Monday, November 3, 2014

Quilt Market & me : :

Wild & Free at Quilt Market

2014 Fall Quilt Market

Wild & Free at Quilt Market

Quilt Market pillows

Quillt Market pillows

2014 Fall Quilt Market

Wild & Free at Quilt Market

Wild & Free booth details

Back from Market!

Just a few of my favorite Quilt Market moments!

Welcome Home flowers

I'm finding it difficult to come up with the right words to describe my first real Quilt Market experience and all that I'm feeling still nearly one week later. To my family and friends I keep sharing, "it was such a dream, it was so amazing." Both because it was just that, so many little dreams come true, but also because now that I'm back home in the regular routine of things it feels at times blurry, like it was all something I had imagined. The stories & memories I've brought back, along with these photos and many others are my proof, but more importantly I think there's also evidence in the ways that I've changed from this experience. I stretched myself and grew, I can feel it. A not very confident woman, who rarely leaves home, who's never crossed time zones before, or stayed in a hotel with a bed all to herself, who saved and sold all that she could to afford a trip just for herself, feels a little different today. I realized that I can do the big things I almost always talk myself out of, and that if I do, oh it will be so, so worth it. I found my people and a real sense of belonging, not just in this community of makers that is full of the most inspiring, wonderful, encouraging people, but as a small town mother who feels isolated and lonely pretty often, who found a place to really fit in.

It's been such a tough few years, watching my Dad's health decline, then losing him this past June, all while I continue to have lots of ups and downs with my own health. This little fabric collection of mine and this trip is my avengment. It's the sum of all the days spent learning, dreaming, making, drawing, and blogging instead of feeling dejected. It was my big chance to make my Dad and family proud of me. I could write for days about the amazing individual encounters I had with my quilting heroes, fellow designers, and bloggers. Everyone was so sweet and so wonderful. Then being awarded Best New Exhibitor was one of the most surprising, overwhelming, and unforgettable moments of my life. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing that was. When the Quilt Market folks were handing me the news, the ribbon and plaque, I immediately thought of my Mom & Dad, then my kids and husband, and was overcome by emotion then total embarrassment. So many of us laughing, teary-eyed, together. As I left the city Tuesday morning and looked out my window once more I was unable to hold off the tears, it was that wonderful of an experience, and is now one I hope to have again.

Coming home to a house still intact, a happy husband & kids excited to greet me and hear all about my adventure was the crowning glory. Having this journal and all of you to share this journey and all that I love with is just incredible. I'm forever grateful for all of it!

with thanks,  ♡  Maureen   

59 comments:

  1. We love you too Maureen! So glad we got a chance to have dinner together and spend more time. And tell your sister we love her too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congrats againe Maureen You so deserve this honor and I am so glad that you was able to be part of the greatest quilt market. Have a happy day

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've been following you for two years now, and the growth I've seen in you as a quilter and blogger has been inspiring! Dream big!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love you quilt market stand and the fabric line :-) just beautiful !

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's sooo unbelivably beautiful. You're just doing magic with fabrics...
    Congrats, well done, and... Go on ! ;)

    (If you come to France, anytime, just let it know !)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Stunning booth and I love all the details! You are truly inspiring!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. So well deserved and I'm so pleased it was all you'd hoped for and more.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congratulations!!! This is well deserved and I can't wait to work with your fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congrats on what sounds like a simply wonderful experience. I can absolutely relate to how you feel about being a small-town woman. I feel like this community has given me a sense of purpose and belonging like I could have never imagined.

    Enjoy this high and always remember how you feel right now when you are feeling low. Congrats! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Maureen, I wish I could reach through thus ipad and give you a big hug! I am so happy you are getting the recognition you so deserve through your talent and hard work. Believe in yourself, because we all do! I simply can't wait until your new fabric is ready to buy

    ReplyDelete
  11. Congratulations! Your booth and everything made for it was beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful booth, beautiful post and beautiful person! Congratulations! You deserve this!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hooray for you!!!! beautifully written...welcome to the opening of a new chapter you created for yourself. You inspire other women...that rocks!!! (and your booth and your work is so beautifully created to boot!)

    ReplyDelete
  14. You deserve every single speck of wonderful in your life!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Congratulations Maureen. I'm really happy to hear that it was a success (and I'm looking forward to buying your fabric collection!!)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Congratulations! You are such an amazingly talented artist and a genuine person! Your light shines through on your blog! So happy for you!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congratulations all around! I'm so happy for you and I look forward to seeing your fabric in person when it becomes available.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh, Maureen, I'm glad it was such a wonderful experience and I congratulate you for taking chances, working so hard and for making those dreams come true! You are so inspiring and very talented. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

    ReplyDelete
  19. It was a wonderful booth that showed your joy and excitement for your line. Amazing!!! So glad I got to finally meet you in person and share a long time coming quilty hug ;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. It has been such fun watching you learn to sew, to ending up with your own fabric line, and then at quilt market. I'm so proud of you and wish you continued success with all your hopes and dreams!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Congratulations!! You make us proud!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I've teared up with happy tears for you. You go girl! You deserve all the accolades.

    ReplyDelete
  23. YAY! Maureen. How wonderful, the stretching and growing and learning and leaping! Wow, you've come so far and have been inspiring me (us) along the way. So happy for you and wishing you much more success and venturing out. This is only the beginning. And if you ever come to visit Art Gallery in person, I'm down here too! Hugs! (I only realized now, that I hugged you when I said hello, and I am a total stranger! LOL) Well I didn't feel like one. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  24. HI MAUREEN! THANK YOU for posting for those of us that couldn't make it! Your work is so inspiring>thanks for sharing!

    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am so happy for you that it was such an amazing experiece. Congratulations on your wonderful award!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Words can not express how proud I am of you!! You amaze me daily with your talent and eye for color. You deserve this all and I can't wait to see what's next. Much love.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your post brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy for you living your dream!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Congratulations and all the very best for the Future God bless you and your family

    ReplyDelete
  29. Loved all the pics. makes me wish i could go one timen congrats. imabank@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. CONGRATS!!! Your booth was definitely a winner. You did your family proud.

    ReplyDelete
  31. best recap of Quilt Market that I've read. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  32. You have grown so much since I started following you. You have had a super journey and it's just beginning. Congratulations and may you keep growing and growing. Many of us will enjoy your journey along with you.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks for being wiling to be so transparent with all of us out here! You did a wonderful job at Market and you should enjoy the journey you're on. (Keep pinching yourself as needed!��) your new fabric line has a subtitle: Wild and Free - to be ME! You go Girl!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Congrats to you on a successful booth and on remaining grounded during it all too. What a wonderful honest post!

    ReplyDelete
  35. So happy and proud...hugs to you, my friend... :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Loved reading this. You are wonderful! Thanks for sharing and please keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Congratulations Maureen! You so deserve the recognition of your talent and the wonderful experience you had at Quilt Market!! I'm so happy for you and I wish I could hug you from overhere ( Netherlands)!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Congrats,beautiful booth.Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I can't tell you how many times you have inspired me. So very happy to see your success and proud of you too

    ReplyDelete
  40. It makes my heart happy to see you so happy and fulfilled at this wonderful thing. Congratulations. Don't ever question your talent. It is real.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I am a stranger to you, but I feel like I know your through your blog, Instagram feed, and your Facebook page. When I saw you won the award at quilt market I felt so proud of you! I'm so happy that you received recognition of your work, knowing what a hard year this has been for you. I'm excited that you've had such success and I love the work you do. Thank you for sharing your world with us! I've preordered a half-yard bundle of your fabric line and I look forward to working with it!

    ReplyDelete
  42. You so derserve your happiness and respect and success and love. You have earned it, you sweet big-hearted lady. Savor!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Congratulations and thanks for the great pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I am so very happy for you. It is a wonderful feeling to have your work validated and a dream fulfilled. I am so excited to be able to buy the collection.

    ReplyDelete
  45. So happy for you!!!! Only wish I could have been there to visit with you and see your beautiful booth in person. :)

    ReplyDelete
  46. It was an amazing Market for you - you so deserved it!!! I have read on so many blogs of quilters who got to meet you in Houston and the universal comment every one of them made about you was how nice, sweet and kind you were and how happy they were to get to meet you. You certainly made a huge, positive impression on so many people in Houston!!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. So many congratulations Maureen. I am completely thrilled for you, in so many ways :-)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Congratulations on so many levels. The biggest for stepping out and finding you can follow your dreams.Thank you for sharing this experience.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Congratulations Maureen! It was so lovely to meet you and chat for a little bit.

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. What a journey and to know that it is not done yet. Congratulations to you.

    tushay3(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  51. It's been and incredible journey and I know your dad would have been so proud!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Your booth was absolutely gorgeous. Am I correct in understanding the fabric line is your design? Either way your post of your trip gave me happy tears for you just reading it.
    Blessings
    Tonia

    ReplyDelete
  53. CONGRATULATIONS, Cuz! Knew you had fantastic talent way back when I first saw some of your fantastic work on Facebook and am so happy for you and proud that you received this well-deserved award!! :-) Here you are, the first celebrity in the vast Albert/Amber Hensel family, with over 97,000 followers! :-) Can just see your Dad, Aunt Linda, Grandma Katie, and Grandpa Fran smiling down on you and your beautiful and heart-felt blog above! Brought tears to my eyes! God blessed you with amazing talent and now all your hard work is being recognized and appreciated by so many! Keep on doing what you're doing! You're amazing! Much love ...

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!

If you are a no reply or an anonymous commenter, I will be sure to respond to your comment right here - so please do check back!