Friday, January 30, 2009

Take Our Reader Poll and Win!

Hi Shop Hoppers! Melisa at Sweet Home Quilt Co. here. Can you believe January is almost gone already? The month has flown by as we recover from the holidays and year-end inventory, and get everything re-stocked - our UPS guy seems to be a regular around here these days! New samples and kits are being made every day, and I'm spending a lot of time planning and preparing for the Greater Atlanta Quilt Shop Hop in March. Our shop hop quilt is still in the design stages but I think you'll like what I've come up with! Our theme design is coming together, too, and I've been haunting antique shops and eBay for props - you'll know you're in "Grandma's Closet" when you get to Sweet Home!

Even though we're still two months away from this year's shop hop, our thoughts have already turned to next year's hop. Months of planning with all of the participating shops are necessary to ensure a successful shop hop, and as soon as we complete one we move on to planning the next. We are continually looking for new ideas and themes, and opportunities to improve the Greater Atlanta Quilt Shop Hop experience. We'd like your feedback about Shop Hop, and what we can do to make it better. What do you like best/least about the Greater Atlanta Area Quilt Shop Hop? If you've participated in other shop hops what fun things did you enjoy that we might be able to incorporate into our shop hop? We're always searching for fun theme ideas, too, and would really like your suggestions.
Tell us what you think - you could win this giveaway!




Leave us a comment with your feedback, and you could be the lucky winner of this Sweet Treats bag that we've made from Moda's upcoming line called Spring Magic, designed by April Cornell.
And tell your friends to leave a comment and drop your name. If you are mentioned in the winning comment, I'll send you a Moda Mini Honey Bun Bake Shop box so you can make your own Sweet Treats bags. So spread the word - two chances to win!


Here's the "fine print":

*Please leave only one comment per person
*Make sure to leave your blog or email contact so we can let you know if you've won
*Winner will be selected February 27, 2009, and posted here on the blog
*Winner will be chosen at random using the random.org integer generator


Good luck!

Melisa
Sweet Home Quilt Co. (check out my blog!)


43 comments:

Julie said...

Wow, this is such a cute little bag And the Bake Shop box looks like fun, too! Can't wait for the Shop Hop - we'll be coming all the way from Florida! See ya then,

Julie Love
stchsluv@aol.com

sewnfred said...

What a adorable bag! It looks like something that I could not resist. I think I need to make time to participate in this year's shop hop. What a great way to spend the day.

Anonymous said...

What can I say but WOW!!! What great ideas for give aways. If it says Moda it's for me!!!
I took the day off, so I can Shop Hop!
Mary Boyle
mary_boyle06@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

What a neat thing to do. A totally non fattening goodie too!

Betsy said...

I have never done a shop hop online because they are kinda hard to follow.
I am a nervous driver so I do not go to the shop hops.

susangordon said...

Melisa: You always have the cutest "creations" to showcase your fabrics. Looking forward to the Superbowl frenzy this morning. Got a passel of quilting pals joining me. Susan

Anonymous said...

Melissa,
You have tempting goodies! I usually go to Tennessee Quilts and get 10 fat qtrs. for $10 whenever I visit TN. Actually, I usually get 20 fat qtrs. each visit. I've heard about your Fat Qtr. Freenzy before. It sounds like a mad house! Ha ha. Good Luck on finding lots of Grandma's Closet items!
Susan
smhg@bellsouth.net

Anonymous said...

Melisa,
Did you know that part of the words on this blog are cut off and unreadable?
Susan

Anonymous said...

What lovely prizes. I have done many of the online shop hops and love that I get to visit different shops I might not have found. I have gone on shop hop bus trips with my quild but I have never done a shop hop where you drive from shop to shop. I loved the demos available at the sops our quild visited and special sales just for us!

Sue Cahill (sbonetsue at yahoo dot com)

Jean said...

Loved your shop last year on the hop!!! Looking forward to this year.....see ya in March!
Jean

Leiann said...

This little bag is perfect for part of the bridesmaids gift for Christina's wedding. I watched Becky make the bag and it went together easily. So I will be by to purchase some Mini Honey Buns! Can't wait for the hop!
Leiann

gamacks said...

I have really enjoyed participating in the Atlanta Shop Hop. I have been going for the past few years. I wish the shops were closer but that is the only negative thing about it. I enjoy the goodie bags with small scraps of fabric so I can add to my stash. I am more of a beginner/intermediate quilter and I'd like to suggest quilts and kits on display that might be more of a lap quilt size for the less experienced. I have purchased two quilt kits from the quilts that I have seen at the shop hops. I'd like to see shops offer a coupon that you can use on the shop hop day. I only get to most of these shops once a year because of their location but if I had a 10 or 20% off one item that day, I would be very willing to take advantage of it. Most give out coupons to use the following month but due to distance of travel, I can't take advantage of it. I love seeing all the new ideas and look forward to the shop hop in a few months!
lemm1983@yahoo.com

Gretchen said...

I am looking forward to the shop hop as always. Melisa, can you do something about the traffic??? That is what I like the least. I always enjoy the themes and the stores decorated to match the themes.

Carolyn G said...

What a darling bag. THanks for the giveaway.

Barbara Watson said...

You are so creative Melisa and Becky! I'm going to come over after church today to buy even more fat quarters! I'm finishing my Christmas quilt so I need to start buying more fabric.

Diane H said...

What a delious bag and fabric. I'm sorry I haven't ever participated in a shop hop but promise to look for them in my area. Thank you for putting my name in your draw and I will certainly add your name to my list of favourites,always great to find
a wonderful new blog to follow.
DianeH
laura84watt@gmail.com

Mama Spark said...

Sounds like fun...count me in! Love your blog too!!

Becky said...

What I love best about Shop Hop - I love filling up a car or van with quilting friends and visiting shops that we don't normally patronize. I usually have a theme to shop like black and white fabrics, dog prints. This year I need shirting fabric.

What I like least - The distance between the shops. I'd love to visit them all, but often can't work it in during the weekend.

I'd love it if each shop had some type of special during the shop hop. For instance, one shop had plaid fabric on sale, another had notions at a special price. I'm not really interested in the Shop blocks although I've enjoyed looking at those quilts.

I love the special kits and samples on display during Shop Hop.

Good luck with the planning! I've marked the dates on my calendar!

April S said...

I've been to the Greater Atlanta Shop Hop for a couple of years running now. I've never been to another shop hop, so I can't compare, but...

I think having a them is a great idea and makes it fun. The theme is usually an interesting one, and I love seeing how each shop interprets the theme and the sample quilt that they create. The only downside is that if I don't make it to the shop, I can't get that shop's pattern. The distance is definitely a negative, one that you can't do anything about, but sometimes it's just not possible to hit all the shops, so it'd be nice to still be able to get each shop's pattern.

The goodie bags are always very generous. The fabric is always appreciated -- and sometimes it's something I might not have chosen, but wind up enjoying. And the little bits of candy help keep the energy up on the long drives.

I agree with someone who posted earlier about wishing there were more sales. To pay full price at every shop is tough. I would try to buy a little something at every store if there was something on sale. Of course, I am a fabri-holic, and I know it's tough to stay in business if you're always having sales, so sometimes I just buy fabric anyway!

Unknown said...

Oh boy!!! Fat Free Goodies!!

The bag looks adorable, fun and easy to make.

I tried to visit the shops last year but only made it to two. I don't drive so had to depend on someone else.

The kits are my favorites to purchase.

Ideas for future hops could be "Fun in the Sun" and "Spring Pic-nic" or "Bunny Trails."

The least thing I like about the shop hops is, nothing! I like it all!

Thanks for everything you do!

Sherry
gabluebird@bellsouth.net

free indeed said...

Well, living out in the boonies with no shops around, I've never done an 'in person' shop hop; but I've read about them. I've done the online ones too. It's always great to have a good sale on something for everyone to take home and I think if I were on a shop hop, I'd like a pattern designed by a local, or one that is representative of the area. Thanks for a chance at that cute and 'drooly' giveaway.

kaylace said...

Good morning...
I like your blog idea and the contributions from the various shops. The update on productions and events of the shop hop are interesting. I guess, one of my favorite things about shop hop is the fact that even if you are visiting the shops with little money in your pocket you can still end the day with a useful assortment of goodies...winning games and drawings at the various shops and the goodie bags. Tools, product samples, patterns, tips etc all provide a "kick" to the creative juices. Last year my group also went to the mountain shop hop; we got the quilt related charms and with them we've made bracelets and charm pins. The charms were a great idea...

thank you and keep up the good work. Oh and Sonja Poor told me about your blog contests a couple of months ago... neat idea, I hope we win something...
Kay
kaylace.blogspot.net
kaylace@hotmail.com

Elaina said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Elaina said...

I love shop hop and even though I work during the week I make a plan to hit every shop. I like to see the shops that really get into the theme!

I love the kits - but also enjoy finding a fun pattern at one place to shop for at other stores along the way. Last year I was searching pinks for a waterfall quilt.

I would love to see something from each of the shops about nearby lunch spots - keep me out of the drive throughs. Last year I had a great stop at the Redneck Cafe in Newnan-well out of my neighborhood.

Hi to Becky!

Elaina
sparkleznsportz.blogspot.com

Stacey said...

I live to far away to attend your shop, wwaayy up here in Maine. Sounds like a lot of fun though, cute bag!!! Would love to make one! Thanks, Stacey
luv2knit@roadrunner.com

Deb C. said...

I love the fresh colors of spring! Sick of the cold/snow in the NY mountains. I found you thru Sweet Home Quilt Co's blog.
I've never used a sweet roll. I will have to add some of that to my stash someday.

Anonymous said...

Can't wait for the shop hop! I've been going for 3 years but have never made it to all of the shops- maybe this year! Charm packs, layer cakes, jelly rolls...... now honey buns!! I LOVE FABRIC!!
Linda
( LNJKELLEY@charter.net )

Anonymous said...

This will be my first Shop Hop. Hope I can make all the shops. I just love any excuse to go fabric shopping!
Jody
jlbgeorgia@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I have never been to a quilt shop hop and frankly was not aware of the shops in this area. I have been driving to Columbus Ga to Sew Much Fun to take fabulous classes and buy fabric. I am excited about getting to know the shops on the hop. Love the cute giveaway!!!!
Marci Whitmire
mwhitmire@gpc.admworld.com

Unknown said...

My mom is going to be 92 on Sunday (March 1) and my friend Thea and I have been doing the shop hop with her every year it's been held, I think. March can not be planned until we know when the hop is. It's wonderful that she so looks forward to this event. Keep 'em coming!

Kelly said...

I love that little bag Melisa!! I want that material too!! :-)

Kelly
kellypk@aol.com

nazary said...

Melisa,
Great idea for a giveaway.
Looking foreard to this years
shop hop. You always have neat
things. Barbara N.

Anonymous said...

I love the shop hop, and your shop is one of my favorites. You all get into the spirit of the event. My daughters Jenny and Sarah along with my sister-in-law Tina and I have been doing this for the last 5+ years. We create a new tradition each year--new place to eat, new item to collect. It is such great fun--especially your "Born to Quilt" rub on tatoos, my very favorite. As far as suggestions, I read about a shop hop in Texas that each shop has a place for trading UFO's. You can look through the pile of unfinished objects and orphaned squares and trade it for one of your own. This sounded like such fun, I would love to see that started here in Georgia. Can't wait for this year's hop.

Anonymous said...

I love going to and doing the quilt shop hop each year with my mom, Linda, my sister, Sarah, and my Aunt, Tina. It turns into a girls weekend we look forward to all year. We love the family girl bonding weekend. We laugh, cry, and have a blast! We always look forward to going to Sweet Home in Conyers because of the lovely location and the house. We love sitting on the porch and enjoying the wonderful Georgia weather. Thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

Great bag, Melissa. I always enjoy shop hop and agree with other posts that a coupon for hop would be nice. I am usually not interested in the hop quilt but I am interested in kits, new fabrics, etc.
I'm looking forward to the hop.

bairdmtn said...

That bag is so "springy!" and would make any girl carrying it feel "extra-special!" Wish I was closer so I could enjoy the shop-hop! Thanks for such a cute and generous giveaway!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful little bag! I would love to win,
Meredith
missbrooks@mail.com

Anonymous said...

Hello Sweet Home Quilt - This will be my first Shop Hop and I am very excited! I have been marking off the weekends. I started quilting right after the event last year so I really can't give any feedback. I will love to next year though. Good luck with the Shop Hop!

LeAnne Lee
ikeleanne@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful bag; I love the colors and would love to win it. Looking forward to this years event.

Anonymous said...

Hey Melisa,
I can't wait for shop hop! It is always so wonderful to see any new shops that have joined along with my old favorites. The little giveaway purse is so cute. Anything Moda is worth winning or buying.
Leslie Ransom

Anonymous said...

Hey Melisa,
Of course I forgot to leave my email address on my previous comment. here it is. leslie.ransom@primerica.com

Anonymous said...

Love the bag! Love the Shop Hop! Can't wait to join in the fun!
Lynn.rinehart@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a great bag! This will be my first Shop Hop and I am so looking forward to it!

Bernie
callberni@aol.com