and what a way to start off the seminar week in San Antonio! I landed around noon where the mercury was already reaching triple digits…I know they said hot, but after leaving a cool and balmy San Diego it was really hot!

The Marriott at the River Walk is a wonderful facility and I am know that I am going to enjoy every minute that I am here. I checked in, registered for seminar and found my room on the 29th floor with a beautiful view of the city and quickly headed back downstairs to check everything out. The store is beautifully stocked and ran by the Needle House of Houston, the book store held a few goodies that I had to get and then I ran into Raymond Crawford in the boutique! Nancy is having all the Texas canvas designers for guest appearances each day. Today I hear it is Janet of A Collection of Designs and tomorrow will be Debbie of Painted Pony fame. I think this is a wonderful idea as these canvas designers are truly the stars of our industry and normally we would never get a chance to meet them.

This is the Armadillo bar, located outside of the shops where the frameweights are residing until they are claimed by their new owners. They were designed and made by the local chapter…too clever these girls!

The exhibit was amazing as always and held allot of beautiful pieces graced with ribbons. My Santa riding the Panda won a 2nd place ribbon, but being that there was not a first place ribbon awarded in that division…Susan said “well you really won a first!” Well I guess you are right Susan, but I still would rather see a blue hanging from it. Two of the judges were very gracious and spent allot of time with me explaining where I could have stitched it just a little better. I will save that discussion for another day.

The Fanciful Fish purse that I stitched for Needle Deeva took Honorable Mention and the Needle Deeva Triangles Purse won 3rd place…see I was competing against Ms Amy Bunger in that division with her Halloweenies that won 2nd place. Ooh but wait the icing on the cake was that Triangles won they Wearable Art Award when the special ribbons were announced last night at the banquet.

The margaritas are flowing as I embark upon my quest to enjoy the different varieties! Starting off with the Apple Margarita in the late afternoon which was blended with ice into a delicious slushy style. I moved onto a Blood Orange Margarita while we were being serenaded by an all woman mariachi band. These ladies were amazing! Their voices, their smiles…I could have listened to them all night.

This is the row of fame with some of the special award ribbons. Wish that I could share them all with you as they are quite a sight to see! and until next time…keep on stitching