If you have any problems with walking the amounts of distances that this Quilt Show has, consider renting a mobility cart. They are a little pricey by the day but can be a life saver. I usually rent a cart for the day that I plan to look at the quilts and for the day that I set aside to puruse the vendors. I know I can last the whole day with a mobility cart and zip around to see the things I want to see and even go back to some special things. The people who have been renting the carts for the last four or five years are very nice and very accomodating but you really really need to reserve in advance because they do run out of carts on some days. If you have never used a cart they will give you an orientation, there are some tricks to using them but it is a way to get around when you do not have the stamina for a full day. I go to the Minnesota Quilt Show which is big but only probably a tenth of the Houston show and I am lucky to get through a few hours without wearing out. The Mobility carts at Houston are my life savers. Hugs, Ann - the traveling quilter - now in Wisconsin but soon back in Minnesota.

In the catalogue you will see sampler sessions. I attended two of the three offered last year. Money well spent. 28teachers each session giving five to ten minute lessons in their area of knowledge. All are teaching at the same time so you can move along at your own pace.
Have a great time! Betty Ann

2015..now that seems like a great year to plan on going to Houston and meeting Lorchen and a lot of my other friends F2F! I am also kind of planning on going next year, but not this one.

Lorchen, be sure to let me know what year you get to come to Houston because I really want to be there then. I need to serve you some of the "Queen's" tea!!!! Anyway would love to be there to meet you. Save your pounds and join us, it is a wonderful experience. Hugs, Ann

Replacement ink makes the $3.00 for the catalog look like a real bargain!!

Margo wrote:
Good advice. I just returned from Staple's. My printer ran out of ink. Thanks again for all the help, Margo.

Lorchen, Now I will want to go again in 2015. That is exciting. Anticipation is the most fun.

Lorchen wrote:
WHOO-HOO!!

Margo 'Reserve a box' is brilliant. At the show in Birmingham they have a couple of places where you can leave your coat and bags, etc., but they fill up very quickly, and they may be at the opposite end from where you are shopping.

Retirement in 2014...... visit to Houston Show in 2015....... I have started saving!

Great tips, Lorchen! I don't know about your festival, but the Houston show has a place where you can park your purchases for safekeeping until you are ready to leave or ship them home! It is called "Reserve A Box" and is located at the Festival Services Desk above Hall D.
So...you don't have to tote it around with you all day!

BTW...If you decide to print out the whole catalog, be aware that it is 50 pages long plus 12 pages of supplies needed for the classes!! :shock:

I bet this applies for Houston too. I go to the biggest quilt show here in Europe every year (much smaller than Houston, I'm told, but plenty big enough for me). Because I can't hop all over the world I always check who is at the show from places I don't get to. That goes for vendors, workshops, lectures, special exhibits. So, in my case I look for quilters from the US, Australia, Russia, etc. You may decide to look for Europe and Australia. I had a fantastic time with Lisa Walton and Michele Hill (both Australian) one year, Frieda Anderson and Laura Wasilowski were brilliant. My big treat this year is Patti Hempen. Russian quilt exhibitions are always amazing. I can 'catch' the UK quilters and vendors every year, but not the folks who come from across the world.

May I also suggest that you carry a small bottle of water with you. It always surprises me how dry the atmosphere in big halls is, and if you de-hydrate a bit you'll get a nasty headache that'll stop you enjoying yourself.

Look at the quilts at the beginning of your day, and shop at the end of the day. That way you don't carry all your 'must have' purchases around with you.

If you go to Houston with friends, make sure that you have exchanged your mobile phone numbers, and that your phone's battery is charged. So if you split up it's easier to meet again.

I also often have a pack of small cards with me, with my name, email address, phone number, etc. So if you want to give it to somebody you don't have to hunt around for a spare piece of paper. Carry a notebook and pen. I scribble down all sorts of things at quilt shows.

Finally, Lois: Go, go, go........ You deserve to have some fun!!

Signing up for lectures so you can rest a bit is a great idea! Thanks!

Margo wrote: Something I did the first time I went and wasn't sure what to expect, was sign up for a couple lectures. They are very inexpensive and I knew that I'd at least have some time and a place to sit down for a little while. You also get to listen to an interesting speaker while resting up!

Special exhibits: http://www.quilts.com/fqf12/events/exhibits.pdf

It looks like we may need a new volunteer to set up the TQS dinner on Thursday evening. Anyone up for it???

Lois, if I'm jumping and going you can too. LOL

Sharon