Friday, April 20, 2012

Nebraska Quilt Shop Hop



I have a full tank of gas, a map, and my cell phone.  I’m psyched and rarin’ to go! This Saturday, April 21, my hubby and I are shop hopping, participating in the 14th Annual Nebraska Shop Hop sponsored by 38 Nebraska Independent Quilt Shop owners.  The hop began April 19 and runs through April 29, with all shops open extended hours to accommodate cross-state hoppers.  (Nebraska is one of those BIG “square states” in the middle of the USA.) There are free patterns and door prize drawings at each store, and end of hop giveaways based on number of shops visited. 

In 2009, we shop hopped across Nebraska en route to Colorado to visit stepdaughter Jenny and her family, visiting several shops in central and western Nebraska.  We racked up over 50 points (83 possible), but no prizes.   Shops way off the beaten path (tiny towns or in the boonies) are worth 3 points.   Shops in bigger towns are worth 2 points, and shops in or near “big cities” are worth a mere 1 point. 

This year, our goal is a modest one --- get to Level 2 (10 or more points), to be eligible for drawings for a $50 gift certificate.  But it’s not really about the prizes ---it’s the adventure and the thrill of the (fabric) hunt, and the chance to meet other fabric lovers.

It’s great fun!  Each shop has its own personality, and we get a chance to visit towns off the beaten path.  I drive.  Hubby navigates.  (My vintage Ford does not have GPS.)  We’ll spend more on gas and snacks than we could possibly win in prizes, but it is worth it.  And I’ll know at the end of the day that I’ve done my  patriotic duty to help speed up the economic recovery –at least within the quilt shop sector of the Nebraska economy.  (I’ll try to limit my new stash acquisitions to $100 or less.) 

Here’s our itinerary for Saturday, April 21 (the Southeast NE loop):

Syracuse – Common Threads (2)
Plattsmouth-Seams to Be (1)
Auburn-Needles I (2)
Pawnee City-Heavenly Treasures (2)
Beatrice –Quilted Stitches (2)

After two days to recuperate, we’ll finish the hop on Tuesday, April 24 (staying close to home):

Seward-The Udder Store (2) - Optional
Lincoln – Cosmic Cow (1)

TTFN
LeAnn aka pasqueflower

4 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, how exciting! As a fabric lover myself I would have loved to join :)
    Good Luck!!

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  2. How fun and lucky you that hubby is going along with you :)

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  3. What a fun weekend! And how cool that hubby joins in on the fun :)

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  4. Oh my gosh, this sounds like so much fun! I wish they did something like this with antique shops! Although there would never be enough space in my car haha!

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