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Back to Reality...

by Joanne Hillestad on 05/29/14

Back to reality!

I got back from Pittsburgh after a week long adventure for Quilt Market!  What an experience!

Day 1: My mom and I took off in the wonder van on the Tuesday before Market.  I decided to get a car wash so the van would look nice.  I never wash my van during the winter because it is a lost cause on the dirt roads.  So, this was the first wash of Spring!  It came out pretty clean, however, mud settled at the bottom of my rims.  It felt like I was driving with square tires at freeway speeds!
I'm not much of a long distance driver, so I was slightly worried about venturing east. My brother loaned me his GPS "Zelda", however, we did something strange and it spent the entire first day trying to make us drive to Milwaukee.  

Day 2: Still driving east... ended in Pittsburgh!  Yeah!

Day 3: Setup day.  I quickly discovered that I had made a rookie mistake by not bringing a step ladder or 2-wheeler.  So, Zelda found us a Lowes and we were set. Mom and I found the convention center and set up began.  It was hotter than something I won't say... but we got it done.
Spring Quilt Market 2014
Day 4: Market begins! I was slightly nervous. Many people think I'm an extrovert, but the reality is that I am very much an introvert.  So, this was not a walk in the park for me. But I put on my friendly face and got down to business. I sold a few patterns, met a few friends and made some great contacts!

Some of the characters from Aisle 20 at Market...
Ronnie from Print Concepts
Vanessa from Fabric Confetti by Vanessa
Susan and Penni from Cabin In The Woods Quilters
Gary and Jen from PM Quilting
 
Print Fabric Concepts
fabric confetti by Vanessa
Day 5: Sold a few patterns, talked to some magazines and made a bunch of new friends!  Mom and I were really starting to get into the swing of things.  One of the most important things I learned from this whole experience is what makes my quilts a little bit different from all the rest.  I am still analyzing the feedback from store owners and others... but I think I have a better idea of where I want to take my designing going forward.  

Day 6: The last day of Market!  It was rather slow in the booth, but I gained a new distributor, Brewer Sewing.  Look for my patterns through them soon.  I also talked to quite a few fabric companies and other industry professionals and spent a lot of time laughing with my aisle-mates!  What a great group of crazy, crazy talented that is, people!

Day 7: Head for home!

That wraps up my week at market!
Can't wait until October and my next booth in Houston!

Happy Quilting!
Jo
Visit my 'Where To Buy' page for a list of retail and wholesale options.  Thanks!

One more thing...

Below is the Deco Ritz quilt I designed and pieced for Camelot Fabrics.  It was a hit... Yeah!

Check out the Camelot Fabrics Blog for last Thursday... what a nice surprise!  Thanks Vanessa!

http://www.camelotfabricsblog.com/?p=2556
 
Deco Ritz for Camelot Fabrics
And the winner is... Kitty Keller of Patricia's Fabric House in East Rochester, NY. Your free set of patterns is in the mail! Thanks to everyone who stopped by my booth at Market!
Time for a little nonsense...
Shirley Update... the glamper of my dreams, almost.
I have had a hard time finding time to work on Shirley... my glamper.  But I thought I would post a few pictures of some of the fun things I have accomplished!

Here is a list (just to make myself feel better)

1. Removed the rotten subfloor, replaced it and put down laminate that is almost lined up and almost straight!
2. Greased 2 of the 4 wheel bearings... while wearing pink gloves!
3. Removed all of the broken appliances... and found a few craigslist replacements!  Woot!
4. Painted the interior walls.
5. Added fake tin ceiling panels down the center.
6. Replaced the inverter and put in a new circuit breaker.
7. All new pex plumbing... except the darned bypass valve.  I keep getting it wrong.
8. Talked my wonderful father-in-law into building me a U-shaped dinette... it is awesome!
9. New potty and painted all the bathroom fixtures... and put them back in!  This is really the only thing that is almost completed.  Just needs the final plumbing outside finished up.

AND most importantly...

10. Bought all the fabric about 3 times over (as I change my mind) for the "fun" stuff inside!  I do love my fabric!

Shirley will be so awesome when she is done!!
 

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