Gone to Texas...aka Quiltcon!

I have been anticipating this day for a year and a half, and I might need to pinch myself in the morning when we (my mother, son, and I) load up the car and start our road trip to Austin, TX. This has been a dream of mine, and I'm having a hard time believing it's going to be a reality very soon.

I've spent the last month and a half prepping for Quiltcon.  I made a name tag and a lanyard.  I completely missed the lanyard swap for Quiltcon, so I went ahead and made my own.

I ordered pins so I can participate in the pin swap.

I ordered pins for my local guild so we can represent while we are there.

I put a box of my business cards in my supplies so I have them readily available to hand out.

I made two very practical bags to utilize while at Quiltcon.  The first was a Sew Together Bag by SewDemented. 

 The second was a Sewing Circle Tote by Elizabeth Hartman.

I prepped for the two classes I'll be taking.  The Dot to Dot Quilting with Angela Walters is just a supply fee, so that was easy.  I love straight line quilting, but I want to explore more FMQ.  I thought this class would be perfect.

These fabrics are all set for Playing With Value with Cheryl Arkison.  I feel like there is so much for me to learn about color value and I jumped at the chance when I saw this class.

I've been slowly collecting my supplies in a basket so I don't forget anything.

I've also been building a list of things I want to do in Austin while I'm there.  I use to live in Austin for 8 years while I was a student as the University of Texas and later as a young teacher.

I will be:

• spending some of my time catching up with old friends and meeting precious children of the aforementioned old friends.  
• going to church where my husband and I attended and where we were married.  There are lots of precious people there that I can't wait to hug.
• eating a lot of food!  Chuy's (my favorite restaurant), Texas BBQ, Whataburger, breakfast tacos, food trucks, etc.
• visiting a HEB and Central Market grocery store.  You have to be a Texan to understand this.  I probably won't buy much, but I will enjoy it's general splendor and try not to loose the contentment I've finally achieved with my local Kroger here in the Memphis-area.
• going to IKEA.  We won't be getting an IKEA in Memphis until spring of 2016.  I can't wait that long!
• trying to savor the time spent with my nieces and nephew.  I don't get to see them as often as I would like.
• Last, but not least, I will finally be meeting all these wonderful quilters I've had the pleasure to meet through the blogging/online world in person.  I can't even begin to contain my excitement!

This is going to be a great trip! I have a feeling I'll be using the word AWESOME to describe my week after it's all over.  Safe travels to all those who are traveling as well.  Looking forward to meeting you!

I won't be on the blog while I'm away, but I'll be posting pics on Instagram: @simplypieced
Check it out!