I Went To EB's Store!!
 

We took our vacation in Kentucky this year and I made my way over to Paducah!! We were staying near Lexington, but DH still made the 4.5 hour trek with me over to Paducah. We spent the morning at Quilt In The Day where I got to tour Eleanor's upstairs apartment that she stays in when she's in town, see a lot of the actual quilts that she's made on the shows and of course, shop!! Then we grabbed lunch and headed over to the National Quilt Museum and saw some amazing quilts by a lot of talented people. I was in my glory!! At one point, at QIAD, the clerk went up to my husband as I was squealing in delight on the phone with a quilting friend and told him, "She's a bit too excited for me to tell her this right now, so I'll tell you that this back room is all on sale from $2-$4 a yard." LOL!! DH told me after I came up for air. I was so syked!

EB started my love of quilting. Four years back I had to have two, back-to-back surgeries and spent 12 weeks on bed rest. It was driving me crazy, so DH suggested I start to learn to quilt as I always wanted to. I tried reading 'Quilting For Dummies', but with all of the medications that I was on, I could barely focus on the words. So, I found her show one day while I was scanning channels and she really got me through those twelve weeks and ignited my love for quilting. Going to her store was an amazing thing for me. I walked away with some souvenirs, some notions I haven't seen in NY and memories of a wonderful day. So, while this isn't probably newsworthy, I just had to share my excitement!!

That sounds wonderful!

Sounds like you had an exciting day. It is so neat when DH can share the experience with you. We all have those moments when we go down memory lane. Mine is "Simply Quilts". Learned a lot from Alex and the shows.

Great story, thanks for sharing!!

Your Husband helped you the most by having you start to learn to quilt. Give him a big hug, at least before you become addicted to fabric.LOL Well, maybe you have become addicted.

Sounds wonderful!! Thanks for sharing!

That's exciting! I'm glad you had a memorable day!

How cool is that?!?!?! Sounds like a lot of fun!

What a great time you had. I, too, remember EB on PBS and giggling when she tossed the fabric over her shoulder. I think the quilt bug bit me when I first watched Georgia Bonesteel's Lapquilting show. I still enjoy watching her when she shows up on the Create channel.

What an awesome day for you!! You have a wonderful hubby!!

Did you make it to Hancocks of Paducah? I've heard that shop is the stuff of legends.

What an exciting day DH is definitely a keeper :)

My first quilt (class) was EB's Log Cabin. I've made several of her other patterns. Her directions helped a confused quilter like me!

So glad to hear you have overcome your medical issues. Quilting is a very healing art form to enjoy. So glad you got to visit EB's shop and walk away with bargains. Lucky!!!!!

Sounds like you had an absolutely wonderful time in Paducah - someday I'm going to make it there. Isn't it fun to be able to just stop and smell the roses (or feel the fabric).

I went to the Paducah Quilt show in April. While there shopped at QIAD for the first time. Will most certainly go again when in in KY.

Oh PS, I so want to go to the Quilt Museum. I am going to make you jealous. Beginning of dec I am going to a retreat and the host is going to be EB. yes.
http://www.fabricsetc2.com/media/upl..._dream_pdf.pdf
Quilters Dream Retreat. I went to a the quilt show at rosemont and was talking to the girls at the babylock booth and they told me about this retreat and I am going. this will be my first retreat. ☺☺☺.

Simply Quilts is mine, too. Other than the fact that Alex Anderson was such a delight and an awesome quilter, she had great guests with such great talents. Some of my favorites were Billie Lauder, Eleanor Burns, Laura Nownes, Diana McClun, Mary Ellen Hopkins. Then there was the Stack n-Whack lady Bethany Reynolds and the Peaky and Spike lady Doreen Speckmann. All of these ladies got me hooked on quilting. When I was at home during the vacation months I watched faithfully and really missed them when I went back to school in the fall. Now we have NONE of the quilting shows.

Through this awesome board and the tutorials on Missouri Star Quilt Co. and other sites we can see the best of the best for guidance.

PS 150, this side trip to Paducah will be an inspiration to you for years to come. And... that DH of yours is a real trooper!

I'm close enough to Paducah that I drive down for a day of the big Show. However, you've inspired me to maybe go down for a day this fall. I chose going to Hancock's over EB's QIAD store. I'd have time to do both, plus visit the Quilt Museum, during a less hectic time. (All those vendors during the Show are mind-boggling!)

Sounds like EB has helped in your recovery. When I'm home on Saturday mornings, I try to catch her show on PBS. From9:30a.m. thru 12:00 p.m., it's nothing but quilting and sewing. During that time I can get needle work and some housework done at the same time. I try to record the shows, if I remember. Would some day like to see her place.

I got excited reading your post! Now you have to plan to go to the show in Paducah next year. I went with my sisters who live in Louisville (I moved to Michigan many, many years ago). You will really squeal at the fabric deals they have at Hancock's and at the vendors displays and of course at Quilt in a day - they also set up in a big barn near the exhibitors building. That's where I met Eleanor Burns who is just too sweet, I bought her book, which she signed and she talked like we knew each other for years. Then we went to her show, sat on the front row for $5 each (the 5 was then taken off whatever you bought at the store or in the warehouse). She was so funny and got the audience to participate in the show, I will never forget it, just too much fun! So, plan on going next year, me and my sisters are already planning on it and an ex-sister-in-law from Virginia is also coming! I took an empty carry on suitcase that came home weighing so much I couldn't pick it up alone!

I learned the basics of quilting from Eleanor and her quilt show on TV. She made it so easy and simple. I have a place in my heart for Eleanor!!

Wow, what a wonderful experience you have had! That is so great.

How neat! And you even got to tour her apartment! She is a sweet lady that has taught us all so much. I have taken one class from her, and am signed up for a two day class with her at the end of September.

Wonderful vacation..I love going to quilt shops. I am going to Buffalo at the end of the month for my grandson's wedding. I plan to go to Amish country to my favorite quilt shop.

Went to her store in San Marcos Ca--[San Diego] and met her in Houston-- she signed a copy of her first log cabin book---very friendly and the people at her store were very helpful with my first project---king sized log cabin---[never start small]

Lucky you!!! that would be my dream vacation!!

That sounds wonderful!!!!

Sounds like my kind of day!! Glad you had fun.

I have been sewing since I was about 13 years old. I learned out of necessity because I was already almost 6' tall by then. At 14, I really was 6' tall so it was nearly impossible for me to purchase pants in a store that didn't have those awful cuffs on them to let down. Now that I'm 60-something, the gkids no longer wear Grammie's home made things so I started watching EB, F&P, Sewing with Nancy, Martha Pullen, anything I can to learn what I can about designing and making quilts. I live in Northern KY now so might just have to take a trip to Paducah one of these days!

So excited for you. I think my DH would have to roll me out in the shopping cart (if there was room) in order to get me to the car. Were you able to take loads of pictures?

We all have our favorite teachers and she's mine. For me, she made quilting look so easy I had to try it. Her positive attitude makes me want to try and her stories just crack me up. Even now I enjoy watching her shows. She has shown me so many simpler ways. Going to her store is on my bucket list. I'm going to drive to I can stuff the car to the gills. Do you have any pictures of the store?

Oh, I'll bet you had a wonderful time. I have been to Paducah and the quilt museum and Eleanor Burns shop. I especially enjoyed another shop about 2 or 3 blocks north or the museum. I don't remember the name but it was a little old fashioned house with several rooms and all kinds of fabric, patterns, notions....whatever you needed for quilting she had it. I can't remember the name but if you drive out of the museum parking lot and turn right, just a few blocks the little quilt cottage is on the left hand side. I spent hours in there and the ladies were so friendly and helpful.

What a truly amazing trip. Maybe some day I'll be lucky enough to go to one of her stores. She has been an inspiration to thousands of quilters, making quilts easier for us to do in a more timely fashion and having fun along the way. Her sense of humor is absolutely contagious - helps me make it through the day sometimes. Lucky you to have been able to visit her studio/apartment.

I was getting excited just reading your story!! Sounds like a great time!

I'm excited for you! your enthusiasm is delightful :)

You are so right, about quilting being a healing art form. When my mom passed away I made a quillow...my first try at quillows. Then I made another. Then another. By the time I stopped I had made 22 for friends and family. It helped me cope and brought peace.

Be sure to come back for the quilt show in April. It is so much fun. I stay at a b&b and have met so many. Interesting people. The people that run the b&b are great!

So newsworthy, thank you for sharing. I love hearing where fellow quilters began their journey.