Sunday, November 07, 2010

Houston Show

Is it really past noon and I am still in my PJ's? Yes, the show wore me out that much!Tonya and I...

Where do I start? The quilts were gorgeous...the vendors outstanding...and meeting up with old (and new) friends priceless!

Quilts from Mulberry Lane Booth...great selection of quilts.

This was my first time to the IQA Show in Houston so I guess I'll make this first post about what I learned as a newbie to Houston....

1. Go to the preview on Wednesday night. There are less folks there and you get first shot at the vendors. (If you are interested in the Antique quilt vendors this is important...I delayed on a vintage scottie dog pincushion and it was gone by Thursday morning...)

2. Make a plan on what you want to see. The whole experience is a bit over-stimulating. The first night it was like walking MacBeth - oh, look at that bush (quilt) oh, no (change direction) look at that....(fill in the blank...) I have photos of quilts I don't even remember seeing at the show!

On Thursday Tonya and I went in with a "plan" to see a specific display in the show and stuck to it...we did the same after lunch and hunted down the Alzheimer booth...the rest of the time was a bit of a free for all but it did ensure we saw what was on the show "bucket" list. The show is so large we saw most but I am sure not all...

3. Do not wear sandels or flimsy shoes. Heck I'm considering wearing steel toed shoes next year! By Friday I was being stepped on repeatedly and even run over by the scooters (drivers should be required pass a test before zooming into the crowds...just sayin'!) On that note the elbow I got to the head could warrant a future helmet. I'm not complaining...just giving fair warning. (It all brought back memories of big sales at the old Filenes basement.....)

4. If possible stay walking distance to the show...mid-afternoon mini-siestas kept me going for the three days!
5. Quilts just look better in real life. On Wednesday photos of the winning quilts were posted on the IQA website...good photos but nothing close to the experience of seeing them in person. For example this quilt that won has amazing machine quilting that just doesn't show up in the web photo. (Also the open backed cording that holds the borders on isn't clear in the photos either...the white-glove volunteer was good enough to hold the edge up for all of us...for long periods of time I may add!)

More later...blog is being particularly slow on uploading photos today...

13 comments:

Judy in Michigan said...

Thank you for your great report. I appreciate the personal views of the show - if I ever go, I will follow your wonderful advice. Love the photo of you and Tonya! Rest up so you can tell us more tomorrow!!

AnnieO said...

Wow! Quilts are just like other art, in that a photograph will not show the detail, size, the sheen, all that uniqueness must be viewed in person to be appreciated!

Anonymous said...

very cool.
maybe one year.
and agreed rest up.

Gypsy Quilter said...

Glad you are home safe and sound. Where were the quilt police when you needed them? It sounds as if the crowds were a little too rowdy.

sewprimitive karen said...

oo love the photo of the antique quilts booth. Sorry you missed the scottie.

Loris said...

Good advice :-)
Thanks for the photos and quilt show report...can't wait to see more! How cool you and Tonya could meet up for this show. What a great adventure to share.

Teresa Rawson said...

Thanks for the Festival photos...I went four years in a row many years ago when I lived in Galveston and have not been back SINCE (major whining here...). One year when I feel like my family can handle me gone, and my daughter is a little older, I'm going!! Thanks for the advice on preview night...I never did that before.

I hope your guild did well on the raffle...the quilt turned out so very well!!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh I wish I could have been there too! Glad you had fun.

Clare said...

I'm not good in crowds. I get claustrophobic, hot, bothered and very cross so if I ever did get there, I'd have to go on the Wednesday if possible and either very early or very late on the other days to avoid the rabble.

Great photo of you and Ton. Love the antique quilt booth and can just imagine the two of you being like Mac!

Finn said...

Great pics Sio, love that you and Tonya had a good time and survived. Naps do make a difference! Looking forward to more pictures. Hugs, Finn

Tonya Ricucci said...

you did a better job of taking photos than I did! that hotel that was easy walking distance on the first day I was in Houston seemed like miles away by the end of my stay!

sewkalico said...

Sounds exhausting, but wonderful!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

I'm going to ditto Karol-Ann's comment...sounds tiring! Hope you can catch up on your rest now that you are back.