Good for you, Pat! I was just thinking of you this morning! I was doing some paper piecing and using your beautiful post card of "Forest Walk" to turn back the papers so I could use my add-a-quarter ruler to trim the fabric. I must be more respectful of the postcard!

Have a great trip!!

Hi, everyone!
Got your bags packed yet? - I'm stacking things up ready to go into the bags. I leave on Sunday evening. Trying to get there for the Museum 20th birthday Monday at 5:30--they are somehow honoring my "Forest Walk" as one of their new quilts. I don't want to miss that!
So, I'm hoping to see you all sometime during the week.
I'll be attending the Winners Circle - will any of you be there?
I'll try to arrange a stop in at the TQS booth at 1:00 - to catch up with some of you.
Have a great trip and, Lord willing, I'll see you there.

Has anyone been to the National Quilt Museum Auction? Is it worth spending an evening? Are the quilts being auctioned super-expensive?

Connie Thanks for the comment on my quilt. I will look for you at Ricky's Booth at 1 o'clock. I will try to be there most days at that time. I can hardly wait. Betty Ann

Betty Ann, I just saw your quilt at the AQS facebook page...so original and so beautiful!

Robin, Margo, Nancy and Betty Ann, thanks so much for the helpful hints! I haven't been this excited since I was 6 years old waiting for Santa!

Check out American Quilters Society Facebook Wall. They chose my quilt "An Unaffected Grace" for the wall. Wow am I thrilled. So many nice comments.

When in Paducah be sure to go to the Boy Scout Strawberry Shortcake booth. A must!!!!! Usually behind the convention center toward the Museum.

All Smiles Betty Ann

Tip #1 - There are few ATMs around the Paducah area and likely, if you find one, it won't be your bank's or it will be out of cash. I remember having to go to a local grocery store and making a small purchase so that I could get cash back. So, my tip is to bring as much cash as you plan (or budget) to spend. Most vendors will take a credit card or maybe a personal check, especially on big ticket items and large purchases.

Tip #2 - If your hotel room has a fridge, bring lunch fixings and beverages to brown bag it at lunch. That way you will save time and $$, so that you can see more of the show and splurge on dinners. Paducah has some great restaurants and they are very accommodating to us quilters.

Tip #3 - If you have time, check out Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day Store and Tent Show, Hancock's of Paducah, and Caryl Bryer Fallert's Bryerpatch Studio.

Here's a link to a free Hip Pockets Purse pattern---> http://www.bhg.com/crafts/sewing/accessories/hip-pockets-purse/ You can use cording or a long shoestring instead of making your own, and make the purse wider than 7" to accommodate more stuff (and not have to shorten the zippers).

Oh you all are sooo lucky! I'll be there in spirit but not in person. Congrats on all whose quilts made it into the show.

In addition to Robin's excellent list, in addition to her point #3....WRITE DOWN BOOTH NUMBERS if you find something you may want to come back to buy!

If you haven't been to a Ricky Tim's concert, you don't want to miss that on Friday night!

(1) Take time to see all the quilts including any special exhibits.
(2) Visit the National Quilt Museum.
(3) Be careful in the vendor area - visit them all before you start spending money or you'll quickly run out.
(4) Drive the Dogwood Trail.
(5) Take the shuttle bus to the Rotary quilt exhibit.
(6) Wear comfortable shoes.
(7) Don't forget to bring your camera (and spare batteries, etc.). This is a show that allows you to take pictures of the quilts on exhibit.
( Forget the purse - use a hip or waist pouch instead. That way your hands will be free to touch all the fabric.
(9) Remember where you park.
(10) If past years are any guide, visit Ricky's booth at 1:00 pm each day to meet TQS people!
(11) HAVE FUN!

I hope to see you there.
Robin

Hi, everyone! Hope to see you all in Paducah! I've been quilting for 15 years, but this will be the first "major" quilt show I've ever attended. Will be driving from NC with my good friend, Ann, who is also a Paducah "virgin."

So for all you old hands out there, can you advise me on the not-to-be-missed experiences of the AQS show?

Thanks Margo. I really enjoyed all the badges. I will get busy with that as soon as I finish stripping.

Cathy, you can use this link for a basic pattern to make yourself a TQS name tag: [url]learn/projects/[/url]

Check here to see some of the creative name tags that showed up in Houston last fall: [url]daily-blog/133-slideshows/14285-join-us-at-the-tqs-booth-in-houston[/url]