Things are buzzing at the Little Quilts hive.

All the bees are busy making all kinds of things - like lunch kits, table runners, small duffel bags, towels, wallets, pillowcases (oh, my!  BUSY bees!) - all from the Shop Hop fabric.  Visit us during Shop Hop and see a hive full of fun projects, kits and ideas!

Shop hop is close now!

We are approximately a month away from the 2011 Greater Atlanta Quilt Shop Hop and we have CHARMS….in the house!.  That is a play on words because the theme for the Shop Hop is A Quilter’s Tour Of Homes.  You will visit a castle, a haunted house, a schoolhouse, and a firehouse to name a few.  11 in all.  At each shop, you will receive a charm representing that destination, free with any $10 purchase or you may buy one or all for $3.  The charm bracelets, to hold your collection of fond memories, will be $5.  Here is a sneak peek.

If we do say so ourselves, we (the quilt shop owners) have designed an eye popping fabric for the 2011 Greater Atlanta Quilt Shop Hop.  It is a black background with all the sites and landmarks of Georgia that you can think of.  You can pre-order now, at any of the participating shops.  There is still availability.  Don’t wait until the actual Shop Hop if you are sure you want some.

Little Quilts has made a pillowcase and a wallet using the fabric along with a print and a batik.  See the Shop Hop fabric goes with just about anything.

Fabric Inspiration

The special edition "Georgia" shop hop fabric has been well received, and we've heard some great ideas from our customers for using this fabric when it becomes available...aprons, tote bags, pillowcases...the ideas are endless.

We've made up a couple of samples at Sweet Home Quilt Co. that we thought just might jump start your creativity, too.




First is our "Georgia" quilt using the special edition fabric as borders. This quilt idea would be great for a college student at a Georgia college using the college name, or perhaps as a keepsake quilt for a native Georgian.

The pattern and alphabet fonts are from Fat Quarter Fonts by Atkinson Designs. We used the 'no fuss applique' technique from the book for the letters. This is just one of the techniques we'll be featuring at the Quilter's Schoolhouse at Sweet Home Quilt Co. during Shop Hop.

Another fun idea is to use the special edition Georgia fabric as the focus fabric in one of your favorite quilt patterns...Just Can't Cut It by All Washed Up is a favorite that we use over and over at Sweet Home Quilt Co.


We had a little leftover fabric from cutting the quilt borders, and Mellie turned it into a cute tote bag using another of our favorite "go to" patterns, Charm Party Tote by Quilts Illustrated, along with the addition of a little black fabric for the lining and pocket flap. I'm searching for a big "Georgia-inspired" button to add to the pocket flap...maybe a peanut or a peach! Wouldn't you enjoy toting this along on a day trip?

I hope these samples give you some ideas for using your special edition Georgia fabric from the 2011 Shop Hop. The fabric is available for pre-order at all of the Atlanta Quilt Shop Hop shops. Be sure to order yours before it sells out!

Melisa
Sweet Home Quilt Co.
Conyers

Shop Hop is coming soon

We have been remiss in posting on this blog, but watch for blog posts to start coming fairly regularly. We are all working hard to get ready for you all.

Does Shop Hop Prep Cause Grey Hair????

Yes if you are a witch!!!! Heh, Heh, Heh!!!! Preparations are on in full swing at Patchwork Cottage to boo the daylights out of you during the 2011 Shop Hop!!! So have noooo fear !!!! Pam Kosiba gives you a sneak peak at what lies ahead!!!
Spookily yours,
Mita

One of the shop hop prizes

Hi All!

Here is a picture of the beginnings of the basket we will give away as the third prize after shop hop in the spring. We are ordering a new basket for all the goodies to go in and are still collecting things to put into the basket. Visit the shop hop website to see more details about the 2011 Greater Atlanta Quilt Shop Hop.

Make sure to put shop hop on you calendar.

March 24-27, 2011

We are planning lots on fun things.

Tell us what you would like to see happen during shop hop. Start commenting and we will think up some kind of fun thing to give away to one of you who comments in the next week.

Several shop owners at market

We several of us just went off to quilt market to try to find new fabric, patterns and notions for you all.

A few of us ended up at the same event on Saturday night and ate dinner together. It is always so nice to spend time with Mary Ellen, Maetha and Mita. We wish all the other shop owners had been with us.

We each had some folks with us so the table was quite full and such fun!