Sew Many Places with Jim

Morning quilters:

This weekend was a great opportunity for me to finish all my Christmas shopping, decorating my log cabin home and basically getting caught up on things that have been on my “personal” back burner. Whew, now that that is all done, I am really excited to tell you about our QUILTPOSIUM program for quilt shop owners.

Next Monday we are officially launching our Quiltposium program for shop owners where we are offering all of you the opportunity to go on any of our tours for FREE. All you have to do is click on the button that says QUILTPOSIUM on our homepage and register your shop.

Along with the opportunities to travel for FREE, you will also get free advertising on our website.

What have you got to loose? Check it out.

And if you are not a shop owner, don’t worry, we are launching a special program for you too, so you can travel for FREE as well. It’s our frequent travel program, which is launching January 1st.

Stay tuned.

Yes, that’s exactly what I said-scrapbooking for quilters! As the owner of the largest quilt travel company and also the largest scrapbooking travel company (www.ScrapMap.com), it only made sense that we focus on something that will combine the two industries. So, we have decided to introduce this new concept of quilt scrapbooking to quilters by offering a very special travel event.

There’s no question in anyone’s mind that the quilting industry is in transition and looking for new ways to continue growing. We’ve seen the move into the world of computers with digitals sewing machines and software to design your own patterns and the reserrection of sewing on college campuses, and so here’s the next step-scrapbooking using fabric and all kinds of creative crafty things that go with it.

On January 25, 2009, we have put together a wonderful cruise in the Caribbean that we think is a perfect way to introduce our quilting audience to the world of scrapbooking. It’s a 7-day cruise, sailing on a brand new ship for only, now get this, $783.00 per person!! That’s a 7-day cruise, including all port charges, taxes, all meals, special commemorative gifts, and a lot more! You can’t beat the value in this cruise package.

We are going to be announcing this cruise formally in quilting magazines, on our website, and through direct mail and e-mail, but if you’d like to be one of the first to sign up, just call or email Bridget in our office and you will be first on the list to receive it. Bridget@SewManyPlaces.com

Hope you can join us, I know you’ll have a great time!

There is no question in anyone’s mind, if you’ve been traveling with Sew Many Places and watching our website, that we are making some exciting changes with our company. First, we are planning some very exciting destinations next year, in 2009 and (if you can believe it) already working on trips for 2010. Here’s where we are going: Bali, Africa, Machu Picchu, Egypt, the Galapagos Islands, the Nile cruise, an Amazon River cruise, China, Tibet, India, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and dozens of other places. The reason being is because we have such a wide variety of clients who like traveling with us, and they are looking for unusual and enchanting places to go.

Along with the variety of destinations, we are also pulling out all the stops with the kind of service we are implementing as well. We are calling it “Quilt Care” and it’s all kinds of pampering and attention to detail that we have learned to do, based on the kind of coddling that we know our quilters like. When you travel with Sew Many Places, you are sure to feel special and well cared for.

We realize that not all our travelers can afford the more exotic trips, so we are still providing some of our “standard” trips: An Alaska cruise, Tuscany-Italy, Ireland, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Canada/New England, Germany/Austria/Switzerland and many more.

New this coming year are our “Quilt Quickies” where if time and money are the most important, we’ve got some getaways for you. These will be four day (Thursday – Sunday) trips that will be bringing us to fun cities across the U.S. and Canada. We’ll travel to Broadway and do a New York City trip, enjoy the food and sightseeing in New Orleans, go to DisneyWorld together, soak in the City by the Bay-San Francisco and dozens more.

So keep watching for all of these announcements.

Even though I know I am not supposed to “formally” announce this yet, we are starting a program and offering those who have traveled with us in the past some special perks and gifts, and eventually a FREE tour. It will all be based on points you earn with each trip. But I can’t go into detail now, that’s for anther time.

Anyway, just wanted to keep you posted and remind you to bookmark our website.

Have a great quilting day!

There is already a “buzz” in the industry about Ricky Tims going to South America with us in February, 09, so before anyone else spills the beans, I want to confirm it officially in this blog.

Yes, Ricky will be taking a limited number of people on a creative and photo journey to South America with us, which will include the extraordinary Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands. This once in a lifetime adventure will provide quilters with the opportunity to explore these ancient places and experience the wonders of these sights with a quilter’s eye, and traveling along side one of the greatest quilters of our time. (I’ll be coming along as your escort as well!)

Ricky will provide great photo tips, interesting lectures, and all kinds of fascinating information as our participants tap into their creative process.

We will also be offering an “optional” cruise down the Amazon River following this tour, and participants will have an opportunity to explore the Amazon Jungle, and still relax in the comfort of a first-class vessel.

For more information about this tour, and to be one of the first to sign up, please call or email me at Sew Many Places. We are now accepting names and deposits. Space is limited to 45 people only. Jim@SewManyPlaces.com 877.887.1188

Single occupancy rates are available, and if we are able, we will help you find a roommate if you are looking to split the costs with someone.

So there you are, it is going to be one of the most exotic adventures we’ve ever done! Don’t miss out.

This hot off the press, starting Monday, the new manager of Sew Many Places is going to be Bridget Dempsey. Bridget has managed one of the other travel companies I own, and is married to Colleen’s brother. Colleen has been handling all the McCalls Quilting trips, so they will be working side by side together.

Also, we want to say good bye to Bunny, who worked with us the past couple years, and wish her well on all her endeavors.

You will come to realize very quickly that Bridget has a really fun personality, and is fantastic to work with! I am sure you will really love how she takes care of you and attends to all your travel needs.

Welcome Bridget!