It's time to hit the road for the 16th annual Nebraska Shop Hop! And the countdown is on!

Today is Sunday, March 30....four more days until you can hit the road for a journey you'll be wild about! You even have permission to Go Ahead, Get Wild from the Nebraska Independent Fabric Shops aka NIFS.

Your journey begins April 3, and continues through April 12, to 35 quilt shops. And when you head out west, there's a little something extra for you. Sixteen shops have gone in together to create this quilt out of the special fabric created for this event by Quilting Treasures. Each shop has a separate pattern and you'll have to visit all 16 quilt shops to get the pattern for each section. No matter, out in the wild west you'll encounter some of the nicest people.

You may decide to create your own quilt. There are several color ways the fabric was created, and it will take some time to decide on what you want. NOT...just get one of everything! 

But make your first stop at the Quilting Cupboard!

Extended hours, a quaint community in Valentine, will have you feeling simply: Wild! There are plenty of places to spend the night including the Trade Winds Lodge or Valentine's Niobrara Lodge, both supporters of SandhillsWesternVacations.com. Click on their ad and it will take you to their website. 

Wake up refreshed and be on your way...there's more to see out west...you know: The Wild, Wild, WEST!

Each quilt shop will reveal their projects during the event and will have limited Wild About Nebraska fabric on hand. Make sure you get enough at the Quilting Cupboard for your project!!!! Owner, Susan Stec, can help you with fabric amounts to fill out your stash, or to make the quilt pictured at the top. 

So go ahead...get Wild. Wild about Nebraska...from one cosmopolitan end to the wilderness of the other end. You'll be glad you did...get just a little bit wild!

Time to get Wild about Nebraska with the 16th annual Nebraska Shop Hop!

Are you wild about Nebraska? Our state is number one in so many things...I think primarily it's the people  that make it so special. Like YOU!

You do so much for each other! Like the adventure that awaits you for the 16th annual Nebraska Shop Hop coming up April 3 - 12, 2014. Ladies will flock to all 35 locations of the Nebraska Independent Fabric Shops. Last year it wasn't just ladies, a husband and wife team traveled to all the quilt shops in the state!

While traveling you will bond with each other - your deer friends - plan ahead for gifts, help each other find that special fabric that "speaks" to you....or the ONE fabric that will finally allow you to finish that UFO...aka...unfinished project.

There's a lot to get wild about this year too! A special fabric has been created showcasing the vast wilderness and beauty that makes up most of the state. Critters, flowers, and waterfalls...

While traveling, make sure to stop at the Quilting Cupboard in Valentine! Susan Stec is the shop owner and will make you feel right at home in the renovated home - turned quilt shop. There are two floors full of 100 percent cotton fabric, wool, patterns, books, notions, buttons, flosses, trims and kits.

And she'll make YOU feel welcome with a nice hot beverage, or cool one, depending on the fluctuating winds of spring while you peruse more than 1,000 bolts of fabrics. Some waiting just for you too!

Each of the western shops has put together a quilt using the 16th annual Shop Hop fabric created just for this event. Once it's gone...ladies and gentlemen....it's gone. You'll have to stop at all the shops to get your pattern and put it together row by row.

Valentine is a tourist town...with plenty to see and do. You might want to make this your last stop of the day so you can enjoy the comforts of the Trade Winds Lodge or Valentine's Niobrara Lodge. Get up in the morning and be on your way west where other quaint shops await. The early bird gets the worm....

One of the most fabulous thing about the annual Shop Hop is that you're meeting up with old friends again...or making new ones.

You're also putting together memories - not just for yourselves as you travel - but those memories will go into the projects you create for your loved ones. You'll recall that Susan helped you pick out the perfect fabric to compliment others. Or showed you a pattern that will showcase your stash to perfection.

Make your plan. Head out to Valentine, Nebraska...stay a day and enjoy The Quilting Cupboard, browse quaint shops on Main Street, get a meal from some award winning restaurants...and remember the flock of love that is the Heart City.

The Quilting Cupboard is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and can be reached by calling 402-376-3702.

Go wild about Nebraska, all roads will lead you to the City with Heart, Valentine, Nebraska!!!

The Good Life - Nebraska Style!

If you live in, or vacation in Nebraska, you know it's a pretty special state...just how special?

Find out here:







Happy Birthday Nebraska!

Does it make you a little bit prouder to be a Nebraskan?