October 9, 2012, October is when the cold seeps through the cracks and crannies of a house like a ghost, which is why the title for the 14th annual Central Illinois Quilt Shop Hop is perfect. Ghost, Goblins, and Quilts, the quilt for this year’s event features a Halloween motif designed by Linda Calvert and Debbie Myers of Peddler’s Way.

Fifteen quilting shops from all over central Illinois will be participating in the event. Anyone who wishes to play will need to buy a $5 ticket from one of the shops and have that ticket validated at any of the stores involved. Each store contains a block pattern for the quilt. The stores will also offer shop specials, giveaways, and door prizes.

Prizes will be given for tickets with enough validations. Those who have visited 12 or more shops will qualify for various gift certificates; $500 for 1st place, $300 for 2nd, and $200 for 3rd. Contestants who have visited all fifteen shops will be put in a drawing for 225 fat quarters (a $675 value).

Proceeds from the ticket sales are given to charity. This year, the Quilt Shop Hop will be donating to the Alzheimer’s Association. Last year, organizers raised $500 for St. Jude’s Hospital, and over $6,000 has been donated over the event’s lifetime.

Participating shops are: The Clothesline Quilt Shop (Alvon), Piece to Peace Treasures (Macomb), Ma’s Got a Notion (Havana), Quilted Cow Emporium, LLC (Jacksonville), Sew Unique (Springfield), Peace and Applique (Rochester), Quilter’s Delight (Clinton), The Treadle (Bloomington), Sewing Studio (Normal), The Quilt Corner (Morton), Peddler’s Way Quilt Co. (Washington), Cozy Corner (Metamora), Cotton Stitches (Pekin), Prairie Points (Peoria), and Log Cabin Quilt Shop (Lincoln).

You can participate by visiting any of these stores October 12-13 and 19-20 from 9 am-7 pm. Brochures for the event are located at the participating shops.