The quilts at the show were inspiring.  It was wonderful to see such  high quality workmanship.  The inset photo  is a new quilt from Suzanne Marshall, my quilting "hero".  Her work is impecable and she took home "Best Hand Workmanship" .

Most of the quilt display areas had inadequate lighting.  We couldn't get close enough  to fully appreciate the details as we were cordoned off by ropes.  I also felt there weren't enough large quilts, so we went back to see the show quilts twice. 

There were vendors on several floors of the Marriott convention center and it was easy miss some.  But the most stunning find was that some AQS vendors were relocated to a far off building in another part of the city which required a car drive or shuttle to get there.  I would hate to be those vendors. I hope they got a discount.  I would have bypassed the entire off site vendor location if not for the keen eye of my traveling partner as she scutinized the show brochure one evening,  which we had to pay for.  Also no free tote bags and  they ran out of ones to purchase.

I attended a sample class of 8 teachers showing their techniques simultaneously in one room.  I love this idea and i attended a similiar class in IQA Chicago and loved it.  Unfortunately the room was extremely small and overcrowded.  All the teachers were crammed into a small space with a table. We stood around each table.  About 15 people left and requested a refund.

The downtown Lancaster location had some advantages, as we enjoyed the Farmers Market across the street.  I got some great horseradish and candy and sampled some great cheese!  The local restaurants were well utilized by the quilters.  We enjoyed the Irish Pub and the Lancaster Brewing Co.  We found a great little restaurant for breakfast on our second morning there. I just can't remember the name.  The Marriott was an inadequate place for breakfast unless you're okay with an English Muffin for $3.50., pre-buttered and cold. Don't get me started!!!LOL

The Lancaster Quilting Museum was a block away from the show location so we saw that for the first time. I was prepared to be wow-ed,  I was under-whelmed.

I thoroughly enjoyed fabric shopping at Dutchland Quilt Patch late into the evening, there were some great closeouts and great prices! Like most quilters, I can spend many happy hours pulling bolts to combine fabric patterns and colors to make new collections to bring home.

I can just about guarentee that I will be back next year, unless it falls directly on Passover.  I feel confident the AQS will improve the show as they get comfortable with this new location.  I am looking forward to it already!!

 The weekend was a great success! We were so glad to talk with and meet, so many  friends, quilters and supporters of the quilting arts.  The days went by quickly as I helped our shoppers and my husband handled the sales.  The new venue for the show was great,  having quilts and vendors all in one room.

  My preferences for a particular thread come from my own experiences in using many of them. I don't especially like when threads break, unravel or knot.  I've learned to avoid metallics or cotton covered polyester, and many 100% cottons. Such cotton threads  are made from  lessor quality fibers,  have an inadequate twist or finish.

YLI Hand Quilting Thread has been my favorite since I began using it.  I love the colors and especially how it does not knot or break when I'm quilting.  Below is an excerpt from an article I wrote about threads. You can find the complete article by clicking on the NEQ Media Center box on the front page of  www.NancyEllenQuilts.com

Oruvs Soap by Proctor and Gamble

An extremely gentle detergent used to clean quilts and horses. Non-irritating and will not discolor dyes. Orvus paste from Proctor and Gamble is a favorite for the discerning quilter and the proud horse owner. This soap is solid in cooler temps. and liquid when warm. A little goes a long way!!
Directions for quilts & cotton fabrics:
In liquid form, stir before each use or scoop as a solid. Fill washer with water, add only one tablespoon of highly concentrated Orvus Paste. Agitate water to blend in Paste . Gently place quilt around in washer. Wash quilt on a short, gentle cycle . Rinse quilt twice to remove all the Orvus Paste. If quilt is heavily soiled, wash twice. Do not presoak the quilt. For delicate or heirloom quilts wash without agitation, lay flat to dry.
Directions for horses:
Add two tablespoons to a bucket of warm water. Mix to make sudsy. Use the sponge/washer of your choice to scrub and clean your horse. Rinse your horse very well. He/she will be squeaky clean.

 Precaution: Orvus WA Paste may be irritating to skin or eyes. Eye contact with the product or its aqueous solution may cause mild transient irritation. Eye Contact: flush with water thoroughly for 15 minutes. Skin Irritation: discontinue use, apply cold compress to relieve irritation.

Ingredients: Sodium lauryl sulfate, lauryl alcohol, sodium sulfate, water.

I took a workshop last weekend in Lancaster at the QHC show. A teacher who specializes in Piping, shared with us how she has no time to quilt. I see what she means. I really try to fit in lots of time to work on my latest project. Even as I am writing this my son is asking me lots of questions and I am cooking dinner. I hope that later this evening I'll have a chance to applique a few more petals.