My Take on the Houston Quilt Show

I'll start with this quilt since it is relevant in USA right now. 

This was one that would have been really hard to miss! So cool and so graphic.

This was not traditional, not modern, but one of my favorites for the detail and the thoughtfulness in his face. 

Okay, now just the quilt show itself. 

2020 the quilt show was a covid bust. Last year I believe they cancelled Quilt Market and had a smaller version of the quilt show. 

So after 2 years I thought it would be a good thing to go!

I arrived Wednesday afternoon and went to get my badge and registration. Preview for quilters enrolled in class was at 5PM

At first glance everything looked as it was the last time I saw this view in 2019. Having a closer look I could see that the aisles were wider, food court was also on this floor and so were 2 other events (not related to quilting) They had rented a much smaller space of the George Brown Convention Ctr. 

As far as vendors, who did I notice was missing?

Mary Koval

Julie Silber Quilts

Cindy's Antique Quilts

Red Crinoline Quilts

Primitive Gatherings

American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine

Primitive Patchwork magazine

Material Obsession

Homestead Hearth

There were many more that opted to not attend this year. maybe they weren't sure the crowds would be there to help offset higher fuel and shipping prices. I hope the attendance this year will encourage vendors to return next year. 

These 2 booths were a lot of fun to browse through!

Personally I don't feel like there were as many quilts this year either, but I'm not sure why there would be less. If you look at this photo compared to past years it is an obvious change. 

You cannot go in with the vendors or quilts with any food or drink, but if you wanted an alcoholic beverage it was available! Maybe it was here before and I never noticed. 

These quilts, below, are fine quilts, but they were in the category "In the American Tradition"

I personally feel like another category would suit them better. 

You all know I believe quilting and friendships go hand in hand. 

I roomed and worked with Debbie in the Education office in 2016. We have so much in common and enjoy our time together! Love seeing her and catching up. 

I also met Janet O from Canada in Houston a few years ago and here she is in front of her quilt. I had a little time to see her Friday Am before I headed home.

Mona, Janet and I. 

I met Mona the day before! She is from Louisiana and is a blog reader. We had a nice visit! I hope to visit her guild in 2023 or 2024! 

Here is a little gift she brought me! Oh my goodness! So kind!! The Slap Yo Mama seasoning is a TX/LA thing, I think! I tried it this morning! Yum!!

I worked with Sue in the education office in 2018 and we have been friends ever since. Her coworker,  David, myself and Sue spent a little time bar hopping and watching the Astros play in the world series! So much fun!

You can see big winners HERE. 

The exhibits I loved the most? 

Quilts de Legende, France

Remembering Cynthia Collier

Antique Applique Quilts Revisited 

There are so many lovely ones, I'll share a few of each of these exhibits in another post. 

A few other things to note:

I stayed at Club Quarters and loved it. My room was tiny but it was only me. I felt entirely safe downtown Houston walking to and from the Convention Ctr to my hotel. The staff was amazing. I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again. 

I arrived on Wednesday about 3:00 and had 2 hours to get checked in, registered at the convention Ctr. It was plenty of time. When I got in to see the quilts at 5 there was hardly a soul in there! I did a video of the Quilts de Legende and posted it in my Facebook group. It was great seeing the quilts without a lot of people. I saw all the exhibits I wanted to see then made my way to the vendors. 

I went through the entire place. (granted I was only scoping it out at this time) and had plenty of time before the doors closed at 8PM.

I attended a machine quilting forum from 9AM-Noon the next day and still had plenty of room, although it was getting a little busier. 

This was the line of Friday when they were just getting opened at 10AM. This line was going in to see the vendors! I made my way down to the quilts and only had to wait for about 1-2 minutes to get in. 

I got back to my hotel at noon, checked out and they were willing to hold my bags for me. I met back up with my friends and was able to spend a little more time to enjoy their company, then it was time to head to the airport. 

As long as my friends can come a little earlier, I'll keep that same schedule. It worked out great and I missed the larger crowds. 

I hope you enjoyed my view of the show! I had a really fantastic trip!

Wilderness Trail

 Here is my finished friendship double 4 patch made with swapped blocks by Kevin and Kathy. It was quilted by Kathy. 

This was taken inside after it was washed. I love what she did in the cheddar border!!

I LOVE how it turned out and it is a special friendship quilt.

I ran into some visitors out on a hike the other day. 

I hope you had a terrific weekend. Love to you all!

Quilting and Friendship

This little mini sampler has been on quite the journey! It is home. 

Just a tad over 3 years ago my mom passed away. She had been battling Alzheimer's and so many of you rode right alongside me as her disease progressed. You encouraged me so much in so many ways. 

I remember distinctly the video I made and shared with you all  the day we laid my mom to rest. 

Every Friday I would take her to get her hair "done" and I'd put my radio on the oldie western music. Just this past week the video of her singing in the car came up in memories on Instagram. 

After my mom died, an online friend, Roxanne, made me a mini block a month for a year- her way of supporting me.  

You can read the blog post HERE at the end of 12 months. I sent her back the blocks to make into a quilt. As it happened her mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers and while she put this quilt together and quilted it, it gave her much needed healing from her mother passing away. 

I am pretty speechless about how special this quilt is and how I treasure Roxanne's friendship. 

Isn't is beautiful?

Here is the beautiful backing too.

Thank you again Roxanne, and for all the others who supported me during that time. 

International Day of Friendship

Sunday is International Day of Friendship. I have many quilts with your signatures and I love them! It makes me realize even more how the internet has made this world a little more intimate. And Quilters really are the best!

 You gifted this as a thank you for the quiltalongs I do.

 And this was to commemorate my 50th birthday!

If you took part in either of these, thank you so much. Thank you all for being a part of my life.

 I'm taking next week off blogging. I'll be hanging out on this ship cruising the inside passage of Alaska.  We have hiking and kayaking excursions planned! I'm sure I'll be posting a few photos on my Facebook group. You can find it under Humble Quilts if you'd like to join.

My instagram feed for this week. Despite the long work hours and ZERO quilting, it has been a good week,

Take care, friends.