Every time I go to Quilt Market, I’m reminded of the little nursery rhyme I used on my girls all the time when they were little:
Whenever we would return home from being out, I’d say to them as we pulled in the driveway: “Home again, home again, jiggety jog.” I have no idea if they were ever amused by it, but still I used it every time. (I’m surprised they haven’t put me in a home yet.)
While I didn’t buy a pig, a hog, or even a plum bun while I was in Portland, or even a VooDoo Doughnut, Market is indeed done, and I had a blast. So much fun, in fact, that it’s taken me until today to recover and get back at it!
I arrived in Portland on Thursday afternoon, and met up immediately with Victoria. We decided we’d go downtown for a while, so we hopped on the train and did that very thing. Portland’s MAX Light Rail makes it so easy to get all over the place in Portland.
We both wanted to go to Powell’s Book Store. What a wonderful and dangerous place for book lovers! Room after room after room of books, new and used, and things to go with the books. Knitting books? Yes, we have those, and look! — we even have yarn, so you can get started right away on that new project! Cake pans, socks, stickers, and did I mention books? Powell’s is a wonderful place.
Being way out of both of our time zones, we were hungry early, so we had an early dinner at the Red Star Tavern. Here’s how hungry I was: I ate vegetables!
Portland looked like this most of the time we were there, although there were a few brief periods with some sunshine.
It didn’t matter because . . .
The next two days were filled with Market, Market, Market. Seeing friends, making new friends, seeing all the new stuff that’s coming out, walking, eating, walking, walking, eating, and talking quilts and fabric.
I’ll take you on a little tour . . .
I stopped by Dear Stella’s booth to visit Jessica and see the projects I sewed for them this time. The Baby Domiciles quilt from their new line Va Bene!, barely peeking out from behind the Marbles quilt made from Honeycrisp:
And these darling whale pillows from their Confetti Dots line, which comes in such great colors. I LOVE polka dots, and these whales were so cute, I didn’t want to send them in!
I stopped by to visit Pat Sloan and see her booth:
And had to go visit some of her quilts in other places:
Her new line with Moda is called Bobbins and Bits, and I think it’s my favorite line she’s ever done! And while Pat was talking antique quilts with Mary Koval . . .
. . . Pat’s Shipping Department and Mary’s chauffeur were supervising:
I had a wonderful visit with Renee Nanneman of Need’l Love. Her booth was all decorated for Halloween, and you can see Becky Cogan’s “Twister Jack” quilts on the wall. Renee showed us her new line, The Linen Closet:
And my friend, Brigitte Heitland, from Germany, has her newest line out with Moda, called Barcelona. I didn’t get any pictures, but I’ll be making a small project with it soon, so I’ll show you then.
Victoria, Michele, and I went to dinner at a place called Milo’s:
We had Saganaki, which is fried cheese that arrives at your table flaming, and is then doused in lemon juice to put out the fire. You know that was right up my alley — cheese anything is fine by me, flaming or otherwise!
At one point during dinner, Michele said to the waitress: “I’ve lost my napkin. I got so excited by the flaming cheese, it slid right off my lap!”
On our way there, we walked through the mall, and saw this. Do you know how much I would have loved to have gotten to go do something like this when I was a kid? Ice skating! In a mall!
We attended the Modern Quilt Guild Meetup on Saturday night, which topped off a busy two days of seeing things, visiting with friends, and making new friends. As usual, I’ll leave you with some quotes from some of those friends. Yes, these are the people I hang out with when I travel . . . makes ya wonder, don’t it?
“I’ve been whippin’ this out all night for everyone else; why not you, too?” — Bill Volckening
To which Tracy Mooney replies, “It’s bigger than I thought!”
“I live in New York, and I’ve never seen anything like that!” — Victoria
“Wait, let me get my pants down.” — Megan Frock
“I didn’t pack any pants!” — Ebony Love
“It’s all about the attitude.” — Maddie Kertay, THE BadAss Quilter
Yes.
Yes, it is . . .
Glad you got to visit with Renee. She is a sweetheart. Delores and I will be over to visit sometime. Will call first.
Powell’s Bookstore! Every single time we go to Portland, my list goes w/ me! It isn’t a complete trip unless you go there too! I’ve always said if you can’t find the book you’re looking for there, well, the book probably isn’t worth reading in the first place! HA!
Sounds like you had a great time! Love that basket quilt.
I have tears in my eyes………not from laughing, although I should be………..
but from thinking how wonderful that whole adventure was!!
Sounds like Portlandia lived up to its billing. I’d have given a lot to hang out with you there! Great blog post!
Sounds like you had a great time!! Tell us all abou5 it guild! Sounds like a wonderful trip. Victoria and Maddy look like they are very cool and fun quilty “badass’ quilters!!!
So glad you were able to go to Market. It always sounds so awesome!
I know you had a great time! Did anyone take YOUR picture to prove you were really there?
I loved your quotes. That bookstore sounds dangerous. You’re really making me feel bad I wasn’t there. How wonderful it was. I LOVE SAGANAKI! One of my favorite foods. I hate vegatables, too. LOL!
I can tell you had a marvelous time. That’s terrific!
I LOVE out time together, always!!! We have so many laughs… Glad you got home in one piece… Did I tell you my getting home experience? I must…let me just say… 32D, toilets, fighting couple in joining seats, and a 1.5 hour wait for a taxi to get me home…… I’m home. at least I think i am. OP-pah! as they say when they light the cheese!
Sounds like a great trip! I LOVE Powell’s!! I want to visit Portland just so that I can go to Powell’s and Happy Knits. 😉