Day 1-Salt Lake City

WOW! What a market! The market is 29 aisles long. We just barely got through it at 6:00 PM. We saw soooooooo much that it is hard to know where to begin. We have seen lots of stitchery and applique. We are very excited about a stitchery BOM from This N That that we purchased. We have seen lots of tote bags and when I get back to our room, we will begin the process of narrowing it down. Of course we were wowed by the Shannon booth. They did not disappoint us. They were even showing rugs made out of the Shannon Cuddle fabric! The colors on the floor seem to be much brighter. We did see a beautiful Civil War line. It is done by Wilmington. It had some beautiful blue tones in it. Tonight we went to the Moda party. It is always quite a spread of food. The topping to our meal was a Russian Custard. It was so good that Beth talked the waiter into having two servings! I am not joking! Be sure and ask her how the dessert was. I'm going to Google that recipe when I get home. Well, I better get back up to the room to start the process of looking over everything we saw today. It is a tough job, but someone has to do it!

TTFN,

Carol

We Are Here!

We arrived in cold Salt Lake City this afternoon. We had a good flight and it is so cool to see the mountains. You can still see the snow on them. The tulips are in full bloom and there is some blooming tree that is gorgeous. Sorry, I didn't get that gene from my dad! He knows what every tree is. Anyway, everything is a beautiful green. - Tonight we walked to a mall and ate at a Southwestern Grill. Of course we ran into another shop owner and asked her to dine with us. That is the best part of quilt market. She was from Alaska and was getting us pumped for our Alaskan cruise in August of 2012. - We don't have our own computer with us. It is so heavy and hard to travel with, but I will try and explain in detail what we see when market opens. - Because the bus trip we usually take was the same as four years ago, we decided to make our own quilt adventure tomorrow. Hoping to go to Gardner Village which is the home of Pine Needles. The motel is going to try and figure a way for us to get there by bus and train. Sure hope we don't end up in Nevada! I think if we start going over mountains that will be a clue to turn around!

TTFN,

Carol

Off To Market

We're crazy at the store today. We are packing and getting everything ready for the girls while we are in Salt Lake City, Utah. I always laugh when everyone says, "Oh, how fun!" Yes, it is fun as we get to be with all of our cronies, but it is a work-out. I always think I'm going to wear a pedometer, but always forget. It literally takes us 3 days to work the market. Think of a football field full of booths! Beth will be taking her computer so stay tuned to the blog as we share market with you. I am sooooo excited to see what is new!

TTFN,
Carol

Moving Day

Things are underway for Sassy Sisters, our women's clothing store! Beth and I spent a day in Chicago looking for fixtures. We were very lucky to have found just what we wanted. We had to get the fixtures last week so we motored up to Joliet to get them. To make a long story short, we ended up taking my husband's livestock trailer and it worked perfect! Thank God we both married a Country Boy! Isn't that how the song goes? Due to the wonderful rain we kept having, Marty had a tarp that fit from one side of the trailer to the other side. I told him our boys would have been so proud of him by the way he had everything tied up with twine in his "Boy Scout" knots! Of course we kind of looked like the Beverly Hillbillies heading to town, but it worked! Even our ol' diesel with 300,000 miles made it. Beth had to have a little help from Cary to get into it as her legs aren't quite as long as mine. As you can see, the fixtures were all tied up and we didn't have one scratch on anything. You can see in the pictures Beth, Cary and Marty working and I was supervising and giving orders. Thank goodness Cary and Beth have room at their farm to store everything until we are ready to bring it all to town! Well, lots to do before we leave for market so better get back at it.

TTFN,
Carol

P.S. Oh, I had the greatest day! My college friend, Sally Lessen, visited the store while she was on Easter break from teaching. We had a blast. Marty said he wished he could have been there so he could have tried to get one word in! -

P.S.S. Just had to put in my new picture of Brayden with my parents on Easter. Marty calls me "kissy koo!" I just can't quit kissing those cheeks!

Where is spring?

Brrrrrrr! The only good things about this cold weather is it makes me want to quilt! I'm working on a gift for a wedding and I can't wait to get it done. It is a fun tumbler pattern and I think the bride will really like it. Aren't weddings fun? The only problem is I will be in Salt Lake City the weekend of the wedding. I guess you can't do everything, but darn! So, since I can't do everything, I am really trying to prioritize. I think if I make lists, I feel better prepared. Beth and I are pulling together things for Garden Club and have so many new ideas for our bright fabrics. Sew much to do! - Yesterday we motored to Chicago to get fixtures for our new store. Of course we always brainstorm and get our agenda for what needs to be done. We have really been trying to clean. How do we accumulate so much? Make sure you check out our barrel the next time you are in. You just never know what will be in it! - Well, back to the quilt. Hope you enjoy more pictures from our retreat! Be sure and wish Jeannie Baby Casey a Happy Birthday. Her birthday won't be as planned as she had to have surgery on her hip/leg and will be recuperating in Liberty Village in Peru.

Ta,Ta for now!
Carol

Spring is just around the corner!

We are just basking in the sunshine and warmer weather around here. It just gives a little lift to your step! Our retreat was such a hit at Wise Guys. We had a wonderful time with 46 women in attendance. We have booked for next year on March 23 and 24 so mark your calendars now. Everyone got so much accomplished. Beth taught a quilt by Edyta Sitar using the 60 degree ruler. We always love more than one way to use a ruler! I taught the 10 Minute block. My quilt was made with jelly rolls, but I've posted a picture of Ginger and her quilt was made with layer cakes. Many also made our Friday night mystery project - a quilted project bag. They all learned an easy method of inserting a zipper. If you need a gift for a quilter or stitcher, this would be a great idea! - Last night Beth and I motored to Chesterton, Indiana for an Aunt Sewzy program. What a delightful group of ladies! These ladies have donated over $10,000 to the Ahlheimer's Association through quilt donations. WOW!!! Quilters are wonderful no matter where you roam. Enjoy the pictures from our retreat. Till next time......

Ta, Ta,
Carol

Getting Ready for the Retreat

Hey all,
The final plans are almost in place for our retreat. We are so looking forward to it. Wise Guys has been wonderful to work with and to just drive down the street! AWESOME!! Beth and I have our projects quilted. I have to say they look mighty fine! I am doing the 10 minute block and it literally takes 10 minutes! The process to make it has been so much fun. I wonder if the lady who designed it ever sleeps! It is such a neat technique. Beth is doing an Edyta Sitar pattern with the 60 degree ruler. I know many of you have this ruler and the quilt is stunning. Be sure and stop in the store next week and see our new additions. Well, off to finish a few last minute things.

Ta Ta,
Carol and Beth