Fabric Fest Day 2

What an amazing experience this is turning out to be!!

My first class of the day was children's Pattern Drafting with Liz and Elizabeth Evans of Simple Simon &Co. These two gals, both named Elizabeth married two brothers and now have the same name. Imagine airport security when they travel together O.o

See all those lines? Yes, I know it is not the best photo but see all of that? I made that!! It is a "sloper" of a bodice front and back for a size 6 girl. It actually has loads of information and is the first step in pattern drafting. 

These ladies were great at translating the somewhat Greek mythical language of mathematical formulas into understandable and usable information.

I am so glad that I took this class and will soon be putting the information to good use. During the class, I won a really beautiful piece of vintage trim that I am going to work into my first project using my newly gained (emergent) skill. (Insert trim photo)

Lunch was next. Each meal (and lineup, class, elevator) I am meeting new people. Today was several ladies hailing from Texas and Utah.

While I was eating my lunch a lady came up from behind, threw her arms around me and said "you are my FAVOURITE person in the room!" There were 300 ish people in this room <blush>.

I instantly recognized her as one of the  instructors when I turned around. She started going on about how she loved my top, how it looked amazing on me and how she was so pleased to see HER FABRIC on me! <blush brighter red>. I did not correlate that Amanda Herring was the designer behind the fabric I was wearing. We took a photo ( insert Amanda photo) and I will forever feel so thankful for that exchange. I actually had many compliments on my outfit which had teal capris on bottom. For a gal like me, these small things are huge. I thought I would feel very out of place but I do not.

Shortly after that exchange I won a pattern in a random draw. 

This would look so darling using the (camping) line from Riley Blake that has just come out. 

The keynote speaker was Eleanor Burns. I admit, not being a quilter I really had no idea who she was. I know my quilty friends will think that a) I am insane and b) have sinned on some level. She is HILARIOUS though! 

I had picked my next class simply because I liked the brightly coloured little quilt it made called Kylie's Kite. Now I was excited for it to begin as it was being taught by Eleanor Burns.

Aside from a broken bobbin on a $3800. (USD) machine that made me have to resew about 40 seams the class was fabulous! Eleanor even came around and signed all our patterns. She has been in the quilt design business for 35 years and I suppose she is the Paul McCartney of the quilt world. (Insert photos of quilt).

This evening we all had dinner together and enjoyed a fashion show. There were so many beautiful quilts as well as clothing... Even a wedding dress! I will add all those photos from the camera when I get back home.

The most exciting part of the Fashion show (for me) was the reveal of Bonnie Haysom's fall line for Fishstick's Designs. I am one of her pattern testers and will be working on these really cute items over the next couple of weeks.

So very many beautiful items were shared today. I have a trillion ideas swimming in my head and should really be counting quilts (rather than sheep) and falling asleep.

Goodnight from Vegas!!

Travel Day

Today began at 340 am. I had hoped that the kids would stay asleep and we would whisk their sleeping little cherub selves to their carseats when we were loaded up. Instead, they were on my bed before my eyes were fully open asking if they could get in the van yet.

So begins the day. The 1 1/2 hour drive to Prince George was uneventful save for the children whining "I am so tired, I am hungry, can we turn around and go home yet?" 

I took off on the first flight literally as the sun rose. <insert photo here>. Some photos will have to wait until I get back home (camera) while some can post during the trip. The flight was great, the sun shining on glacial capped mountains until we came around over the Georgia Straight and entered the fog that hung around Vancouver.

So far things have gone swimmingly smooth. A row of seats to myself. Zero lineups and only slowed enough to kick off my flip flops at immigration. Breakfast in Vancouver and now my flight to Vegas is about to board.....all by 930 am.

The second flight was equally good. An empty seat beside me, a set of eat buds and a marathon of Sheldon and his Bazinga's. Yes I am THAT tired right now the name of the show is right there but so far away at the same time!

I was picked up from the airport from an online friend Julie of Jewel of the Lion fudge goddess fame! We had lunch and a cocktail prior to her getting me to the hotel. It is so nice to finally give someone who is a part of so much I have done a hug and connect.

After getting settled in my room with a pool view, was check in and registration. To take one from George Takei.... Ohhh Myyyyy. 

All if this was SWAG!!  There are scissors, buttons, embellishments, clover clips, tape measure, thread, scrapbook paper stack, a tote, make and take kits and more!!!

At 7 was the reception. I am going to Save that for it's own post. Ohhhh Myyyyy ;)

With that, it is 2015 now. It has been a long day and I  am going to snuggle in a king sized bed all alone tonight.

Nighty night!

Getting Ready!

In 24 hours my journey to Las Vegas begins. I am so excited to be headed off to Riley Blake's Fabric Fest.

Why? So very many reasons why!

For the past few years I have been saying  that when Ben went to kindergarten I would take a hard look at and evaluate BB Butts Diapers. I knew that was when I would (finally) have  hours in my day to dedicate to pushing a business forward. I have held back from expansion a couple of times to be the mom I wanted to be for his preschool years.

Several months back I came across a Facebook post regarding Fabric Fest. I scanned it quickly and commented to my hubby sitting next to me about how cool would it be to go to Vegas for an event like that?  This is where I get to brag about what a lucky lady I am.... He turned to me and said... GO! I was to tell him when he needed to take time off to care for the kids. My retort... No way! Don't be silly! I could never. We are talking International travel.....

I could not help to look at the class list...drafting, embellishing, a quilt top caught my eye, social media ...

Before I knew it, I had a schedule planned and figured out how much it would be to fly from my remote Northern community...I was getting sucked in.

Then I realized it also fit into my overall timeline goals and into the developement plans for Nechako Notionary AND Ben starting school!! Did you know I have had little people at home (preschoolers with a few years of homeschooling the eldest) for TWENTY years!?!

 When hubby asked when he needed to book off the next day I knew this was a gift I could not, would not pass up.

I am not 100% sure what I will get out of this trip. I do know my eyes and ears will be wide open soaking it all in and that I will have much to come home with to further my business goals. 

I also feel like it will recharge me. It is the beginning of a new me.. The grown up, pushing 50 me. The me who gets to tune out the cartoons that makes a mom looney and focus on what will make me tick like a fine Swiss watch.

This is a new era of my life. I can not think of a better way to celebrate the last era or to begin the discovery of next.

Viva Las Vegas... Be ready for me!