Yes! The IPM Quilt Show this past weekend turned out to be a rousing success!
No, I did not sell ALL my patterns... Although I did sell quite a few.
Those Black Birds were the biggest draw!
But what really made me feel this event was such a successful one?
The PEOPLE!!!
The BEST part was meeting up with people that I knew from being online here and from trunk shows that I had previously given at various guilds. And a lot of quilters that I had never met before!
Brenda of Creative Sisters in Kitchener, Ontario was on one side. Brenda and her sister, Linda are the creative sisters running this "Start to Finish Quilt Shop". Did you know that Creative Sisters has the largest selection of wideback fabrics? Or that they sell batting by the roll?
Lois and Wendy of Threads That Bind in Maxwell, Ontario, were on the other side. This ladies not only sell fabric and quilting notions, but are also a Janome dealership that goes above and beyond, offering classes and complete service.
Each of these ladies have a lot of experience at shows like this and they made me feel right at home. Brenda kindly offered to allow me to hang a couple of my quilts on the back of her display rack. I was so appreciative of that opportunity! She also suggested designing a Siamese Cat quilt, so there may be one of those coming in the near future. Lois and Wendy shared lots of laughs with me. And the breeze from their fan. It was a very hot and humid weekend!
My daughter shops in Kitchener frequently, dragging me from one mall to the other. Next time I am on a shopping trip with Erin, I will be making a detour and heading over to Creative Sisters. Even if you are not in the Kitchener area, I would be grateful if you would pop over to the Creative Sisters Facebook page now and leave a message. Like their page and say HELLO and tell them Lorna sent you!
Now... I have been to a lot of places in Ontario, Canada. But had never heard of Maxwell. After meeting up with Lois and Wendy, I do think a road trip is in order! Even if you are not in the Maxwell area, I would be grateful if you would pop over to the Threads That Bind Facebook page now and leave a message. Like their page and say HELLO and tell them Lorna sent you!
Now let me tell you about a few of my fun and fabulous visitors.....
It wasn't until my second day that I thought to take note of all the wonderful people I was running into. But I did write down Carol's name. She had a request for a chicken pattern, so I promised her I would come up with a chicken block and will be sharing this on the blog here in the very near future. You see Carol reads this book to her granddaughter and it features a main character that is a chicken. What won't we do for our children and grandchildren? If it has anything to do with making them a quilt they will love, we are all for it!
I also ran into a few members of the Royal City Quilters' Guild in Guelph: Jean was there.... Also Wendy, Cyndy, Carol and Lisa of Sunlight in Winter Quilts. Lisa's fast becoming a familiar face - both online and in person. She posted about her visit on her blog and you can read about it here. Hope to see them again when I head back to their guild for a workshop later this fall. See you in October, girls!
A longtime online friend, Kristyn McCoy of Melon Patch Quilts also dropped by my booth. It was great to have a chance to finally meet her in person! Another longarm quilter stopped by for a chat - Diane Carson - The Electric Quilter. I could not find her online, but she was so nice to talk to in person.
Some people asked me about that wavy line quilting. Cathy was someone who had plenty of questions about quilting and about batting and binding. It was wonderful to share my thoughts on what has worked for me.
Judy stopped by and picked up a couple of patterns: Jungle Friends and Santa's Reindeer.
Some people asked me about that wavy line quilting. Cathy was someone who had plenty of questions about quilting and about batting and binding. It was wonderful to share my thoughts on what has worked for me.
Judy stopped by and picked up a couple of patterns: Jungle Friends and Santa's Reindeer.
Pat from Peterborough purchased a copy of the Black Birds pattern.
Roxanne told me her daughter sent her. She said Denise has been a long time reader of the Sew Fresh Quilts blog and lives up near Sudbury in St. Charles. Roxanne picked up a copy of the Forest Friends pattern for Denise's birthday gift. And then, after talking for a good while, she further flattered me by asking me to autograph the quilt pattern. Happy Birthday, Denise!!!! Best quilty wishes!
Finally! I finally got a chance to meet Elaine in person! Elaine works for Northcott Fabrics and she and I have been in touch by email for about a year. Although she belongs to the Etobicoke quilt guild, she did not have the opportunity to meet me when I gave either my trunk show or Elephant Parade workshop there. Elaine is the Crazy Quilter on a Bike!. I did not think she was going to make it to this quilt show either because she had just recently been on a big bike tour. But she rode her bike to the quilt show too!!! You can read all about her adventure here.
And the final visitors of the show day? William and his mom Amanda of Mommy's Projects. Amanda has been participating in the Let's Bee Social for quite some time now. And it was a great pleasure to have a chance to meet her - and her charming prince. Both of them were just too sweet. William's smile is enough to melt your heart.... And then he blew me kisses as he strolled away!
Congrats on a successful show - love your work. I am looking forward to the Bear Paw QAL.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful show you experienced!! Your patterns and work can't help but make folks smile and want to see all that you made!!
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised that those BlackBird imps were so popular!! They make me smile every time I look at that pattern!
Susie
glad it was a success and that you enjoyed yourself - that is the best
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had lots of fun! I visited their FB pages. I am new to FB and still haven't figured out how to send messages, so I just commented on their most recent posts. XO
ReplyDeleteCOngratulations! Sounds like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteWIsh I could have come, but it was just too hot for me ... I don't know how you didn't melt :)
It was great seeing you Lorna and I'm glad you had so much fun!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds fantastic and I am so glad it went so well!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your show was a success! Congratulations on a job well done. I mean who wouldn't love to get your patterns.
ReplyDeleteWoW! Wish I could of been there, sounds like a great time was had by all.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a successful show. It's always nice to meet people that you knew only on line. You can now put a face to the name. Congrats again.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very successful show. Glad you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you! Sounds like a wonderful event! I love that you met so many people who are connected to Sew Fresh Quilts! Yay Lorna!
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ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a wonderful time. I'm glad it was such a great experience for you! Thanks for the recap.
Wow, you were busy. I'm glad you had a successful time. I wanted to go and visit but it wasn't open on Sunday. Perhaps another time... I'm surprised you remembered so many visitors.
ReplyDeleteLorna, that's wonderful news! So glad it was a success socially AND financially!
ReplyDeleteI might be biased :), but your booth was my absolute favorite. There were so many beautiful and intricate quilts there, but the best quilts are always those you can use to cuddle with. I'm glad you had such a successful show!
ReplyDeleteI just loved reading about the show and the amazing people you met! Wish I didn't live so very far away (Atlanta, GA, USA). I think Fluffy (Mr. McFluffster) needs his own block! Partly because he is so handsome, partly because my Tigger is his female twin and I would love, love, love a Tigger quilt! You are a brilliant designer & a beautiful person. I am a forever follower! ♡
ReplyDeleteI just loved reading about the show and the amazing people you met! Wish I didn't live so very far away (Atlanta, GA, USA). I think Fluffy (Mr. McFluffster) needs his own block! Partly because he is so handsome, partly because my Tigger is his female twin and I would love, love, love a Tigger quilt! You are a brilliant designer & a beautiful person. I am a forever follower! ♡
ReplyDeleteHi Lorna, this is Denise and today Mom is coming up to give me my birthday present - yay! We're heading out this afternoon to setup my booth at the Massey Agricultural Society Fair, so I'm too preoccupied to link up in Let's Bee Social this week :)my site is at www.craftraditions.com Massey is about halfway between Sudbury and Sault Saint Marie... I hope the IPM is the start of a long and successful journey for you! Can't wait to see my autographed pattern! Thank you so much
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your show. The birds are my favourite too !
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great show and your booth looked great with all of your fun quilts.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to read that your quilt show was a success. It was bound to be, with your beautiful quilts on such a display.
ReplyDeleteI wish to let you know that I nominated you for One Lovely Blog Award. You can accept or refuse, the choice is yours. The details are in my today's post. Have a good day!
Thanks for the shout-out :) It was great to meet you as well. William is such a flirt lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to making a few blocks from the pattern I picked up, it will be a nice departure from the usual blocks I create.
Congratulations on the successful show! I also have a question about the wavy quilting. How do you keep it straight and parallel?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the successful show! I also have a question about the wavy quilting. How do you keep it straight and parallel?
ReplyDeleteOh that all sounds so wonderful Lorna! Blogging makes it all possible doesn't it? I'm thrilled that you had such a fabulous time!
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