by Sandra | November 13th, 2010
This will be my last post of pictures from Houston. No matter how many times I attend this show, some things remain constant.
The excitement of finding a new treasure in the vendor booths, inspirational quilts that inspire me and gets the creative juices flowing again, re-connecting with quilting friends I haven’t seen in awhile and of course quilting friends I do see often.
Starbuck’s is always the happening place as we all have to attend to our coffee addictions and prop ourselves up again halfway through the day. It was the most brilliant idea for the Convention Center to have its own Starbuck’s. I know I am grateful!
My favorite vendors were the Silver Needle and Yoko Saito’s booth “Quilt Party Quilt Shop”. Superior Threads is always my first stop and I stocked up on some of the new silk thread colors. At the Silver Needle, My scissor habit was out of control. I bought four new pairs of Dovos. I am hanging my head in shame. They had the most incredible embroidery kits and patterns and then I totally lost control and the budget went out the window.
At the end of the show, the UPS shipping desk that Quilts, Inc. provides is always crowded as the goodies pile up and weigh our luggage down. To make weight at the airport, this service is always welcome! When I need to ship, they call in multiple UPS guys to take away the boxes of purchases. 
The Dolls
No one knows I used to make dolls before I made quilts. So I always love to go and look at the doll exhibits and see how far doll making has come and the incredible talent and creativity that is on display. Boop, these pictures are for you.
Grandma!!! I loved this doll. made by Neva Waldt
This one was incredible. Made by: Beth Akin
You just had to laugh. made by: Marlene Slobin
The workmanship and artistry on this was incredible. The label is too blurred to read the maker. From the "Treasures of the Gypsy" exhibit.
I loved this one. made by: Veronica Cox
I hope you enjoyed my “taste of festival”. Thank you to each and every one of you who stopped to talk to me at my quilt. I really do enjoy sharing with you and your enthusiasm makes me want to create more quilts that inspire.
OH !! Thank You, for thinking of me : )
I love the dolls !!! They make me want to get going on another one ! I’m in awe at the talent ! I would have a hard time picking a favorite ,each one is so cleaver and beautifully done .
OMG! Dovo scissors are the best! And I thought I was bad for buying one expensive pair I didn’t need. Well, I needed it just not to cut anything. IQF is no place for a budget. Christine
Yup Christine, IQF is definitely not a place to be on a budget. Mine went out the window in the first five minutes!
When I see Dovos, I turn robotic….”must have, must have…”
I am so glad you like the pics Boop! The dolls were just amazing! I so wanted to jump the rope and look closer at the details and figure out, “how did they do that?”.
They were truly AWESOME.
Thank you sooooo much for sharing a taste of Festival with us. All the quilts and other goodies are just incredible. Are your feet back on the round yet????.
Sandar,
I am sooooooooo very happy for you. Your work phenomenal. I am so glad you got the recognition you deserved.
I have something else in common with you, as I also made dolls for quite a while before Istarted this crazy thing we call quilting.
Take care,
Lisa
Sandra..thanks for sharing your photo’s…when working in a booth (Superior Threads) there was very little time to see the quilts after Awards night and only got to see the booths that are on the way to the restroom or food area…of course we are all smart enough to search out the different restrooms in order to see a few more booth!
I feel so bad that I missed getting to talk more with you when you came to the booth..must have been one of those “few” breaks. I hope to get to see more of your work and meet again. Again, your quilt was beautiful and the award so deserved.
Sandra, Congratulations! You definitely deserve the ribbon! Thank you so much for sharing with those of us who were unable to attend. Did you actually meet Yoko Saito? I have looked at her international website and ordered some things. But, boy-oh-boy, I sure would love to be able to visit her booth and see all the goodies “in person”. What was her booth like? What sort of treasures did you find there? Please share the details. Thanks again, and Happy Stitches! Jay
If we all ask really sweetly can we have one picture of you smilimg at awards night ?
Sorry Sara that picture doesn’t exist.
I do not like photos and those who took one at my quilt are sworn to an oath that they will not send me a copy. LOL
Jay,
I bought a book and some Daiwabo fabrics in her booth. Yoko herself manned the booth, which was a pleasant surprise. The first time I visited the booth I didn’t realize it was her.
It was one of the busiest booths! She has opened a new international site (Quilt Party Web Shop) to take international orders: http://shop.quilt.co.jp/en/
This is the book I bought in her booth:
http://shop.quilt.co.jp/en/default.asp?Shocd=10892
Trust me, she had many a gem in there!
Pati,
I am sure we will meet up again and have our chat.
Thank you Lisa! I still have the urge to make dolls, I just lack the time.
Brenda,
Yep my feet have landed and so have the germs I brought back with me. At least I didn’t get sick while I was there.
Boop, of course you popped into my mind instantly when I got to the dolls!