Return from Houston. Thank you Valdani!

Well, I've returned from the Houston Quilt Market. What an amazing time! This post may be a bit long. I have lots I want to share with you.

However, I must first start this post by sending light, love, and prayers to all my friends, customers, and people in the Northeast. I'm still in utter shock looking at the photos on TV. It's just so incredibly awful.

Here in eastern NC, there are hurricane's all the time. Last year was hurricane Irene. I was without power for six days. Many of my friends lost their homes and had extensive damage. My heart goes out to all those who are suffering right now.

Houston Quilt Market...what can I say? AMAZING! That's the best word. I made my first market friend, Jerilyn, in the Atlanta airport. She and I were destined to meet each other and I know we will stay in touch.

Twenty years of wanting to go to this show and I must say, it was all that I thought it would be and more. Here I am in the Valdani booth for my book signing. Of course I'm wearing my bunny jewelry, made especially for me, by my friend Jo May.

My first book sale brought me to tears. It was made before the show even opened to Ronald, the shuttle bus driver, for his Mama, Louise. Ms. Louise had quilted her entire life, but is now very ill with diabetes and can no longer quilt or travel much. Ronald asked me to autograph my book for his Mama. I was incredibly honored to do so and now my first book sale at market will always be a most cherished memory.

This is the view from my hotel. My room was on the 22nd floor. I kept saying, "Country has come to town for sure!" hee,hee,hee. I've never been in a city this large. I found the people to be so very kind and helpful.

I will admit that most of my time was spent in total disbelief that I was actually at market. Me, the little bunny lady from North Carolina, surrounded by the rock stars of the quilting world. Here is Sue Spargo, her daughter Kelly and her sister (I think) setting up their booth. Dana, of Valdani, introduced me to Sue. Sue went to shake my hand and I told her, "Oh no. I want to get a hug from my idol!" She laughed. I also had her autograph one of her books for me.

This is one of Sue's quilts, which hung in the Valdani booth. She uses lots of Valdani threads in her work.

Here's more detail. Stunning isn't it?

While chatting with a customer, I glanced over to see Robyn Pandolph in the booth! Oh...my...gosh! I just had to get my picture made with Robyn!

I am a huge fan of Robyn's. When I taught quilting classes, I made quilt after quilt using her fabrics. My students were in love with them just as much as I was.

In fact, this quilt was made in 2000 and it still hangs in Bunnyville today. Robyn will have a Valdani thread collection go with her new fabric line. Ooooooooooo boy! :)

Most of the time I was working in the booth, but when I did get a second to roam about the show, I made my way over to meet my friend, the incredibly talented, darling, down right sweet as can be, Gail Pan! I do love my Aussie girlfriends to bits! (I have no idea what I'm looking at in this photo. Shiney object?)

 

Gail and I swapped books and autographs with each other. Fun! One day I shall visit all my freinds in Australia for sure!  Love ya Gail!

Speaking of Aussie gals. I meet these delightful ladies in the hotel lobby. Louise, standing next to me, was so much fun to talk with. She is from iSewAcademy. It is an app that combines traditional crafts with multimedia technology. It was truly amazing to see. The blonde is designer, Sarah Fielke. She will be designing quilt projects for them. Fun! They gave me some Aussie candy, but you really didn't think I would be able to show you a photo of that did you? hee,hee,hee.

While chatting with Gail, this fun lady came up to me and said, "Are you Michelle from The Raspberry Rabbits?" I replied, "Yes, I am." She said, "I'm Tina and I love your blog and the bunnies!" I tell ya, I about passed out. I couldn't believe she recognized me, or even knew who I was. Tina is so much fun and I truly enjoyed meeting her. (I want to see your decorating Tina! :)

I also met several other friends that read my blog. Hi to Karen! Wish we could have visited longer.

This is only 1/4 of how large this show is. To have people recognize me, the little bunny in the great big forest, was beyond incredible.

 

Here's some of my quilts from my book in the Valdani Booth. Don't those little balls of floss and perele cotton just make you smile big? :)

Then here's "Peter and Peter are Pumpkin Eaters" in the National Nonwovens booth. Hi Chisten!

This was the showcase in the front entry. It was truly an honor to have my work displayed next to Sue Spargo and Carol Waugh.

My friend and fellow designer, Missie Carpenter of Hallbrook Designs, also had some of her gorgeous punchneedle patterns displayed in the booth. I told her she was lucky I didn't keep those coasters! Looooooooove them!

My sincere and heartfelt thanks to Dana and Daniela, of Valdani, for inviting me to be in their booth and to Carol, author of Stupendous Stitching for joining me for lunch and for giving me advice.

I will be doing the happy bunny dance for a very long time. :)

Have a fun weekend. Join me and the bunnies back here Monday for some very exciting news, a new pattern and a giveaway!

xx, Michelle and the Bunnies

p.s...Jerilyn remember "Failure is not doing it."  ;) Hugs!