A Little Trip to Houston

 I recently wrote about the challenge of getting 20 of my best quilts, and a few early, more humble ones, to Houston, TX for the big Special Exhibit of my work, called My Joyful Journey this Fall. They had to be in Houston by July 2.  See that post here: Things You Don't Think About

Shipping would have been expensive and there is always a bit of worry about things getting lost in transit. My husband was adamant he could, should, and would drive them to Houston himself. Long rides in a vehicle are not my cup of tea and this involved 15 hours total driving time, each way. So all I had to do was plan his hotel stays when he knew how far he would go each night and worry about him.

Packed and loaded and ready to go--as soon as the cover was closed on the truck:

The next day he arrived at the Quilts Inc. office where Becky Navarro, head of Special Exhibits met him:

They transported the 3 large boxes, containing a total of 20 quilts, up to the 5th floor: 

Success! The boxes are now safely at their destination. Will met a few of the employees working that day--much work is still being done at home:

He quickly said his good-byes and turned the truck toward home. The day before he had driven through the hardest rain he had ever seen, along I-10, before he got to Beaumont, TX to rest for the night. With lots of construction and traffic. So he decided to take a more northerly route home, going toward Shreveport. He got as far as Monroe, LA the second night where I had another decent hotel room waiting for him. 

All in all, it was a long, hard trip for him but he proved he could do it and was pleased with himself, I think. But the quilts will be shipped BACK to me, much later this year.

You would think having 20 quilts out of my house would be noticeable but not really. Four of the best ones are stored in a big closet so they were out of sight. The two that came down off walls, in the living room and master bedroom, were quickly replaced with others. And the bookcase still looks full. I really need to get rid of some of these.

If you haven't been to International Quilt Festival in Houston, this is the year to go. Besides my exciting exhibit, there will be more than 25 others as well as an awesome judged show with some of the finest quilts you will ever see. And this year, there might not be 60,000 people there. But, then again, quilters are eager to be back in Houston. I really hope to see you there--most of my best friends are coming! For information go here: Quilts Inc.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

THINGS YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT

When I proposed a Special Exhibit of my life's work for International Quilt Festival in Houston, called My Joyful Journey, there were a few things that didn't cross my mind.

Like, how does one send 20 quilts to Houston, TX, safely and securely? I have shipped two quilts to various shows, two quilts = two boxes. But 20???

Here is the official Announcement from Quilts. Inc:

Joyful Jourey
pieced by Barbara Black
quilted by Pam Dranfeldt

Sponsored by Quilters Select, RNK Distributing

A look back (and ahead) at the life and work of quiltmaker Barbara Black.

She began in 1985 

with simple baby quilts from pre-cut fabric, and today

creates challenging quilts filled with small pieces and complex design. 

This journey shows her progression from new quiltmaker to quilt artist. 

Precision piecing and beautiful color and design are the hallmarks 

of Barbara’s passionate quilt journey.

A few months ago it was time to really think about just how getting my quilts there would happen. My husband insisted the easiest plan would be for us to drive them there. Not my idea of a good time, two days in the SUV, the first day long, so the second day could put us at the Quilts Inc. office by mid-morning. Then a few more days on the road as we visit family along the Gulf coast.

But compared to the cost and worry of shipping all those quilts, he might be right. He kept asking, "what is the Volume of all those quilts?" He is an engineer... I said I wouldn't know until I gathered them from around the house into one place. 

Here is what the Volume looked like. The spare bed is covered with piles of quilts:

The engineer went to work, researching box sizes and determining how many boxes would fit in the SUV or the pickup truck. Then he tried to buy the boxes online. He found a ten-pack of big boxes at a reasonable price BUT the shipping was over $100--for empty boxes! 

This is starting to get complicated... He did find the local FedEx store had THREE of those boxes on hand. He bought those and the logistical plan began. The boxes are 24" x 24" x 18". Three of those will fit in my SUV, with room for two small pieces of luggage. 

Let the folding begin:

Three boxes, 20 quilts, lots of plastic for the inside of the boxes, and lots of padding and additional plastic bags to protect the best of these quilts. It worked--they all fit in three boxes:

After the first two boxes were packed I came up with the brilliant idea that my spreadsheet should list which quilts were in which box. The boxes weren't sealed yet, that will be done right before we leave. So we took the quilts out so I could indicate which quilt was in each box. Done, all set.

There are two more quilts included in the Special Exhibit that I no longer own:

Red and White--By the Numbers
in the Corporate Collection of Quilts Inc.

Sizzle--HOT!
in a private collection

These will be delivered by the owners for inclusion in the Special Exhibit. I love both of those quilts and am very glad they will be included as they tell part of my "Joyful Journey" as a quiltmaker.

Several of my friends have let me know they will be attending Houston this year, some of those for the first time. That makes me so  happy. It's not too late to make your plans. Find hotel information here: Hotel Discounts

The Faculty was just announced this week--check out this esteemed list of amazing teachers: Faculty and their Classes. A lot of safety precautions will be in place, lots of space for each student, for example. There is no better place to find so many first-class teachers you can learn from. Classes begin Monday October 25.

Preview night for students is Wednesday October 27--students get an extra two hours to shop and see the quilts before Preview night opens to the public. The show itself  is Thursday-Sunday October 28-31, 2021. Can you see it all in ONE day? Absolutely not. Two days? Also, no. Plan for at least 3 days and wear your most comfortable shoes--it's a BIG place. 

I hope to see you there. I will be there for both Market and Festival, as usual, and will get down to the show floor as time permits. 

Let's quilt.

Barbara