I'm Back: Part 1: Quilt Market

I made it back safe and sound!  Since I was essentially on 2 separate trips, I will do multiple posts to tell you all about them!  First, we'll start out with Quilt Market (since that happened first)  It was a great market (like always) full of beautiful fabrics, quilts, and inspiration.  These posts will be mostly photos, since I have tons to share and there are even more on Flickr.  (Oh, and I want to apologize up front for the blurry nature of some of the photos - I went without a flash for the most part so that the colors would be more true to life.)

This first photo is of a chair covered in Anna Griffin fabric - she had 6 different chairs in her booth covered in different fabrics of hers - they were wonderful and all so different.  You can see the rest of the chairs in my flickr set.

And always a beautiful sight - here is Tina Givens booth.

A personal favorite of mine...

And of course, my most favorite (well she and Amy Butler definitely tie) - Anna Maria Horner.  I was even able to buy her book and have her sign it right there.  It was pretty cool.  She was lovely, as always!

And a couple pics of her booth.  Isn't the wall color great?

Guess who has a new fabric line?  Jay McCarrol - the winner of season 1 of Project Runway.  He was at Quilt Market the entire time promoting his line which I thought was pretty great.  (By comparison to another celebrity - Marie Osmond - who was there for about 3 hours on only one day!)

And the infamous Amy Butler...well, actually it's her booth - I didn't get a shot of her in it.  She is totally mobbed...in the Quilt Market sense...not like Britney Spears or anything, but people love to chat with her.  I was able to show her my Anna Tunic because I was wearing it the first day.  That was fun!

And for all of you followers of Oliver + S - there are new patterns in the works for spring!

I took a picture of this quilt because it is absolutely amazing - this entire landscape is pieced!!!  Just stunning!!!

Look at these tiny felt cakes - don't they look delicious??

I can't remember which booth this was - I'm thinking possibly Michael Miller?  I am not sure - but isn't this bed beautiful?  I just love how magical it looks.

And here is Sandi Henderson's booth - she is the one who designed the beloved Ginger Blossom fabric line and the Portobello Pixie pattern line.

And some shots of the wonderful Seven Islands group - these are the Japanese lines of fabric and products.  We don't carry them at Nancy's Notions so I don't know a whole lot about them - except for that they are ADORABLE!!!  This booth was huge so I took a bunch of photos - you can see more in my flickr set.

And here is a photo of Elinor Peace Bailey's booth (and there she is in the background!)  I found her wonderfully inspiring.  If you are not familiar with her, she is known for her dollmaking and has been in the home sewing industry for quite some time.  I was able to go to her "Schoolhouse class" (which is a short 15 minute run down on new products - we have a full day of these the first day of Quilt Market - I also went to Anna Maria's and Amy Butler's...on top of MANY others...)  Anyway, Elinor was very entertaining.  She is so full of life and fun that you can't help but smile as she talks.  I hope that I can be as much fun as she is as I age. You can see she is quite the colorful woman - she even wore giant fairy wings during her class.  I just LOVED it!  Oh and a side note for you - she is the mother in law of Heather Bailey who has the Fresh Cut and Pop Garden fabric lines for Free Spirit fabrics.

And this last photo is for my friend Janelle of Threads of Friendship.  She is Australian and knows (and LOVES!!) Rosalie Quinlin from Melly and Me.  I of course had to say hello to Rosalie from Janelle and take a picture of us so she could see us half a world away! :) (and no, she is not as short as me...she's crouching down so that I don't look so miniature!  But on a side note - I was tall in Mexico! :) haha!)

So that is a summary of my trip to Houston.  Again, there are a bunch more pictures on Flickr.  I've created a set so it is easy to look through.  I hope everyone has had a wonderful week and I will need to catch up on all of your blogs soon.  

Next up in this series...my Quilt Market purchases!  Yes, I bought some things for myself besides just work stuff!  Here's a hint - there were some GREAT vintage dealers at market. :) Until then - ta-ta!

Comments

[Kashoan]

What a fun place to go to! I have never even thought about doing a quilt (way over my head). But your pics are great! Dont forget to check my blog for the give away! Take Care Kashoan

[Smileykylie]

Oh my goodness ellie, Janelle will be SO excited to see that photo of you and Rosie. We would love to go to Quilt Market one day.....:)Kylie

[odd dotty]

Wow! I am a wee bit envious! How cool was that trip?! I think my head would have exploded from all the inspiration and creativity, in fat I think it just did just from the pictures!

[Arizona]

I'm green with envy! It looks like such a wonderful show...filled with inspiration! I love that picture pieced quilt. Amazing!

How does one become a fabric buyer, btw? It is a job I could absolutely love.

[Janellybelly]

THANK YOU x 100! You are such a sweetie for doing that! I covet your Anna Maria Horner book (subliminal message - "Give it to Janelle, give it to Janelle" :P)
Love Janelle xx
PS Looking forward to the Cancun post too

[Andrea]

WOW!! So many things, so inspiring and beautiful. What a wondeful trip!

[amy j]

I am drooling over all this great stuff! Thanks for sharing the images!