Houston

For four days every year, many quilters make the trip to Houston to view this incredible show. The best of the best enter their quilts and the vendors are outstanding.

This is a view of the vendor section of the Houston International Quilt Festival taken from the second floor porthole. It represents about one-sixth of the size of the vendor area. We felt like we had walked miles visiting all the vendors. The flag is the center of the hall and Make-It University is located here along with the Quilting Arts store. QA sponsored the mini workshops on the floor of the show and using the lottery system, you might be picked for one of the classes.
I was one of 25 lucky people to take a Collaged Mini-Purse with mixed media artist Judy Gula. We had fun gluing down paper and fabric to a canvas type cloth, adding paint and emphera and sewing up the sides. A bonus class for me.

Open Studios also takes place at the MIU, where you are able to sit and chat with your favorite teacher, catch up on her techniques or just re-connect to an old friend.The picture above is the "Red" carpet running down the length of the show. It's a busy place for visitors, some stopping at the Information Booth or waiting for friends. One way leads to the quilts and the other way goes to the Food Court. It also helps orient you when you become overwhelmed by all you are trying to take in.