Final Preparations

Well, I am writing this from the hotel in the Twin Cities. Planning is complete and the trip is on the way. Shop hop will commence at 8 AM tomorrow at Silver Lane Quilting and proceed from there.

Thought that I would show you some of the things that I completed (or partially completed) for the 2008 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop. The first quilt that I finished was my All About Minnesota quilt. This was constructed using the fabrics from the hop and the "All about Me" pattern by Terry Atkinson. The pattern was quick to make and like all of the Terry's patterns, clear and easy to read and follow.

Another project was a Atkinson Designs pattern with stars. This is a nice lap size quilt. The centers of the stars are the various motifs from the shop hop fabric.

The next quilt is a pattern that was provided by Shades of the Past quilt shop. It uses the larger sections of the motifs quite effectively. I made the quilt smaller, another lap or couch size quilt. This one is getting a flannel back to make it extra cozy.

The last couple of projects are smaller. This tote was a pattern designed by The Thimble Box in New Ulm. Again, the pattern uses the larger panel that was being given at the shops in the southwest section in 2008. The album is a kit that was put together by the folks at Country Caboose Quilting. The photo album with the cover made with the hop fabric is just the right size for the clues for the section quilts that were given away last year.

The tote is just the right size for magazines and notebooks and I made mine with interior pockets. I also changed the closing tab. I was a quick project.

I hope to see some great ideas for this year's fabric as well. I am thinking that the cityscape fabric might work well for the Bow Tucks Tote. I have made several of these totes and my daughters really like them.

The Madness Begins Again

The planning stages for participation in the 2009 Minnesota State Shop Hop have begun! I have worked out various routes for the days of the hop and hope to be able to complete the hop in 10 days or less. I have several routes plotted on my Garmin program and hope to be able to make a stop back home on Day 7 to do laundry, repack and attend my quilt guild meeting. We'll see how that goes, I tried that last year and it didn't work; ran out of time that day.

I am trying to be more organized this year, with a list of items that I am searching for and things that I need to finish current projects. Just finished printing a number of address labels to use for drawings, etc. It's quicker that writing everything out every time you need to register for something.

There is a little more driving this year, in 2007 when I did the entire hop, Crystal's Log Cabin Quilts in Grand Marais was not in the hop. Their addition is adding a little more driving, but should be worth doing, along the shores of Lake Superior.

The trip should be a little bit cheaper that last year as well, no $4 gas, at least I hope not.

I hope to be able to blog regularly about the trip, but this will depend on the availability of internet access in the hotel in the evenings. Most of the larger places have access, but some of the smaller motels and guest camps can be lacking in the electronic department.

More later as planning continues!