Shop Hop

This weekend is our local Shop Hop. It's 10 shops and a heck of a lot of driving. My sister and I are going tonight. My goal is no more than 2 fat quarters at each shop. haa haa lots of luck! I think I want an "oriental" or batik theme. Other shops that are not participating, also have specials going on. I think we could go fabric !

I've never heard of a Shop Hop before! What a great idea!!! Living in Cali, quilting is just not that popular. I met someone today who quilts (and she makes beautiful quilts). She does machine quilting. I have never quilted on a machine. I just take forever to hand quilt. But I really wanted to say that I wish I lived where you live so that I could "Shop Hop." Have fun Dianne

Needless to say, I am EXHAUSTED! 10 shops- 2 days! the event was actually 4 days. The plan was to purchase 2 fat quarters at each shop for a total of 20... well, there were some extra goodies too. I spent nearly $100 all told. I was looking specifically for oriental style fabrics, and for the most part was able to stay with that. There were two shops that had absolutely NOTHING of what I wanted, they were more of the home*****rowd. Needless to say, everything I found, actually does go together. Yesterday between shops, we were stuck out by the airport, and could not figure out why the cops had completely stopped traffic, till over our heads went Air Force 1. That was too cool.... closest I'll ever get to a living president! We were impressed at least. Although, who knows, he may end up moving to Wisconsin if he keeps coming here. Kerry's supposed to be here this weekend until the debate. The mystery quilt (clues) that we picked up were cool, but don't think I'll make it... a little too traditional and the blocks are simply too small. Well, my eyes are saying it's time for event though it's early.

Hi Chris. Sounds like you had a great time! A friend of mine and I just started a "Scissors Sisters" group in her home. We are going to meet twice a month, and we can bring any kind of stitchery project we want to work on. Luckily, there are some expert quilters in our group, so maybe I can get them to help me with my quilt....only my second attempt at quilting. I made a few boo boos. It's the Amish shadow box quilt...or something like that. It should be a fun group! I'll keep in mind your Shop Hop idea. Let us know how your quilt goes! Peg

The shop hop is organized by the various quilt shops in the area. Currently 10 are participating. Each shop provides a "piece" or "clue" to the project quilt. I think we drove well over 100 miles between us to get to all of them. Although a few weeks ago, at my favorite shop a couple of ladies were up from Illinois doing their own hop to the various shops and collecting certain pieces of fabric. My aunt used to have a "sewing bee" on Wednesday afternoons, I think once a month. Everyone brought their own projects in and completed them. Many of the women all belonged to the same church and at one point they were needlepointing the kneelers at the altar. My aunt never got the hang of needle point so didn't get it done. I believe she eventually passed it on. Then one day during the summer, the ladies would come to our cottage to do the same thing and hot homemade cinnamon buns. Oh dear, I digress.

I have seen a Shop Hop of sorts advertised in The Quilter Magizine. There are about 10 shops located in CA. I think I am lucky - we have 2 within 10 miles. One shop does a block of the month. Each month you go to her shop early - she closes the shop at 9:10 shart. You listen to new things that are in the store (items, new fabrics, new classes, etc.) You pay $5 for the first block with directions and fabric. You go the next month with the finished block and you get that month for free. So you could make a quilt for $5! I really like it. You should look around closer - there might be some quilt shops closer than you think! Suzanne

Diane, I realize you are in the Bay area, but there are shop hops in the Sacramento valley. Contact one of the Sacramento quilt shops and have them let you know when one is planned. Material Girls would be a good one to contact. If you are ever in northeastern California (90 miles northwest of Reno) stop in and visit my quilt shop--EWE Quilt 'N' Such on Main St. in Susanville behind the Chevron gas station. Monna