Saturday, April 21, 2007

PACKING FOR PADUCAH

My friends and I leave for Paducah on Tuesday am. I have got nothing together for the trip which proves how much I am not looking forward to the drive. I think I am going to cut back to going every other year. I have driven down every year for the past5 years. I always dread the trip.. anyone who knows me knows I am not really fond of travel. Once I get there, I will be fine. I am getting some things together to work on. Socks of course, and books..

American history is my thing. I love studying it. I figure I should finish the money book before I hit the vendors, and the other is a book I got at the library that is an interesting read.
I have loaded my Ipod with podcasts, it should hold me the 20 hours travel time to and from Paducah. I have lists of supplies from my friends, and lists of my own. Do you think that I stand a chance of sticking to my list? I am going to try really hard not to buy a bunch of stuff that I don't need.
We have reservations at Cohen's for dinner, then it is off to the awards ceremony to watch someone else win.. and then to the sneak preview. My three friends were nice enough to purchase tickets to these events so that I could go. The AQS sends tickets for me to get in. For a $5.00 entry fee, the AQS goes out of it's way to be good to the people who's quilts are in the show. Free admission to the awards ceremony, sneak preview, and a Multiday admission pass. They don't rob you blind to mail your quilt back, and they always put your quilt in a new box, and they include one of the photo catalogs of the quilts in the show. I have had my quilt entered in some shows and I still would have to pay to get in, and pay for the sneak preview/awards ceremony. With one of the major U.S. shows you have to pay for everything and they don't give money for prizes. I have had my quilts in this show 2 times. The first year I didn't win anything, and I learned the second year when I did win a ribbon, there wasn't any money involved. Don't get me wrong. It is fun to be in shows, and it is fun to get a ribbon but it can be an expensive venture and it is nice to know that you might have a chance to make some of your shipping money back. I entered an eastern show for the last time last year. Ultimately, it cost me close to $100.00 including shipping to the show (which is always lots less than the show wants to ship your quilt in the same box back to you), plus the entry fees. There were no cash prizes there either. When I first started doing competition quilts it didn't matter. I was more excited about getting my quilts in a big show. But I am getting to the point that I have to pick and choose what I enter and I have to try my best to make a great quilt that has a chance of winning. I have a long way to go.. But, I am quickly taking quilt shows off of my list.
Oh well... blogging isn't packing. Hopefully, I will be able to post from the show and let you know what happens. I don't own a laptop. I thought about getting one, but doubt I would have any use for it since I am a homebody. It's times like this that I wish I had one.
I hope you all have a good week!!

5 comments:

flippytale Quilter (Christine) said...

Have fun, I really like this show. Our guild charters a bus to go visit it. I have a loooong wish list!

Lori (A.K.A. Elkhoundmom) said...

Hope you have a painless trip and a great time at the show!

Shelina said...

Congratulations on getting a quilt in a show, and glad you got a chance to win once. I think that after paying for shipping, you should get free admission. It's the least they can do. Entry fees should go towards prizes.

Hope you survive the travel well - sounds like you are armed well - and that you have fun at the show. Bring back lots of pictures!

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

I bet you have a great time once you get there.

Judy said...

Hi Teri,
Just stopping by for a visit. You are one of my next door neighbors on the Artful Quilters Webring. Hope you've had a grand time in Paducah and that the drive wasn't as bad as you had anticipated. I hate long road trips alone too. I look forward to reading all about your time in Paducah.
Judy