Quilt Market People
November 2, 2011 To summarize, I had a GREAT time. I met so many lovely people, saw so many creative, inspiring & beautiful things and maybe managed to squeeze a few bundles of fabric into my suitcase. ;)
Today, I'm going to share some of my favorite people stories.
So. Have you ever read about someone in a book, and then followed their blog and then chatted with them via email and then met them in real life? During breakfast in your hotel? I have. She's PamKittyMorning. (I totally can't even call her just Pam. It's impossible. She's PamKittyMorning. All together. One word.) And she is hilarious, too. What a sense of humor on this girl! We laughed all through breakfast.
Oh. And she just so happens to be the talent behind THIS gorgeous fabric line.
My idol. Well, one of them. The matriarch of Shabby Chic herself. Rachel Ashwell. You may remember that I met her in Salt Lake City too. But if you had the chance to meet Sandra Bullock or Jennifer Aniston twice, you would, right? She was just as friendly and sweet as ever. Sadly, I think her talent isn't contagious.
And just to prove that my best friend in the whole wide world isn't imaginary, that's her on the right. She's awesome. I'm lucky.
One of the most genuinely talented and warm people I've EVER met is this lovely lady - Verna Mosquera of The Vintage Spool. I met her for the first time in Salt Lake and couldn't wait to say hi to her again. I went to a seminar where she talked about her new fabric line "October Skies". Yes, she somehow managed to do what I thought was impossible - create a Fall color palette with pink! (That's one of her stunning new quilts on the right.)
Now lemme 'splain this photo. No, I'm not in labour or imitating a barnyard animal. And I didn't actually pee my pants laughing, despite my appearance. But do you have a body part - or possibly two in particular - that you're sort of self-concious about? I do. Just before this picture was taken I asked for a quick second to cover the boobenzes (like draping a white sweater over them is going to somehow make them invisible!). Somebody said something else, I started laughing and the camera went "Click!"
Dude! What happened to "Take Two"?
Since I happened to walk by the Lecien booth once or twice or like a bazillion times to catch a glimpse of my quilt (kidding ... maybe) I got to meet the talented Lecien fabric designers who were at Market.
She's the face behind Cinderberry Stitches and I've admired her talent for a few years now. She is just the sweetest little Aussie. Her little 'shrooms are impossibly cute, her fabric is super cute and she's just so ... cute!
(I think I look like I'm about to abduct her into a dark mini-van that's parked just outside of the camera frame ... )
I didn't get a chance to chat very much with her, but it was super cool to get to meet this very well-known modern girl. Anyone who thinks of naming the colors of her fabric after favorite slushy flavors from her childhood is someone I can admire. ;)
Another amazingly talented lady. She's got that incredible energy about her that is very contagious and inspiring. And she always looks like there's a light shining from her smiling eyes. I asked her to pose in front of this quilt because I made it a few years ago in a club. Loved every stitch.
O.M.G. I didn't get a picture of her. Aaaagh!!! But I did have a lovely chat with her. When I saw her latest Duram collection, I almost died. She and I are kindred spirits in the shabby fabric world. :)
Those are the Lecien gals. Actually, there's one more ... but I'm saving her for last.
I didn't get to meet her at the last Market but I'm so glad I got to chat with her this time! Her new line for Moda, "A Walk in the Woods" is a-DOR-able. And you'd be hard pressed to find a kinder, gentler or more talented girl.
(And finally a half decent photo of me!)
I've been a fan of Anne's work for a number of years now. A few weeks ago I emailed her to ask if I could post a picture of one of her quilts I'd made. She kindly gave me permission, but also complimented my blog. (Ok, WHOA!) So I introduced myself as Pretty by Hand, we squealed in unison and hugged. We are now friends for life. I have a feeling many happy people in the world can say that about her. :)
(And I think it's possible that a few little somethings accidentally made their way into my suitcase as giveaways for one or several of you next week that I may have acquired from a certain someone who likes bunnies ... just sayin'.)
Ok. I can't beLIEVE I didn't get any pictures with this next person. I remember posing, but the camera (or the operator) may have malfunctioned. Grrr. I am so choked about it.
Never mind.
Anyhow. I had a close encounter with a Fig. Or should I say THE Fig. Can you guess who? Yep. Joanna of Fig Tree fame was so lovely. She came up to me - because she recognized my bag - and introduced herself. So how do you think I repay such a courtesy? All I could think to say while desperately trying to keep my eyes from rolling back into my head and falling over like a fainting oppossum was, "I am SO blogging about this!" Yes I said that out loud. Like a threat. I think I even pointed at her! Anyhow, she was very gracious and lovely and we laughed.
And then I spent the next 1/2 hour seriously thinking about having my mouth sewn shut. (You have NO idea how much action the backspace & delete keys get on my keyboard!)
You know, I wish I could be classy and elegant and refined. I am none of those things. I'm the opposite of Audry Hepburn and Grace Kelly. And just to prove it to you, I'll share one more story with you. (Like I haven't already convinced you!)
Ok. First, imagine your ultimate creative hero. Are they an artist? A pattern designer? A fabric designer? A teacher? A shop owner? An author? My idol is all of the above and then some.
Do they piece? Hand applique? Embroider? Make quilts? Bags? Soft toys? Home decor objects? My idol does all these things and more.
She is Yoko Saito. I don't think I can compare her to anyone. To me, her creations look like they were made with magic. Her eye for detail is exquisite. Her skills are impeccable. Her sense of color, texture, scale, all these things are breathtakingly stunning. I own a few of her books and I never tire of looking at them. Even after years of owning them I still find new things every time I leaf through them.
So I was just in the process of buying another one of her books when she happened to walk by. In true me fashion, I ran over to her and practically tackled her. Never mind hand shakes, I obnoxiously requested a hug (with sign language of course because I wasn't sure if she would understand my English) and then pretended to be polite by asking if she had a moment to sign my book while frantically tearing off the plastic wrapper before I'd even paid for it.
Even though I probably broke every rule of appropriate Japanese conduct, she graciously obliged.
She is elegant, sophisticated, dignified, talented, personable, friendly ... Oh how I wish I could speak Japanese. My dream would be to some day go to Japan and be her student for at least a month! But I'd settle for an hour. ;)
I even turned into a paparrazzo while she signed my book.
Hopefully I haven't made her think she needs to hire a bodyguard or get a restraining order. (Although I wouldn't blame her!) I was just so excited.
So there you have it. Some of the highlights of my close encounters with the people that I admire, respect, and who help feed my crafty soul.
I still have a lot more to show you but my time is a little limited for the next few days. So tomorrow will be another Daisychain Sampler day and then I will have more Market stuff for Friday or next week.
Reader Comments (45)
Now I like you even more! I would have been doing the same things. Thanks for sharing your stories from Market. You made me smile over and over again.
Thanks for your Quilt Market stories. Can't wait to read more about. And BTw without knowing you personally I'm sure you're one of the most amazing and sweetest persons in the whole wide world. So please don't let your mouth sewn shut, okay?
Hildy
Love your post! I had a blast at market also, and wish that I could have seen you :( I kept looking for your bag...but alas...nowhere to be found! You're right...all of the ladies that you met are SO kind! I kept running into Aneela...kind of a lot actually...and we sat in line together waiting on a book signing just chatting away. She is lovely!
You are HI-larious! Love the photos from Market and can't wait to see more.
You are such a kick!! Sounds like you had a awesome time! I'm sure Joanna had a good laugh with you! She is so fun.
I knew I loved you! When rockstars can be human, they are my friends for sure! Only one little problem.....the no picture of the Fig herself is disappointing! Bet you had a ball, and I can't wait for more stories.....and especially more pictures.
Hugs........
I LOVE this post! It was so much fun to read, I always like reading about market but most of the blogs are for business (which I don't mind because it is a business) but yours was pure, unadulterated FUN! And now I know what you look like. You're so cute - I love your smile. I have a thing about people looking happy and you do. I really enjoyed your post.
Wow! Sounds like you had a busy time of it ^_^ it looks like a lot of fun though
Soooo envy you !!!!! What a loaded trip you had......literally !!! :) Thanks so much for sharing.......for those of us who couldn't make it........its almost like being there.......
almost.......ok not really, but fun none the less!!!!
And by the way, missing pictures, nearly tackling people and breaking nearly all international customs.......so me too.....maybe we were seperated at birth or sumthin :) !!!
WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
You are a very lucky girl!!!!!
Mrs Pamkittymorning .... I LOVE HER,
What a beautiful post!!!!!!
I'm dreaming whileI read your wonderful adventure.
Thank you for all the details
Looks like you had a lot of fun. Thanks for the heads up on the shrooms, the grey colourway may need to find its way to my house :)
looks like so.much.fun! I would have loved to meet Anne and Joanna! Anxious to read the rest of your market experience. Now, I'm off to territory unknown...sewing curtains. Ugh, maybe I could just make some quilt-curtains?
Well that was fun! Thanks for the tour. :-)
I loved reading your market trip - and with all my favorite people. Of course you are one of my favorite people too - so double the goodness! And Yoko Saito… OMG! LOLOLOL "Even though I probably broke every rule of appropriate Japanese conduct" - I would have been right there with you. (I once told Amy Butler I'd like to have her babies - yowza, it just came out)
Kansas City my friend… Kansas City!
xxoom
Oh...my...gosh.... you are so me!!! You have no idea how many times I have wanted to sew my mouth shut. I hate that hot feeling you get along with it. LOVE LOVE LOVE the laughing picture - it's my FAV because this is how you are in my mind - laughing, being sarcastic and the quilt queen. Thank you SOO much for posting it, which makes me like you even better.
I love the people you met, thanks so much for "introducing" them to us. So jealous that you got to meet them in person. I died laughing while reading your post - children probably thought I was going to die - but the best was you "mauling" Saito. So me.....
Yes, another day started off with a smile..............
Thanks
You lucky, lucky girl!!! How much fun can a girl have at market?? Well, as much fun as the wallet and inspiration will allow! ;0
BTW, I always believed you when you said you had a best girlfriend for 20+ years.
I know how you feel about the boobs. I was a 34B my entire life until I got OLD. All of sudden they grew! Seriosuly. It's just so wrong!
So glad you had fun! ;0
Oh wow, I would have been frozen in one spot doing the uh uh uh, omg, omg, uh of a fan girl gone frozen.
Love the Quilt Market pictures, stories and how adorable you look in your pictures.
One day, I'll get there and maybe get to to the frozen fan girl look. lol
So tickled you had a blast there.
I've enjoyed reading this post sooo much and I can't tell you how often I chuckled but it was a lot!! Thanks for all the wonderful photos and descriptions!
Lovely to see all those photos of you - now I can picture you when I read your blog (Oh - does that sound creepy?!) I am so jealous of you having all that fun - looking fowrward to the next instalment!!
ROFLOL. AGAIN. Tears streaming... I can't even finish this post I am laughing so hard.... LOL..... ok... I'm off to finish reading all the fabulous stories of market you are sharing! ROFLOL.... Bari Jo (I had no idea the comic relief you would bring into my quilt blog stalking! My mascara is ruined now and I rarely put it on these days... dang...)
Kristyne, it was so lovely to get to chat with you at market, you are such a darling!! I am so slack with my camera that somehow I didn't get any pics of us together and I'm feeling very sorry for myself about that now, if only you'd posted earlier, I would totally have stolen that pic for my blog ;)
And that mouth sewn shut feeling, yep know allllll about that!!!
YOU ARE STO STINKEN CUTE. Honeslty. HONESTLY. You totally kill me. In the very best way. Super loved meeting you. xo
How lucky you were to have attended Quilt Market, and to have met all those wonderfully talented designers. Loved your photos. It's always great to be able to put a face to a name. Thanks for the chuckles as well. Looking forward to your posts in the next few days.
Well it certainly looks like you had a wonderful time!
So nice to put a face to the name. :)
Vivienne x
You met some superstars. I know you had a blast.
Such a great post. Thanks for giving us such a fun report.
Just loved reaading about Market! You are a real person to me, do what you feel,it must have been awesome! You probably floated home!! Please tell us more,and what people said about your quilt and how you felt seeingit there for the first time.? Wonderful experience through your eyes!!
You are so cute! I was just like you when I went to Market with the shop I worked at. It's like meeting a rock star or famous actor when you see your favorite fabric designer or pattern maker. So glad you had a fab time! P.S. LOVE your blog!
~Joyce in MI
Loved this post! I am sure each of those ladies was thrilled by your enthusiasm for their work. I know I would be if someone chased me down and asked for my signature by using hand signals while taking photos of me.....hmmm, well that doesn't sound good, does it? Well, I would be honored!
You are just so much fun to read...a wonderful combination of talent (both for quilting and writing) and really funny self-awareness. BTW - thanks for the link to the Fig ~ LOVE the California Girl fabric!
What a great post!!! Seriously, how fun was that?! I laughed out loud at your nervous excitement, because I can SO identify! I bet they all loved meeting you as much as you loved meeting them. :) Your post reminded me to look up the Duram line. Oh, Kristyne...florals AND gingham?!!!!! On the SAME FABRIC?!!!!! *swoon* You were so right- there is ALWAYS more fabric to love!
What a wonderful post. Thank you so much.
Sadly for two reasons one i couldn't go to Market because I'm from England and didn't know and two other then one of these ladies I don't know any of the others ( I will google all at some point with a cuppa tea how english of me ) I'm glade you had a great time tho almost of the things you have wrote on your blog about these other ladies I find in you for myself
Hugs from over sea's
Vikki xxx
What a delightful post! I felt like I was there with you - forget the gracefulness, travelling with you would have been much more fun!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience at Market!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post and seeing your photos!! I'd love to get there some day-- it looks AMAZING!! Congrats on your quilt for Lecien and your coordinatiing bag is awesome!!
By far, yours has been the most enjoyable news of Quilt Market that I have read! The photos are great - I love candid photos and it's so nice to put a face to some of the names we hear of in the quilting world. It sounds (and looks) like you had a wonderful time. So glad for you.
Thank you for your wonderful post about Quilt Market, and all the fabulous photos!
I am so envious that you got to meet and speak to Yoko Saito. Her work is exquisite!
if you can't laugh about a close encounter, then .... not sure what to say, but i think laughter is a good thing. glad you weren't arrested for diplomatically assaulting a foreign dignitary. fun to read bout your idols. enjoy your day.
Oh you lucky girl! It looks like you had such a great time. I'm sorry I missed you on your last trip through the booth -- thank goodness I'd preplanned in event of my absence!
I'm so glad you had so much fun ~ you and your best girlfriend.
Can't say I know what its like to have boobenzes get in the way of things though I've got lots of pictures where everyone else seems to be standing in some kind of hole looking for my missing boobenzes.
And if it makes you feel better... "Oh my gosh! You're Sandy Gervais! I have all your fabric!"
As for Yoko's books... do you think the IRS will still let you write off the cost of the books as an "educational expense" if you can't read Japanese? I sure hope so. :)
Again, so glad you had a terrific time. By the time Kansas City rolls around, everybody will be asking to have their picture taken with YOU and saying... "Oh my gosh! You're Krystine of Pretty By Hand!"
So fun to read your post. It looks like you had a fabulous time!! So . . . . I have to ask, did anyone come up to you in all your sugar bag glory and refer to you as the "Smokin' Hot Quilter Chick" Had to ask from your earlier post. You're so cute with your bag!! Thanks again for the fun read.
Thanks for the great photos and stories from Market. It's my dream to go one day. Wow. You really met some stars. And you seem to have a lot of sparkle and twinkle yourself!
Hello, I discovered your blog because Lynette Anderson mentioned it in her last post. And I am glad she did as I was happy to see the photos of quilt market. And especially those of Yoko Saito. I have been an absolute fan of her work for a long long time. She is everything you said. I have seen two very exhibition of her work and I can assure you that all the quilts were breathtaking!!! Last year, I attended a one-day class with her to make the frog basket (see June 13 poston my blog). The class was fantastic and I have learnt so much. Yoko Saito is an amazing lady. I have also almost finished a pouch from her and will post about it before christmas.
I hope to attend other classes with her when she will come back to France.
Thank you very much for posting this photos.
Hey girlfriend,
Was talking to your lovely husband on Saturday and he was referring to this blog. Hadn't taken the time to read it until now ...
OMG, you're too funny! It's obvious that you've had a great time and hopefully all the vendors have recovered, by now, from meeting you ;-)! LOL!!!
You make us all so proud!!
Keep us posted on your journey ~ we're rooting for ya'!
Hugs!!!
wow, just found your blog - I think we are soul sisters when it comes to colour - wish I'd been at market to run into you at breakfast - maybe spring? looooove your header and colours.... must come back with more time, hugs
Wow all those famous quilty people. and they were lucky enough to get to meet you! ;-)