First Day in Rochester - Wow

The 2012 Minnesota Quilter's Annual Show in Rochester, MN has already exceeded my expectations.  I have said it before, but I feel very blessed the the opportunity to be here.  

This post is picture heavy.  Also, I will warn you (if you haven't already figured it out) 

that little things make me happy so some of my pictures are of things that I found 

interesting, but could seem simplistic to others.

I started my day by leaving at 6:15 a.m.  I arrived in time for my class at 8:30.  The class was "Sassy Mariner's Compass" and the teacher was Debby Kratovil.  She had such great tips, teaching style, and I felt like I did fine even though it was an Intermediate paper piecing class.  The only real issue I had is that both of the machines I brought didn't work very well.  I hope that someday I will be able to buy a 'new' machine that works much better than my old ones.

I was able to get pictures of the blocks all the participants made (except one).  It is just amazing how different they look because of the fabric choices.  Of course we didn't finish, but these give you an idea of what the quilt will 

The first one was made by the president of Minnesota Quilters.  Great job Wynn!

I love these colors.  It would match my dishes really well!

This one gives you an idea of what the completed quilt will look like.

Unfortunately, this is all I completed, and I will actually have to redo the 'donut' ring.  

It turns out my 1/4" foot is more like a 5/16" foot, and I had rippling.  

The fabric I am using is Veranda by Amanda Murphy.  Love it!

Here is my pretty hotel room.  Newly renovated Kahler Inn & Suites.  

Yes, I know.  It is 'just' a hotel room. But it is a treat for this single mom to get to be 

away for 5 days and stay in the hotel 4 nights.  :)

Look at the great surprise when I came in.  It is great being the 2012 scholarship winner.

I went back to the convention center for "Meet the Teachers".  One of the first quilter's I found online and admire greatly is Darlene Zimmerman "The Feedsack Lady", and I love her patterns and tools.  Here we are!  Horrible picture of me, but I left it in.  She is such a sweet lady.  

I went into the vendor/quilt show area for a little while, but my feet and legs were 

really hurting, so I didn't stay long.  I did purchase 1 FQ of Bella Butterfly fabric to go with the scraps of Backyard baby I got from Lisa - "In the Boondocks".  It wouldn't surprise me if I go back for a couple more FQ's of these 2 great lines of fabric.

It was 5 blocks back to the hotel, and I found some great things along with the way.  As you approach the Mayo Clinic, there is a courtyard area called Peace Plaza.  I love this fountain, and I ate in a great Greek/American restaurant for my dinner.  

There was also a great view of the Kahler Grand Hotel.  When I was a kid, we came to Rochester a few times when the Vikings games were blacked out and stayed at the Kahler.  Many fond memories.  My parents and the other adults watched the Vikings play.  

Meanwhile we kids pretended we were elevator operators, went up and down the stairways, and swam in the top floor pool with the glass dome over it.

Whew!  Busy first day.  Tiring but great.  Thank you for sharing it with me.

Blessed Sewing,

Karen