Spring Market 2016

This year I decided it would be fun to take a road trip to Salt Lake City.  But first, I needed a new bag!

I had received the Spring 2016 Cotton + Steel fabrics prior to leaving so that I could start making samples for Trend-Tex.  The cat linen was so cute, I just had to make myself a market bag.  Here my little Kitty Bag is hanging out in the Cotton + Steel booth.  A quick pic and we were on our way.

The Convention Centre had windows looking down on the market floor.  This was taken just prior to the doors opening.

The first day is always the School House Series.  One of my favourites was Eleanor Burns and her antique quilts.  She is always entertaining.

While in the Martingale booth I spied Katja's new calendar, to be released in July.  This was my favourite page as both sides are hexagons that I pieced for the calendar.  Great to see it in print.

The Riley Blake booth featured many quilts to do with colouring.  This one was my favourite as it was pieced by Kelli, who is hosting the Mine Craft Quilt-along on her blog.

Tula Pink's booth is always bright and cheerful.

Noeline and I had fun in the Aussie Isle having our picture taken with "Sheila".  We were hanging out with Lynette Anderson, a wonderful teacher, designer and supplier of Tim Tams!

The last stop on our road trip was listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Sunday morning. Beautiful!  We hit the road and after traveling 3300 km. we arrived back in Kamloops. Thanks to Noeline for being such a fabulous road trip companion.

Linking up with Finish it up Friday.

Alaskan Cruise

I returned last Sunday from an incredible Alaskan Cruise on the Noordam.  The cruise was organized by Rhonda at Marlin Travel.  Katja and I were both teaching to fifty-three happy quilters.

We departed Vancouver and sailed north to Juneau.  The first full day at sea was Katja's class.

Jo-Ann, who had never English Paper Pieced before, finished her project before the cruise ended.

The Mug Rug Challenge was put up and everyone who stopped by our room to visit, was invited to vote.  Judy's work of art won by a narrow margin.  So many talented women in one room.

Busy, busy, busy!!!

The second full day at sea, was my Mariner's Star class.  The fabric provided was "For You" by Zen Chic.  There were a few finished tops before we left the ship.

Beauty abounded.  I didn't rise in time for a sunrise, but the top photo is still showing a little colour in the clouds over the wake of the boat.  The Glacier Bay stop displayed the majesty of nature.

Of course we had time for a little fun on shore.  Jo-Ann is spotting Katja for a few crunches!

This picture was taken at Skagway.  Great friends on a great hike along the shore.

Starved for internet service, Katja and I were catching up outside the quilt store in Ketchikan when a GOOD friend gave us some old school technology to see us through the rest of the trip.

On the last day we held a Jelly Roll Race.  Twelve women took part.  Most said they didn't need a helper, but it was great to see as the race went on, everyone pitched in to help wrangle the 1600 inches of fabric.  Lots of laughs, great prizes provided by Trend-Tex Fabrics, and all finished a quilt top in sixty-five minutes or less.

Thanks to all the women who came on this Grand Adventure with Katja and I!  I hope you all had as much fun as I did.

Linking up with Finish it up Friday!