Exhale, more of Quilt Market

I think I may have been holding my breath the whole weekend.

Market is an amazing, overwhelming, incredible, terrifying, joyful experience.

It really was better than I could have dreamed.

The first time I showed my portfolio I was offered an in house design position with Art Gallery Fabrics. So I would design a line and instead of my name it would say, "By Art Gallery Fabrics." They did say there was potential to later on be a licensed designer for them, but as of yet, they had not done that. 

The second time I showed my portfolio I was offered a contract with Paintbrush Studio! I thought I heard wrong. That hardly happens any more. Usually what happens is, if they like your work, they will ask you to send them a portfolio and then their committee will decide if they would like to continue with you or not. It's months and months of waiting.

Then the third, forth, and fifth, showings all asked to be sent a portfolio.

I could not believe what was happening to me! Me. Emilie. With no formal training in art or textile design. Me with Big , HUGE, dreams that I thought were still so very far away.

They kept asking where I had trained. When I told them I was self taught they seemed surprised.

It was a very surreal, humbling experience.

I had to go into a bathroom stall and weep and give thanks to Heavenly Father for such an amazing day. I found myself tearing up as I walked down the long isles. I was so very grateful to be there and to have my work so well received.

There were a few companies, Westminster Fabric and Micheal Miller who were not looking at any designers at Market. That was a bit of a bummer. I guess I will always wonder what their response would have been.

Moda gave me a great compliment. They said I was very talented and that it reminded them very much of Kate Spain's work. They said if they had not signed her a few years ago they would sign me! I tell you what, I will take it!

In the Beginning Fabrics spent a great deal of time with my portfolio. Studying it and contemplating. In the end, they said they loved it and really would like to sign me up, but they  have two artists already who do similar work. 

Andover fabrics, P& B Textiles, Red Rooster Fabrics, Windham, RJR, and Henry & Glass all have requested portfolios.


I will also be sending portfolios to Westminster and Micheal Miller...you know...just to cover all the bases.  *wink*

At this point, I have a wonderfully hard decision. Do I go with the sure thing and sign with Paintbrush? OR do I wait to see if anything comes of the others?

Really, I am grateful to have THIS problem and not the problem of starting from the beginning.

*SQUEAL*!!!!!!!!

I can't believe this is actually  happening!!!!!!

Oh, I met and got pictures with all my favorite designers, Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, and Joel Dewberry. They are beyond nice in person and I feel I really could live next door to every single one of them.

Since Blogger was having issues the other day and I was unable to post any pictures I will post them all now.

Shelley Detton's booth. I am very proud to have been a small part of this.

That's my garden bench I painted red for the booth

Shelley Detton, her booth, and me.

Anna Maria Horner, her booth, and me!

Amy Butler, her booth, and me!

Joel Dewberry, his booth, and me!!!

Joel Dewberry. I found out he lives in Perry, Ut. Who knew?

Isn't Shelley's booth incredible? She did such an astounding job. Can you believe she didn't have ANY of her fabric until 11 days before Market? I am still astounded that she was able to sew 4 quilts, 5 skirts, 2 tops, 2 slugs, 2 snakes, 5 bags, 4 pillows and a sign in that time. She did have some help with the quilts, but everything else was her. Such an inspiration.

I told Anna Maria I almost didn't come and say hi to her because, you know, she wouldn't care who I was. She said, "Are you kidding?!?!? You see this booth? This is WAY polished for me!" To which her daughter piped up, "Um, yeah. WAY polished!" Then we chatted for a few minutes more. Sigh. So nice.

THEN after all of that excitement I saw Megan from Brassy Apple walk by.

I went running after her and asked if she was indeed who I thought she was. She is. awesome. We took pictures together and lo and behold I am in a video on her blog today!!!! My picture comes at sec. 42.

Seriously. Who's life am I living? This is amazing.