Party with the Doan Girls in Hamilton!!

There ain't no party like a Hamilton Party, especially when it's with the DOAN GIRLS!!!

February 18-21, 2020

Jenny Doan and her daughter Natatlie, and daughter in law Misty are doing their first ever retreat together!! It is going to be one for the books, and I am so excited to be a part of it.

The retreat will be happening at two locations, the Sewing Center of Missouri Star Quilt Company and at the Event Center of Hotel Hamilton. 

You can purchase your tickets HERE

We are so excited to announce the first ever Doan Girls Retreat coming to Quilt Town USA in February 2020. Imagine spending time learning from the one and only Jenny Doan and her girls, Natalie and Misty. They truly are an inspiring, fun loving family. Their quick wit and sense of humor will keep you in stitches. You will love spending time sewing and laughing with the Doan girls.

All of the projects are yet to be determined, but don't worry, you will love them!! There will be a couple of large quilts and a couple of smaller projects to work on. All of the fabric you need will be supplied (minus the backing). You only need to bring your favorite basic sewing supplies and notions. You can bring your own sewing machine or you can reserve a sewing machine online. The shops will be open if you happen to forget something or need a new spool of thread! Jenny and her girls will be sharing their favorite quilts, patterns, notions, and more. Please come and join us for our very first Doan Girls Retreat in Hamilton, Missouri.

All of our handicapped guests for the Doans Girls Retreat will be placed at Hotel Hamilton (703 West Berry Street) where all rooms are ADA compliant.

Hotel Hamilton:

Hotel Hamilton is a retreat style hotel in Hamilton, Missouri. The hotel is made up of 6 guest suites. Each suite includes 2 bedrooms, 3-4 bathrooms and a sitting room with cable TV. Each bedroom is a shared room and has 5 twin beds. Essentially your shared suite will have 10 guests (all of the same gender) and you will share 3-4 bathrooms in your suite. All suites are on ground level. The sewing space is just steps away in the event hall.

In the event hall each retreater will enjoy 6 feet of table sewing space with great lighting in a beautiful and large room for the entire group. Sewing Machine Kits are available, if needed, during your stay although we encourage you to bring the machine you are familiar with. Group cutting and ironing stations are provided.

We have a full open kitchen available for guest use during your stay including ice machine, microwaves, fridge, etc.

Hotel Hamilton is 7 blocks from Missouri Star Quilt Company and it's Sewing Center. Shuttle services are provided by Hotel Hamilton for all retreaters to and from Missouri Star Quilt and other locations within the city limits of Hamilton.

Monday Early check in to the Hotel:

If you are wanting to get an early start on the retreat or your flight brings you to Hamilton Monday, you may check in after 4:00 pm. The cost ia $50 per person per night and is payable when you arrive.

Cindy Morris

Retreat Coordinator Extraodinaire

Missouri Star Quilt Company Retreat Center
816-265-1812
lucinda.morris@missouriquiltco.com

RETREAT SCHEDULE:

Tuesday

9:00 am - 3:00 pm Arrival, Set Up, Shopping, Open Sew Time

3:00 - Orientation Meeting

6:00 pm Dinner

The rest of the schedule to follow.

Sewing tables - We do have assigned seating for sewing. If you are traveling with friends and would like to sit together to sew, please contact: lucinda.morris@missouriquiltco.com.

Special Diets----- Email Susan@missouriquiltco.com

Meals - Eight meals are provided with each retreat. A continental breakfast will be served Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday mornings. Friday will be a hot Farewell Breakfast. All starting at 8:00 am. Our continental breakfast includes cereal, oatmeal, toast, bagels, yogurt, cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, & fresh fruit. Lunch and dinner will be provided by our local caterers.

Snack Table - We set out a snack table and encourage you to bring a snack to share with the group.

Shipping - There is free shipping for all of our United States guests who spend over $100 in the shops. We have reduced shipping rates for our foreign customers.

You can bring your unfinished projects from home, or drop in at our stores in town to purchase anything you may want to start something new. PLUS.....our sewing/activity and kitchen areas are available for you to use 24 hrs. a day! And, when you're ready to turn in, you'll sleep like a log in our comfy, cozy beds.

PLEASE NOTE:

Ages 18 and over please.

WHAT WE'LL PROVIDE:

+ 8 Meals

+ Unlimited access to our spacious and well-lit sewing space

+ Tables for cutting
+ Ironing boards and irons
+ Sewing tables and electrical outlets
+ A full kitchen (microwave, stove, refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher)
+ Dishes, mugs, flatware
+ Two coffee pots
+ Super comfy, cozy beds
+ Bed linens and towels
+ Sewing machines available for use during retreat as available.
+ "Sewing essentials" kit (cutting board, rotary cutter, ruler, scissors) available for use during retreat as available.

WHAT TO BRING:
+ Sewing machine (optional, we do have machines to use)

+Thread if you are using our Babylocks
+ Power strip or extension cord
+ Cutting board, cutter, rulers, scissors (optional, we have "sewing essentials" kits to use)
+ Ironing board and iron (optional -- we will have some available for use)
+ Food or Soda (dining options listed above and Hy-Klas Grocery Store 1/2 block from the retreat center)
+ Casual, comfy attire
+ Personal toiletries, blow dryer, ear plugs and pj's
+ Something cushy for your "tushy" (optional)
+ Personal sewing lamp (optional)

We are located 15 minutes east of I-35 and MO Hwy 36, approximately 60 miles north of Kansas City. If you are flying in, you'll want to fly into Kansas City International airport. We are a little over an hour from the airport

REFUND POLICY: This is a NON-REFUNDABLE REGISTRATION. In the event that you register than are unable to come, you may transfer this registration to someone else.

QUESTIONS? Contact us at lucinda.morris@missouriquiltco.com

BUY TICKETS

Shuttle Options:

Nate Fish 816-527-3037 (Uber Driver)

Liz Manely 816-351-9172 (Shuttle Driver)

Keith Gilbert 816-295-8606 (Inn Transit)

Quilt City USA and Quilt Town USA United in Education of Textile Art

Press Release: Missouri Quilt Museum will Feature a Permanent Exhibit of Quilts from The Collection of The National Quilt Museum Rotating Exhibit will bring the quilts of the most respected modern quilters to Missouri Quilt Museum visitors.

Hamilton, MO, 5/10/19: The Missouri Quilt Museum in Hamilton, MO and The National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY have finalized an agreement that will bring the most respected and well-known collection of modern quilts to visitors to Hamilton, MO all the time.

The National Quilt Museum has one of the most well-known and respected collections of modern quilts in the world. The Collection is made up of over 600 quilts representing the best-of-the-best in quilting from 1980 to present. National Quilt Museum CEO, Frank Bennett stated, “The mission of The National Quilt Museum is to promote the growth and expansion of quilting by bringing the work of today’s quilters to new audiences. We love working with other organizations that share our passion for quilting and we look forward to having an exhibit at The Missouri Quilt Museum. This is going to be an exciting venue for quilt and art enthusiasts.”

When the museum opens in Fall 2019, the Missouri Quilt Museum founders Ryan and Dakota Redford said, “We are delighted to partner with the National Quilt Museum. We share in their desires to provide a forum that increases awareness and promotes visibility to the arts throughout the country. The expertise and professionalism of The National Quilt Museum will be a highlight to The Missouri Quilt Museum experience, right here in Hamilton Missouri.”

About the National Quilt Museum 

Now in its 27th year, the National Quilt Museum promotes the growth and expansion of quilting by bringing the work of today’s quilters to new audiences through exhibits, education programs, preservation, and advocacy efforts. Their primary campus in Paducah, KY sees visitors annually from all 50 states and over 40 foreign countries. Between in facility and travelling exhibits, more than 150,000 people per year experience the art form in person through museum efforts.

The museum is committed to teaching the next generation of quilters, and its education programs annually attract more than 4,000 young people and adults. Educational opportunities include the School Block Challenge, Quilt Camp, and the museum’s acclaimed hands-on program, The Creative Stitch, in which people of all ages with no previous experience learn to make a quilt block.

The National Quilt Museum has won the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for five consecutive years, making it one of the top tourist attractions by visitor review. The museum made Southern Living’s “Top 15 Museums in the South” list in 2017, and it has been mentioned in Midwest Living, CNN Travel, National Geographic, USA Today, National Geographic, and many more. For more information go to www.quiltmuseum.org.

 About the Missouri Quilt Museum

The Missouri Quilt Museum will be opening in the original Hamilton High School built in 1921, located at 300 East Bird, in Hamilton, Missouri. The building will undergo extensive renovations, however, it will maintain its original character as a 100-year-old historic schoolhouse. The Missouri Quilt Museum will complement the National Quilt Museum by telling the history of Quilting through exhibits and stories. There will be hands on exhibits as well as those that bring to life the history and passion of quilting throughout the years. Not only will you find some of the best quilts ever made displayed in multiple quilt galleries, but also antique machines including featherweights and treadles and an outstanding variety of over 500 vintage toy sewing machines. With the help of quilters around the world, we are also creating the world’s largest thimble collection for display. You may have already heard about the 22 foot tall World’s Largest Spool of Thread that greets guests to the museum; our first interactive exhibit. Bring some thread and add to it!

Hamilton Missouri is home to Missouri Star Quilt Company which operates 12 quilt shops in Hamilton. They have revitalized Hamilton and turned it into Quilt Town, USA! Hamilton is the perfect venue for the Missouri Quilt Museum. Our museum has been featured in Bill on the Road, Missouri Life Magazine, and Missouri Star Quilt Company Block Magazine.

For inquiries, sponsorships, or donations, contact:
Ryan and Dakota Redford
Missouri Quilt Museum
www.MissouriQuiltMuseum.org
info@missouriquiltmuseum.com
435-849-2564

World's Largest Spool of Thread

The World's Largest Spool of Thread  

22 feet tall, 8 feet wide and contains more than 1,000,000 (ONE MILLION) YARDS OF THREAD!!

The spool is located at 300 East Bird Street in Hamilton, Missouri. The block (and building behind it) are the future home of the Missouri Quilt Museum.

Ryan and Dakota Redford         along with their 4 children         (and a few community friends) hand spooled all one million yards, donated by Aurifil Thread.       Karen Miller from Redbird Quilt Co, is an Aurifilosopher       (pictured here with the Redford Family on the day of reveal). She coordinated the donation of thread by Aurifil.

Since the unveiling of the spool on September 19, 2018 many visitors to the city of Hamilton have also contributed to the monument by adding their own thread, which is highly encouraged! We are currently awaiting the official notification from Guinness on its official designation as the World's Largest Spool of Thread. For now, we know its HUGE!!

Add this to your list of "to do's" while visiting Hamilton. Stop by for a photo op, add some thread and then brag to your friends that you know what 1,000,000 yards of thread look like!

To locate the spool in town, turn East at HyKlas grocery store and travel 2 blocks.

Melt my momma heart!

Missouri Star Quilt Company prints a wonderful publication multiple times a year called Block Magazine. Block is AMAZING!!! Not only is it printed on quality paper, it is full color, it has 10 quilt patterns and stories about quilting, life and happiness! 

Every so often, I get a call from the Photography team asking if they can shoot at the B&B, hotel, etc. for Block. I always say "yes!" how fun! There have been two such occasions that they didn't want the location, but my kids!! And of course, that is a resounding YES!

Charlie and Jack had the opportunity to be in the most recent BLOCK. 

I absolutely LOVE how Mike captured their expressions in this picture. 

ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS!!!

Last time they did a shoot they got to eat donuts during the shoot. This time, play video games. They were much obliged! Hard work!!

What a fun opportunity for these boys. Jenny signed their copies of Block and they love them. Thank you MSQC and their photography team! 

Oh and Natalie edits the Block and I absolutely adore her. So there's that!!

Jenny on the Road to Texas!

Jenny on the Road!! Waco, Texas

It was so fun having all the kids with us on this trip. These littles had a blast together and of course, were completly enamoured with Jaylynn. She is the best!

Smart enough to take a quick picture of Meg with the boys. I don't know how, though, that these are the only pictures I captured all day!?! We were hopping, it was awesome!

So, we drove down to Waco to volunteer with Missouri Star Quilt Company for Jenny's on the Road trunk show. Two packed houses of guests! Jackson and Charlie were greeters to hold the doors and say hello! Cameron, Brandon and Ryan were parking attendants. ( A TON OF CARS!) and I helped with Registration. I had a small panic attack mid-day when I counted the tshirts and we were short nearly 75 shirts!! Then, Meg calmed me down, said the Lord always makes it work out, and walked away! WHAT!? How could she be so calm. About 30 minutes later we found another case of shirts and the crisis was averted. How does she do that!? 

Between the two shows we helped clean the theater and restock the pop up shop for the next group of attendees. I really like helping stock the merchandise. After the second show, I helped shout out the daily deal and sell "on the road exclusive" quilt kits. SO FUN!

After all the guests had gone we began the task of take down. The boys were a ton of help with this and we were so glad to have their young energetic souls to push us to get it done and of course their muscles to haul it out. All the MSQ employees kept commenting on how much faster it went with the boys help!

I am so glad that I could go help. I am SOOO glad when we get to volunteer and see Meg in action, she is amazing! And of course, watching Jenny in her trunk shows is absolutely a blast! So, yes, we had a great time and were glad we could go and volunteer!

Quilt Market

My first time to International Quilt Market in Houston was AMAZING!

My brain was full, my heart was even fuller and my feet hurt like crazy! A WIN!!

I had no idea what to expect, but what I found was a world where every arm was open, every person ready to meet someone new, every product ready to hit the market with a bang, and every smile reaching every smile even though we all knew that all were exhausted beyond belief!

One of the things I was looking to the very most were meeting in person all of those from Aurifil that had helped us so much with the World's Largest Spool of Thread. This company went so far out of the way to help us with that project and then also assisted in getting us to market! They are wonderful and their booth!!!!

Look at the flower arrangements. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Standing anywhere near the booth there was this beautiful aroma that permeated. LOVE!! Leave it to our friends from Italy to bring gorgeous arrangements like that!

There was a meet and greet for all to come and talk to the new Aurifilosophers. Of course, I have a favorite in Karen Miller with Redbird Quilt Co. She is one of the most genuine, loving and passionate people I have met. She pours her whole soul into everything she does. Also, she was our connection to Aurifil and she is one of my biggest cheerleaders.

I didn't take many pictures at market. With all the hustle and bustle I just forgot! It was nice to see faces that I recognized from Hamilton in Caleb, Nancy, Ron and Jenny from MSQC. Also Moda designers that have stayed with us Lynne Hagemeier with Kansas Troubles and Barb and Mary with Me and My Sisters. Crazy as it sounds, Meg was there and I never ran into her. WEIRD!!

One fun story was when I ran into a very familiar face, but why? Then it came back to me... it was Pat Waelder from Hickory Stick quilt shop in Hannibal. I love her quilt shop and loved  (& was a little embarrassed that) she remembered me and my name! I may have a little fabric buying addiction!!

Texas Quilt Museum

One of the stops along the way was in LaGrange Texas. Not a large town, by any means, but a definite stop along our journey because it is home to the TEXAS QUILT MUSEUM! 

 You are first welcomed to the museum by beautiful gardens and a gorgeous quilt wall mural! Immediately I went right up to examine the beauty of this painted art! This artist must have spent hours painstakingly taping off and painting each color in each quilt block and pattern. Absolutely beautiful!

The detail on each of these painted quilts was astonishing. They could've easily painted large barn blocks and all who came to the museum would've appreciated them. BUT THESE!!? Wonderfully done!

And the garden itself was very well done. It was surrounded by a cute picket fence, had a sun dial and a beautiful pergola dripping with vines. A wonderful place to wander and take it all in.

Of course inside the museum there were dozens of beautiful quilts. They had a traveling Kaffe exhibit as well as a few local quilts that were very well done. They didn't allow photos inside the museum. This is something that I am very much against! WE need to show off their beauty!! They would allow for us to be pictured with ONE quilt of our choice. This is the one the boys chose...

Randomly about 20 minutes outside of town on our way to the museum I got a text from MSQC's own Jenny. She said she and Ron were headed to the museum. WHAT!? Awesome. We enjoyed chatting with them there as we wandered and adored the quilts. There were some fans from the Waco Jenny on the Road too, so that was fun for them to ooh and ahh over her. Somehow we didn't even think to take a picture. But it was fun running into each other far away from Quilt Town USA and Hamilton!

My kind of burger!

While visiting Hamilton, one of your stops should be J's Burger Dive. Hand rolled and smashed fresh hamburger grilled to perfection!




This mom n pop shop owned by John and Julie Dawson is a staple on Davis Street in "downtown" Hamilton, next door to Hamilton Baking Company and Missouri Star Quilt Company's main shop.

John and Julie Dawson live right here in Hamilton with their four boys, all with names starting with J!! John is a former Navy man. The shop, of course, hails it's name from their initials and his diving years. It is decorated in navy and white and all things nautical, specifically anchors.




The boys enjoy a good patty melt and my favorite...mushroom and swiss! Both delicious.










An ode to our own Hamilton Hornets, their is also a hornet burger; perfect amount of heat with jalapenos!

Don't forget to add a basket of fries to the order. Garlic, Ranch, Cajun or classic, these fries will NOT disappoint! Ask for fry sauce. Haven't ever heard of it? Most people haven't, but it's a delicious dipping sauce for the potato goodness.








Dessert? J's has you covered in that aspect as well. Add an ice cream cone or shake to your order. Very good! Cherry and whipped cream on top? no problem. But my favorite is an orange freeze. Orange sherbet ice cream perfectly blended with sprite to create a slushy style frozen treat!

Call us up when you are in town and we will meet you there!

Evening Star

When I chose for the Bed & Breakfast to be our Home Inn Hamilton, obviously Quilt Town USA had a lot to do with it. Quilters are genuine, good and charitable people. What better guests to invite into your home? With that, I knew that each room must be named after a quilt block!

First up, Evening Star.

Evening star looks out to the front yard (and that white cat-- still getting to that story one day). 

The chair in the corner is a sturdy solid wood chair. I love it! Simple lines. Beautiful. (yard sale find)

Do you see the quilt in the corner on the chair? That quilt is very special to me. Ryan's grandmother Millicent Redford made that quilt for me. Just for me. Why? I organized the family reunion. (A lot of work, but I love planning parties!) For a quilt, I would organize it every time it comes up!! I love quilts! She spent so many hours on this beauty! It has creams and pinks and browns in tiny squares! Oh, how grateful I am to have a piece of Grandma Millie in our home. 

I found the beautifully sculpted wood bed at an estate sale in Utah. (Most of the furniture was aquired this way) I wanted a certain feel for the BnB that couldn't be achieved with modern furniture. The size and weight of this piece is awesome! It was one of the first we purchased for the BnB. The bench and mirrors came from a sale here in Missouri about 20 miles away. Lamps too. As you can see the powder room is en-suite (for all our rooms).

Evening Star bathroom has a combined tub and shower, stool and sink. It is our smallest of the bathrooms but still large enough to get the job done!

When we first bought the house, this room was lime green with monkeys! An adorable little girls room transformed into this calming and enjoyable space to get some shut eye!

Hamilton Missouri

What would you think of a town of 1800 that attracts over 100,000 people annually to purchase fabric? I didn't think much of it, until 3 1/2 years ago when I first came to this town and immediately fell in love! No wonder so many flock to this rural community, nearly an hour north of Kansas City, of Hamilton Missouri.

Boyhood home to James Cash Penney  (JC Penney corporation) and Zack Wheat (MLB Player), Hamilton has pride much wider than it's streets or any field that can be plowed. Once a bustling railroad town, it fell on hard times until 2008, when things started looking up once more.
Missouri Star Quilt Company began with humble roots 10 years ago with a few short YouTube videos. Now, the company has over 400 employees, more than 500 YouTube videos featuring world famous Jenny Doan, and over 500,000 Facebook followers. If that isn't cool enough, they also have 13 quilt shops on Davis Street in Hamilton where thousands of quilters congregate year round to add to their "stash" of fabric and the newest sewing notion to help them with their quilts. Specifically the week of Birthday Bash and JCPenney Days, the town population more than doubles overnight with guests!
So how did I get involved in this grand adventure? As luck would have it, my bestest cousin Meg (lets be honest, she is my favorite out of 49...yes I have 49 cousins) presented the idea of a Bed & breakfast to me in this small town in 2015. I hopped on the bandwagon to fulfill my childhood dreams of owning my own B&B one day! Just over three years later my husband and I have transplanted our family to Home Inn Hamilton, opened a boutique Retreat Hotel Hamilton and Event Center, built a monument in the form of the World's Largest Spool of Thread (sponsored by Aurifil) and are currently renovating Hamilton's oldest existing school house to create the Largest and most unique quilt museum in the country, Missouri Quilt Museum. How blessed are we to be on this journey!!
Over the next few posts I will share information about these adventures, other great businesses here in town and maybe we will meet a few people along the way too. Come along for the ride!

Let It SNOW!

We just received our first real snow in Hamilton this season.

 IT IS BEAUTIFUL!! 

I especially love how it outlines the ponds and makes them stand out! 

I just love a good snow storm. When the earth is covered in a beautiful blanket of white. You look out the window, and see that she's peaceful. Happy. She basks in her pure beauty. Now of course, each season holds its own kind of beautiful. But a white dusting is gorgeous!
Enjoy the beauty all around you. God gives us these things for our JOY!

We don't always have snow in Hamilton, but every season is awesome. We look forward to sharing Hamilton's beauty with you. Book your stay today!

Main House

Isn't it dreamy???

Room #1: Evening Star...

This room is so serene. The bedding is luxurious, the room cozy and wonderful. Queen size pillow top mattress and a 32" flat screen TV. Enjoy!

Room #2: Missouri Beauty...

Love this room, especially its HUGE jetted tub!!! It also has a queen size pillow top bed and a 40" flat screen TV.

Room #3: Fun & Fancy...

This room was a lot of fun to create! We loved the lilac color that was on the walls and though that silver decor would be a nice addition. This room is quite large. It has a queen size pillow top bed, a sofa that converts into a futon style bed, and a 40" flat screen TV.

The bathroom in this room is super cute. Most of the bathroom is a perfect grey, the wall opposite (not pictured) is a zig zag teal and white. SO cute!

Room #4: Lady of the Lake

Wowsers! This one is for you!! Our master suite is LARGE and MAGNIFICENT!! This four poster canopy bed includes a queen size pillow top mattress for a great night sleep. 

This room also includes its own sitting room with Loveseat, Chair and Sofa (queen size sofa bed). It has a 40" flat screen TV with over 150 channels. It also has a beautiful gas fireplace. Perfect to cozy in with a mug of hot chocolate or enjoy a good book!

 What a master suite without an awesome bathroom. Stand alone shower, double sinks and a giant soaking jetted tub with chandelier!

Sitting Room...

The main floor living room is spacious and open to the large kitchen and breakfast nook. It has an antique Singer sewing machine & cabinet, hutch, love seat, chair & Sofa bed. Also a gas fireplace to relax and enjoy!

Dining Room...

Our dining room is right inside the main entrance of the home and will seat 8 people.

Kitchen... 

Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful?.... this is our kitchen!!!! Tons of workspace and storage, fully stocked with everything needed to cook for the family including double ovens! Wow!

Nook...

When I first saw the house I knew there needed to be a cute sitting area in this nook. It sits right at the top of the grand staircase. And I love it!!

Patio...

 One of the best, relaxing places on the property is the expansive deck. It overlooks the pond and their beauty.

I am so enamored by these doors! I have pictured screen doors like this in many novels that I have read. And now they are on my very own house! They are so pretty. This one leads from the breakfast nook area of the kitchen out to the large deck. LOVE!

Another view of the gazebo, overlooking the ponds.

To rent our home please call 435-849-2564 or visit homeinnhamilton.com

The Carriage House

So this is the carriage house!

Living room! 

The living room has a 50" flat screen TV with over 150 channels. It has a love seat and queen size sleeper sofa. It is open and decorated in soft, comfortable colors.

Kitchen!

The kitchen is open. It has a double sink, fridge/freezer, microwave, and oven. It also is fully stocked with dishes, utensils, and lots of small appliances to make cooking easier!

Double Queen Room!

This bedroom has two queen size pillow top beds to ensure a good night sleep!

Double Twin Room!  

This room has two double twin beds. Sleeps 4. It also has a 32" flat screen TV with over 150 channels.

Barn!

The carriage house is situated just feet from the barn, built in the 1800's. Just beautiful!

The carriage house also has a 4 car garage! In my mind its perfect for a bunch of sewing tables for quilting!!!

To inquire on renting the house call 435-849-2564 or visit our website at homeinnhamilton.com