We checked our mailbox after returning home from a recent trip and found this interesting package.
The manila envelope contained my and my husband’s stamped passports and two little brown envelopes each bearing this thank-you note. Since his name was on the outside envelope, I reluctantly relinquished one to him.
While we didn’t win the Grand prize trip to Alaska or one of the twenty $100 shop hop gift certificates for completing all of the shops on the 2016 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop or any of the regional drawings from several of the sections, we did get this prize for finishing the state. Just in case you missed it, click here and then click here to read about our adventurous last day on the hop.
Inside each envelope was a beautiful hand-crafted necklace and a shop hop pin. I got the peach necklace (the one on your left).
My husband and I were among the 99 people who traveled around the entire state of Minnesota July 29-August 14, 2016 visiting ALL of the 72 participating shops. Those were pretty good odds to win the big trip but just not good enough for us. My husband reminded me that winning wasn’t the focus of the trip. He was right but it sure would have been fun.
This year’s shop hop pin is only 1″ square. Thanks Quilt Minnesota for a fun time and thanks for the statewide finish prizes.
What I Learned Today:
- The 2017 Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop is only about 9 months away (July 28-August 18, 2017).
- I better start sewing faster to justify needing to go on it again.
- Winning is fun but losing is disappointing.
- I have many good memories from our 2016 Quilt MN Shop Hop trip and that’s the best prize of all.
Question: What have you won or lost recently?
Linking to Can I get a Whoop Whoop and Main Crush Monday (buttons on the sidebar).
Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats 
Hop on down to Mesa ; I miss you !
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It’s so nice to be missed.
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I applaud you for making it to all of the shops! And WITH your husband… I’m impressed. I’m not sure my hubby would be quite so patient. 😉
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Did you read my husband’s perspective of the trip when he guest wrote a post a couple of weeks ago?
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Well, it is disappointing. I did our hop several times, which means traveling over an hour, and more to every direction. I got a tote bag that gave me 10% off each shop for the year, and seldom used it as I usually buy sale stuff anyway. Still. It was fun but I won’t be doing it again probably. So much driving in a 10 day period. At least you had your husband along.
Think of it this way. If you won the trip you wouldn’t be home sewing so you could use up your fabric to justify next year’s shop. lol
LeeAnna
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I guess that’s the silver lining here (staying home and sewing). Did you go by yourself or with a friend on the hop? I think hopping with someone is way more fun than hopping alone. Although, it can be a lot pricier since friend’s often talk one another into buying whereas we might walk away if we were alone.
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Reading all your posts about the blog hop was just like being their and I think you should have won the grand prize. There is always next year. The pin is so cute.
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You are so kind. Maybe your travels next summer will bring you to Minnesota to enjoy the hop too. It’s only 9 months away, plenty enough time to get it planned. I better start sewing in my sleep to use up my loot from this year and my stash from last year so I can justify going again. Going on the hop sure is fun though. So glad you came along….virtually, that is.
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Sorry you didn’t win the ‘big’ one, how fun that would have been. 2015 was a good year for winning for me-though it wasn’t the lottery, it was so pretty fun quilty stuff! The most recent win was some Auriful thread, which was pretty sweet!
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Aurifil thread would be a great win! It’s really expensive. I just started using it and notice my machine actually sounds different and my stitches look different. Have you noticed that too?
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A win is a win. I usually have several wins through a year. I always buy raffle tickets for quilts (although I admit to only buying for quilts I would actually want!) My last win was a collection of Christmas fat quarters. Enjoy your necklace.
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The Christmas fat quarters sounds like a very good win! What did you make with them?
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I really like your prize even if it isn’t the grand prize.
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Thanks! They are beautiful! I haven’t even worn it yet. I have no idea what I’m waiting for.
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Sounds like it was a fun trip. Sorry you didn’t get the big prize, but the necklaces are very pretty.
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We had a blast on that trip. Gosh, if I don’t start sewing faster, I won’t be able to justify going again next year. As slow as I sew, I’ll have to sew in my sleep too!
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Yeah, I’m not a winner either, but I love the necklaces you got. And I think it’s fabulous you had the opportunity to visit all the shops with your hubby. The entire trip just sounds like so much fun! Congrats on completing the hop!
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We made lots of great memories and that’s the best prize of all. Ok. The Alaskan trip would have been great too.
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