I went to the PA quilt show in Oaks, PA last Thurs & again Sun (one admission price covered all 4 days). Oh yes, it was fun. The quilts & goodies were beautiful. But I really pretty good at money management. But this quilt show I just felt reckless...I bought the x-block template from the Sue Pelland booth thurs went back sun & bought the book and another template. Bought a few panels (yea like I need more of those!), A kalidescope template, marking chalk, some charms, a really neat template for making leaves. Geez I don't use 90% of the items in my sewing room already...I had to vent somewhere...anyone else have a "spend foolish" story?

I probably will have after the first. Going to the airing of the quilts in PA....can't wait!!!!

Yep!! Everytime I go to a quilt show/LQS or anywhere with fabric!! :roll: And I have a sewing room full of 'must have' gadgets!!! :lol: :lol:

I love the quilt in your avatar! The colors are so striking. What is the name of the pattern?

That is a simple Diappearing 9 patch. thanks for the compliment

I'm that way with patterns, but most of my gadgets I use at some point, just not all right away. Had a light box that I didn't touch for 3 years, now I use it tons. I figure, when I need it, I will have it and not have to buy a ton of stuff at once for a project.

Yeah, dropped some money, too, on thursday's show. All I bought were some paTerns, two wide backs, and a jelly role of reproduction fabrics. Boy did that add up. BUT it was fun.

I had to learn to give myself a "show allowance" and when it was gone I was done shopping. I loved the years that International was in Chicago, but it was very easy to get carried away. I still have a few fat quarter bundles that .... fall into the "what was I thinking category ". But still miss my annual spree at the "Fat Quarter Queen".

Yeah but you never know. You might need it some day!

OMGoodness I have everything, but I do use it once in a while, LOL, My studio looks like a LQS. Oh well ;-)

I can have a list of things I want/need so I can stick to my budget and I'll still make at least one impulsive purchase that sometimes ends up being a big white elephant. Just the nature of the beast I guess.

I wish I had a quilt show to spend my money at, LOL. I don't even have a fabric store closer than 50 miles, so when I do get to go I don't feel too guilty.

I always tell folks, walk it three times..makes notes of the booth you saw it in, and what it was and the price...then sit down, do some math...and THEN...to avoid buyer's remorse...go to the booth ALONE so there is NO peer pressure..remember your friends really do like to spend YOUR money..heheheh

I am right with you!! The end of September/first of October is our shop hop. I can already see it now . . . buy buy buy and buy yet even more! :wink:

Where/when is this????

I'm usually pretty good about buying at shows. I don't maintain a 'stash' per se - just my normal over buying which leads to a stash. If I buy anything it's usually patterns. I just don't have the room to have things I'm not convinced I'm going to use. Now if I could only find an 8" x 24" ruler at a reasonable price.....

When I go to big shows I find what I want and then compare prices. I'm amazed at the different prices for the same item. Did that at the last show I attended and when I went back to get the cheaper price it was gone, Guess someone else shops like I do.

No---- never - nope uh uh, NEVER spend too much at these shows..............ooops - gotta go, my nose is bumping into the monitor!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Heck YES, i've overspent. I'm leaving on Thursday to go to the expo in Portland for the quilt show and PLAN on spending a LOT! :thumbup:

I try to keep myself in check, but I admit a weakness for buying panels as well. I always buy at least a few at MQX each year, using the excuse that they are ones I've never seen before...and might not be able to find ever again...LOL.

No Never!!! LOL

I try to limit my budget for new items.

Great advice. Getting ready to go to my first big one, can't wait!!

Yeah. Every time I walk into the local quilt shop, or JoAnn, or any other place that sells fabric or sewing supplies.

I was getting ready to ask the same thing. Colors are great and so is the pattern. Thanks

I have learned to walk the walk. One time I actually left the show without spending a penny. Amazing.

I just call it "my caught up in the moment" shopping. One never knows when we will need those items but we are ready when we do.

I have been thinking of going to it too...

been there, done that

I had the opportunity to attend this wonderful Pennsylvania show --- we all tend to be show foolish because everything is so beautiful and they make all these tools look like something that we can not do without. However - I will tell you that the "x-block" can be a whole lot of fun. They are a great tool. I also purchased the set of "twister" tools at the show in Paducah last year --- and just recently have had the opportunity to use them - I needed a table runner --with very short notice and the twister tool was wonderful. So if you purchase something - just stash it with your other quilt goodies and you will be surprised someday when you actually need them how great they are... At the show last week I purchased the "leaves galore" ruler -- and now that I have it home - it appears that it must be used as fusible applique --I like to do needle turn applique....Oh well maybe someday I will find the need for this years "needed tool"!!!

Have fun,
Sue in PA

If you ever use the X block template/pattern, let me know. I've had that since last September and can't quite figure it out!!

Did you have fun, do you still have a roof over your head? You are a quilter.

LOL, I would probaly be the same way!

I too actually left a quilt show without buying anything. That is because I spent my wad going on 2 shop hops and 3 other LQS within the past 3 weeks. So much pretty fabric and so little money! Also need to save $ due to have 20% off total purchase coupons for shops that expire 10/4. Need to do more SHOPPING.

I'm sure I will find something at the AQS show in Des Moines next week. There is ALWAYS some have to have item that I haven't seen before.

It was impulse, but foolish or not still to be determined... I stopped at my LQS to see about putting a flier in the window for my square dance club, so of course HAD to check out the sale section, sure I would find nothing irresistable. Approx 40 $4.50-5/yds later I walked out of the shop with 2 bagsful! Found such gorgeous stuff I could not resist, in spite of having, uh, 10 times that much? at home. :oops: Guess I'd better get off the computer and try out my new cutting table (6' folding table with PVC leg extensions to raise it to back-saving level, fits over end of guest room bed) and new cutting mat (JoAnn's 50% off sale with 20% off coupon besides, $20 instead of $50--love it when those coupons arrive by email at just the right time).

Most difficult part might be letting go of the quilts once they're made out of those oh-so-pretty, had-to-have fabrics. :-( That and resisting the impulse to use the 20% off Happy Birthday Week coupon from that LQS that I'll be getting next month. :mrgreen:

I was there Thursday & Sunday too. I bought a piece of fabric on Thursday. But Sunday I was BAD!!!! I bought templates that you use on the long arm to train your brain to make feathers, and other cool designs. I spent $90 in that booth, and I bought 2 books, one on Bargello, and one on appliqueeing large dogs. Now I do have large dogs, but I HATE doing applique. How dumb is that? I will just say that I saw the most amazing display of art quilts I have ever seen in my entire life. Those people must not have anything else to do but quilt. If someone locked me in my house and waited on me hand and foot I may be able to do one of those. Absolutely Amazing!!!!

http://www.airingofthequilts.com. Here is the link to this event. Check it out! Maybe too far away for me but sounds really nice!!!!! Actually it is only about 5 hrs from me. Field trip anyone???

OOOOHHHH!!! I am only a couple hours from there. I think my husband and I have been to that town a "hundred" years ago. That is a beautiful part of the state.

We get to go there often I have some family living there...My favorite bakery (Gables) isnt there anymore tho, I would stock up on things and bring them home.

DeeBooper, this sounds fun, what is it and where in PA?Never mind I should have finished the thread! I will follow the link.
Tulip

I picked up the brochure for the quilt show in Portland, Oregon NEXT week and bought from the websites, thats how bad I am.
Won't even make it to the show.