Melisa
This should be the last of the Paducah posts…I want to be sure to share as much as I possibly can so you’ll have a good idea of just how much fun we had on this trip! If you didn’t go this year, you MUST make plans to go in 2011!
Day 3 and our first stop is the Rotary Antique Quilt Show & Sale. Personally this is my favorite of all the venues because many of my favorite vendors are here (Cherrywood anyone!!!), along with the antique quilt exhibit. This year the focus was quilts from the WWII era, and there were 27 fabulous antique quilts on display. Someone commented on the fact that so many of the antique quilts were marked “Quiltmaker Unknown,” and that is so sad! Please, please, please document your quilts with a label; it only takes a few minutes more and generations to come will benefit from knowing the details of your quilts!
Then it was off to the National Quilt Museum for a couple of hours. The featured exhibit was Imagine Hope featuring monochromatic quilts by Hollis Chatelain. Pat and I overheard one young teenage girl exclaim “How can that be a quilt?” as she gazed at the amazing exhibit!
A quick photo op with Quiltman outside the museum! We had seen him tooling around Paducah the day before on a Segway, but could never get him to slow down long enough for a picture. He was on foot today…his walking foot, ha ha! He was heard commenting that while Batman needs Robin, Quiltman needs Bobbin! Har…Har…I know, really BAD quilt humor, huh?
After a delicious seafood lunch, we had a couple of hours to enjoy downtown Paducah. There are loads of antique shops (I was in heaven!!!) and more quilt vendors downtown so there was plenty to see.
Marie and Bernice opted for a horse-drawn carriage instead of “hoofing” it themselves!
(For the record, I almost met my Maker trying to get this picture! I foolishly stepped out into the street without looking right into the path of an oncoming SUV…luckily the guy driving was going slowing and watching for idiots like me!)
Next up was Eleanor Burns on stage at Carson Park. We were outside, under a huge tent, it was hot, I was tired, and the show was about an hour too long…enough said!
After dinner, Pat led the group in a game of Left-Right-Center. I believe her comment here, as she viewed the fat quarters thrown into the center of the circle, was something along the lines of “…that is going to be one butt-ugly quilt!!!” Lots of fun and laughter later, Jane was the winner of the 50+ fat quarters! We also played a little quilt trivia and gave away some prizes before heading off to bed.
For some reason, it took Johnny a lot longer to load our luggage for the return trip than it did when we left…could have had something to do with the fact that most of the luggage was now bulging with purchases, not to mention all the ‘extra’ tote bags and shopping bags that had been added to the mix! And this is just the view under the bus…the overhead bins on the bus were overflowing, too! Did I mention what a great time we all had?!?!?!?
Bound for Atlanta and still smiling!
Melisa
Thursday was our day at the AQS Quilt Show and the opportunity to shop at every single vendor booth…400 in all! I think we hit every single one, too!
We were treated to a different view of Paducah on the way in because Johnny’s GPS sent him along the truck route into town. This was a construction site we passed, which someone cleverly dubbed the “Paducah Pyramids!”
Pat and I posed for a picture on the way into the show…
Here’s a view of the dome pavilion added by AQS this year to replace the vendor/exhibit space formerly housed in the Executive Inn, which has been closed. This was an amazing structure, 37,000 square feet with special revolving doors to keep the air inside. You really couldn’t tell you weren’t in a traditional building unless you walked along the outside edge of the structure next to the wall.
These were the restroom facilities outside the pavilion…not your average port-a-potty! Air conditioning, running water, pictures on the walls and CLEAN!!!
Although I took loads of pictures of the show quilts, I can’t share them here on the blog due to permission requirements. The winners are posted on the AQS website. Suffice it to say, the quilts were amazing, making me very aware of just how inadequate my quilting skills are!
Elly takes a load off … oh my aching feet!!!
Waiting for our luxury coach to whisk us away to dinner…the end of a VERY long day…but we’re all still smiling!
Stay tuned…more to come!
Melisa
There is so much to share about our trip to Paducah it is difficult to know where to begin. We had sooooo much fun, and with the exception of the threatening weather on our way home, everything was smooth as silk! I will admit to taking three naps on Sunday…I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until I finally got home!
There were a couple of stand outs on the trip, the first of which was our driver, Johnny.
This man was a godsend! He was so kind to all of us, and took care of so many details that Pat and I didn’t even have to think about. Every single person on the bus just adored him, and we’ve already told him that he MUST be our driver next year, too! We kept him thoroughly entertained, and he was amazed at the antics this group got up to…I teased him about sharing all of our secrets with his wife when he got home and he said “she’ll swear I’m lyin’!”
The second standout hit of the trip were our “Paducah Pockets”, remember these?
We had so many compliments on these bags, and lots of the girls told us they were stopped numerous times by people who wanted to inspect their bags and take pictures. It was great being able to spot our folks as we walked around because you couldn’t help but notice their bags! Pat is writing the pattern and will have it available on her website soon – I’ll be sure to let you know when it is available. Not sure yet what we’ll do to top this for 2011…at least we’ve got a year to come up with something equally as clever!
We left Conyers bright and early Wednesday morning, and everyone was smiling and anxious to get on the road! This was the BEST group of women we could have ever asked for on this trip! I feel as though I have 47 new BFFs!!!
First stop was Hancock’s of Paducah! The place was hopping when we got there, and I think a number of ladies seriously helped the Paducah economy before we left there, Pat included! Fifteen minutes through the door, and she was lined up at the cutting table!
Dinner at Rafferty’s (notice they’re all STILL smiling!) and then we were off to Kentucky Oaks Mall to visit the vendors and see the quilt exhibits.
Some folks finished shopping before the others, and took the opportunity to relax a little. By this time, many of us were at the end of a 15 hour day…but everyone was still smiling!
Back to the hotel where we all crashed immediately! Even I didn’t have trouble going to sleep that night! Tomorrow is another big day – the Quilt Show!
Melisa
So sorry I’m a day late posting the giveaway winner…it took me all day Sunday to recuperate from our Paducah trip…I think I took three naps!!! Today I am finally feeling human again and am trying to get caught up on everything that was neglected while I was gone. I’ve got a couple of Paducah-related blog posts in the pipeline so be sure to check back to hear about all the fun we had!
Thanks to everyone who sent me comments about what’s on your wish lists – I’ll be taking the list with me to Quilt Market next month for sure!
The winner of the Shangri-La fabric pack is Comment#9:
Thanks for the chance at the great fabric! So many things on my wish list…pretty much anything Moda would be great, but if I had to get specific I’d say Kansas Troubles fabrics. And Sandy Gervais…I love her Frolic! And I’d love to find a great tone on tone to do my stitcheries on.
Send me an email (info @ sweethomequiltco dot com), Terry, with your address and I’ll send the fabric right out to you. Congratulations!
Melisa
Two more sleeps and we’re off to Paducah…I’m not sure who is more excited about this trip!!!
Pat and I finished up the name badges and the goodie bags today, plus got everything else in order. All I have to do now is load everything into my car tomorrow afternoon to take it over to the bus stop on Wednesday morning at o’dark thirty! Here’s a sneak peek at the goodies …
All the name bags lined up in a row…aren’t they cute!!! And a little close up of mine, plus the fabric covered notebooks Pat did for everyone. I added a Sweet Home pen to complete the set. A couple of things I learned from this experience 1) I don’t want to see selvedges again for a very long time!, and 2) I don’t like sewing with vinyl. But even with that, these bags turned out so well – there is a pocket on the back, and each one is lined with a different bright, funky fabric and has a little button tab closure, and the name pocket is vinyl. Can’t wait to wear these! This will be perfect to wear at Quilt Market, too, so mine will do double-duty!
Goodie Bags all piled up. Everyone gets one, and there are some fantastic goodies in here! Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the goodies, but trust me, you would want one! Heck, I want one!
Tomorrow is my ‘deep breath’ day. I have to pick up my dry cleaning, get a pedicure, make a few little snacks and pack my suitcase…and THEN I’ll be ready!
Melisa
until the bus pulls out! Paducah here we come! I am really looking forward to the trip. I’m anxious to meet many of the quilters who are going with us…I’ve gotten to know a lot of them through phone calls and emails…and will be happy to put a face with a name!
Pat and I have been working really hard to make this a memorable trip for everyone. We’ve got lots of fun and games planned (Strip Poker anyone?) and some fun surprises, on top of all the fun to be had at the quilt show once we get there!
I’ve had a staging area set up in my office at the shop for several weeks in an effort to keep everything together so I wouldn’t forget to take something important (I have a similar area at home, too, ‘cause I’m just weird that way!). This is part of it…look at all that stuff!
Many of the fabric manufacturers and distributors have been very generous in providing goodies for our bus trip, and I’ve been adding in little fun things all along. Of course, there will be “work” involved to win these prizes – we’ll make it interesting and lively! Fun will be had by all, I can assure you!
I have a full day planned today to finish up last minute details for the trip, and get things in order at the shop in preparation for being gone a week! I know Mike and the rest of the crew will be happy to see me get on that bus…so they can relax a little! HA! I’m leaving a “To Do” list a mile long for them…can’t let them get too comfortable while I’m gone!
Pat and I have one final work session tomorrow to get everything in order and then Tuesday is a “ME Day!” I plan to get a pedicure (finally!) and run some errands, and relax a little before taking off…don’t want to be exhausted before we even leave!
I wish every single one of you could go with us! Start making your plans now for next year!
Melisa
We had a nice visit yesterday from Pat Deacon of Mableton who won our Shop Hop prize. Pat lives quite a distance away, and this was her first opportunity for a road trip to come pick up her prize.
She was thrilled with her “apple box” filled with patterns and books from Atkinson Designs along with a couple of kits for a table runner and table topper, which we’d featured with our apple themed fabric from shop hop.
Fun, fun, fun! Pat promised to share pictures of her projects and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with!
Melisa
It has been a while since we’ve had a giveaway so I thought since today, April 18, is Make-A-Quilt Day we’d do some celebrating. You know you need more fabric to make a quilt, right?!?!Earlier this week while searching my office for something I’d put in a “safe place” (%#@#$!) I found a forgotten bundle of one of my favorite fabric lines from Moda EVER – Shangri-La…
…seven half-yards of Shangri-La yumminess…and I’m going to share with one of you!
I’m getting ready to go to Quilt Market in May, and I usually go with a buying plan so I don’t go overboard (yea right!). So here’s the question – What is on your wish list? What would you like me to look for while I’m at Market? Notions? Books? Patterns? Gifties? Fabric? Flannel? Brights? Moda? Blenders? Is there a new designer you’re anxious to try? Inquiring minds want to know!
Leave your comment on this post telling me your wish list, and I’ll announce a randomly drawn winner for the Shangri-La fabric bundle on April 25. International winners will be asked to pay shipping.
Melisa
My Mom came for a visit this weekend, and I took Saturday off from the shop (!!) so we could spend some time together. We did a little shopping (everyone should know by now how much I hate to shop!) and I snagged a cute bag for my upcoming trips …
and a new pair of sandals (I know I need a pedicure – it is on this week’s To Do list!)
I just noticed the gray and blue color theme going on here with the new bag and the new shoes! I’ve worn these shoes since I brought them home, and I have to say they may not be the cutest shoes I’ve ever bought, but they are by far the most comfortable! Like walking on marshmallows! I knew I’d be doing lots of walking in Paducah, and my feet give me fits on a good day, so I had to have something comfy. These are Merrells…pricey, but worth it, I think! Too bad they can’t be cute and comfy!
Mom and I also did a little antique hunting (no luck…) and I had to stop for pictures of this beautiful little country church
So serene and beautiful, it was almost breathtaking!
A couple of the Grandies came over Sunday afternoon and we grilled hotdogs for lunch. I had bought water pistols for their Goodie Box, and they had a blast “hunting” each other down – they were both soaked to the skin!
At one point, Hayden was hiding in the woods behind a tree and I said “I think I see someone in the woods.” He stepped out from behind the tree, looked behind him and then said “It’s me, Grammy, can’t you tell?” Cracked me up…
Mom left for home about lunch time today, and I was sad to see her go. I sure wish she lived closer! It was a great weekend, very relaxing and just what I needed!
Hope you had a terrific weekend, too!
Melisa