Exhibitor Floor of Quilt Market

I was up early for my last day of Quilt Market – the first day that the exhibitor floor opened.  The Exhibitor Floor is where designers and companies have booths set up so you can see all the new things coming out in the industry from patterns, to fabrics, to fun new tools!  This was also my opportunity to do some major networking with specific companies and people I had in mind. The morning was dreary but nice – and not raining like it had been the day before.  Always a bonus to arrive at market not wet.  I’ll have to warn you.  I took quite a few #usies with people I admire and work with online quite a bit. I first met Victoria Findlay Wolfe a few years ago – fairly recently after her quilt had won best in show at the very first Quilt Con.  I found Victoria at Quilt Con in the Sizzix booth.  She was working on some fun double wedding ring quilts that she shares in her newest book Double Wedding Ring Quilts – Traditions Made Modern: Full-Circle Sketches from Life.  I have to admit.  I went a bit ‘fangirl’ on Tula Pink.  I just couldn’t help myself!  I had seen Tula Pink the day before at Schoolhouse but I held my excitement in … a little.  I knew I would kick myself later if I didn’t ask to get my picture with her.  So I did.  I probably completely ruined my chance of ever being friends with Tula but that’s okay.  I’m a crazy, hyper person normally so just imagine when I’m in the same place as someone I idolize! I love a good sampler! It was fun collecting these block patterns from the Moda designers. I am missing 7, 22, and perhaps 24 and higher? If anyone grabbed those if you could share with me what blocks they are it would be great!  Otherwise I’ll just make my own up to fill in the gaps! This stunning Lion Quilt designed and made by Violet Craft was definitely hitting everyone’s instagram stream as the walked by the Michael Miller Fabrics booth.  Penguin and Fish’s booth caught my eye too!  And it turns out she’s a friend in an online community of mine!  Even better!  I just couldn’t resist a few of these adorable embroidery hoop projects.  I’m always looking for some fun handwork while I’m watching the girls in gymnastics, dance, basketball or softball.  Marcia Derse’s booth also caught my eye.  I love a gorgeous hand dye topped off with a fabulous organic design/print and perhaps even another layer of dye over that.  Marcia was also super fun to chat with and I can’t wait to see what else comes from her! I had to also snag an #usie with Heather Ross in her booth!  I enjoyed her talk so much at schoolhouse that I just had to stop and tell her that! I’ve been chatting with GoGoKim on twitter now for years!  I tracked her down in the Aurifil booth and finally met her in person!  And turns out – she just as great as she is online! Everytime I walked by Carrie Bloomston’s booth at market she was either occupied or not there!  Oh well – it is amazing regardless!  It also made me look her up and turns out she has a great book out there too – The Little Spark – 30 Ways to Ignite Your Creativity.  It’s now officially on my wish list! Every Friday I anxiously wait for Amanda of Crazy Mom Quilts ‘Finish It Up Friday’ post to go up.  It’s a fantastic link up that I guarantee will bring traffic to you blog.  She’s also co-author of one of my favorite go to quilting books – Sunday Morning Quilts: 16 Modern Scrap Projects Sort, Store, and Use Every Last Bit of Your Treasured Fabrics.  Amanda had come and spoken to my guild the previous year so this was my second time meeting her in person. She is definitely a sweet heart and I just love watching her blog to see what her latest scrappy project is! It’s always great to run into some local peeps when you’re at a big event.  These lovely ladies are from one of my local quilt shops – Creek Side Stitches.  Patti (in the middle) has written amazing books and patterns that are technique based.  Pick up one (or ten) of her patterns and you’ll be cutting up and using your precuts in ways you never imagined! I recently joined the Therm O Web design team and I was excited to meet Julia Sandvoss, the lady I work with over at Therm O Web. She is an absolute sweetheart and so supportive of my work and designs.  I look forward to our continued partnership! I spotted Maddie and Flaun of the Bad Ass Quilter’s Society and owners of the quilt shop, Spool, looking at (and perhaps ordering) some new skull fabrics!  Throughout the show I was collecting buttons from various designers and companies!  I came home with quite a collection!  I’ll be sharing how I make my ‘pin holder’ with you all soon! And with that … it was time to head home.  I would have loved to say but family comes first.  And these three lovely ladies had their ballet recital on Saturday – there is no way I was going to miss that! (More pictures of the recital coming soon!) Amazon.com Widgets