We were excited to receive an email from Connie, a new quilter. She wanted to know a bit more about our Hop, so here is my reply to her kind email...

Hi Connie, Glad you found our site!!

Quilters' Fling is a group of shop owners who have come together to make quilting and shopping more fun for area quilters while encouraging quilters to check out what participating shops have to offer! We host hops, events and educational opportunities for new and experienced quilters!

Quilt shop hops offer the chance for shoppers to check out shops they may not otherwise frequent due to distance or time constraints. Quilt shop hops take place all across the country (probably the world) and are all handled differently, but our Jingle Bell Shop Hop works like this: Each of the nine shops has been assigned a quilt block as part of a quilt. Each shop has the task of developing a quilt around the central theme, and producing a quilt using all 9 of the assigned blocks.

When you visit your first participating shop during the Hop dates, you will receive a FREE passport, which you need to get stamped at each participating shop you visit. At each shop, you will receive a quilt block pattern for that shop's block as part of the "Theme Quilt." If you would like to purchase a block kit at each shop to make the patchwork blocks shown in the "Theme Quilts," you may do so for $5 each.

In addition, at each shop, you will receive a chapter to our precious storybook which goes along with this year's quilt theme, Snowbound at Grandma's. The chapters tell the story of a family visiting Grandma and then getting snowed in. Each chapter tells more about each block in the quilt as Grandma tells about the beautiful quilts in her collection. It will be a great story to read to the kids or grandkids on a cold winter's night, snuggled under your very own version of the finished quilt!

You will also receive a "little something" treat at each shop to keep you going, so you're not dropping while you're shopping!

For those that complete all 9 stamps and turn in their passport, there are great prizes donated by the shops and their vendors. During the Spring Sweet Treats Shop Hop, this group gave out over $10,000 in prizes! Chances are good you'll win a nice price!

Can't wait to see you on the hop! Yule have a great time!
Chris