Whose idea was a 6.00 a.m. flight?
Cheryl picked me up at 4.00 a.m. prompt and we drove to the airport. Apparently most sensible people were still in bed because the roads were clear and we were parked and checked in before sun rise. In fact I am pretty sure we took off in the dark…
But Houston was ready and waiting for our arrival…
The Hilton even had our room ready and we were able to check in and leave our bags upstairs before venturing into the world of Festival… there was a brief hiccup while I persuaded those that make decisions I really needed a ticket to the Gala…
But hiccups over off we went to pay homage to Cheryl’s quilt Road to Home in the Tactile Architecture exhibit…
Still looking good!
And then we set off around the shops for a while before it was time for a nap… yes, I was sound asleep (probably snoring?) when Cheryl woke me up to return to business.
She had Open Studios in the Make it University area while I had more shopping to do… then dinner with friends and a reasonably early night.
Friday morning I headed downstairs at 8 (I must be keen) to meet up with the ladies from Pieceful Heart… Six of us jumped (clambered) into the Tahoe ready for an adventure. I’m glad I wasn’t driving as we took a roundabout tour of Houston and its environs.
First stop was breakfast (complete with Texas size biscuit) and then Quilter’s Emporium in Stafford. (hand dyed wools caught my eye…)
Debbie and Celeste look happy with their purchases…
Across town our next stop was Painted Pony ‘n Quilts in La Porte..
10,000 bolts of fabric later and a lovely chat with Cynthia Williford, who teaches embroidery at the store and had some wonderful work on display, we climbed back on board. We all had treasures to show… mine included pieces of Tina Given’s fabric from her Pernilla’s Journey collection and co-ordinating shot cottons and some beautiful threads from the Thread Gatherers that Cynthia was showing…
We now headed back across town to somewhere else… I’m not too sure where… I didn’t make any purchases at the fabric store but we all got drinks at the Starbuck’s…
And then we headed towards It’s a Stitch in Humble… And as if we hadn’t had enough fun… Deb handled the situation with grace and charm but suffice to say we went around the same u-turn 3 times… Was it going to be worth it?
I think so. I bought a pattern for an applique armadillo and fabrics to make some Christmas gifts, so I did well and Nancy looks happy talking to the store ladies…
And everyone is smiling here, outside the store ready to go home…
If we hadn’t taken any detours Google maps puts our route at 152 miles, 3 hours 12 minutes but the TomTom lady had some interesting ideas so I am sure Deb drove far more than that! I was very content in the back…
We parted ways and I rejoined Cheryl to catch up on the day’s adventures. Then it was time for dinner at the III Forks with new friends from Artistic Artifacts…
Saturday would be another day… but more of that tomorrow!!
Houston Quilt Market looks like so much fun, such a quilting adventure. One day…..