Welcome to Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh…a month after!! LOL!!

I had a wonderful time a few weeks ago in Pittsburgh attending the Quilt industry Spring Market. I know for a lot of blog readers, you've seen a bunch of market posts. I'd like to hope that this isn't just another one with all of the same pictures and same comments!! I have a few insights that really grabbed me while I was there in May.

But before I get into that, let me tell you that I am including pictures here that I haven't posted anywhere (FB or IG) yet! I have a few that I have posted before. If you want to see other pics I posted during market, check out my IG feed HERE!! ♥

First of all, what is market?

Market is a industry trade show for business to connect with other businesses! You have to have credentials to get into the show. This year, they changed up the credential process so vendors could distinguish between buyers (local quilt shops) and industry professionals (designers {me}, long arm quilters, book authors, teachers, sales and mktg professionals, etc). It is geared mostly for your local quilt shop owners to go in and see all of the new goodies that are coming up!!

{Carrie Bloomston and me in her fun booth!! Check out my sweet tire swing quilt behind us!!}

Second, why do I go?

For me, I love connecting with people!! I am about the relationships. One of my passions is to help others promote their business using my gifts and personal voice! Like Carrie from Such Designs (above)…She created that fabulous fabric called Paint that I'm made into a skirt (using Jona's pattern from this awesome book!) and a quilt for her booth!! Win-win for all of us!!

Here's Patty Sloniger and me in front of her booth!! Again, I made a cute little A-line skirt using Patty's new fabric, Emma's Garden. 

I also made this fun little mini quilt for her booth! 

You know me…I'm in love with embroidery and text and fun quotes…

The butterfly is Patty's design! Sooooo fun!!

You can see my voice and Patty's voice in this mini quilt! Fun Collaboration…

And that brings me to this…

What made an impression on me this market?

 

{Tessellation – a mind-blowing pattern from Allison Glass and Nydia Kehnle}

Collaboration!!!

The most successful inspiring places and people were working with other successful inspiring people! People were supporting one another, inspiring one another, and overall, just radiating creativity while working together! I can't really explain it better than that!

I just know that I am inspired to work and collaborate! 

Here are some more pics from market. (forgive me for not labeling all of them! It was a quick weekend for me!!)

Brooke and her prayer flag in Carrie's booth!!

 

Below, I'm pictured with Harvey, Emily Herrick's fun deer!! We were trying to save him from her husband's archery practice! I'm not sure if Harvey made it back to her home or not…LOL!!!

 

And because people are my thing…

 

Carolyn Friedlander and me…I got her awesome new book, Savor Each Stitch. (stay tuned for a book review!! yay!) 

Here my peeps and I are with the wonderful Alison Glass!!

A quick pic of me and Jeni Baker!! I made my bag (Ahoy Tote pattern by Schlosser Designs!!) out of her newly released fabric, Dreamin' Vintage! so yummmmy!! (and another post about that later, too!! So much blog fodder!!)

There was some lovely booth activities, too!! Like Sizzix had a charity block making area!! (Thanks, Amy Friend for sewing them all together!!)

And Dear Stella had a fun #dressmecontest on IG…I love my little guy!

Adorable!!

And I loved being with my friends, Julie and Brooke and my new friend, Tricialyn!!

We had a wonderful time being wild and inspired!! All at the same time!

All in all, you will see a lot of new ideas and projects that have come from the inspiration of Pittsburgh…and I have a new respect for that town, too! It is beautiful downtown!

I hope something is inspiring you to collaborate today, too! ♥

blessings!!!