Shirley35 wrote: My Dear Hubby said the other day after I happily returned from my very first quilt retreat - 'Why don''t you go to Texas?" Do you believe how sweet he is? - We've been married for just over two years - ( I have 3 grandsons - not many girl quilts in my near future -) we were both widowed -- me for 15 years and him for 6 years. We met on the internet on eHarmony. (so, any singles out there, don't give up!) When we got married, his adult son moved into his first apartment and his old room has become my sewing room! How blessed am I? Now, I do not know anyone in Texas, I do not know about the Texas show, when it is, where I would stay, how much it is, etc. etc. I just wanted to share my happiness, and tell you how it has rubbed off on my hubby too! He's a prof in a college, so if it's in September, I'd have to go alone, or not. There, that's a bit of everything, including a tiny bio.

I still cannot say 'thank you' to so many of you who have helped make this possible, especially the sorters and organizers.

Shirley, check out this link for info. The International Quilt Festival in Houston is the largest quilt show in this country! The dates of the 2011 show are November 3-6, but classes will be starting several days before the show actually opens. You can order a printed catalog to be mailed to you when they are ready, and there will also be an on-line catalog available.

http://www.quilts.com/newHome/index.php

Here are the host hotels, and you can still get a room. They offer continuous shuttles from the convention center to these hotels so you can just leave your car at the hotel.
http://www.quilts.com/newHome/shows/viewer.php?page=../../fqf11/info/hotels

When and where is the show in Texas? I know it's international, is it in Houston and what are the dates? I assume all hotels are all ready full. I would love to go and meet as many of my sisters as possible. Shirley35 Iowa

Ok. I know there is a great solution for this so I'll throw it out there and wait for the reply. On sorting day it became very clear to me that I can't bear to take the signature paper off the HST and not use it. I plan to do the Tree of Life pattern and use HSTs from my new world-wide friends, but how can I incorporate the treasured signature papers ? Marie suggested we use them in a collage of sorts , or maybe glue them to a piece of mat board and frame them. What are planning to do with yours?
Sarah

Shirley, check out this link for info. The International Quilt Festival in Houston is the largest quilt show in this country! The dates of the 2011 show are November 3-6, but classes will be starting several days before the show actually opens. You can order a printed catalog to be mailed to you when they are ready, and there will also be an on-line catalog available.

http://www.quilts.com/newHome/index.php

Here are the host hotels, and you can still get a room. They offer continuous shuttles from the convention center to these hotels so you can just leave your car at the hotel.
http://www.quilts.com/newHome/shows/viewer.php?page=../../fqf11/info/hotels

Dawn, you are the inspiration I was looking for. This is a fabulous idea. I love the idea of incorporating the "printed treasures" of the signatures on the back of the quilt. The two Debbie's kept talking about Scoopie and now I can put a face with the screen name. Thanks for replying, Sarah3

Sorting Day was amazing. I'm so glad I got to be there in person yesterday and meet everyone. Thank you and big hugs to Clara and Debbie for taking on this huge task. Thank you to everyone that helped, even the non-quilters that were there. Big thanks to Debbie's Bee for all of their help and for arranging the location. Thank you to everyone that donated chocolates and funds to cover food and expenses. Rosemary, your Sorting Hats are remarkable. Thank you for giving Clara and Debbie such a nice gift for them to remember this monumental event. Thanks go to Debbie's and Clara's husbands and families for their help and support. Thank you to Edyta for getting us all hooked on HSTs so we could do this crazy exchange! Last but not least, HUGE thanks to Alex and Ricky and TQS. What a tremendous community we have because of you. I am so thankful to be a quilter. I have met such wonderful people over the years and made many friends because of quilting. I don't know of any other hobby that generates such fellowship and generosity. I hope I get to meet many of you from TQS in Houston this November.

Ok. I know there is a great solution for this so I'll throw it out there and wait for the reply. On sorting day it became very clear to me that I can't bear to take the signature paper off the HST and not use it. I plan to do the Tree of Life pattern and use HSTs from my new world-wide friends, but how can I incorporate the treasured signature papers ? Marie suggested we use them in a collage of sorts , or maybe glue them to a piece of mat board and frame them. What are planning to do with yours?
Sarah