Houston Quilt Market...2010

What a great time. I had such a wonderful experience. The drive from Minnesota to Texas was a long one but having my husband along for the ride made the trip a breeze. The books on tape helped too! Once we had arrived at the George R. Brown Convention Center, in Houston, TX, it was hard to get my head around the next few days in such a gigantic place. It looked like 7 football fields fused together.

Set-up went well. No problems. I had wonderful booth neighbors and fantastic quilts to

look at. What an experience.

The time flew by with excellent possibilities coming my way every day. The quilt I designed for Windham Fabrics, Calico Garden Medallion, will be in May's edition of Quiltmania Magazine.

My newest patterns are the last 2 pictures...Laura's 1870 Cradle Quilt and Cottage Fair. They were very popular at market. Quilts Remembered patterns are now available in the USA, Norway, Great Britain, Canada and the Netherlands.

Some new friends were made and hopefully some new business connections too. It was truly exciting - I can't wait until next year!!!

Back at Home

Spring Market is over and I survived! What an experience. It was definitely a learning experience. I am so glad I did it. Everyone was very nice and encouraging. All of the preparation made everything run smoothly. Now come the aftermath of it all. What a mess I have. The house has piles as tall as me everywhere. Boxes, props, rugs, and all the other stuff I lugged to Market. In addition my husband decided to refinish the porch floor while I was gone. The dust is everywhere and the furniture that was on the porch is partially in the house or covered with plastic. It looks like we are either moving or we are in need of a dumpster. (The dumpster might not be a bad idea.) If by the end of the week this house isn't back to normal I just might move and start over!!!

Shipping patterns, unpacking, bookwork and grocery shopping is the order of the day.

Hope you enjoy a few more pictures of my booth at market...Now do I go to fall market in Houston or not...that is the question.

Happy quilting,
Annemarie

P.S. I updated my website. Take a look at the new patterns! They are now available from coast to coast!!!!!!

2010 Spring Quilt Market (Days 1 & 2)

Market set-up started at 1:30 on Wednesday. What a lot of work. 7 loads of stuff toted in from almost a mile away. That $16.00 unloading parking lot started to sound really good. Unfortunately, the tickets are sold out for Sunday tear down.

The old adage, "you can't get here from here" stands true during set-up. There were boxes and mammoth crates in every isle. My wonderful helper (Dale - husband) started calling it Quilter's demolition derby! When we were done and left at 5:30 the booth looked great and there were just a few tweaks left to do. I have to admit...I was exhausted....but couldn't wait for the next day!

Schoolhouse was today. Quilts Remembered had a minor role in the Passport Minnesota presentation. I walked on the stage of a very large ballroom, showed one of my quilts (Olive's Table Runner) which is my prize donation for this event and toured it around for 250-300 people to see. A lot of people seemed to like it and wrote down my booth number (#2340). I'm keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow. Friday is the official opening of Quilt Market and I'm very excited. Better get a good night sleep.

Enjoy the pictures of my booth set up and of Schoolhouse - Passport Minnesota. I will post more pictures soon.

More later,
Happy quilting,
Annemarie

The Countdown!

13 Days until Spring Quilt Market in Minneapolis, MN. I am very excited to be vending for the first time. I have my check list posted on my desk. Many of the tasks have been crossed off but there are still a lot left to do. I still have to package about 2,000 patterns. I have some great helpers to assist with this project. Chair covers, a table cloth and pole covers still need to be make. So why am I sitting down? I should be sewing.

Here's a peak at one of my patterns. It's called Olive's Tablerunner (named after my grandmother). This particular sample is going to be given away. If you come to Schoolhouse at market attend the "Passport Minnesota" class. There you will learn all about how to win this quilt or one of the others made and donated by Minnesota designers. To learn more about "Passport Minnesota" log on to http://passportmn.wordpress.com. You can click on prizes and see all the fantastic creations you could win. Hopefully, I will see you there. My booth is #2340 - Quilts Remembered.



One more quilt for today's blog post...it's the latest Jo Morton design from "Jo's Little Women" club. The quilt is titled Bittersweet Stars. Enjoy!!!

Happy quilting,
Annemarie

Jo's Little Women Club #9

We are now half-way through Club #9 for Jo's Little Women at Glad Creations, Quilt Block in Minneapolis, MN. I am thrilled to be teaching this class. We have load of laughs...some of them are directed at me but that's OK. Last week, at class, they found humor in the fact that I would be sewing with out really looking. I realized I was sewing one seam while picking up the next set of pieces that needed to go under the needle. I guess I do get ahead of myself some times! :-)

The picture is of the Keystone Medallion quilt. This 2-part quilt is one of Jo Morton designs from club #9. Much of the fabric is from her Indigo Berries lines produced by Andover Fabrics.

Spring Quilt Market is right around the corner and I have loads to do. I am so looking forward to representing my pattern line, Quilts Remembered, at my 1st market. The quilts are ready, photographed and the covers are being worked on. The old adage "you need to spend money to make money" is right on the mark. Boy, I guess so. It is an exciting time and a little scary too. I promise to let you know how it went and also I will post some pictures of my booth. Much more to come on this subject!!! FYI... My booth is #2340

Happy quilting,
Annemarie