The IQA Show in Houston

I spent four wonderful days at the Houston IQA Show.  I was able to stay in the Hilton Hotel, that is connected to the George R. Brown, for the first time.  I, also, took classes for the first time. 

Our room view was the Toyota Center.

As you can see, the weather was beautiful, even a bit cool.

On Wednesday, I attended the IQA Top Winners' Luncheon.  After a few minutes from each winner, Marti Michell spoke on  "The Accidental Quilter".    Next, I attended a 1 hour lecture called, "So What Is Thread Painting All About?", presented by Nancy Prince.  Wednesday night is Premier Night and IQA members get in at 5pm and can shop until 10pm.  After five hours of shopping the vendors, I was really glad to see my hotel room.

Thursday, I attended another Luncheon.  Marianne Fons spoke on "Why We Quilt".  I attended a 2 hour "Mixed Media Miscellany".  This consist of 17 different teachers giving a short talk/presentation.  Some of the topics were crafting green, felting, using blue glue as a resist, using TAP and Lutradar, using several types of paints and dyes and making your own stamps.  We moved from teacher to teacher as we wished.  I learned a lot and took pages of notes.  More shopping from 4-7pm on the main floor.

Friday, I took a 3 hour class called "Fabric Collage Book" with Lilla LeVine.  We made a wonderful journal with fabric and papers from Paris. 

Here is my Fabric Collage Journal.  I walked out of class with a finished project. WooHoo!

I spent a couple of hours on the main floor, looking at Quilts and taking a few pictures.  I'll post those on another day.  I attended a 3 hour evening class called, "Modern Needle Felting-Layered & Textured", with Jane LaFazio.  We used Babylock Embellishers and I loved it.  No thread or bobbin, just twelve needles that needle punch everything down like magic.  I would like Santa to bring me one of those babies.  Another night that I was glad that my bed was waiting for me, across the walkway.  After a short rest, I had to pack up everything that I could for a noon check out on Saturday.

This is my needle felted creation.

Judith's needle felted creation.

Jane LaFazio discussing the next step after we had finished the first layer and become familiar with our machines.  Show & Tell and what comes next. 

Saturday morning, I took a 3 hour class with Tricia Spitzmueller, called "Feed Dogs Up, Feed Dogs Down".  She is a sweet spirit.  It was fun to learn the basics and try my hand at FMQing, but it will take hours and hours of practice to be any good at this.  I rushed back to the hotel to check out and pack the car.  I had lunch and spent a few more hours with the quilts.  In the evening, I attended a concert by Ricky Tims and it was time to head home.  Ricky Tims is a real Sweetheart, too.

I shared these days with my Best Quilting Friend, Judith.  She has had a lot of health problems this year and I am thankful that We were able to spend this time together.  We are already making plans for next year.