I know this is just a picture of a badge but I feel so privileged to be considered an “industry professional.”  This year, in order to attend Quilt Market, you had to submit several items.  In my case, it was proof of publishing two patterns, a tax I.D., and proof that I’ve been published in Haute Handbags magazine.  In exchange, I received this badge to enter the International Quilt Market, an industry trade show at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.  What a surprise to meet fellow bloggers in person!!  Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness, right in front of me with her fabulous patterns!  Thank you, Sara, for featuring Purse Palooza!  And when I signed up for Mixed Media Miscellany, little did I know that Gilbert Muniz of Muniz Couture would be teaching me how to make tassels!  Thank you, Gilbert!  I’ve been practicing!  (More to come on that item in future posts…)

So this post will be a “miscellany” of pics from both International Quilt Market and International Quilt Festival.  Once again, my sister and I managed to score a room at the Hilton attached to the Convention Center.  Do you realize just how difficult  that is?  When you check out of the hotel, after attending the show, you’re handed a letter telling you the exact date and time you are allowed to call to make a reservation for next year.  At that time you will be competing with thousands of other ladies to book a room at that hotel during that time period. Whew!  The stress of it all! 🙂

Nannette and I both took classes from Jo Packham  (think creator of “Where Women Create,” and “Where Women Cook” and “Where Women Create in Business”) for great tips and secrets on organizing our sewing studios.  Our favorite part was the segment with slides depicting sewing studios–Before and After.  Don’t you just love those?  Actual examples!   I also learned a great deal about publishing patterns, self-publishing, editing, photography etc. from classes taught by Judith Montano and Meredith McManus.

Let’s take a look at the fabulous quilts!  It was the 40th anniversary of the Quilt Show and the theme was Ruby Jubilee.  As you entered the quilt arena, you were met with scenes like this:

 

But it wasn’t all “seeing red.”  Take a look at these beauties and keep in mind, they’re fabric–not paintings…

 

 

And more, pure eye candy…

 

 

This is so cute:  Anywhere We Hang Our Hat Is Home..

 

 

 

We loved the crazy quilts!  Here you see the whole quilt…

And now, two close-ups of that same quilt to give you an idea of the intricate details…

 

Sewn by an Austin artist, this is called “Suburbs”

And, the ocean in fabric form…

 

Here is a close-up of the lower left-hand corner.  I just wish you could see this in person, with all the texturing, layering, and dimensional qualities:

And now a peek at classes–literally. 🙂 I peek in the doors of some classrooms that I find interesting and bring them to you…

At the end of the day, when the crowds wane, is a great time to enjoy the Winning Quilts!

This quilt is called “On This Winter Day” by Nancy Prince and Linda French of Orlando, Florida.  Over a seven year period, and approximately 2000 hours, this treasure was created using 75,000 yards of thread and over seven million stitches!  All the lifelike designs were done in Free Motion Quilting.  It was the $10,000 Handi Quilter Winner!

 

My personal favorite was the Superior Threads Master Award you see here…

 

The Pfaff Machine Artistry Award was earned by this quilt:

The World of Beauty $7,500 Award was earned by:

And another personal winner was our friend, Georgann Wrinkle’s, beautiful traditional applique quilt:

One of my all-time favorites was the featured quilt titled, Metamorphosis.  If you could only see the texture and dimension in this quilt:

 

So when you’re not feasting your eyes on these beauties, there are hundreds of booths to visit and shop.  Nannette was collecting items like velvet and satin, and buttons and trims, to start a fun crazy quilt!  AND she found a steal on a gorgeous antique quilt!  I purchased frames, patterns, trims (including some amazing buttons) and fabric, including vintage.  Here are some of our favorite booths:

Booths selling antique quilts are particularly charming:

Here is a picture of Jennifer Patterson Designs, where we witnessed the most amazing technique of using a polymer to “quilt in clay!”  To learn more about this jewelry technique visit www.quiltedinclay.com.  Totally awesome!

Here is a booth that really captured my eye.  Should have snapped up a card or brochure.  You’ll understand why I fell in love with it!

And, Kaffe Fassett, well, how many superlatives can I use, right?

The adorable Tim Holtz had this wonderfully cozy booth!

Heather Bailey had a happy and inviting booth beckoning us:

 

Trisha Jane Patterns has been picked up by McCall and will shortly become a celeb!  Isn’t this cute?

 

And speaking of celebs, of course, you’re liable to run into quilting celebrities like Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims:

I don’t know why I didn’t take a pic of Eleanor Burns as we watched her demo, but I can show you the fans that fans were carrying everywhere (and they came in handy, Eleanor–thanks!)  This is one super sweet, talented lady:

 

And as we bid fond farewell to the George R. Brown for another year…

We enter our home away from home…

And say, “Cheers to another great year!” with a scrumptious peach margarita, right?!  See ya next year! 🙂