OOPS! Forgot to report in after I hopped!
This Shop Hop is ten shops .... spread out all over SW Ontario. Because of the distance, they do it for the whole month of July. Two are my true LQS' and another is not far from me as well, though I don't go to it often. I have been to those three now, and none of the others yet.
BTW ... my FWS is hanging at the one LQS ... of which I am ecstatic, as she normally only hangs the class samples and quilts she has made, and all from fabrics from her store. My borders/sashings/cornerstones were from her store. The rest an eclectic mix from here and there! So a lot of people will see my FWS. PLUS ... a contest, to guess the # pieces in the quilt, and the person coming closest wins the PC book!
No food or beverage was served at any of the shops last year. All shops give a gift ... though they usually are quite small. Bottle of water and scratch pad at one. Another a spool of thread. Another a charm square, though inside the baggie was a 20% off in August. It'll be interesting to see what the others have.
Some have in store draws, some not. Variable as to what sales are in each store. Also, each store has a "quickie corner" ... where there is a technique or tool featured. Usually a poster display done showing how to use it, or how to do it. Set up so that self-explanatory if the staff are busy. And of course, from that they can generate sales. One had microwave potato bags. One Marti Michell Flying Geese template. Another GFG with a mini kit to make one flower! Last year I got some neat mini=kits from those displays!
This year, there was a line of batiks created with our provincial flower, the trillium that are exclusive to the Hop stores!! Each store is to have at least one things made using the fabric to give use ideas. I have bought some already and like it, though have no clue what I will do with it ... yet!
Fully stamped passports get into a lucky draw ... pretty good prizes this yr. 1st BAbylock sewing machine, 2nd Civil War BOM quilt kit, 3rd Sewing Lamp and Aurifil thread .... plus 50 other prizes! The LQS suppliers have been very generous this year, so some really good prizes to come. I;ve got my eye on a box of solid pastel fabrics, some are shots from Michael Miller ... it's absolutely luscious looking! And each store has a box in the draw.
I "might" go to the last one that's somewhat close to me tomorrow ... and i"m thinking of this weekend for some of the others. Not sure yet!!! It's a good way to spend time in the heat ......... my car is air conditioned and my home isn't! When I do the distance ones I'll probably make it an overnight or two! aaaaaaaaaah My summer holidays!