hubby would Kill me!!! LOL!!! Donna

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  12. Wish I could have been there. That shop is full of prim goodies and I can hardly wait to see what you purchased. Happy to hear that you had a wonderful time.

    Hugs,
    Lisa

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  13. I love to visit this shop too, it's one of my favorites and now with my son living in Oshkosh...it's gives me all the more reason to go visit! And Judy is the best!!!

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  14. What a great shop.Looks like I might have to take a trip to Wisconsin this summer.Can't wait to see what you bought there.Glad you are back missed your post.

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  15. Oh how I wish there was a store that fabulous near me...sigh. I could probably spend HOURS in there drooling!

    Glad you were able to find some more of the fabric--i checked both our local JoAnns this week and there was none to be had.

    Tamera @ The Stone Fence Cottage

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  16. Hi Karen!
    I never heard of that shop, but thanks for taking me along!...What a great trip, wonderful things to browse thru.

    Blessings,
    Dale

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  17. Karen~ It sounds like you had a wonderful time. The shop looks wonderful! I hope you are having a great week! ~Dan~

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  18. It sounds like you had a refreshing few days away! :)
    I love that store.I think that as it is only 8 hours away by car ( I wonder if their is a ferry, for heavens sake, it looks like it's would be faster that way ) and that would be a great trip for the summer time. Thanks for the link too, it looks like they have an amazing inventory.

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  19. How wonderful that your brother is your best friend! I think that is fantastic and it sounds like you all had a most delightful time!!

    That shop is too die for, is it not?? WOW!! I would be so excited to have a shop like this even within a few hours from me. Thanks for sharing!

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So glad you came to visit - feel free to leave a comment.
I will try and answer as many as I can - maybe not immediately but I will get to you!

Karen