2011 Challenge Pieces are online for viewing

As part of the Maine Quilt Shop Hop, the participating shops each create a quilted piece using a common set of fabrics and guidelines.  The results are always interesting - to see how different eyes interpret the same fabrics.  It is a representation of personal style.    

The quilts are online at:  http://maineshophop.com/Challenge.html

We hope you enjoy them as much as we did making them.   For those Shop Hopping, if you visit 10 or more shops, we encourage you to vote on your favorite!   One voter will be chosen at random, and will receive an entry package into Maine Quilts 2011  http://www.mainequilts.org/Quilt_Show/Exhibits.htm

Shop Hop 2011 has BEGUN!

Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines...  Maine Quilt Shop Hop 2011 has begun!!   You can start your hop at any one of the Participating Shops.

We're very excited about this year.  The Grand Prizes are grander (including a Janome Horizon 7700P Machine) and the prizes total over $8,000.00.  

Each shop you stop at to get your "Passport" signed will give you a Free Charm Square (a 5" square of fabric), donated by this year's sponsor - Windham Fabrics.   You can use your charm squares to incorporate into a project, or if you'd like, make this year's Free Project  "Charmed By Valor".   (adult passport-holders only will receive charm squares)

New this year - CHILDREN can hop along too!  They get their very own "Children's Passport" and can have that signed at each stop.   One lucky child will win a beginner sewing machine.  

Not hopping?  No problem!  If you're driving a hopper or a few, you can enter our "Chauffeur Drawing".   One winner state-wide will receive a $100 LL Bean Gift Card.   Some have mentioned they'd rather have a $100 gas card.  Hey, we're flexible here..  We'll ask the winner which one they'd like!

As you go shop to shop, be sure to take a look at the "Challenge Quilts".  Each shop made a Challenge Piece using some common fabrics.   Place your vote for your favorite (the ballot is on the passport, those who visit 10 or more shops may enter).  One lucky voter will receive an Entry Package to Maine Quilts 2011 this summer in Augusta, Maine.    The quilted Challenge Pieces will be all together in a special exhibit, so please be sure to stop in.

This year we are proud to partner with the Quilts of Valor Foundation.   They are a wonderful group whose goal is to cover those Veterans and Service Members affected by war with a homemade quilt.   The official fabric for this year is "American Valor" by Windham Fabrics.    Learn more about the fabrics by Windham Fabrics and Quilts of Valor  Foundation here.

NEW!
Our website has a Directory Of Shops that you can print out, complete with driving directions and most shop's photos.

Also to help navigate, there is a Maine Shop Hop "Google Map" of all 34 shops.  

Check the website often for changes and updates..  By mid-month we will have the Challenge Pieces online to view. 

We're also on Facebook and post often there. 

That's all for now, Happy Hopping

http://www.maineshophop.com/

Please Update your Passports / Submit Your Stories from The Hop

Hello Shop Hoppers!

We hope you're enjoying the Shop Hop and having a great time seeing all the different fabrics, quilts, samples and shops!

** Some Changes - Kindly Update Your Passports **

Knight's Quilt Shop Hours:  (were listed as Wed-Sat 12-5)

Monday 10-5
Closed Tuesday
Wed - Sat 10-5 (year-round otherwise 12-5)
Sunday - noon -5

A Straight Stitch in Brewer has a new address:
391 N. Main Street, Suite H in Brewer

And Cozy Cottage Fabrics has a corrected website:
http://www.cozycottagefabricshop.com/


That's all for now!  

Also, if anyone would like to give us a "Report from the Road", we'd be happy to post it on the Blog and Website.   E-mail your Stories From The Shop Hop to info@maineshophop.com

Shop Hop Begins in 5 Days... Be sure to check out the Challenge Pieces

Challenge Piece from Knight's Quilt Shop,
one of the many Challenge Pieces you will see as you hop to the shops.

We're all getting very excited..  Shop Hop begins in just 5 days!  All the shops are busy getting ready.. 

New for 2010:  Each shop has made a "Challenge Piece".   We followed specific guidelines and made a quilted piece accordingly.   It's so interesting to see everyone's interpretation.  Each piece has it's own distinct personality and look.  It's hard to believe we all used the same guidelines, but that is the beauty of a challenge.  They are all lovely, and all highlight this year's Shop Hop Fabrics, "Leading Ladies and Supporting Cast" by Ro Gregg for Northcott Fabrics.

While you visit each shop, be sure to take a good look at their Challenge Piece.  Shop Hoppers who visit 10 or more shops are invited to vote on their favorite Challenge Piece.   We will have a special prize drawing from those who vote - the winner will receive an entry package to Maine Quilts 2010 in Augusta, Maine  this summer.   

Qualifying challenge pieces will be on display at Maine Quilts 2010 - and you can see which ones were the Viewer's Choice favorites!

Well, much to do to prepare for the hop!  We hope to see many of you while you hop around the lovely state of Maine this April!

List of Shops, Passports and more now available

Hello Hoppers!!

The Maine Shop Hop website  http://www.maineshophop.com/ now has a printable list of shops, printable passport and more..

Be sure to check the website often, for detailed prize information, maps, pictures of each shop's "Challenge Piece"  (we're very excited to show you what we've created) &  more..

April 1st is just around the corner..   Be a part of the hop, get out and see this beautiful state during the gorgeous spring season, and get a chance at winning some of the $8,000.00 in prizes up for grabs!

We're Working on the 2010 Shop Hop!

We're busy putting together Maine Shop Hop 2010, coming in April, 2010, and can't wait to share everything with you!

Keep an eye out for updates here at our blog.

Also visit our website at www.maineshophop.com for updates

And fan us on Facebook (www.facebook.com) for speedy updates and notifications. (search for Maine Shop Hop, and fan us)

We're all looking forward to seeing you at MAINE SHOP HOP 2010!!