Spring Market-The End

 We have said our goodbyes to our neighbors and new found friends at the Portland Spring Quilt Market.  Tear down went smoothly with the help of my son, Reid.  We hit the road and instead of returning home we are now at the very tip of Washington visiting my dad and all the family that resides here.  Two days of rest and relaxation before heading home and shipping orders.  

   Here are some of the quilts that I saw at Market.  Lets face it Modern quilts are so much fun to look at, and this one by Miyuki Hamaba is no different.

The Candy Shop

Fiesta Stars by Allan Jones & Dot Collins

Departure by Kiyomi Takayanagi

 This is an up close view of the detailed custom quilting.

Passion by Pamela Druhen

As promised here is my shelf from the "Showcase" display.  Thank goodness my son went over and grabbed everything before we were heading back on the freeway.  

My last picture of Oregon, a river runs through it.

  This Quilt Market journey has been a while in the making.  I really do appreciate all the help I have received from everyone who made this such a success.  Quilting has become my passion and way of life and the sisterhood I have discovered within it has made it such a joy.  Have a peace filled week.  Laural

Spring Market Day 2&3

  Obviously the pace at market is so fast that being able to blog each day was an unrealistic goal.  I have met some great shops which are now going to be carrying Simply Put.  That would be YEAH!  Visiting with some of the bloggers who I follow and who follow me, also YEAH!  I did get out and take a few pics of some of the booths that struck my fancy.  No, Susan I am not going to sit in the swan.

 Here's me pretending to like having my picture taken.

 This quilt Wow!  "Hugs and Kisses"

 Michael Miller a multi booth winner

 Moda

 This is the Showcase Isle.  If you wanted to buy a shelf and showcase some of your items they were highlighted here.

  I have a picture of my shelf but the blog is fighting me right now so I will post at another time.  It's late and I have another long day tomorrow.

Market-Spree and Day 1

I'm up.  Long day of set up and then long night at Sample Spree but the energy was electrifying.  First I walked the show to shake off some of the nerves.  I came across this display of Daiwabo fabrics.

 Lynette Anderson is one isle over and she was my neighbor during Spree.

 This little hoot owl quilt it right on trend both in color and style.

 Big boy wanted me to take a picture of this quilt.  I think he favors the landscapes, maybe too much time in hotel rooms lately.

 A hand applique' quilt.

 Puppies!

 The fire marshal shut down the line once it reached maximum capacity.

 In my defense, it was late and I was nervous.  My spree table.

Oh My Gosh!  No one prepared me. 

 I just want to say, meeting the customers I have only spoken to online and seeing familiar faces from home calmed me down and made this night a huge success.  Thank you to everyone who came out to play last night.

Quilt Market Set Up Day

  We are here.  I will definitely try and post everyday so that you can go on this journey with me.  Found my space in isle #1700.

 These are my neighbors, if you look further down the isle there's my little helper bringing me my flooring, he's right under the Lecien booth sign!!!

 We have checked in at the registration desk.  

 The booth went up fairly quickly, it really helped to have it all mapped out in the garage at home.  The hutch is missing most of its samples as they need to go upstairs tonight for Sample Spree.

 I must say the nerves are getting the best of me.  When that happens I find water, lucky for me Portland has plenty of that.

 Even big boy relaxed as I'm sure he was daydreaming of doing a little catch and release fishing.

Taking a breather before we head back to the Convention Center and put in a long night.  I still need to decorate my spree table and my showcase shelf.  As we pass by the designers I recognize I whisper to Reid "she's really famous", he just shakes his head at me.

Full Circle

 I'm here!  Spring Quilt Market set up begins today, but as I look out my hotel window and see that the rain has begun to fall, I am transported back in time. 

   Not many people know that 5 years ago I actually had an airline ticket in my hand and was ready to fly to Portland Spring Quilt Market.  The weekend before was Mother's Day just like it was now.  The only difference was my husband had been having health issues, well really we weren't sure what was going on.  All I knew was for 2 months we had been dealing with urgent care visits, leaving work early, not feeling well and not getting any answers.  So by the time I was starting to pack for Portland my frustration level was through the roof, after all I couldn't leave my family to pursue my dream if someone wasn't feeling well.  

   It was Mother's Day, I spoke more harshly than I intended, this time I sent him to urgent care alone and with one request, no a demand, do not come home till they do something for you, call me when you know anything.  There was a call that afternoon, but it was from the doctor at the ER in Riverside, "Mrs. Schultz? We have your husband Ron here. Ma'am he'd like to speak with you."  But he couldn't speak so I asked for the doctor to be put back on the phone and that's when I was told the news that changed our lives forever, "we have found a mass on his brain".
   Today I have come full circle, quilt market is back in Portland and this time so am I.  My hopes and dreams are packed in a suitcase marked Simply Put samples.  Our son Reid has come along to help with set up and secretly he's my life line, my reminder, as to all that we have been through to get to this point and why I have been working so hard to make this a success.  I am excited and nervous and incredibly grateful to be here.

Mother's Day

  Even if Mother's Day wasn't on your radar, if you watch TV at all you can't miss its arrival.  Wow, the pressure our children and spouses are under to make this everything a mother would dream of.  I lost my mom to pancreatic cancer 22 years ago.

Without my mom in my life, I started a new tradition.  On Mother's Day I send a card to a mom who exemplifies the qualities of a loving, caring mother, just so she knows how very important her job is and her sacrifices are recognized.
   One such woman is Mickey.  Her dedication to her family, both blood and by marriage, has made all of us who call her mom so grateful to fall under her umbrella of love.

  I love you Mickey, or as Reid says G-ma.

To all my mom friends and followers I wish you a very happy Mother's Day.

PS:  No more posts from me until Spring Market!!  Please come by and say hi if you are attending, I'll be in space #1705.  

IE Quilt Show part 2

As promised here is the balance of the quilts from the show this week.  I really like the applique' baskets in each corner of this quilt.

 A Primitive Pieces by Lynda quilt.

by Cheryl Giovenco

I included this quilt for its use of machine embroidery and the quilting on it was very nice.

by: Cheryl Giovenco Quilted by Sheila Osbrink

Mexican Stars by: Cheryl Giovenco

I guess the only thing I forgot to take pictures of was all the goodies I bought from the vendors.  Well maybe before I put everything away I'll get some shots of them.  This is my crunch week so you may not hear much from me till I am all set up in Portland!!  Wish me luck and if any of you are planning to attend please come by booth #1705 and say hi to me.