If I had to write an essay about “What I Did On My Summer Vacation,” it would have to include my Adventure at Quilt Odyssey, a Quilt Show in Hershey, PA.
One of my many quilt-y activities include making show samples and testing patterns for Fabric Café, in Tyler, Texas. I found the shop a number of years ago on the Internet, and subsequently met Donna & Bob at several Quilt Shows. In time, we have developed both a friendship and working relationship which I greatly cherish.
A couple of weeks ago, I got a call and the Caller-ID said “Fabric Café.” This is unusual as Donna & I spend time sharing on Facebook and e-Mail. Donna had received a call from Quilt Odyssey that there was a last minute vacancy and was Fabric Café available to fill a booth in the Merchant’s Mall? She was already committed to teach in Huntsville, Alabama, the week of the Quilt Show. She told me that Bob would be able to attend the show in Hershey, PA, but would I be available to help?
So began my Great Quilt Show Adventure. With one week’s notice, we made plans. I was to meet Bob in Hershey at the Hershey Lodge, on Wednesday, July 24th to set up the booth.
The Show opened on Thursday, July 25th and went through Sunday, July 28th, and the Merchant’s Mall was open from 10 AM to 6 PM Thursday-Saturday, and 10 AM – 4 PM on Sunday.
It was a busy event, saw lots of people, worked long, hard days and had tons of fun! Looking at the pictures, I made the tops for a lot of the quilts that are hanging up.
I have now seen Quilt Shows from a different perspective. I have a great respect for the vendors at Quilt Shows, it is a lot of work in a short time. Next time you go to a Quilt Show, thank a Vendor for coming!
QuiltMouse 
Mary Ellen,
I am so envious! It sounds like an amazing opportunity!
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It definitely is a different view of a quilt show! Didn’t get a chance to see the quilts, but maybe I will next year.
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Mary Ellen, thank you, thank you for coming out to help Bob. He keeps saying how wonderful you were! We are both back home and resting up for another show this coming weekend. Meanwhile, Denise will be rushing to get us packed up and ready to go. Such a team effort, and I couldn’t be more please to call you part of our team!
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It’s great working with great people. When you have a good product, it sells itself! Fabric Cafe’s 3-yard bundles make marvelous quilts and your choice of fabrics/colors keep me drooling! Thanks for the opportunity!
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Loved your story about your quilt adventure! Also think about little ole me packing up all that product for you to unpack! I love it but am always afraid I’ll forget to send something. Thanks for your appreciation of making small quilt shops in a matter of hours! Donna and Bob really work hard and constantly work to keep things updated and interesting!
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Before, I respected all the ‘behind-the-scenes’ work done by the shops that attend the quilt shows. But now I really am in awe of the time & energy before/during/after the show! Thank you to all who work to make attending a quilt show a great experience for us quilters!
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