In no particular order of randomness. . .
The clothing --
First a shout-out to our hometown girl Janelle Archer's entry in the Bernina Rendezvous Fashion Show with "Meet Me At the Oscars - I'll be Wearing Red" Not only was it featured on the cover of Bernina's "Though the Needle" and in the Houston Chronicle Star section on Thursday, it was also a finalist for Viewer's Choice award. Gorgeous work, Janelle! You did good! There is a rotating display of the other fashion show garments in the quilt hall. Another favorite of mine was Virgie Fisher's "Lookin' Fur Bigfoot." Young and trendy, the details were wonderful close-up. There was even a racoon family nestled on the front of her jacket.
The Hobbs fiberfill outfits were an interesting assortment. Summerset's Midnight Garden outfit won third place. Easily she could have switched for second. The first place winner blew everyone away and deserved that win. Fortunately the Midnight Garden mannikin was displayed at the right end corner, so you could, with a little effort, see the lovely jacket back detail. I knew about it from reading her blog and practically knocked over the line post and squeezed into the fire hose pillar space to get a better look. Then everyone started to stop and look (at the rest of her outfit, not me).
The shopping --
I got Quilting Arts newest magazine, "Stitch - Creating with Fabric & Thread" The skirt detail on the front cover caught my eye. And it includes 5 skirt patterns along with 25 "contemporary sewing projects" Haven't had a chance to really delve into the pages, but it looks promising.
Christmas came early for me with a new cutting board from Salem Manufacturing. (Booth 1600). The Special Quilt Show price and saving the shipping costs, enabled me to also get their Folding Square Ruler. Very cool! If you get a chance to stop by their booth for a demo, you'll end up with one also. Out of the three of us in our shopping posse, two went home with one.
I also bought a box of Lickety Grip. (Lolly Corp Booth 1803) Again, the try-it demonstration sold me. I usually keep a tube of the Neutrogena cream on my cutting table because my fingers get so dry. This seems much nicer and less sticky. $7.50 is a good price point.
At Artistic Artifacts (Booth 1257) the magpie in me found these cool sequins in black and red. Click to see the dotted detail.
Got the two cool knit fabrics at C&C Fabrics (Booth 1357). I plan to make more Sandra Betzina tops. Great prices, these were only $7/yard.
And finally - I touched a $12,000 !!! sewing machine, the new Bernina 830. It's huge - in both price and size.
