Houston goodies!

Well; I have been home 6 days from the International Quilt Festival in Houston.  It’s taken me 6 days to sort out life at home before I could give you this – My report – GO if you can next year!  GO for an entire week and take classes!!  I met up with my sister-in-law from California and we went non-stop. Classes; lectures, banquets, costume parties! Well; that took care of Mon, Tuesday and part of Wednesday!!  The cool part of the show is we got “VIP” entry into the quilt show; from 5-7 pm on Wednesday evening!  Public entry began at 7.

We were armed with our “vendor” map pre-marked with booths we wanted to get to before the public was admitted.  We made it to all of them!  We spent a boatload of money (more than I will admit to in public) the first day. (Ok, I gave myself a budget and really only blew it the day I bought the COOL iron ….you know the one the gal on Missouri Star Quilt Company uses..the pretty yellow one – the Oliso..that has a thing on the sole plate that pops up when you are finished ironing!)  I did manage to NOT buy a long arm….that is a story for another post!  I remind my husband daily that I saved him anywhere from $4000 – 25,000 !!  (Basically…I stink at FMQ…but again, that is a story for another post.)

I took 3 Free Motion Quilting classses; one on a domestic machine; one on a “sit down” Sweet Sixteen by Handi Quilter and one on a real long arm.  I also took 2 “binding” classes; and an applique class.  We attended lectures by Kaffe Fassett ” Shots and Stripes or Where Have All the Flowers Gone ?

Luncheon/Lecture— with Jodi Barrows – “The History of Women and their Quilts”

Lecture— Lois Hallock –    “Grab N’ Go—Seven Secrets to a Quick Getaway to a Mini-Retreat”

Lecture— Esther Miller – “More Stories from Amish Quilt Life“

Lecture – Julie Moberly -‘ “Crafting an Ideal Day“.

Of course we dressed up for the IQA Quiltapalooza Fundraiser – a costume party/dinner where there were tons of door prizes!  And on Saturday the “Gala on the Green”.  We missed the Mix and Mingle before the Gala on the green; were I understand even more door prizes were given out.  And we “missed” reading our program completely, and didn’t realize dinner was part of the activity on Gala on the Green.  (Could have saved the $20 we spent at the Hilton for dinner and used it on more FABRIC!!)

 I also took a great class about borders, batting and binding.     I didn’t take any classes on Thursday to allow time to really see the show; and by Saturday evening; I was still feeling a bit “quilt deprived”.   If I go again; I will do classes from Monday – Wednesday; leave Wednesday evening open of course for the VIP; and leave all day Thursday & Friday open for the show.  Classes on Saturday are nice because the show is so crowded during the day.  And, I would stay THROUGH Sunday next time….(heck, you are already there, one more day won’t hurt).  We spent a bit of time on Saturday evening walking the show and on Sunday morning as well.  Good comfy shoes were the rule!

It was fun to see some of those famous quilting celebs – Ricky Tims in his booth, Pat Sloan with a golf club in the Aurifil booth, and even Maria Schell at the Craftsy booth!  Got to meet and hear Eleanor Burns give a talk (& get an autograph on one of her books!)  Especially enjoyed seeing Libby Lehman’s beautiful quilts. Her sisters were at the show, and it was nice to meet them.  I’ve been following Libby’s recovery on Caring Bridge since she had her stroke, and pray everyday that she will be healed.  She had a large collection of quilts present at the show.

Next post will be “all quilts” from the show, but today; do you want to see some of the “goodies” from the show?  I will share my pictures of the goodies; and on another day the photo’s of the quilts.    I promised a 100th post prize for the best comment on my last post, and will have to “re-read” all three before I finish this one to choose.  The prize is hidden amongst these photo’s ….so enjoy!

The giant Handi Quilter bag was handed out everytime you walked past the booth not carrying one. I have 6! Big enough to carry a quilt in or all your rulers & a mat!

Lots of books and magazines! Eleanor Burns autographed my Irish Chain book!

Got these in a variety of colors and sizes. Magnetic pin/sharp holder. Has a removable magnet on the back, and you can WEAR it…..no more pins stuck in your blouse!

a collection of fun! I was shopping for neutral fabrics; got some nice thread from Superior thread, a pounce pad and stencils and lots of fat quarters!!

Hiding amonst the fat quarters is a “just curves” foot for the sewing machine, and some new stabalizers from Sulky

Some thread from YLI and Aurifil. Needed more “browns” for the embroidery machine

LOVE LOVE LOVE the Texas fabric. (We sure would not find that in Delaware!)

And the winner get’s this lovely bundle of fat quarters!

So, LubbyGirl, if you are reading this; send me an email with a mailing address and I will get your prize out to you!

(my email is live2skide@yahoo.com)

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