Great trip, it was.
It’s always a great trip to Quilt Market and this spring in Minneapolis was no exception. It is fun to meet up with friends that I only see once or twice a year. I enjoy business classes (really) so I schedule a few of those. The restaurants, the city, the quilting celebrities – it’s all good. But the BEST part is the shopping! The crowd at the opening shopping event, Sample Spree, was insane! I quickly tired of the mob, stepped back, raised my camera over my head and took these shots.
Sample Spree - really a spree!
Hey - I want that!
The girl in green is Emilynn, daughter of our friend from Quiltsmart, Mattie Henderson. Their booth was hoppin'!
Who else?
So… it was just me and Eleanor Burns hanging out in the Babylock booth. Eleanor always quips that she “quilts with her credit card.” She admitted to me that she LOVES the Crown Jewel, had no idea how easy (and fun) it is to use and is thinking of adding one to her studio. You saw it here first!
Easy enough for a "beginner."
Who else?
Mark Lipinski seemed to be everywhere in Minneapolis. That guy can fill a room with his personality alone! We shared an iced latte and an elevator at the Hyatt. (OK – I really am becoming a shameless name dropper!) I don’t have a picture to prove it, but I did jump over to Mark’s blog to get his take on Quilt Market. I found this photo, but you will have to read for yourself why he is coveting something from Syracuse.
Soon to be a valuable collectible.
What else?
When I got around to shopping for the store, I found that there is a whole lot more than quilts at Quilt Market. In fact, the biggest trend in sewing right now is garments! At Calico Gals we enjoy many adorable patterns for children’s clothing. This dress was irresistible in the Fig Tree & Co. booth. Joanna Figueroa’s fabrics and patterns are very popular, but her husband, Eric, was more proud to point out the model in the posters.
Their daughter sold me! The patterns are on the way to Calico Gals.
Back home.
I have only been home a couple of days, but the boxes are coming in. Just give us a minute to slap on the tags and you can have your own Sample Spree!
Check out this crowd in the front of the new Calico Gals Harborview store in Oswego.
Did they hear about the new quilt shop?
If you are planning a spree at Calico Gals Harborview, consider coming after 4 pm on a Thursday, so you can enjoy the local Farmers Market. I came home with a bag that included fresh asparagus and homemade oatmeal bread. Lots of folks stopped in to see the new quilt shop, too.
Just because…
Yes – there are quilts at Quilt Market! This was a beauty! Enjoy!
"Crocus" by Maggie Weiss from Evanston, Illinois.
May 28th, 2010, at 6:51 pm
I think “we” should buy a caase of those creamers, each of us sign one, and send the box off to Mark…. Whadyathink girls????
May 28th, 2010, at 9:58 pm
Do you know where we can find them?
May 28th, 2010, at 11:52 pm
Really enjoyed your show and tell! Thought of you and Joan while in Blue Mountain Lake….. Miss you, Missed the shopping too. It was beautiful this time of year. Hope to see your shops this summer. Pam