Friends at the show.

Today was day three of the show. We were fairly busy all day. One of my favorite things about doing a few shows per year... seeing friends. This is Shelly and her husband Dan. Two of the nicest people you could ever know.

Shelley is the owner of The Quilted Forest Quilt Shop  in Forest City, IA. and the designer of the "Pieced Tree Patterns"... those little laminated cards you see all over our shop (and most shops). Her booth was just a few aisles over from us. Really creative quilts and displays. Lots of bright inviting kits to choose from.

Another wonderful, fun person is Shelley's sidekick - Sue Ann. She's doing a demo on the Go Baby by Accucut.

Then down the line was another friends booth, Karen from "Seams to Me". I met Karen about 19 years ago when Barb and I went to Quilt Market in Houston and then would see her when we did  the Des Moines Guild show at the fair grounds. Funny how the years have flown and how you can just chat like you saw each other a week ago.

   

Another familiar face a the show, Gruber's Quilt Shop. Sue and Theresa were there demo'ing and selling kits and notions.

Sue's a fun lady and has one of the most well known Quilt Shops in Minnesota. I don't get to see her that often but it's always nice.

 Country Threads was there. It's been years since I've seen Connie and Mary. Their booth was full of fun halloween stuff, lots of wool and punch needle. Kinda made me think of getting in more of the punch needle supplies. 

 It was good to see some old friends, I made a few new ones and I look forward to seeing them again. We already told AQS that Heide and I will be back next October. The two of us are really looking forward to it.

Day one of the show.

Sorry no photo's today. I left the camera in the hotel room.

It was a good day. We saw alot of old friends from when Barb and I use to do the DSM show. We were pretty busy most of the day.

Went to dinner at Skips - excellent food, nice atmosphere. Now we're back in the hotel room getting in our  PJ's and ready to watch a little TV.  I think we're both pretty tired, need our beauty rest to be ready for tomorrow (no comments necessary on the beauty thing).  I will post some photos tomorrow... I promise.

Good night all.

I'm in love with "Seed"

When our booth was set up, Heide and I went to grab a quick bite and check out some shops. We came upon "Seed", the cutest garden shop I've ever been to.

From the minute you walk up on the sidewalk, til you enter and see the finch in the cage playing - it's engrossing. The succulents, fig trees, water globes and vintage planters are all wonderfully displayed.

There's pumpkins in a wheelbarrow, rusty metal headboards as trellises and lots of old "stuff" turned into planters and gardens.

This was a metal sunflower attached to a beaded vine. I am a bead lover so it was one of my favorite things.

This metal chair was planted with an ornamental cabbage, yellow peppers, succulents and pansies. A combination that would never cross my mind, but made the perfect statement.

We could have spent hours looking at everything in the shop, but it was closing time. Maybe next year... we'll allow more time. If you're in the Des Moines area, stop at "Seed" and check it out, you won't be disappointed.

The Booth Set Up.

Heide and I got to the Event Center and started working on our set up. Usually we have a double booth, this time I went with a single... never again. It's hard to put 10 lbs of stuff in a 2 lb. bag!!!

What a mess. We set it up, took it down, shifted it, moved the quilts to different location and finally found the right order.

 

Finally done and not that bad. The show starts tomorrow at 9:00 AM, we're ready.

 

Brought my "Celery Featherweight" to sell. I saw alot of booths selling the black ones, but none had this model.  If you're in the market for one, email me ASAP before it's gone.

Iowa here we come.

On the road heading to Iowa... Heide is doing the navigating. She googled our destinations.

Do I look concerned? Are we heading South? Last time we traveled together we took the long way to Bemidji. I don't want to see the Canadian flag before I see the Iowa border.

We did stop in Forest City at "The Quilted Forest", we just forgot the camera in the truck and it was raining so we didn't go out to get it. Our visit with Shelley was fun as always. She was packing for the show, so we'll see her again. From there we went to Jewel. A cute little town that Debbie Bowles the designer of Maple Island Quilt patterns is from. Heide and Debbie are good friends so we stopped at her home town. After checking out the little quilt shop, Prairie Rose, we were told by the owner that they had homemade apple crisp at her restaurant. That sounded good to us so we went to "Mischells" Food and Spirits and had a piece. It was delicious and the atmosphere very quaint.

When we were heading out of Jewel, Heide spotted this Body Shop. She wanted to stop in and get a little work done. Evidently, she thought this was some kind of small town spa. I waited in the truck. When she came out with a puzzled look on her face she asked... "do my fenders still look wide to you"?  Graciously, I replied "You look Maahhvelous". From there we got back on the road and headed to Des Moines to our hotel.

Heading to the AQS show in Des Moines.

Yes, it looks pretty bare in spots. I can hear the rumors starting already. No, we are not closing. All the wonderful samples are going to the AQS show in Des Moines.

I posted a few signs around explaining where the quilts and other samples were.

Loaded and ready to head out. I pick up Heide at 10:00 AM. Our first stop is to see Shelly at The Quilted Forest in Forest City, IA. It's been years since I've been there and now she has a new location.  Then if possible I want to swing into Country Threads and see Mary and Connie. Couple of really super ladies. I remember when Barb and I use to visit them, that was a long time ago. After that, who knows were we'll go.... It's an adventure every time Heide and I travel together. (lets just say, Heide excels at everything she does...except navigate).  I hope to see  you at the show.  

 

 

 

Quilt Sewcial X -- September 24, 2011

Our 10th Quilt Sewcial is over. As always, we had a fantastic group of ladies attend. Patti H took these wonderful photo's to share with everyone. This is the with all the special pumpkins that I've been working on for the guests.

This lovely fall centerpiece was one of the prizes we drew for. Judy L. won the drawing.  I hope you enjoy it Judy, for years to come.

I madae 35 "Orange" pumpkins but for Judy K, I made a special one - "Purple". It's become a joke that her favorite color is purple... did you notice the color of her top?  Enjoy your "original" pumpkin Judy, it's as much fun as you are.

I won't even get into it about this table.. lets just say, "What a Hoot". It was 12 hours of nothing but quick wit, laughter and fantastic friendships. Thanks for coming, Crazy Ladies - my sides hurt from laughing.

Judy L., Jamie, Julie and Judy K.  Evidently, this was the "J" table. With this group it must stand for "Just Plain Fun"

Nice to see friendships grow from our Sewcial. Kyle and Janette became friends 2 sewcials ago.
Dianne (right) is a regular at the shop as well as all our Sewcials.

 Friends I met when I attended the Bear Patch Retreat in White Bear Lake. I'm looking forward to seeing them again on Oct. 15th when Bear Patch has their fall "Sleep in your own bed" Retreat.  Thanks for coming Ladies.

Looks like they're having a good time... lots of sewing and conversing at this table.

Cathy in the back and Diane on the right were working on some machine embroidery teddy bears. What a cute baby quilt they were making. Our good friend Sharron who's a regular at our Sewcials was sewing up a storm too.

Looks like some pretty serious sewing going on at this table.

One of my dearest friends, Laurel. For those of you who don't know Laurel, she is one of the owners of the Bear Patch Quilt Shop in White Bear Lake. We have been friends for a dozen years now and I always look forward to spending time with her.  I'm hoping to get to her retreat on October 15th.

I was having a great time..

One of our newest "Sewcialites" made this wonderful holiday runner. Won't that look lovely on your table this holiday season. 

Fantastic Show and Tell. I love Irish Chain, triple, double or single - always a favorite. The quilting was fabulous on this. Thanks for sharing.

One of the crazy ladies was making an adorable Halloween apron... you can't tell from the photo but the fabric was glittery. Really cute.

Sandy working on her Fall topper... Nothing says it better than pumpkins.

Diane was making some casserole covers...