Do You Shop-Hop? Go With The Plan!

There is one day of the year that I set aside just 

for me:  the regional quilt shop hop.

I know most quilters around here grab the biggest 

vehicle among their quilty friends and party their way 

together through south-central Kansas. 

Maybe this makes me odd but that is the

 time of the year when I am just so ready

to get away from everything around here

that I usually go it alone.

The South Central Quilt Shop Hop

 takes place the first weekend in October.

For me, this is the end of a crazy-busy summer.

I've ran kids around, gardened and preserved and 
cooked like mad without taking any time off.

And just when summer ends, when I'm really dying for

a "free day," somehow there are still

back-to-school meetings, appointments and

open houses to wallow through for a few weeks.

Quilting, take me away!

Lots of inspiration on shop hops and I take lots of pictures.

I bought the pattern for this baby quilt which also includes a 

girls' version.  I love the ric-rack the boats are sailing on!

So here's another reason I want to get those UFO's

done:  no embarking on a shop hop without The Plan.

The Plan?

 That's drawn up by cleaning my sewing room first.

In the process, I get a good look at my fabrics,

revisit my patterns and remind myself what UFOs

need to be completed.  It's even better if I can get some

of those done before the shop hop but maybe something

still needs a fabric?  Pack that up to take along.

In go a few patterns/books that are currently speaking
to me--just in case I find the perfect fabrics.

This is when I do the majority of my fabric shopping,

and most of that is from the 50%-off clearance racks.

I have no problem shopping last year's trends.  

Quilting is supposed to be timeless, right?

And that is definitely the time to

grab backing for your UFO's.

Btw, sticking to The Plan also keeps me

from over-buying--no hoarding allowed.

If I know I'm deep in say, green fabrics...well,

then I don't need that green fabric even if it is only 

$5/yd, especially because I don't have a plan for it! 

I'm a firm believer that having

too much only weighs a person down.

The bonus is that I get to come home to a clean,

well-organized room--and I'll have no guilt in 

starting new projects because my UFO's are done.

Er...well...it sounds good in theory.

I suppose it doesn't hurt to have one or two on 

the back burner but Quilter, know thy limit!
Ok, well, I have some work to do.

I only have two wee little weeks to go!

Do you have a shop hop in your area?