96: Quilt Market part one: the day before

Hi all.

I'm back from my amazing trip to Quilt Market.  Now, if you really don't want to hear all about, I suggest you tune out for the next week or so, because I'm pretty sure I'm going to ramble on a bit.  When I'm the one sitting at home, I want to hear all the gritty details, so now I shall aim to provide that for you!

If you don't know what Market is (I do have some family/friends readers that aren't deep into the crafty world like the rest of us), here's the low-down:  It's a giant trade show of fabrics, patterns, notions, and other stuff for quilters and sewers.  It happens twice a year, once in Houston in October and once somewhere else in the spring.  You have to be in the industry to attend (it's not hard to get credentials) and most are shop owners or exhibitors.  This was the first time I attended, and it did not disappoint.

This is a shot of less than half the floor during set-up.  (If you look closely you'll see Patty Young striking a pose.)

I do think I'll have some good news regarding my fabric designs in a short while, but you're going to have to wait on that.  Sorry!  

Anyhoo...Market runs Fri, Sat, and Sun, but on Thursday they have something called Schoolhouses.  They're little product demos or fabric presentations.  I went to get an idea what they were and check out some new stuff.

I saw Amy Butler's (no pic of her b/c they really weren't flattering and that's just mean) in which she talked about her new line of Sweet Life bags, her new software, and patterns.  

I saw several other fabric designers showcasing their lines, including the whole Michael Miller gang, Kaffe Fasset,

Valori Wells, and more.

It was an informative and enjoyable afternoon.

Later that evening was a little gathering we were calling "Faux 2.0".  Similar to the previous shows'  Fabric 2.0 parties for designers and bloggers, except not so much a planned party as a gathering in a hotel lobby.

The Omni Hotel was gorgeous with its chandeliers etc, and I spent the whole night hob nobbing with designers and fun bloggers and shop owners.  Yes, indeed, I felt like I was running with the "cool crowd".  And I have to say, EVERYONE WAS SO NICE.  It seemed like I used that phrase a million times while I was there, but it was so true.  I showed my designs around and everyone was very encouraging.  Drinks were flowing and the laughing got louder as night progressed.  

Here's a look at who was there:

Joey and Jona from Fabritopia (who I believe organized the whole thing),

Patty Young (of Michael Miller), Myrinda (of Fabric Hound), Jenean Morrison (of Free Spirit),

Genevieve Gail and Bari J. (of Windham), 

Heather Bailey (Free Spirit) and Laura Gunn (her sister-in-law debuting for Michael Miller),

Paula Prass (Michael Miller) (and her daughter Jennifer Storey, not shown), the mysterious Jenny McClean (AKA Tula Pink for Moda) and Myrinda again.

Others included: Angela Yosten (Moda Home Mom) and Camille Roskelley (Thimble Blossoms), Scott Hansen (Blue Nickel Studios), Susanne Woods (C&T Publishing), Sandi Henderson (Michael Miller), Sarah Phillips (In Town Quilters), Mary Abreu (Confessions of Craft Addict), Mary Beth Eastman (True Up), and really more people that I feel bad I'm not listing but I didn't get business cards and it's getting so late and would take me forever to get all the names together.  But you've got the idea...

It was so great to put some faces to names and blog names.  And it was so fun to realize some people actually know me from my blog as well.  Who knew?

I refrained from drinking too much, but I did stay up quite late which, of course, I paid for later.  More details for the next few days to come...

JT

Comments

[sandi a.]

Looks like you had a really great time! I've only been to market once and that was to the last one that was in Minneapolis a few years ago. It comes around to MSP next Spring so I'll be there!! Really nice to see "in person" all the designs and designers, isn't it? Now, I continue to wait to see that fabric. I think that's so cool that you have your own fabric line!!!

[Amy @ parkcitygirl]

I've been excited to hear how it all went! Hope you can share your good news soon :)

[Scott at BlueNickelStudios]

It was great to meet you face to face Jess! And your line will do great things! I am excited to see the next step happen for you!

[Mary]

Jona, I'm so glad I got to hang out with you some more! Market was such a blast and I'm ready for it to be October NOW!

[Stacey]

Looks like you had a blast..I love your opeing photo...:)

[Jodi]

Glad to have discovered your blog. Loving the Market updates. ;o) ooxx`jodi

[apple cyder]

sounds like your news will be big! congrats.

[amylouwho]

I am waiting impatiently for your next update! You'll have to tell me how to get credentials so I can go sometime. Does being a blogger count?

[Terriaw]

Wow, I bet this was such an exciting experience for you! Can't wait to hear more about your news, and see some cool designs. I would love to hear more about the process you went through too.

[Anne]

I know most people would not understand how exciting this is! I am so jealous! I can't wait to hear the rest.

[Paper Dolls for Boys]

I love the details, gab away!!!

I've been all self absorbed lately, didn't know you got a fabric line! Not surprised, are super talented. Look forward to seeing and hearing all about it!

Cheers,
Tracey

[sherri]

Yours is a new to me blog...love your market posts...and can't wait to hear more!

[Mickey]

Isn't it intoxicating!?!
Mickey

[Paige]

I'm glad to hear that you had such a great time - I can't imagine how amazing that must have been! And I'm looking forward to your reveal...

[Sarah]

What a day!