I wasn't even planning on going to Quilt Market this year but my friend Bari J. Ackerman asked if I would be her co-pilot and, after much thought, I realized it was time to get out of my funk and get back in the game. So we drove all the way to Houston from Phoenix (making 1000 miles to San Antonio the first day!). As soon as we arrived we started setting up her booth. It was a lot of physical labor and it felt good after these long months sitting behind my sewing machine.
She had one of the prettiest booths there and her ruffled duvet was a huge hit. People were coming from all over the place just to look at it and touch it (tutorial coming soon on Bari's blog). Her new duffle bag pattern is the perfect size and shape for a great travel bag.
She has some gorgeous clothing patterns designed with the skill and talent of Suzy-Homemaker. That darling coat pattern has me missing having little girls to sew for.
Simply gorgeous. Be looking for Bari's Splendor 1920 fabric to be hitting the stores soon.
Two of my very favorite people, Carla Crim and Jennifer Paganelli. Such a team they make with Jennifer's fabric and Carla's sewing patterns! And you couldn't find two nicer people! I snagged a copy of Jennifer's new Happy Home book....swoon.
The beautiful and talented Dena Fishbein. I've been a huge fan for years and I finally got to shake her hand and gush about how much I love her (I'm sure she was enchanted).
Two of my favoritest people ever, Keith and Kay Whitt. Always fun to chat with and always up to something new and amazing.
The Australians were out in full force at market and they are the best! One of my very favorite quilt market new friends was Jane Davidson of Quilt Jane fame (I also snagged a copy of Sweet Celebrations, one of the newest collaborative books from Stash Books, which has Jane's work in it. Fun!). Jane is from Brisbane, and everyone knows the BeeGees grew up in Brisbane so that makes it a wonderful place. I had to steal this picture from Jane's blog because every time we were together I was sitting right next to her. Meeting her was truly one of the best parts of being at market. And I was so excited to finally meet Linda Lum DeBono (pictured on the right) whom I chat with a lot on facebook but finally got to hug in real life. She is so witty and talented and I wish we could've spent more time together.
Also from Australia, Sarah Fielke, of Material Obsession fame. She's so much fun and such a hoot. Sarah is so talented and she has a design look that is completely her own. You can spot her work a mile away because it's so unique and vibrant. And she plays a pretty mean game of Word With Friends on facebook. Here she is with Amy Lobsiger (not from Australia but equally delightful) of Mrs. Schmenkman Quilts. She is so nice and her outfits are seriously cute.
Another friend I've known for years online is Louise Stuart of iSewAcademy. She's a doll and brought the best candy from Australia (I spent a lot of time around her booth). The boys from Timeless Treasures seemed to like her too. :) Those Australian gals are great fun and I hope they all make it to the upcoming Quilt Market in Portland.
Rashida Coleman-Hale, Emily Herrick, and Jemellia Hilfiger. I've known Jemellia for years online and this was our first time meeting in real life. I always liked her before and now I just love her....as much as I like online friendships there's just something about sitting down and talking with a person that you can't get from your computer. Chatting about kids, and hair, and husbands, and fabric....it's really the best part of Quilt Market.
Cristy Fincher standing near the booth she shares with her mom Sharon Schamber. Cristy lives here in the Phoenix area and is part of our Phoenix Modern Quilt Guild but it was SO much fun to really get to know her and spend time chatting over the crazy-ness of Quilt Market.
Amy Butler and Joel Dewberry giggling near Joel's uber-cool booth.
The lovely Long Ladies from Marie-Madeline Studio. I love these girls. They are so much fun and such a sweet bunch!
I'll try to fit the rest of my pictures in one more Quilt Market post (I've got work to do here so I need to wrap things up!). I hope you're loving everything. Be sure to visit all the blogs I've linked to and get to know these wonderful, creative people! It's Monday....let's make it a GREAT week!
