I truly enjoyed my first visit to this quilt festival this year. Aside from the stormy weather driving in, the day was perfect. We drove right up to the valet parking--no waiting--and paid $20, which was cheap considering that the uncovered lot across the street charged $25 and it was raining buckets. I bought our tickets online that morning, but there was no line at all for tickets--lesson learned, I could have saved $1 per ticket if I had bought them at the door. The line to get in moved very quickly, so we were inside the show just a few minutes after 10:00 am. Yippee! The convention floors were carpeted. Restrooms were nearby, whenever we needed one. The food in the food court was very good and not too pricy considering the portion sizes, and there was a guy playing music live--Kenny G style--while we ate. Since I just had one day, I decided to forgo the vendor booths, except booth 1210--the TQS booth, of course, and just focused on seeing the quilts. It was great meeting Alex and John for the first time, and also Janet Stone there. Ricky and Justin were very welcoming to my husband. By the way, there was a husband's lounge in the same exhibition hall with the quilts, where husbands could watch football.

We managed to take in all of the quilts, without rushing too much, and there were many great quilts to see. I must admit that my poor feet were tired by the end of all of that walking, but we were finished by 5 pm. Since I was in a group of four people, leaving at rush hour was not an issue--we could drive in the HOV Lane. Thankfully, the sun was shining all the way back to my friends' home (they live in the north suburbs off of FM 1690) and we arrived by 6:00 pm, just in time for the trick-or-treaters.

Thanks to everyone who came for the dinner! I love seeing everyone each year!
Missed visiting with those who were unable to come --- hope to see you next time....

It was a nice dinner. Thanks Lena for planning it. Sorry I didn't take any pictures. Too busy talking.

ClaraLawrence wrote: We missed you ! Hope you feel better.
Someone took some pictures but I cannot remember who it was - It was a pretty small crowd this year, but the food was great at Phoenicia!

Sorry guys I had to bail out. Feeling very bad at the last minute. Argh.

Be back tomorrow for more quilting fun. Hopefully. Want to see photos of the dinner please. Clara

Looking forward to seeing you all at 6pm! Won't have bells on, but.......... ha ha

Never mind all this talk of dinners, put down your plates and go and take a photo of the BOM for us.

Have a great time and enjoy seeing all our winners and meeting up.

We have 30 people for dinner tomorrow and a few stopping by for a quick visit ---- Will be great to see everyone!

bhalbard wrote: Look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

MCapps1999 wrote:
Added Wilma and DH - wish you could be there as well!
Hopefully next year.

gynconnie wrote: Yes, so long as they are with you - no problem. I'll put you down for 4.
See you tomorrow!

Lena, count me in. Hopefully I'm not too late! I am really looking forward to seeing everyone.

I wish I could make it, but I have a prior commitment.

However, please count on two more: Wilma Moss and her DH.

Hope to see each and every one of you at the TQS booth!!

Smiles, Maureen

Lena, is it OK if I bring a non-TQS quilter with me...I'm trying to convince her to join! If so, there will be 4 of us, including husbands.