Quilt Market!!

In May, I got to attend the Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh, PA with my friend Melanie! I was SO EXCITED to go!! I've read about this event for a couple of years and it was a dream to one day be able to attend. But sadly, it's not for regular people. It's for those that own their own business and purchase large amounts of fabric. Luckily I was able to go as her assistant!! We were there for 3 full days without our children (1st time away from all 4 for me), and we got to stay with my wonderful aunt Kathy & uncle Tom (and the rest of their family of course).

The first day there, was a FULL day of appointments, and simply taking it all in. We started at one end of the convention center and worked our way to the other end stopping at every single booth! We found my cousin-in-law, Chelsea Anderson, and her booth, as well as her aunt-in-law, Lila Tueller (wow, did you catch all that?!). We were able to hang out each day and get caught up and take in the city. That night Moda put on a dinner on three boats that went up and down the three rivers. It was beautiful!!

In the main photo, I'm standing with Chelsea, and her MIL & aunts that came to help them out. Melanie & I are in front of the boat in the corner picture.

After we got back to my aunt & uncle's house that night, I realized I didn't have my camera flash anywhere! I searched the car again and nothing. The only thing I could think of, is at dinner on the boat, my purse fell over under the table and when I set it up, I didn't see anything next to it, so I figured nothing fell out. Wrong. So the next morning when we got to the convention center, we found out the name of the company, made a call, and found out they had it!! I was so relieved! But, we had to walk 2.5 miles one way to get it (which normally isn't a big deal), but I had dressy shoes on :( Needless to say, I got blisters, BUT I got my flash back! We walked from the very left of the photo to the very right, over the river, and through the woods (well, not really woods, but fences).

It was a great way to see downtown Pittsburgh in all its glory! :)

Here Melanie & I try our hand at free motion quilting! So much fun, but I don't think I'll be employing that technique anytime soon.

Here are some really cute quilts we saw. {There were probably hundreds of cute quilts, we just couldn't take pictures of all of them) I love making quilts that are "fun", with cute fabrics and these inspired me!

Other cute items made with the designer cotton fabrics. A hopscotch mat, another gorgeous quilt (don't mind me in that picture, I didn't know I'd be in it, and I really do love that quilt even though it looks like I don't), a skirt, and my FAVORITE non quilt item, the coat in the middle! I love it!! Someday I'll acquire enough skill to make it...

Booths! Here are some of my favorite designers' booths. This was Amy Butler's...

This is Patty Young's...

This is a combination of Paula Prass, Laura Gunn, & Pink Fig.

Lila won the best new both award this year!! We were so excited for her!!

Here I am with my fabric celebrities!! It was so cool to meet them in person! [Top to bottom, left to right] Amy Butler, Lila Tueller, Chelsea Anderson, Patty Young, Sandi Henderson, Paula Prass, Heather Bailey, Chelsea-Lila-& fam, & last but NOT least, Laura Gunn!! It was unbelievable to me to see such incredible talent among this group of women. It was an amazing weekend and I'm so grateful to my family who helped watch my children so I could go. Thanks again!!