Machine Quilter’s Showcase is Over

The last MQS in Overland Park, KS is over.  It was a smaller show then in previous years.  It is a little sad to see this change and I worry about next year.  My records show sales for our company dropped considerably after the move from Springfield, IL and it took several years to return to a new normal lower than it had been in Springfield.  On the other hand they had out grown the facility in Springfield and so the move resulted.  Thus I have serious reservations about next year.  But regardless of what I think the show will be in Witicha next year.  Oh, Well!

Today we are going to Spring Market which is also in town this weekend at Bartle Hall.  It has been a long time since we went to Market, and a first as a buyer only.  As many of you know we were a distributor of other peoples products for many years, but have not pursued that avenue for some time.  Many of our current customers have asked us to carry other items and we have resisted. 

Now we think it may be time to carry a select set of products that are not our own.  So off to Market we go.

At Machine Quilting Showcase

Preview and the first day at Showcase was a bit short of some previous shows.   It is not often I attend a show where I don’t feel comfortable leaving Patricia in the booth by herself and I get to go around and smooze with the other vendors and show staff.  But for the last two shows W have actually been busy most of the day.  Yesterday Patricia did have time to go get us an sandwich late in the afternoon and I watched the booth.  We were not going to have time to eat because of the auction for education.

Last night at the Auction they were able to raise over $11,000 for education, so I expect we will see lots of people who benefit next year.  And the money was raised on half the quilts auctioned last year.  The big winner was Baby Turtle Bay by Claudia Pheil, at $2400.  My thanks to Claudia for her donation to education.  The auction is such a great effort to help people and new quilters learn how to contribute to the industry. 

This year the IMQA can fill more of the many requests they receive and give complete scholarships to deserving people.  To all the bidders thank you for your generosity.  Come by the Quilter’s Rule booth and see the quilt I purchased for Patricia’s office door.   I think it fits.  Maybe I should post at picture you tell me.

Kansas City (Overland Park)

I am beginning to understand how much I dislike driving across WY, NE and KS.  There are long distances with nothing to see except wide open spaces.  I know many of you live there and love it.  I just need my trees and rain. But I do thank the farmers and ranchers that live there and feed our great nation. 

Yesterday was set up day at MQS.  We are in the first row just across from Nolting.  We are trying something new a 25 foot in line booth.  It took forever for us to decide how to set up.  Normally we would set up the booth at the office to determine where everything should go.  But this time we did not do that very smart thing.  Instead we had to make all the decisions after we arrived.  Almost three wasted hours.  But by 7pm we were almost ready.  Just a little straighten up to do and we are ready. 

We were short a little on quilts to hang with 45 feet of wall space.   Thanks to Dusty and Stephanie for loaning us Garden Orbs, the Viewer Choice Award winner in Milwaukee two years ago.

Anyway, preview starts at 2:30 this afternoon.  Come by and say hello.  Shop a bit and let’s all have a good time.

Patricia and I are sorry we were unable to get more pictures at the show last week.  But we were so busy and had no time.  That is a good thing.  Thanks so much to all who shopped with us in Sandy, UT.

Salt Lake City (Sandy)

This has been a particularly difficult trip for me.  Have not been able to get the Road Warrior Suit on or maybe it just does not fit.  To bring everyone up to date (I stopped writing here on Tuesday) what a difference a few days make.

We have been at the Home Machine Quilting Show in Sandy, UT.   What a great success this year.  We have not been able to get out of our booth to view the quilts or be able to put pictures on line.  I took one photo of the crowd coming in and then I put my head down and have been working.  After the show was over on Thursday there were a lot of people left in the hall so I quickly when over to check out the QOV bus.  It is being built – not finished - to transport disabled vets to appointments.  A good cause, please support it.  I did see a couple of the QOV quilts on the way back.  It breaks your heart and makes you so proud of the warriors that will eventually have these quilts.  I find it hard to understand why everyone who quilts does not help in this effort.

If you live in the Mountain States and have not been the HMQS, you should make plans to go next year.  Sorry but the show ends today.  If things slow down today, I will try and get out and post a few pictures.  After  4PM it will all be over and we can look forward to next year. 

After Six Weeks Off

Omaha, NE

After 6 weeks at home I find myself on the road again.  This time we are on our way to Denver, Salt Lake City and Kansas City.   We left home at 2 pm yesterday afternoon with 1006 miles to cover to get to the first show.  We spent the night in Omaha, NE, near the zoo.  Just past that locomotive setting on the bluff over the Missouri River.  In 1976 I lived not far from where I spent the night.  I had left the Army and had my first job with PIE (Pacific Intermountain Express) as a Trainee.   This area has changed so much, but everywhere and everything has changed.

Today we will drive the rest of the way to Denver.  I must be getting old. I can’t remember the last time I forgot to pack my razor, but I did yesterday.  Well I will treat myself to a new one. 

I have to tell you I am not looking forward to this trip.  March was very warm and I got the itch to plant my garden.  April was cold and I had to cover the plants.  My cows had their calves and now I want finish planting.  My first cutting hay crop can be cut next week if the weatherman is correct about the temperature.  And I will be in on the road.  I am just a frustrated farmer and sometimes it just gets the best of me.

Oh well, if it were easy everyone would do it.  So just come by our booth to visit and pick up that new tool you need for your next project.  I have a special gift for qualifying purchases.  A Quilter’s Rule Tote Bag could be yours.  These are brand new and are off white cotton with burgundy print.  Who will be the first?