YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got my HST's today!! What fun to go through them - all the different fabrics! YAY!!!!!

My post man handed me the package and looked at me at little oddly when I said "Oh yay! My triangles are here!" Some people just dont get it!

AIEEEE! The package with the HST's arrived in today's mail! I immediately cut open the bag, and poured them out on the dining room table. I was so excited I actually cried a few tears. My Mom and I went through them, looking at where they came from, calling out state and country names. I ran across Scoopie (Dawn) and Rosemary, Clara and Debbie. It's way better than Christmas, the variety is staggering. I'll probably sort by location first, then I really want to copy or take photos of the labels, to document this somehow. It seems too important to just tear off the labels. The process of pressing and trimming them will take a while but it's going to be a labor of love. Before deciding on a pattern, I'll have to look at them and see what they want to be. The pattern and companion fabric I had picked out might not be what they need! Just imagining all of us sitting at our sewing machines sewing these HST's, or opening our bags when they get back, makes me feel connected to everyone.
And a BIG TEXAS thank you to Clara and Debbie and all who gave up their time to make this happen.
Kathy

Me too! Me too!! Me too!!! What fun to get my package today!! Of course I had to drop everything and look them over... started pressing them open to see the beautiful combos, have only done about 150 so far, and have seen ONE fabric that I've owned! The varieties are just amazing! So far only a few duplicates, even though I've seen the same names bunches of times, obviously those sisters sent in a good mix! Thanks to Debbie and Clara (found yours already!) and all the good helpers, this is going to continue to be great fun!

WooHoo! Santa, alias mail person, came to my house today! It was sure a quick trip from Texas to Florida! Found the Golden Ticket bag and was so excited, just like Christmas when I was a child! I think we ahould all always have the heart of a child! I am starting to sort by Sate & Country, even found Debbie, Clara, ritzy and Maureen from Scotland. Way cool to finally connect with all of you with fabric! When I started this it was for 54 HST's and I did way more! Met so many new quilting friends! Learned more about fabric, quilting and life in general around the Pieceful World of Quilting and am now looking forward to using my HST Babies in something very special and meeting as many of you as can make it in Houston or maybe another quilt show. Hope we all stay in touch online.

josew
Maryjo, Florida

There I was making head way quilting the quilt from you know where when my DH announced a "big mail" had arrived. I was expecting books from AQS. The books came but so did a special package...guess which one got opened first! Yep...the package from Texas. I tried to work on the quilt but my concentration was on that package full of HST's. It was so bad I stuck my finger with a needle and of course had to stop...didn't want any blood on the quilt. I am totally amazed at how you gal's pulled it off. I sent in 616 HST's and didn't get one of mine back...good thing I saved one of each combo I sent. I did a quick look through and was amazed at the variety and where they are from. When I calm down I plan on sorting by state etc. I think I will use them in borders for applique. I'm thinking of grouping them by region...Southern states together with an applique that relates to the South. I better get a note pad to jot down ideas. DH didn't think I'd get anything back...oh thou of little faith...when quilters say they are going to do something they do it! Wish I lived near by so I could have joined the sorting party. Thank you very, very much...God bless all organizers, sorters and participants! Now back to that quilt.........

Joanne
Belfast, NY

Wow I didn't realize I missed so much information. Been busier now since the last week of March when I started a new job after being unemployed for 14 months. So busy learning new stuff that when I come home I just don't even want to look at the computer. So I missed knowing when the sorting day happened and gone. Thanks for all the work that went into that--no way a single person could have pulled it off. So to everyone that assisted "Thanks". Well almost time to head to the mailbox and to accompany my son to his Livewire 4H activity of playing bingo with the residents at the local Nursing Home.

I like hearing what everyone is doing with their HST as my LQS just had their spring shop hop and guess what they had if you made a purchase you got a sheet of Edyta's paper with 2 fabrics to make more HST.

Well our snow from last night has almost melted. Wednesday we were dealing with 80 to almost 90 degrees temperatures and yesterday it was 40 degrees with 40 mph winds (chilly) and got almost 2 inches of snow by this morning. Our high school has prom tonight.

Happy Sewing to everyone
Diane
Farmcrafty
Northeast corner of Iowa!!

Whooopppeeeee!!!!!! Guess what I got in the mail today. A big fat package full of HST's. I have been sitting on my front porch taking each little hst out and looking at it then putting into a container.. What fun. My husband said ""If I had know a few pieces of material could make you that happy, I would have gotten you some a long time ago" He is a sweetie...He takes pride in my few quilts I have make....The HTS are beautiful. Now to get to work. Well I am going out on the porch and finish drooling over my HTS's. Thanks to everyone. Clara and Debbie you are great. All the sorters thanks for your work....

Thank you all for the HOuston info! I just get more excited with each addition! I did get to do the Chicago, now in Cinn. OH., Show a couple of years ago for 2 days and I could have used more time there, so planning to make it a long trip this time.
Maryjo

Bless you, my friend! You and Clara have earned stars in your crowns for this!

Margo wrote:
What fun that will be. I can't wait to learn more and I have already 'saved the date'.

FYI -- still counting and sorting here in Katy -- but huge progress is being made and many, but probably not all, packages should go in the mail early part of next week. YEAH!!!!

Margo wrote: I couldn't even dream of coming up with a number for that reservation. Woof.

I have seen some costumes that weren't on Halloween too, but more in the line of intricate sewing. Kind of like the quilted outfits. Some even matched the special exhibits. I've gotten in trouble from the hubby for missing the kids Halloween because of this show. Clara

Josew wrote:

I booked also!!! Yay! Can't wait to meet y'all in Houston!

Until the last couple of years, IQF was (almost?) always held Halloween week-end, and some of the costumes were amazing! Vendors and visitors alike would really get into the spirit! FUN!! Hopefully, an added attraction this year will be a gathering of SoTTTs! For the last three years TQS members have met for dinner on Thursday night, and I expect that this year the attendance will swell even more! In fact, I think that Wanda has already checked on a reservation for this year! We will have to see what she's got planned!

Margo wrote:
Yes. I do believe I said minimum. I'm usually there from Wed to Sun. While the first floor is divided in half. Left is the vendors and the right the quilts. The second floor has minimum things to offer. Mainly signing up, some cafes, coffee, and cart rentals. The third floor is filled with all sorts of wonderful classes, luncheons and lectures (haven't been to one of those yet, but I think this year I will catch Libby's.).

My Mom and I have been doing an annual Sunday daughter-momma day and taking the time to view the quilts. I try to get in all my photography done before hand so that we can go at her pace.

Oh yes, forgot. The first floor on the very far left is a food court that is huge too. Quilting buddies will come together and dress themselves in costumes, similar shirts, quilted outfits and even flashy head gear. I believe it is the one place where everyone is in a good mood practically all day long.

Yes, I love going there. See ya. Clara