The 2008 AQS Quilt Show is history, but the impact is long-lasting. I hardly know where to begin — there is so much to share with you all! The quilt show was incredible, with over 900 quilts hung on display in the downtown Des Moines HyVee Convention Center. There were over 300 outstanding vendors; with literally something for everyone to enjoy. I know I enjoyed myself immensely. I feel that AQS (the American Quilter’s Society) really did a bang-up job with this inaugural show in Iowa. The venue was very well suited for this event: the classrooms were large, bright, roomy, and well-stocked. The lecture room was more than comfortable and the facilities were excellent. Personally, I would have preferred a few food vendors more centrally situated, but for the most part, eating was not a problem. I will admit the walk to and from the hotel and the convention center was over 3/4 of a mile each way (one of the instructors used a pedometer to measure the route through the skywalks!) but as Nadine and I reminded each other, there is a silver lining in every situation. At least we got our share of daily exercise as we walked back and forth from hotel rooms to quilt show several times per day!
Students sorting through their "clues" in the mystery quilt class
To begin, let me tell you about the classes I taught. They were filled with an abundance of high-energy, lots of creative ideas flowing from the students, and were just downright FUN. I met the loveliest people — and had at least one man in every class (except one). My classroom (Meeting Room 2) was outfitted with brand new, top-of-the-line, Janome Memory Craft 11000 machines. 
They were fantastic and the students really loved all the great features and ease of sewing. We were fortunate to have Terry, a Janome Professional Educator, who was assigned exclusively to our room, which was fantastic. He was there to help the students learn how to use some of the great features on the machines — and he could hear the machines “chirp” from across the room and would come running to assist whenever needed. However, we actually teased him that he was like the Maytag repairman. The machines performed so well he was actually not needed much for repair or maintenance issues. I enjoyed having him in the classroom and because he was so tall, he was very handy to have around to help me hang quilts on the quilt racks, too.
Terry, our Janome Professional Educator and sewing machine guru!
The students were fantastic. I enjoyed getting to know each and every person in my classes and to find out a little about them whenever possible — without distracting from the piecing and sewing tasks at hand. Personally, I get so energized from meeting the students on a personal level: to hear about their stories, their lives, their quilts. The people are what makes this career so rewarding for me! I feel very blessed whenever someone takes the time to open up, to share a little bit about their history — perhaps what drew them to my class, or why they became quilters — this is always the best part for me. And I never cease to learn something new in my own classes. I just love the creative sharing and giving nature of quilters.
These four fun-loving sisters enjoyed a family reunion at the quilt show and in my mystery class!
On Wednesday from 5:30 – 8:30pm, I taught
Flying Geese Crossing. Even though it was an evening class, the students were excited and ready to go! I was amazed at the creativity and enthusiasm as they learned how to use the
Easy Star and Geese Ruler and made perfect flying geese in straight set blocks with the illusion of being set on point. Here are a few of the students and their beautiful blocks!
The mystery quilt class was a blast! The students did a fabulous job of choosing fabrics according to the “hints” I provided in the fabric requirements handouts prior to coming to class. The resulting quilts were absolutely exquisite! To top things off, just about everyone was able to complete their quilt top in class — which meant one less new UFO to take home! This made for lots of happy quilters on Thursday. Here are a few pictures from class and I will post even more photos from this and all my classes in the gallery. Be sure to check them all out!
Aside from the fantastic classes, there were lots of other things going on at the show. On Thursday, I was interviewed by the news anchor of the CBS affiliate television station for a three minute spot on the evening news. You can watch the clip by clicking on the link. It was very exciting for me to do this interview and it was also a lot of fun!
Earlier in the week, on October 8th, Kent and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. I was very sad to be apart on this momentous occasion, but Kent more than made up for the distance between us. He surprised me with the most gorgeous bouquet of 20 hot pink (my favorite color of flower) long stemmed roses! They were delivered to my hotel room, and he made sure I was there to receive them in person. I was overwhelmed and so delighted. Kent always, always comes through for me in so many thoughtful ways.
When I wasn’t teaching, lecturing, or we weren’t viewing the gorgeous quilts at the show, we spent some time shopping at the local mall. My favorite store in the world happens to be in that mall — Von Maur. They have the best customer service anywhere, and I simply love their selection of clothes, shoes, handbags, and accessories. Plus, they always have someone playing a grand piano in the atrium with beautiful music to enjoy while you shop. What’s not to love?
I think the bags are a big clue to my shopping spree at Von Maur.
I had a “shopping spree” and bought some new clothes for myself and Kent, and even a few things for the boys as well. Kent sure is a great guy and takes good care of me — he wasn’t even cross (well, not too much anyway!) when he began to see all the charges I made. He’s definitely a keeper.
We had so many great times during the week — with lots of laughter, sharing, shopping, and eating out at our favorite restaurants. It was truly a week of recharging my creative batteries! I came home overflowing with ideas for new quilts I want to design and a few surprises I hope to share with all of you very soon. I hope you’ll stop back often and check the blog updates — I might even be able to share some exciting news with you in the near future.
In the meantime, I hope you’ll drop me a line and share your thoughts — especially if you are one of the many new “friends” I met in Des Moines at the AQS Quilt Show! I look forward to hearing from you.
Happy stitching —
Kimberly
The 2008 AQS Quilt Show is history, but the impact is long-lasting. I hardly know where to begin — there is so much to share with you all! The quilt show was incredible, with over 900 quilts hung on display in the downtown Des Moines HyVee Convention Center. There were over 300 outstanding vendors; with literally something for everyone to enjoy. I know I enjoyed myself immensely. I feel that AQS (the American Quilter’s Society) really did a bang-up job with this inaugural show in Iowa. The venue was very well suited for this event: the classrooms were large, bright, roomy, and well-stocked. The lecture room was more than comfortable and the facilities were excellent. Personally, I would have preferred a few food vendors more centrally situated, but for the most part, eating was not a problem. I will admit the walk to and from the hotel and the convention center was over 3/4 of a mile each way (one of the instructors used a pedometer to measure the route through the skywalks!) but as Nadine and I reminded each other, there is a silver lining in every situation. At least we got our share of daily exercise as we walked back and forth from hotel rooms to quilt show several times per day!
They were fantastic and the students really loved all the great features and ease of sewing. We were fortunate to have Terry, a Janome Professional Educator, who was assigned exclusively to our room, which was fantastic. He was there to help the students learn how to use some of the great features on the machines — and he could hear the machines “chirp” from across the room and would come running to assist whenever needed. However, we actually teased him that he was like the Maytag repairman. The machines performed so well he was actually not needed much for repair or maintenance issues. I enjoyed having him in the classroom and because he was so tall, he was very handy to have around to help me hang quilts on the quilt racks, too.
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging comments, Adell! I’ll be eager to see your site when you have it up and running, so please let me know when it is operational!
Thanks again —
K
Wonderful review of the Des Moines Show and your classes. Thanks for the blog. I’m starting a site that points to interesting blogs (not up yet) and I’ll be pointing to yours.
Best
Adell
Great review and photos of the 2008 AQS Quilt Show. It’s always good to hear that creative ideas were flowing from the instructors (as well as the students) when it comes to quilting (my passion). I normally obtain ideas from my quilting group, trade shows, classes and magazine subscriptions.
Thanks for the great posting.
Michelle
http://keepsakequilting-1.blogspot.com/
Hi Kimberly,
I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed your class. It was so relaxing and none stressing. It truly was a wonderful experience. I was a little nervous about taking a class from a famous designer because I get uptight when I am under a deadline to finish something in a class and need to keep up with the instructor. I did not get that feeling at all with you. Thanks again so much. I hope to be able to take another class from you soon.
LaVonne
(Scrapyard Needle Art)
Michelle –
Thank you so much for taking time to write. I can’t begin to tell you how exhilarated I get from all the creative energy in a classroom setting. Must be the sound of all those machines humming along, or the exchange of ideas, or perhaps seeing all the gorgeous fabrics brought to class by the students. I’ll bet you are much the same way!
Thanks again!
Kimberly
LaVonne,
Wow — I am so honored and thrilled to read your kind and encouraging comments about the class! My goal for each of my classes is to ensure everyone leaves having learned something and that they leave refreshed and relaxed! No stress allowed! 🙂
Seriously, I appreciate so much you chose my class to attend in Des Moines, and I’m just delighted you had a great time and didn’t feel any pressure. It was supposed to be relaxing, fun, and rejuvenating! I truly hope to see you in class again in the future — be sure to check my schedule on my website — and by all means, let me know if I’ll be some place where our paths will cross again.
Looking forward to seeing you in the future — and be sure to send me a photo of your finished quilt!
Kimberly