We’re just 6 days away from the start of the 2015 Shop Hop! We think this year will be the best year yet. Our theme is “What’s Cooking” and each shop will be interpreting that in their own way.

Last year we asked for feedback in the form of a questionnaire and based on your feedback, we’ve made some changes to make things even better. We want to let you know what those changes are so that you know what to expect this year.

NEW FOR 2015

• Many more prizes

Instead of just a Grand Prize, 1st Prize and prize baskets, we’ve now added a Super Grand Prize, 2nd Prize, and 12 more prize baskets. This means your chances of winning this year have gone up by over 70%! To see everything you can win, visit the Prizes Page.

• New shops

Last year our friends at The Ribbon Retreat in Shelley, ID and Stitch ‘N Time in Jackson both closed their shops to focus on other things. We will miss them! But luckily for us, we have two new additions to our lineup of Shops that we think will make fun visits without adding extra travel time to the route. Daydreams Quilt N Sew and Beyond Bolts will be new stops on the trail this year. See the list of all shops participating on the Shops Page, and learn more about each shop in the Shop Profiles.

• Charms discontinued

We found that Shop Hoppers were more interested in the Shop Hop prizes than in collecting charms, so our 10th year in 2014 was the last year for shops to offer charms. This has freed up a larger budget for prizes! Each shop will be contributing a $100 prize package that you can see on display in their stores during the Hop. Each shop will also plan their own in-store prizes, games, or promotions so visit them all to participate in the festivities! (Past year’s charms may be available for purchase in some shops, just ask.)

• Junior passports discontinued

Participation by junior shop hoppers has decreased over the years and last year was lower than ever. Because of this there will no longer be a prize offered for those under 18 (though they are still welcome to attend). Again, this means more budget freed up for prizes for our adult Shop Hoppers!

Visit the How It Works page for more info on how to participate in this year’s Shop Hop. We are so excited to see you soon!

Our shops are busy getting everything ready for the Shop Hop, but we wanted to give you an idea of what you’re in for! This year each shop will represent a city in the U.S.A that has inspired the free pattern and charm that shop hoppers will receive. Here’s a hint at what you can expect along the way!

Shop – City – Charm
Heritage Quilts – Orlando – Cinderella’s High Heel Shoe
Stitch ‘n Time – San Francisco – Golden Gate Bridge
Porter’s Rexburg – West Yellowstone – Buffalo
Abbott’s – Honolulu – Palm Tree
Porters Idaho Falls – Lancaster, PA – Thimble
Madsen’s – San Antonio – Cowboy Spur
The Ribbon Retreat – Nashville – Musical Notes
Sages Creek – Las Vegas – Playing Cards
Suppose Quilt Boutique – Los Angeles – Sunglasses
My Girlfriends Quilt Shoppe – New York City – I Heart NY
Stylish Fabrics – Salt Lake City – Wagon
Ace Hardware – New Orleans – Crown

For more information on each of these locations visit our Shops page, or visit our custom Shop Hop Google Map that has the route already marked for you!

We’ve got exciting news about next year’s Shop Hop. In 2014 an extra day will be added so that we start on a Thursday, giving you an extra long first weekend of Shop Hop! We know what conscientious planners some of you are, so you can now save the date for 2014.

2014 On The Trail Shop Hop

Thursday, April 24 – Saturday, May 10