I spent quite a few days in Minneapolis at the trade show then teaching at Gruber's quilt shop then doing a book signing at Barnes & Noble... yes .. a REAL book store! It was so exciting and so fun to have all that packed into one trip.
Let me give you a little tour of my events. First day was schoolhouses, where we book time and share about something specific. I did THREE of these! The one above if for my latest book with my publisher Martingale 'Pat Sloan's Teach me to Applique'. I showed all the quilts, but also explained my process and passed around samples for the shop owners to see.
The next few days were filled with book signings. I did 5 of them at the trade show!
Plus meet so many people in person that I've know for years online. Taking selfies with Kim of Persimon Dreams was so wonderful! She is totally adorable
This show floor was LONG and not very wide. So of course all booths I had to be at were at OPPOSITE ends of the convention center!
That middle left photo is my chance to meet Krista Hennebury of PoppyPrints. I TOTALLY love her work and she is so fun!
Gregg was very festive this day, I think our outfits went well together... what do you think? by the way, I so want YARDAGE of that shirt!
There was a LOT of button collecting going on.. my lanyard was full.. so I started filling my bag!
My Booth space at Moda Designer row was next to Barb of Me & My Sister and Janet Claire, booth incredible designers!
Do you see those tshirts Penny and QuiltJane are wearing? WWPSD? What Would Pat Sloan Do? Yes... fun beyond fun! Stay tuned as I'll have more on those, but you can order them right now from the talented and clever Cat & Vee shop
No trade show is complete without a party! Moda's evening party was a Prairie Prom. I had JUST the little hat that Amanda Herring made me, a lace skirt, feather boa and leather vest.. yes.. the shipping department wore plaid.. seems right?
Terry Atkinson lives close to the convention center, so she built a camper for her booth.. AMAZING fun!
The screen door just speaks to me of home... and the little baskets? Divine! From Leonie Bateman.
And I was so glad to catch up with Alyssa Thomas who had these adorable stitcheries in her booth.. see her great things at Penguin and Fish!
I went zooming around the center the one day waving to all my friends.. they all had incredible booths!!
Joan Ford's so clever and inspires me with her take on scrap quilting.. I really wish I'd had more time for her and I to chat this market!
And clock wise... Kari Carr has a super cute santa quilt.. see it at her website
Emily Herrick always inspires me! Her fabrics are incredible and her clever booth won an award!
and Celine Perkins quilts are always so warm and inviting. I wanted to hang out in her booth and have a cup of coffee with her!
I made the bottom center block in the quilt 'Antique Garden' in the current Primitives and More issue, and they sent me a copy PLUS yummy chocolates, I LOVE them!! Buy the issue HERE
Dawn Heese winter quilt stole my heart! I really lover Dawn's work
And no market is complete without a photo of me and my friend Eleanor Burns! The first time I tried to get a photo she was on the floor under her table!
Sue Poser made my trip to her shop, Gruber's Quilt Shop, fantastic! Sue is on of the very first shops that carried my work. I taught a class and then we had a book signing in the evening. (My 6th book signing).
Many of the quilters have been following my work for years after finding me at Gruber's!! AND we had Strawberry lemonade, cupcakes and warm cookies.. heaven!
And my last even for this trip was TWO book signings at Barne's & Noble book store. As I like to tell everyone.. a REAL book store! The room was packed both times and I got to meet so many incredible quilters. The top photo is Jennifer Keltner, the Chief Visionary Officer of Martingale Books, introducing me and telling a few jokes, she is really funny!
AND I had a chance to see Marianne's Let's go SEW and her Globetrotting, it's DIVINE!! Do you see what I'm doing in the top left photo? I'm signing her quilt... on the front!
Did you enjoy my week?
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