To Market, To Market
Saturday was epic. I am pretty sure I walked more than 15 miles throughout the day,(yes, my feet are still sore) and I had to pay over $10 for a mediocre lunch and another $3 for a 20 oz Diet Coke (which I don’t even like). But it was so, so wonderful. I was up at Spring Quilt Market in Salt Lake City at the Salt Palace (which is actually now called the Triad Center, but The Salt Palace sounds much nicer, don’t you think?)
Talk about sensory overload. Nearly 30 Aisles stuffed with pretty things on both sides. There were so many things to see and look at and touch. It was overwhelming. I am still processing the whole thing. And I’ve discovered when I get overwhelmed by stuff I pretty much just stop taking pictures. I was shocked at how few photos I came home with. But I do have some wonderful amazing stories about meeting fabric icons, and loads of inspiration. It was a fantastic weekend to say the least. I’ll have another post tomorrow about Market, and then I’ll be out of pictures, amazingly. But, here’s a few from Saturday.
This is Liesl Gibson, the brilliant mind (and hands) behind Oliver + S Patterns. I stopped and chatted for a few minutes, and tried really really hard not to admit to her face that I have a huge online stalkerish crush on her and I am obsessed with her children’s patterns and illustrations. I was not quite successful, but she gave me a little sample pack of fabric from her soon to be released children’s line. It is a treasure. I’m going to use it to make a doll quilt for Creamie so she can keep all her “children” warm and snuggled. Also, Liesl is totally nice and down to earth and easy to talk to. And I am still kind of freaking out. I want to be her.
This booth belongs to Joel Dewberry. And it was gorgeous. He and his wife were there talking to people and handing out flyers and brochures full of his gorgeous fabrics. And I was too afraid to talk to Joel himself. It wasn’t for lack of trying. I walked past his booth like 8 or 9 times, but when he looked at me and made eye contact I freaked and couldn’t bring myself to say hello. I just kept walking. Once when I walked past he was busy talking to someone, and I was brave enough to talk to his wife. She is lovely. And I found out that they live in Utah, and have four beyond beautiful children. Also both she and her husband and I all went to the same university. At the same time. And then I freaked out all over again. I love him. Really, and here’s the deal, dudes that design gorgeous fabric? That is seriously attractive. And I am not ashamed to admit that I am in love with him. And probably will continue to love him forever. Scott’s OK with it, and after talking to his wife I’m sure she is too. How can you not love a man who designs that stuff though?
The. Amy. Butler. Freaked out. Her new fabric line she is coming out with is corduroy and rayon, mostly for clothing. And it feels like butter. I want to make sheets out of it. Or underwear. Or something. It is beautiful. Also, yeah, this is Amy Butler. And it’s a good thing that I don’t have a picture of my freaking out face. It’s not pretty.
These four ladies (Kaye, Kellie, Debbie and Suzanne) are the reason I was there in the first place. They also work at my little fabric shop and had meetings all day with sales reps to place orders of beautiful new things. I sat and watched the whole process with the Michael Miller rep, and it was fantastically enlightening. They have hundreds of new fabrics, and we only ordered about 5% of what they had. Watching them narrow it down, and bicker and debate with each other (all while laughing so hard I nearly cried) was so much fun. I can’t wait to see the new bolts of fabric when they are shipped!
The Michael Miller booth was awesome. All the sales reps were wearing capes and masks. And, how can you go wrong with a mask wearing turquoise poodle and a phone booth for awesome guys in capes to hop out of. It was fantastic. Also, this guy was really funny.
[ Vanessa Christensen of V&Co. Me, Amy Smart Diary of a Quilter, and Amy Ellis Amy’s Creative Side at the Blogger Meetup. I felt tall. But I was happy to meet these women for real! ]
After Market was over I headed to a Blogger Meetup hosted by Amy Smart at Blue Lemon Cafe. The rain had stopped, the food was great and it was crawling with bloggers who are all interested in the same kinds of things as I am. It was wonderful. I wish I had made those business cards I thought about making, and I wished I had taken more pictures. (And Laurel, why didn’t I get a picture with you? Seriously!) I wish I had won one of the wonderful prizes that had been donated by the sponsers. Particularly the turquoise beach cruiser. I had big plans of dropping my heavy bag in the little basket and riding to my car. I walked instead. Lame. Such is life.
Crazy Blogger Ladies all crammed into a too small little space and enjoying the largest chocolate dipped strawberries ever. It was fantastic. I wished I could have stayed a little longer, but my parking was going to expire and I needed to go reload.
I finished the night here, at the old Union Pacific Railroad Station turned mall/concert venue at an afterparty sponsored by Riley Blake. It was too dark inside to take photos, but they had an 80’s cover band playing and dozens of dancers decked out in their 80’s garb. There was more delicious food, some more prizes (that I didn’t win) and plenty of places to sit down and give my feet a break. Which might have been the highlight of the evening actually. It was such a great day, and I can’t wait to go again… someday. One more post tomorrow about my very favorite fabric designer and what I found out about her that makes me love her all over again.
pinksuedeshoe 
That sounds perfect! I can’t wait until tomorrow!
So. Very. Jealous. But I am glad you had fun!
yep… a little bit sad… definitely…
(though I’ll meet you in person one day… we’ll have to plan the kids’ wedding). 😉
How’com I can never find these venues? Oh that’s right, I always move before the get here! 😉
That looks like so much fun and Amy Butler – really? So jealous – I can’t wait to see what the new fabrics look like!
That sounds like a dream day! Isn’t it so wonderful that there are other amazing ladies online that share the same sort of passions (aka obsessions) and that you got to meet so many of them in person? I would love to go to a Quilters Market one day and meet Anna Maria Horner. She’s my ultimate fabric hero. And, if you think you have a yucky freaking out face, well….
wow! That first picture is AWESOME!!! I totally know what you mean about sensory overload!! That’s me too. or I take too many pictures and then don’t know which ones to get rid of!!
SO Joel Dewberry. WOW!! That turquoise and orange dress is killer! Did he go to BYU? AND can’t wait to see what miss SH has in store! Looking forward to tomorrow’s post! Thanks for taking that picture for me! xo
The real question is who, or what, is the fat pig? You know, To market, to market, to buy a fat pig…
xox
wow. looks like your own disneyland. glad you had so much fun!!!! and the material patterns, colors…etc look divine
I know exactly what you mean – I came home and looked at my pictures too and wondered why I didn’t take more – and why they didn’t turn out better. 🙂 And why I look like such a grease-ball in all of them.
I totally know what you mean about Joel Dewberry – I couldn’t bring myself to say anything either. But his wife sure is nice. 🙂
Awww. You are way too nice. You should not have been afraid to talk to Joel. He’s the nicest guy there is. (I could be a little biased though). And, I guess I’m okay that you are in love with him. I know it’s just a fabric-related crush. I had so much fun actually being at the show this time around and seeing first-hand what Joel has tried to describe to me each time he’s gone alone. My favorite part was meeting people like you who had so much in common with us. The whole thing was fabulous! Thanks for stopping by our booth.
Okay. Joel Dewberry’s wife just commented on the fact that you are in love with her husband. This is getting weird.
I cannot even describe my shattered disappointment of not being there with you….and is that a goody bag in EVERYONE’s hand at the blogger meet up? I really, really have to figure out a way to go to Market!!!! Looking forward to more fun stories. – k
It was a great time, wasn’t it?? The guy in the cape is Rob Apel who is a quilt designer. His designs raise money for endangered species I think. He’s got a book coming out, too, I think. Something about the adventures of a surfer who quilts. He owns a quilt shop in Morro Bay, CA. It’s so exciting to meet all the designers, and I’ve been so pleasantly surprised at how most of them are just so very nice to us regular people!
You are among the celebs!!!!!! How fun!
I thought the same thing! I brought me camera and did not take ONE picture! Not one!! Aughhh. It was wonderful meeting you (in person). I’m jealous you got to go to the Riley Blake party after! What a great day you had. 🙂
WOW I am sooo jealous. What a fantastic time you had. NEXT time you must get a photo with Joel Dewberry – or you will regret it! Heck, the guy even has a yummy sounding name. 😉
And you are quite tall aren’t you? I’ve always thought Amy Butler looked tall and you are nearly as tall as her. What is your height, if you don’t mind nosy me asking?
Yep, I think we can definitely be internet best friends. 🙂
P.S. The Triad Center? Lame. The Salt Palace sounds more magical. At least it was when I would see Disney on Ice in grade school.