So…
we’ve been participating in Quilt Markets & Festivals since 2008, but this year’s Quilt Market & Festival was definitely the most unusual & personally challenging we’ve ever taken part in!
And here’s the deal… the problems we were presented with this year, had nothing to do with the dynamics of the show, and everything to do with us & the dynamics of our family!
(At right, is an overhead view of the Market floor & if you follow the yellow arrow, it’s pointing straight at our booth (wrapped in its security curtain!)
First off– just before Market began, my husband came down with a wicked cough & cold! I sure was glad he was present to help me set up the booth, but he was totally absent during the Market, and that was tough!
There were good things though… this Fall marked the 50th International Quilt Festival & the 45th International Quilt Market & this year’s quilt displays were appropriately incredible!
So… do stay tuned for an upcoming post where we’ll share our favorite quilts from this year’s show, but in the meantime…
Let’s talk about this year’s International Quilt Festival, and one of our favorite parts of vending at shows, and that would be our getting to catch up with some of our fellow vendors that we love the most!
(at left) Lisa & Luke of cork & cloth
(center) Jill Finley (of Jillily Studio) with 2 of her four sisters, Margaret & Susan
(at right) DanTran & Thong of Block Party Studios
(at left) Jim Chapman & Carol McCleod of Auntie’s Two Patterns
(at right) Deb and Bob Wendt plus Nancy (in costume) of Wendt Quilting
But as luck would have it, I came down with that same cough & cold that my hubby had, just on the eve of the International Quilt Festival… only for me, it was to become MUCH WORSE!
That’s because on Friday, approximately one hour before the start of the 2nd day of the Festival, I was notified by my Dad’s caretakers back in NC, that he had in fact, passed away.
I knew that my Dad was praying for his end for weeks before we left for Houston, and that he was placed in “palliative care” a week before he finally left this world.
Nevertheless, is one ever really prepared to lose a parent? I think not. (Here he is at right, with his favorite & last canine companion, Maggie.)
So… rest in peace, Dad. Until we meet again.
And in conclusion, is it any wonder that I would have to say that this year’s International Quilt Market & Festival was successful, but by far… a very trying & stressful event?
And now…. it’s YOUR turn!
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