Quilt Market Daze

(First, would you look at this line? Yay!)

I made it home last night around 10 p.m., after a quick trip through the gas station because some person who is not the sharpest tool in the shed drove to the airport on fumes at 4 a.m. Saturday (there should be laws against that time!), and I was so happy to dump my bags in the middle of my kitchen floor (I don't use that floor for much else. They're fine there.). This morning I've had more time to think about everything we saw and did at the 2010 Fall Quilt Market.

I got to chat face-to-face with old friends, people we've been really lucky to work with for several books. People like my favorite, the quilt designing machine Pat Sloan. She's high energy and people love her. And then there was Carrie Nelson, who we love, love, love. I was really hoping to meet the true star of the show, Miss Rosie, but she had previous engagements. It's not easy being a star, I guess. Both Carrie and Pat had book signings. We ran out of books at both. That's a good sign, I think!

 (Pat's book signing was on Halloween. The pigtails (or fuzzy antlers?) headband wasn't really part of her normal outfit but just for the occasion. I'm pretty sure.)

 I met with so many of our other designers:

Me and My Sister (Barb and Mary) in Modaland with their new fabric. I showed off the cover of their upcoming book, 3 Times the Charm! We just sent it to the printer so it's a few months out. They went next door to show it to Kate Spain (her fabric's on the cover) and we had a great chat with the very stylish Kate.

I also got to show Kathy Schmitz a sneak sneak peek of the photography for her upcoming embroidery book, so far off we don't even have the title yet. Take my word for it...it's going to be great.

Amanda Herring of The Quilted Fish was up front and center with a fresh and sweet booth showing her newest designs in Sweet Divinity and fabrics from Riley Blake.

Kristine Poor of Poorhouse Designs was there with her neat bag designs and we got to show off her newest book in the booth.

I met with Dolores Storm from Lakadaisies, home of the redwork books we just produced. We talked dogs. It was good.
Gudrun Erla came by the booth. We're working on a book with her too. It's far, far away as things go but it's great to meet people in person, isn't it?

We also got to meet so many new designers, people exhibiting at Market for the first time. Maybe they'll be books, maybe they won't, but it's always great to talk to quilters.

This morning, in the hazy glow of being back at home, I have to say how great it is to represent Leisure Arts at these events. We have a product that I'm really proud of, put together by a team of talented writers, artists, and photographers. From these quilt designers and stars, I heard squeals of delight, gasps of surprise, heartfelt words of happiness, and I did see a happy dance. That's the kind of reaction we want. That's what we work for. That's what makes it easy to look into the slightly worried face of a potential new designer and say, "Trust me." We've done it over and over. We're going to do it with hers too. I know it and that makes it easy to go out and meet people at Quilt Market.

Even if I do walk with a distinct hobble today.