Booth set-up begins

Today was the first day of actual booth 'set-up' at the International Quilt Market here in Portland Oregon. We started our day with a lovely breakfast back at Milo's City Cafe... wonderful eggs benedict... wow! so once that was done we ran a few errands and made our way to the convention center to check in and start setting up the booth. We found our empty space and waited for the crate to arrive via forklift... And it finally arrived.... so sitting right in the middle of the isle Kevin promptly begins to unload the carpet and walls to create the booth.
Once the walls start to go up the lighting is next and I am in the way. I am also doing some last minute stitching.... so I am sitting right in the crate. I was out of the way.... I look so leisurely don't I? well I will tell you I also passed several screws up to Kevin on the ladder. But being the perfectionist he is, he manages just fine on his own! The walls are precise and perfectly placed, carpet is neatly covered in plastic while he uses his drill and nails and climbs on his ladder.... Across the way is the fabulous crew from Westminster Fibers / Free Spirit Fabric, the 3 lovely ladies here are from customer service. Very important people who make sure our customers are taken care of... Here is Jeff (sales) who is very funny and makes me laugh. well, the name is right!



Tomorrow is day 2 of set-up. And by the end of the day the booth will be completed, fluffed and pluffed with perfect walls and shelves, accessories and furniture and props in place and the oh so lovely finished sewn samples and quilts and clothing all in the new fabric collections for our lovely fabric and quilt stores to see and select so you can purchase the fabrics , to make and create some lovely things. stay tuned for finished booth. The transformation is truly something!
PS We went to the Mexican restaurant mentioned in my last post, and let me tell you the food , margaritas were fabulous. The company was enlightening, funny and superb - thanks Amy, David and Chris!

Portland Oregon

First let me start with a little peek at one of the new quilts debuting at the International Quilt Market in Portland in just a few days. And oh, Henry sitting on the quilt, as usual... "Where's your ball, Henry?"

Ok, so we left lovely weather in Raleigh North Carolina on a 6:15am flight, and arrived in Portland Oregon this afternoon... rainy and a little cool, but pleasant! The perfect crate of goodies, walls, furniture and props left Raleigh last week.... I have suitcases of finished sewn items in the lastest fabrics, and of course boxes too are expected to arrive at the hotel tomorrow and Thursday. So a little quiet before the storm, Kevin and I checked in to the hotel, answered email and a few calls, and wondered out for a late lunch. 2:30pm here in Portland. And we found MILO'S CITY CAFE (on Broadway and 14th) Oh what a wonderful lunch we had. It's a local joint, a place I can see my lovely friend Susan Walters in. Casual, relaxed, local patrons and fabulous food.
Then we wondered off and found, yes, two of my most favorite types of stores.... are you ready? Stationery/Papery and a Shoe shop. Oh joy! What more can I ask for....

THE PAPER GARDEN
On NE 15th street
sweet tiny little shop with the usual 'good' suspects, but sadly no Cid Pear stationery.... sweet little gifts of stationery, gift wrap, soaps, journals, stamps, paper accessories, desk necessities; and in the back a little corner dedicated to kids stuff including those lovely little dish sets you see in high-end stores... I had a set for each of the twins. Bibs etc; and some soft kimonos and cotton pyjamas for us grown up girls.... very cute place.

and

HALO SHOES
Fantastic little rustic shop filled chocolablock with unusual and fabulous shoes shoes shoes for both men and women, a few belts and bags. I made a purchase OF COURSE I did! spoke with lovely Jean who recommended a few restaurants (listed below)...
Anyway this super shoe shop offers online service so check out WWW.HALOSHOES.COM

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And to top of off all this glory, we stopped by PEETS COFFEE & TEA on NE Broadway & 15th for Kevin's coffee and my tea.... and a fresh oatmeal raisin cookie.... G l o r i o u s. Great place and I highly recommend....
and back to the hotel for a nap. Oh lovely stuff. We also received a call from the kids, and the baseball went well. They won and apparently Junior who can't even swing the bat actually hit the ball (without the T). Jonty was so delighted for him. Amelia was discussing what a 'caper' was, Alex was studying, and Grammy managed to get them all the places they needed to get to today! What would we do without the woman?

A great first day, thank goodness we didn't have to set up the booth today. We made an extensive to-do list for tomorrow, which is the start of set-up. stay tuned for more on Portland, restaurant list to follow, and have a fab week.

Happy birthday Lola! (More on my childhood friend, Lola who I may actually get to see on Friday!)

T