Annual Shop Hop Report

My friend Louise and I attended our annual shop hop last week. I think this was our 13th year of attending this event, which used to be called the "Goose on the Loose" shop hop and is now called "Hills and Valleys Quilt Shop Tour".

For many years it was the same list of stores, but in the last couple of years there have been changes with stores closing and thankfully new stores opening. We are still sad that 2 of our favourite stores have closed (Quilter's Line in Markdale and Lilac Lane in Alliston) but we are happy that there were 5 stores willing to participate this year. 
When you see the same sequence of events playing out in different stores (excited quilters shopping in droves) you really notice things such as the difference in energy and enthusiasm of the staff, the range of items they stock, and the (in)efficiency of their checkout/payment systems. It's easy to make decisions about what stores are the favourites and that is confirmed by the purchase receipts!

Louise at Creekbank

We loved the Creekbank store in Mount Forest and Louise bought the finishing kit for the featured sampler quilt. See that amazing border fabric that is navy blue on the inside of the border and cream on the outside? It's such a unique print and was available only at that store. 
Each store gave shop hoppers 2 free block patterns, and you could buy fabric kits if you wanted to make the featured blocks/quilt. 

We found the most fabulous place to eat lunch. Affairs Bakery in Creemore had delicious homemade soups, salads and sandwiches, and 10 varieties of tarts that were to-die-for! We liked the sign they had in the cafe, and we did talk like it was 1995... for about 8 hours straight!


Here are some of my purchases... batting, pieces for a baby quilt, my favourite hand stitching needles, a new tool called Clearly Perfect Angles, a border print for a RSC project (multi coloured squares) and 2 backings (for Clarissa and Ringo Lake).