CoyoteQuilts

I received information on this Shop Hop this past week. I guess they are calling it the "Valley of the Sun" shop hop this year. It runs from September 16-24th. So that means it goes through 2 Saturdays again.The passports go on sale August 8th. They are $5 and you get a charm. If it is like last year make sure you get yours early if you want a charm, they went like hot cakes! Last year there were 13 shops, this year there are only 12. The one that dropped is probably the one on Reems and Bell that closed. Also, to note, the shop Arizona Quilts on Beardsley/99--Lake Pleasant Parkway is not able to participate this year in this Shop Hop, so don't go there for your passport, BUT they will be having their own specials during that time so that is a place to add to the list.

There are only 2 things I plan for each year with my quilting. One is this shop hop and the other is the Phoenix Quilt Festival in January. One of these days I am gonna' add Houston, Paducah and Puyallup to the list :)

pignwdw

Is there a website for this shop hop? I won't be able to participate in this this year but would like the list of shops so that I can do a personal shop hop the next time I visit my family in Mesa.

arizonagirl

I think that i might do this. I've never done one before.

Robyn

CoyoteQuilts

pignwdw
When I get the list I will drop you a PM with the links if they have any. I know that some are online.

arizonagirl

I also go to Phoenix Quilt Festival in January. You should go to the one in Tucson in Sept 29 thru Oct 1. It is put on by the same people. I went last year. It's not as big as the Phoenix one. But It gives me my fix.

Robyn

cattailsquilts

I'd like more info, too. Chances are I won't be able to participate (hubby's been unemployed since April, and that kills the quilting budget), but would still like info!

And to meet more quilters in the area ;-)

distar2

love the phx quilt festival. i've never done a shop hop except checking out new spots on my own. do you have to buy something at every place in order to get the charm?

CoyoteQuilts

distar, No, the charm is given when you buy the passport. The passport is what each store stamps to prove you have been there. You don't have to buy a thing to have the passport stamped, just watch a demo of what they are selling. Some places I refuse to buy from because I don't like them......

CoyoteQuilts

Okay Arizona quilters, here is the list for the Shop Hop in September.

CoyoteQuilts

This shop started last Friday! Thanks to my DH he drove me around yesterday and we hit 8 shops. All of the ones on the east and central part of the 'valley'. On Friday he took me to the 2 closest to home and this next Tuesday and Thursday I will hit the last 2 on my way home from work.

Demos as follows:
Store H--a new square in a square ruler. Looks like a better one than others I have seen. No, I didn't pick it up.

Store I--New iron on mess binding for batting. Very soft after applied also the Pinmoors. No, to this too!

Store J--New binding joiner ruler. You know when you want to do a bias seam and have difficulty figuring it out? This will do the trick. I have figured it out with the Fons and Porter ruler that I never use any more. No, to this one too...

Store K--Computer quilt label collection. So cool! It is by C&T publication and it is in front of me as I type. There is something like 150 quilt labels that you can paint and add text to before you print. I'll let you know how it works after I have a chance to play! The sad part in this store was I found the fabric I wanted. It is an old line (2 years at least) and I was going to take the rest of the bolt, about 5 yards give or take. I asked if they gave a discount for 'end of bolt' and was told, "No, we only do that at the end of the month, you can come back then." I explained that I lived about 50 miles away and was told by the sales person, "You beat me, I live 26 miles away." Guess they only wanted my 10 bucks instead of 60..... I will keep looking for my fabric.....

Store L--The twister rulers and Frixion pens. The owner also explained how he used the extra scraps left over from the twister cuts for his border and corners. He used every piece of the fabric except the little tiny 1/4 inch by 1 inch piece between the cut squares. No to this also. I have the pens already....
Also, this store is giving a 20% coupon for the month of October off all purchases with a couple limitations. This is the first time I have seen this done and I am gonna' try and get back there. It's about 50 miles from my house, but this is one of my favorite shops on the east side of the valley.

Store G--Wahl trimmer for 'unsewing'. It is a little mustache trimmer that you slide up your seams to 'frog'. I did pick this one up, but not for 'frogging' seams. I wanted it for 'frogging' embroidery. It works okay for the embroidery. I guess I need more practice.

Store F--"No math flying geese' ruler.... I have this ruler and I HATE it. I used it a couple times and could never get my goose to sit right. Went back to my old method.

Store E--The new hand needle threader from Sewline. It works like other needle threaders, but I think it is fussier than the one I already have. It may thread smaller needles than mine does, but I don't hand quilt either.

Store C--Demo'd Debbie Caffrey's way of making different blocks. The special was 2 of her books. Great idea and she has done all the math for the different sizes, but will work on this myself as I am not fussy on the exact size.

Store D--A gadget to put 'bling' on your quilts and other fabric items. It heats up and melts the glue on the back of special crystals to adhere to your fabric project. Not my cup of tea, but would add sparkle to any items if that is your 'thing'. I did pick up one of my 'need' items though.

That is all of the shops I have managed to hit so far. I hope everybody has a great hop and finds all the goodies that we all need to keep up with our passion!