Country Mouse Went to Market

The Hilton was waiting for us and we were checked in pdq.

Building across from the Hilton that we passed on our way to dinner.

The best food in town was at this English Pub.  We were joined by Laurel and her room mate JoAnn from New York.  We were laughing all through dinner.  

The streets downtown were open and hosted full restaurant dining on the sidewalks.  The evening was light and balmy.

The Target World Headquarters was across the street from us and was calling out our names.

We headed our round and fully packed tummies over and up the escalators and wondered around shopping on Targets multi levels.  Picked up the usual fare - water, raspberry tea cookies, chocolate, a few tops and hotel lounge ware.  You know the usual....

Thursday - Schoolhouse Sessions ran approximately every 20 minutes or so plus passing time and Lindy and I went to different ones so that we could compare notes at the end of the day.

First thing out the shoot in the early morning was meeting up with Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill.  It was fun to listen to them chat and catch each other up on the latest happenings in the big city.  Anne's new line of fabric is now at Moda.  It is precious.  THE BUNNY was very nice to the country mouse.

Landeur, Inc., has a wonderful block of the month program for stitcheries and the Heart.  I think we are going to be doing it at the shop.  Watch for the news.

This is one of the hottest new designers.  She has six children and is holding up her latest book. 

Her fabric line was fun and fresh.  You have to see the book to see what is under the birds wings. I was surprised to see so many of my country friends in little nooks and crannies.

 

Standing room only in most of the school house rooms.

The stitching wonders from the world "down under - Australia."

I loved to see their latest creations but most of all liked to hear them talk.  Reminded me of the old days in the old country.  Helen Stbbins is on the left - She is the one who ran the Angel Swap I participated in last summer.  

THE CANADIANS from southern Alberta!  This young lady is 21 and started a quilt shop with her mother when she was 15.  Yup, and they have written several books.  The one released at QMkt is called Double Take.  They make the same quilt with different fabrics i.e., current fabrics vs traditional fabrics.  Double the fun.  (And they were!)

This quilt is featured on the front of the book cover.  And, I saw today, that the book has already come into the shop!!

Lindy and I met up for lunch (had to keep up our energy...) (The Ruffles were because we were thinking of Carol Ann back holding down the fort. She says she would die if it were not for potato chips, so we toasted her and potato chips because she is that special!)  After munching and crunching over our notes and sharing all the goodies that we got at our classes, we headed out to meet at 6 pm when the schoolhouse was done.

Author,  Byrne-Goarin, Marianne of the new Cinnamon Inspirations book.  She was simply precious and talented with wool felting.

She shared about the thread that she is currently using - Lana, covered poly with wool.

Giant pin cushion in yummy colours of wool felt.

A Mr. Guy who told us all about Pellon batting.  He thinks that we are going to like the new Legacy for machine quilting.  It felt nice.

Black Bird Designs were at sons graduations and sent their editor in their place.  Their book was released at QMkt and we had a fantastic show of the quilts that are in the book.  

The books are in the shop now.  Woo, Hoo!

It was hard not to run up and touch them.

Drum Roll please - Jo Morton!

She showed quilt after quilt and I am going to have to a separate post for all the shots I was able to take.  Wait until you see what I saw :o)

This is the queen of embellishments.

Angelina style.  I know I am the only one who did not know what that was (why do you think Lindy took me along....)  It is amazing stuff!

Helen Stubbins, the wonder woman who wears many hats.  On top of all that she does, she has started a publishing company and worked out a deal for shipping back and forth to the USA.  

Here she is showing her designs.  What a treat to see her stitchery.  Here is link to her world (if you go visit her tell her Gran - The Knot-y Embroidery Lady sent you. 

http://hugsnkisses.typepad.com/hugsfromhelen/2010/05/international-quilt-market-spring.html

At six pm the Schoolhouse closed up.  Sample Spree was in two hours!  We are were happy and tired.  Each of us was loaded down with bags, samples and handouts.  So, we dragged our selves and attachments back to the Hilton, kicked our shoes off, put the tea pot on, got the raspberry cookies and assorted snacks we brought and proceeded to have dinner...  We had to rest up for the next event that started at 8 pm - 10 pm  Sample Spree.

I'll have to share about that tomorrow - country mouse needs to go to bed.