ReMark on Houston

Well, I've returned home from Houston. What a blast! It was worth every jet lagged moment. Truth be told, I was not on US soil long enough to be jet lagged, and that, my friends is the best of both worlds when you can't afford to be tired. Houston, was as I know it to be, vast and large, but most importantly, sunny. I was as happy as a kitten purring in the sunshine walking into Quilt (trade show) Festival 2008.

Inside, the show was vast as well. A great display of real quilt talent and treasures. Including, you know who from above, the gregarious and ever friendly Mark Lipinski.

What a hoot. He is everything you think he is. His incredible humor aside, within a minute or two you feel like you're dishing the dirt with a long time friend.

At one point, I had to remind myself my hours in Houston were turning to minutes, and I forced myself to move along. But not before Mark ever so kindly offered to collaborate on our next issue of Irish Quilting.

YES. MARK LIPINSKI IS GOING TO WORK WITH ME. A FEATURE, FABRICS AND QUILTS. PATTERNS, DID I MENTION, FOR YOU MY READERS, A MARK LIPINSKI PATTERN?

Alright, alright, I'll lower my voice.

But really, guys, this is an editor's dream. The whole 3am-layouts, printing-stresses, missed-flight, 5-hour-Houston stay, well it's pretty much all gift wrapped in a bow after landing this loot. And listen, if you aren't a subscriber of Irish Quilting, then this is your kick in the butt to do something!

All U.S. or Canada people order here now and if you're anywhere else in the world, call now 353 1 201 9938 or order via info@irishquilting.ie for your copy of Irish Quilting!

While the economy might be in the tanks, it makes for good schmoozing, what with the absense of crowds, the isles were clear and the hosts easily accessible.

And schmooze I did. I love Americans for schmoozing. I don't think we schmooze in Ireland. It is more like storytelling here. But still, a story is a story? Doesn't matter if you schmooze it or singsong it.

And stories we told.

Which reminds me. Ted of Gutermann, originally from New York--the home of schmoozers--and I shared some stories of common thread. (Get it? Gutermann, thread? haha)

Anyway, he and I reckon there's a story in everyone. And anyone with an ounce of f-u-n in 'em has a story about a volkswagon. He had a great story. So of course, I had to divulge my volkswagon story, circa 1987, you know, the boy, the beach, the bonfire.

Like, who doesn't have a story about a volkswagon?

Let me know if you have a volkswagon tale...you never know Ted and I might co-author that Volkswagon coffee table book. Stranger things have happened.

Hey, even Mark had a volkswagon story. Well, of course he did.