SHOP HOP 2009 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Today the shop owners met for lunch and prize drawings. It was very exciting as we pulled the grand prize winning name from the bag. Here it is, the winner of $1,000.00 in gift certificates to spend as she wishes. Congratulations to:

DIANNE MELTON

And here are the other 30 prize winners:

Cast On Cottage Winners

Amanda Wollnick-Helen Hamann Tote Kit (value $240)

Marjorie Jones-Gift Certificate (value $100)

Brenda Mazzocchi-Judy's Color Stocking Kit (value $80)

Knitting Emporium Winners

Ellen Day-Bag of Louisa Harding dk yarn (value $82.50)

Sandra McLeod-Gift Certificate (value $50)

Sarah Foster-Gift Certificate (value $50)

Needle Nook Winners

Christina Whitehead-Bag of Malabrigo Chunky yarn (value $120)

Beth Horack-Afghan Kit (value $110)

Marsha Sussman-3 skeins Ella Rae Lace Merino (value $69)

Knitch Winners

Michelle Sonntag-Gift Card (value $100)

Frances Ayoub-6 skeins Shepherds Wool (value $62.50)

Dianne May-Class credit (value $60)

Main Street Yarns & Fibers Winners

Marjorie Griffing-1 skein Mooi Luxury Yarn, Book & needles (value $115)

Shirley Smith-Gift Basket (value $125)

Karen Morris-Bag of Noro Cash Iroha (value $110)

Only Ewe & Cotton Too Winners

Timiae Harper-4 skeins Jade Sapphire Cashmere (value $140)

Lois Mitchell-5 skeins of Sheepshop Yarn (value $78)

Pam Aerts-Collage Half & Half Kit (value $49)

Sheepish Winners

Jessie Evans-Assorted Skeins of Sock Yarn (value $120)

Debra Davis-Drop Spindle & 3 hanks of roving (value $66)

Rena Brakebill-Giant Hank of Mt. Colors Weavers Wool (value $76)

Strings & Strands Winners

Ellen Lefevre-Bag of Nature Wool Chunky (value $130)

Rose Prestianni-Bag of Queensland Hyacinth yarn (value $50)

Amy Dryman-Sassy Skein sweater kit (value $60)

The Whole Nine Yarns Winners

Kim Mahoney-10 skeins Ultra Aplaca Lite & book (value $70)

Pat McMahon-Gift Certificate (value $50)

Lou Simon-Pagewood Farms Sock Yarn & tote (value $40)

Yarn Garden Winners

Elisa Herrera-14 skeins Malabrigo worsted (value $140)

Pat Childs-Sock Bonanza (value #103.50)

Marilyn Horton-Notions Bag (value $59.75)

Whew, that's quite a list. The ten shops listed above donated over $3700.00 worth of prizes this year. Thank you to all who participated this year and we plan to do it again next year. Please pick up your prize from the shop who donated it.

More Prizes And The Shop Hop Bunny

These are the prizes being donated by the Needle Nook. The first is 3 hanks of Ella Rae Lace Merino in your choice of colors. Three hanks yields 1380 yards, enough for a garment or a shawl. Retail value is $68.00.

The next is a full bag (10 hanks) of Malabrigo Chunky Merino in the color shown. Retail value is $120.00.

The third is an afghan kit (had to remove from the bag for photo) from Universal Yarns. The kit comes in two colorways and you can choose your favorite. The other is black and white. Retail value is $110.00.

The bunny shown is ready to hop-hop-hop. Hope you are too.

***Please note: The town of Milton (Alpharetta) in the community of Crabapple will hold the Crabapple Antiques and Arts Festival this Saturday, October 3rd. Only Ewe and Cotton Too reports that no roads will be blocked and there will be plenty of parking at the shop so don't let that keep you from hopping there. Also, there is a University of Georgia football game this Saturday, Oct. 3rd, so you may want to plan an alternate route to Main Street Yarns and Fibers in Watkinsville. Or call the shop for details. It's (706) 769-5531.

Shop Hop Prizes

Here are two prizes being donated by Cast On Cottage and Needlepoint Garden. The first is a Helen Hamann oversized tote kit, retail value $260.00 and the second is a Judy's Colors Stocking Kit, retail value $84.00. Their third gift is a $100.00 gift certificate. So you can see already the generous gifts the shops are donating to the hop. Shop Hop starts one week from today, Saturday, October 3rd. Purchase your passport from any participating shop. You might want to check the UGA Bulldogs football schedule before heading to Watkinsville, I think there is a game one of the Saturdays. Watch this space for more photos.

Important Correction

The shops have received their shop hop materials and have begun to sell passports ($1.00 ). We are all ready for the hop. Unfortunately, one of the phone numbers on the posters and passports is incorrect. It is Main Street Yarns in Watkinsville. The correct phone number is (706) 769-5531 if you need to call for directions or shop hours (see column on right). Please note this on your passport so you have it handy in case you need to call them. We are all gearing up for a large turnout for shop hop week, so get your friends together and form some carpools to hit as many shops as you can. Two new shops have joined the fun so there will be more to visit this year. Remember, if you are not able to visit all 10 shops, you can still be in the drawings for 30 other knitterly gifts, so try to reach as many as possible. And don't forget to pick up your free original pattern as you get your passport stamped. It will be interesting to see what is hot this year. Last year it was market bags. This year? Anybody's guess. I know what mine is but I'm not telling! So plan now for the week of Oct. 3-11 and who knows - you could be the grand prize winner and get to spend $1,000.00 on yarns and accessories. Would you be in heaven or what!

SHOP HOP 2009 APPROACHES

There will be a shop hop again this year. The dates will be announced on Aug. 26th by the participating shops. You can review the details here or on shop blogs and websites. We hope you will join in the fun again. This year there are 10 shops you can visit and possibly win one of 30 prizes or the grand prize of $1,000.00 in shop gift certificates. That's a $100.00 gift certificate from each shop. Think of all the fun you could have with that! So watch for the big announcement and hop along with us.