sengler, do you mean someone actually pays to get in just for pick-pocketing? I have never heard of an incident, have you? And, I totally agree on the layers!!! One year our class room was so cold that one of the ladies put ALL of the fabric she had brought to class, around her sholders! Looked funny, but she was happier. And, while waiting outside a class one night near the class store/ballroom area, my friend and I nearly froze to death. The air is set for the hundreds of people that are there during the day, but at night the mass warm bodies factor is missing, and the air is still set the same. Then once I get into the vender area, I'm too warm. Layer, layer!!! But, I'm counting the days until I get to experience the wonderful cold and hot of the whole show!! Dawn

I agree; layers are critical so you can control your comfort! I also bring water and snacks (protein bars, fruit, chocolate). The convention center (not IQF) controls the food vendors and I'm not always happy with the selections and/or the prices! Be very careful about pick pockets - lots of women distracted by fabric and quilts make perfect targets.

I agree with Nanee about the sweaters on the show floor. But if you are taking classes, dress in layers. The convention center is trying to maintain temperature over a lot of rooms so some are hot and some are cold. And when you complain about it being hot in your room, it may be like a freezer in an hour. So I usually wear jeans and a t-shirt and bring a sweatshirt. But I'm usually warm so if you are usually cold, bring a sweater or a jacket.
Frances

Welcome to everyone coming to Houston for Market or Festival!!! We're expecting it to cool off considerably this evening, so the weather for Market should be wonderful and hopefully the coolness will continue through Festival weekend too. You may want to think about packing a lunch since the food is very pricey and the lines can get pretty long around lunch time.

I'm planning on using a backpack instead of a purse this year so I'll have hands free to look at everything. At my Bee, we made cute badge holders that we can use for our cell phone, credit cards and cash. If you have large, sturdy shopping bags, be sure to take those with you. There is a convenient booth where you can check-in your shopping bags when they start dragging you down, which is a certainty...and I think the cost is a reasonable and well-spent $1 a bag...at least it was last year! Also, remember you are not allowed to use rolling carts or strollers.

Most important of all...prepare to be awed , prepare to spend a lot :shock: , and prepare your feet well by wearing very, very comfortable shoes . I wouldn't suggest flip-flop type sandals since it can get very crowded and it would be easy for someone to step on the backs and cause a fall. You probably want to leave sweaters and coats in your car or at your hotel...it won't be that cold outside and you certainly won't need them inside. They're just extras you'll have to worry about.

In between the pouting and crying jags and being happy for our friends who are "there," I have a little something planned for my fellow members of the UGH Club (Unable to Go to Houston). I'll blog about it as the time nears and post here as well.

And yes, this will be my 3rd year as a member. Every year that passes with me in the UGH Club means one more year closer to having a family who can survive without Mommy taking care of every little thing. My long-term goal is to have a husband and daughters who are self-sufficient (if there is such a thing!) -- but I wouldn't want to miss the journey!

But after that milestone is hit, I'm goin' to Houston, baby!

Please don't sit in the corner and be sad Karen, Sharon, Debbie, Bridget and any others who are unable to go to Festival. I well remember the feeling last year, so I am going to do everything I can to provide you with as much of the show as possible. I promise to post a daily blog. I know it is will not be the same but I will do my best. I hope you will be happy sitting in front of your computer screen. . We are all TQS friends and that is why we became members of TQS to share with each other. If there is anything specific you would like to see please email me, mailto:jcm@iowatelecom.net and I will try to find it and get some pictures for you. Please email your requests no later then 10 p.m. on Saturday, 10/30. Pictures will start on the evening of 11/2 and continue daily until 11/7. I appreciate your wonderful cyber friendship this is the very least I can do for a fellow friend!!!! I don't want to see any more upside down smiles - Okay?

Carol

Brink, I'm with you, my picture with my daughter is a couple of years old. Yes, I was thinner, hair shorter. I try not to be in too many pictures. For all the TQS'ers not going, that was me last year. If you can go in the future I highly recommend it, Houston is a blast. See you next week, Pat

RGold wrote: Are you sure you would like a photo of me The old photo dont give away the truth about me; my hair is not blowing in the wind, some of my added pounds has made its way to my face and I dont have the sceenery with me :shock:
I better pull that quilt over my head
(I will send a picture later today)

In the end we might not need the any pictures, as soon as you see someone with their nose into a pdf document looking over the edge we will know she/he is from the greate "country" TheQuiltShow

sewengel wrote: I'm with Karen and Sharon --in the corner with a pout--but I sure look forward to hearing all the exciting news from Houston and hope I can be there someday.

Karen -- I know how you feel -- I hope all the TQSers have a wonderful time, but will join you in the corner and pout.

Sharon in CO

If you have a chance, go to Space Center Houston. They have a great tour .It's right next to NASA Johnson Space Center. Also about ten minutes from there is the Kemah Boardwalk. It is situated on Galveston Bay and it is home to great seafood restaurants and the largest parade of pleasure craft boats ( sail and power ) in the country. Both are about 25 minutes south of Houston.

Oh why?...oh why?... did I just sit here and read ALL fourteen pages of comments in the forum??????? One word....TORTURE!!!!! I am with Bridget in the "I can't go this year but maybe next year I will make it" group! I can feel the excitement building to a frenzy...the thrill of ogling all the quilts on display (congrats to Carole, Janet, Dawn)...the joy in seeing what is new...the ecstasy in feeling all the new fabric...okay, STOP! I'm getting myself worked up AGAIN! To all my TQS friends heading to Houston, have a great time! We expect lots of candid shots and scoops on all the new fabric, patterns, notions and anything else that you can think of!!!! Now, I am going to go sit in a corner and pout!

One more week, really excited to see everyone, meeting new people! Frances, my hat is off to you, you are a trooper. Robin, I will drop you an email, I would like the pdf list. Congratulations to all with quilts in the Show! Safe travels to all far and near, Pat

Thanks, Margo! I will keep updating the PDF until Sunday with whatever information comes across in email or on this Forum site, so just let me know if you want a copy. It's a 2-page document at this point, but I don't know if I can post that somehow here, so just send me an email: mailto:r.gold@forbesmill.com