Lotti- Congratulations on the new baby! I'm sure you'll pet it as carefully and faithfully as your fabric. Keep it humming. You can always make mug mats for your family for Xmas. They ship easily.

are you joining in the challenge Rita, you'll be twiddling your thumbs waiting for whispers to arrive

Lotti, just because BJ has an 830 didn't mean that you had to get one for this challenge. You lucky duck, I hope you have a long and happy life together.

Petting fabric is an excellent way of enjoying it! Saves on wear & tear, and let's you think up numerous ideas of how you could use them, and then find an alternative fabric so you don't actually have to 'cut' into the beauties...

Sorry about your John troubles terrie, don't forget to take that camera and notebook to fotograph not just the fabulous quilts, the great TQS friends, you will meet, but also to snap and note down great gotta & wanna haves and the vendors who have them to shop once that Xmas money is in and you're back in the funds next year!

With the purchase of my new heavyweight baby today, it'll be a while 'till I can go shopping again! Now to think up low cost, low weight and still highly wanted and appreciated x-mas prezzies for the family and friends. Don't really think my nieces and nephews will be happy to get a card with the announcement of their baby-cousin 'Bernie-830' in lieu of the x-mas banknote they know and love

crocus999 wrote: Terrie, you'll be okay. On my first trip to Houston (2010), I was on an incredibly tight budget, too, so I just decided I would spend most of my time looking at the quilts, rather than in the vendor isles. And you know what? I still didn't manage to see all the quilts! Or get back to see some of those I wanted a second look at. It's truly overwhelming. The time that I did spend in the vendor isles, I mostly just made a list of things I wanted to order later (when my budget got better ). What I did buy was things I knew I couldn't get later—like some fat quarters of African fabric, which I still haven't done anything with (except pet them periodically :shock: ). Aha, maybe I can use some of them in my quilt for this architectural challenge. Ooo, that's a really good idea. Hmmmmmmm ....

I am laughing.Because when I went to China a few years back, that's exactly what I did - not because of budget, but because I though in case I can't eat 'their' food, I always had some PB and crackers in my suitcase! Luckily the food where I was, was very good.

Terrie, Sorry to hear your "not so Dear John" story, but I am certainly glad you have your ticket to Houston! I hear you can take home all the inspiration you can manage from Houston for free. Well, maybe not for free, but for the price of addmission and that's paid too! We can always take peanut butter and jelly and buy a loaf of bread.

No, Rita, I have my ticket, but I might not buy as much 'stuff' as I might have in my "pre-new-john" world. However, if I hadn't already bought my ticket, it may have been a hindrance to me feeling at liberty to go. Whew!

So Terrie, is that Houston down the toilet for you then?

BJ, and any others, Lois(?) going to the PA show - have a fantabulous time! Can't wait to hear about it. Pictures, please.

I'm laughing myself silly and thought this would be the most appropriate topic to post in. This is so funny.(to me) Speaking of archictural features,, we just had to get 2 new toilets in a hurry. On the bottom of the invoice, where they tell you to sign, and the name of the plumber...........'John". Really!

I now have two old toilets sitting in my driveway. I could take pictures and, do something with that for the challenge (NOT)

2 new toilets and payment for John's work on my new johns - there goes my budget for Houston!!!

loise98 wrote:
well, that *Is* why I mentioned the fabric I bought that will go in this project, LOL! didn't want to get too far off topic....

Betty Jo, I can't figure out how to quote two at once, but thanks for the understanding! Have fun in PA!

Lois, I'll be able to read my email at night, so send me an email if you are going to make it to the show and maybe we can arrange something. For that matter, anyone going could send me an email through TQS and maybe we can meet.

I think it's fun to watch these things develop...no apologies needed. I'm off to PA for the Quilt show there.