D-E-F-E-N-E-S-T-R-A-T-E: Quilt Market

*insert one of the following as a valid excuse for me dropping off the face of the web*
a. I'm exhausted when I get home with my new schedule at work
b. I am STILL trying to get everything settled in at my house
c. It's too cold up north
d. I haven't had a weekend to call my own since I've moved
e. all of the above and whatever else you can imagine.

ok, now that THAT is done with--guess where I was 2 weekend ago!?!?
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ok, ok, given the fact I haven't posted in a while the options are endless so I'll not keep you in suspense but I will show you!!!

That's right! I was at the Houston International Quilt market with my aunt and mother. We were there representing our favorite pumpkin patch and had a great time!

I flew in on Thursday evening and started friday with what is called "School house" where you can attend various panels throughout the day about new lines of fabric, notions, ways to improve business and marketing ideas. It was very enlightening to learn about th industry itself and really openned my eyes to how broad this industry is defined as.

I got this really cool hancherkief from moda and some beautiful samples of fabric being used in the michael miller clubhouse project.

At the end of Friday was sample spree--or those who don't know what this is my description is that it's like black friday and fashion week combined for quilt shop owners. This is not only the opportunity to see what's coming up for the next couple months but to also BUY samples.
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Guys, this can get really ugly. I saw fabric lines sell out faster than black friday door buster deals and I saw women hauling 3 times their weight in fabric back to their hotel rooms----oh wait, that was me!--- my aunt is a serious shopper and I was delegated as Team Pumpkin Patch's pack mule.

Saturday is when the exhibit as well as the wholesale vendor booths were open. As someone who has really only been exposed to the retail side of quilting I couldn't believe the amount of wholesalers out there. I met the designer of Miss Rosies quilts--her new book is wonderful and she was so sweet! I also took a candid picture of Ty Pennington--I did not realize that he was every quilt shops owner's dream man until I saw many a owner blush at the prospect of meeting him.

I ended my last day looking at some incredible quilts. I still can not believe that these pieces of art are made of bits of fabric!!!!

This one is the show-stopper for me though. At a distance this is a gorgeous mural quilt

however, upon closer inspection THIS is what you see.

and this

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?

I stared at this quilt for a ridiculous amount of time in awe of this quilt. There was some pretty fantastic ones there but this is the highlight that I wanted to share.

I came back home to contemplate my mediocre quilts. Then totally psyched myself into getting done with my own projects.

I've been working since then and look what I have to show for that!!!