Mini Market Recap

Last week, I mentioned that I would be attending Quilt Market, the quilt industry trade show in Pittsburgh, PA, but that I wouldn't be exhibiting. By now, I'm sure you've seen tons of pictures on social media outlets--of the booths, new products, samples, and the excitement from the trade show floor. So here's a few more--just a few--to add to the collection.

The bird's eye view is unique to the Pittsburgh Convention Center. Before Market opens, you can watch the activity develop from above, like having a balcony seat at a live performance while watching the audience gather before the curtain is raised. Or like watching the activity on an anthill.

A good friend and truly sweet person, Carolyn Friedlander received top recognition for her booth!

As an exhibitor, you have to corral all the activities of a booth in a packed and busy schedule--you rarely get to see the rest of the show, including the quilt display. Fall Market boasts a huge quilt display, and Spring Market has a smaller quilt show, too. Before I left Pittsburgh on Sunday, I took advantage of my 'boothcation' freedom and snapped a few pictures of some of my favorite quilts from the show.

Indian Summer Sunset by Shirley, Gisi, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Gathering Hearty Roses. This large quilt was a collaboration between four women in Setagaya, Japan. The quilt was hand appliqued and hand quilted. It includes a wish by the four stitchers that they can continue to work together forever. 

Here's a closer look.

Not all the beautiful quilts were appliqued! The color radiated on these pieced blocks! Mass Maples by Timna Tarr in Shadley, Massachusetts.

This amazing piece isn't larger than a yardstick in any direction. The project was completed over five years and can be viewed from both sides. The design is stitched into two layers of fabric, then batting is stuffed between the layers to enhance the details. To get the batting between the layers, the fabric is gently pulled apart to allow for the stuffing to be inserted between the threads. Then the threads are carefully moved back into position. Jaw-dropping. It's called Boutis with a Vase of Flowers by Marie Christine Floucard.

In Flanders Fields by Robin Gausebeck of Rockford, Illinois. Seems appropriate, as Memorial Day approaches, to conclude with a quilt that celebrates the poppy of remembrance and pays tribute to the poem by the same name written by John McCrae.

Exquisite detail of the machine applique and machine quilting on this fabulous quilt which is only about 18" square.

Whenever I travel, I like to find inspiration. Even if I pick up one little idea that I hadn't considered before, take a moment to take in the sights, or stop to take a quilty stitch or two, the trip is worthwhile. How about you? Do you take time to look for that one golden nugget in the quilty events you visit?

Happy Stitching!
Joan

Spring Quilt Market Redux

Last Monday, after packing the car in the morning, Marcia and I set out for Spring International Quilt Market in Kansas City, Missouri at around mid-day. Smiley Scrap came along to capture some highlights.

Our first stop: Cleveland, Ohio. The hotel offered free cookies at check-in for a quick snack. From the looks of it, Smiley agrees with the sentiment printed on the cookie bag!

The next day, we headed to Kansas City, Missouri, our destination. Along the way, we just HAD to stop for a cherry-lime route 44 at Sonic (forty-four ounces of yummy lime-infused cherry soda). You just have to take one look at Smiley to know we got the happy hour deal!

Of course, if you drink 44 ounces of anything, eventually, you'll have to make a McStop! (Wow, gas is pretty cheap here!) By the way, we were fortunate to have beautiful driving weather along the entire trip to Kansas City!

Ahh. The street banners are out to greet us in front of the Convention Center - the Quilt Market hot spot for the week end!

Booth set-up went pretty smoothly. Smiley's main role was to supervise and keep us happy. (It worked!)

Smiley took advantage of a little down-time in the booth to wander about. Many of the fabric manufacturers seem to be going 'big' with licensed images. Smiley met Darth Vader and Chewbacca at the Camelot Cottons booth.

 

 

You could find Linus and the Peanuts gang hanging out with the Quilting Treasures folks!

Smiley thought about joining the circus over at Michael Miller Fabrics. But you have to be so careful where you step!

Smiley clearly felt the most comfortable in the Andover booth, and Eric Carle's 10 Little Rubber Ducks fabric line. Now, these are critters she can really relate to!

After all that walking from booth to booth, a piece of scrap fabric can get worn out! A stop in Ellen Medlock's booth and a nice soft place to set a spell. Aren't the fabrics in Ellen's new line pretty? (The line needs a little more yellow, don't you agree?)

There's Kim DeCoste, Quilts, Inc. Manager of Education, and Shelly Stokes chatting at the Cedar Canyon Textiles Booth. I think these three are strategizing over how to get Smiley in on the Class Schedule for Fall Quilt Market! Smiley also really liked the Paintstik demo with Shelly!

Marti Michell stopped by the booth for a quick camera snap!

Hope you enjoyed the little tour. It's amazing how long it took to assemble the booth just right. And how quickly it was stuffed back into boxes and loaded into the car for the return trip.

Happy stitching! And Happy Memorial Day!
joan