Day 30: Houston Beauties

When you vend at Houston, they open the quilt exhibit up to you during Market and early on Festival days to give Vendors an opportunity to see the gorgeous quilts.  The level of workmanship and creativity is not to be missed.  This year I did not get an opportunity to go see all the lovelies.  I was there to work after all….SIGH!

One of my favorite things about this is the setting.  The show is beautifully hung on black drapes and though the room is massive the lighting makes it feel intimate somehow.  There isn't the garish overhead lighting but more spot lighting to highlight the quilt you are looking at.  As you walk through the doors from the Market floor with all its noise and craziness you suddenly feel as if you walked into a library or church:  The sound is different and the mood ambient. 

Then there are the quilts!  IQF does a fantastic job of having something for everyone and this year was no exception. 

Below are a few bits from the 2017 show.... 

The Sue Garman Exhibit was Fantastic!  It is sad that we lost her last year but her fans are grateful that her body of work will live on to show future quilters of her artistry!!

My donation to COC this year from one of Sue Garman's patterns.

I thought doing it in brights for Floridians was the 

way to go but it lost some of its charm in my eyes.

Then there was an exhibit on 1650-1800 work-WOW!

Lastly, YOKO SAITO!! Need I say more:)  Ok, one more thing...Her use of soft colors completely fascinates me!!!!

I could have stood and looked at these ALL day!

Hope you enjoyed this quick peek into the 

Wonderful World of Quilt Festival 

and that someday you get the opportunity 

to step into the curtained peace and beauty!

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Houston 2017 (Catching you up:)

Houston brings so much with it....My Autumn Fix (VERY Important!), seeing beautiful quilts, being inspired, meeting with fellow professionals and making connections. 

Most importantly I get to hang with my sweet friend, Susan! We have known each other for quite some time now, work well together, and then get our antique fix together:)

So after my Autumums came out in October (see here), I went to Houston with, Susan, of Suzn Quilts to be a booth helper for the premiere of her book, Dresden Quilt Workshop. This Festival Pin is SOOOO ME!!!

The black circle shows where Susan's booth was on the floor....
so much floor:)

While there we ran into some other professionals that we talk with online but hadn't met face to face before....

Cheryl Lynch and Sue O'Very.

Susan finding her book on the shelf (above) and signing her life away (below).  She is so composed...I may have burst in the same situation:)

Once we got home to Susan's in Illinois, I had 1-1/2 days to antique shop with her!  We even hit a shop or two on the way from Houston to Illinois where she found a FANTASTIC red and green applique quilt for me (that is for another post!)!!

 

Because her book came out, we did Market and Festival back to back which ended up meaning 2 weeks away from home for me once you add in travel time.  Starting to see where I have been...:)

LECTURE / TRUNK SHOW

HOUSTON 2011 BOOTH

EVERY quilt has a story and when your guild books my lecture #HHCIB, How Hard Could It Be, they get the fun and weird stories of how I arrived at this point in my journey as well as the quilt stories too!  Lots of eye candy and laughs and nodding of heads! We have more in common than we think.

Description: "One GIANT Show & Tell from start to present.  Meet Robin Koehler and hear how she stumbled upon this journey of quilting and design.  Trunk show quilts include 1st quilt, some winning quilts, pattern quilts, quilts juried into Paducah and Mancuso Mid-Atlantic shows, and a few art quilts just for fun."

Lecture/Workshops: http://nestlingsbyrobin.com/lectures--workshops.html
Email for more info: robin@nestlingsbyrobin.com

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Meet Susan Marth

Since I left St. Louis in 2007 I have been fortunate enough to attend Houston to assist Susan of Suzn Quilts in her booth. I must admit to my alterior motive of using business as excuse to get to see her. Being a military spouse for 20+ years has it's challenges and leaving loved ones is by far the biggest. Working hard and playing hard should go hand in hand and Market offers both. This year we added Spring Market to our list so I could selfishly see friends twice this year.
Susan displayed her book, "Best Friends", in beautiful Moda Christmas fabrics by Holly Taylor. She also unveiled her newest pattern, "Ginger Bliss"....aren't they the cutest? It always feels strange to me to be surrounded by Christmas off season but it also makes me itch to get busy doing something new and fun to have for this next season.

Her new "Celebrate" pattern is so cute and versatile as well. Can you tell I am a fan?

Being a fan goes beyond her adorably original designs though. We met via a quilt guild meeting that she was lecturing at. I asked her to lunch so I could pick her brain about the design/pattern world. Honestly if we talked business for 30-45 minutes out of the 3+ hours we spent together, that would be a lot. It was just one of those meetings where you start talking with ease and before you know it you are regretably pulling yourself away because your family will expect you to come home eventually:)

This booth reflects the comfort of my friendship with Susan. You walk in and want to sit and sew and chat for hours. We should all be so fortunate to find that in a lifetime.

Houston Part 2

So, part of the fun of market is getting to meet people in person that you have met online. This is Cathy Winter who will be part of my foursome for the Dream Rocket project. I can't wait for our project to take off together :)

I had already met Ms. Celine Perkins of Perkins Dry Goods but this trip I had the privilege of being her roommate as well: Sweet, considerate, talented and FUN! Thank you, Celine for wonderful memories. Make sure to take a look at her new book as well.

I am always amazed by the enormity of the room and how many people and businesses are here on the floor. This shot only covers maybe a third of who was there. It is invigorating and exhausting all at the same time. On my travels of the show floor I had the opportunity to meet Susan Knapp, Susan Brubaker-Knapp, and Sarah Ann Smith. It was great to meet you all. There really was a theme this year among friends: Suzn Quilts' new book, Celine's new book, along with Susan Brubaker-Knapp and Sarah Ann Smith releasing new books. All 4 women have great directions and offer something for everyone.

I found some lovely threads for a new pattern and show quilt that is being feverishly worked on right now. I used Weeks Dye Works beautiful variegated floss years ago when I cross stitched and now they have those same beautiful colors in quilting thread. I also spent 4 days across from Superior Threads since that is where Susan's booth was. It was like being on a diet and having your favorite food passed in front of your face 24/7...all the colors!!

Along my travels I talked with a fabric company and a book publisher...no guarantees but wonderful opportunities that I am very excited to work toward.

Last but not least is this beautiful quilt made by my good friend, Eileen Williams. "Taylor's Creek" was her first entry to Houston and the detail is stunning. It looked wonderful hanging with all the other terrific entries. Great job, Eileen!

Houston Market

I just came back from an extremely exhilarating experience...how's that for alliteration?
Last Wednesday I flew from North Carolina to St. Louis, MO. On Thursday at 2am, I got up and headed to Houston with my friend Susan Marth of Suzn Quilts.
I had volunteered to work her booth with her. She thinks I did her a favor but she really did the favor for me. This trip was to help me decide whether to go to Pittsburgh in the spring. The bonus was I stood in a booth for a few days surrounded by beautiful quilts of her design.

New Seasonal Banners that can be assembled separately or
combined into one wall hang.

A pinwheel and churndash quilt made using charm packs plus yardage.

A tribute quilt to Abe Lincoln to celebrate his 200th birthday next February.

In addition to helping Susan, I had the pleasure of meeting Celine Perkins of Perkins Dry Goods and her helper, Jenni.

From the Quilt Art list I met Terry White when I went to purchase her book, Thread Painting made easy, and Annie Smith. Annie, can't wait to hear your new podcasts:)

There was so much to see and do. One absolute pleasure was walking the quilt exhibit before the crowds of people. Being in there when it was so quiet felt like I was playing hooky or getting away with something.

The whole experience was nothing short of amazing and I look forward to more amazing experiences along with meeting many more new faces in PITTSBURGH Spring 2009.

Tidewater Quilters' Guild Quilt Show

What a weekend! Patti and I had a great time meeting people while showing off our newest patterns. The guild was amazing and took wonderful care of us--big SHOUT OUT to Jackie, the Quilt Ninja:) Lunch was provided by the guild and it was extremely tasty. The committee members were never far off to ask if we needed anything or to offer a bottle of water. They were excited to hit a record number of attendees at 1,309 in 3 days; and it isn't surprising with all the talent the guild holds claim to.
All of you know how fun a show can be whatever side you are on. The opportunity to talk to others in your industry, see all the wonderful talent, and the joy in connecting with the customers directly is what keeps us all going another day, week, month, year. The whole experience feeds your soul. If you have never vended a show, I highly recommend it. Start with a local guild show. It is a lot of work but extremely rewarding.

Next week I am off to Houston to attend fall market for the first time. I will be working the Suzn Quilts booth and can't wait to meet new people and see all the sights!!