Twas the day before Quilt Canada - also known as SET UP DAY!!!

 And that's a wrap for set-up day! I have to say that with a great team, the day progressed very nicely. 

In addition to our giant booth, we had to set up two classrooms of sewing machines, so with the help of a paid laborer and a volunteer, we got the rooms set up in pretty short order. But not before arriving and not finding any machines waiting for us. And I get it—they are busy, and well, I've learned that the squeaky wheel gets the job done. 

So I marched off to the loading dock and spotted one of our palettes of sewing machines sitting there like a lost, forlorn child. I spoke rather pleasantly to the people standing there, and the next thing I knew, those machines were on their way. 

I've done the same thing at the big show in Houston. I remember hovering at the loading dock to find some missing pieces from our booth (when I worked for the fabric company). It works because I got that moving that day as well. It's all about RESPECT and being super POLITE. How can they refuse?

We arrived at the base of the escalator only to spot our other palette going in the wrong direction, so I leaped off the escalator (OK, so it wasn't that daring). We got those machines in the proper room, and the other arrived shortly after that! 

Then, we returned to the booth, where the rest of the team worked on unboxing machines and running electrical cords. 

By that time, it was time to get out the samples. With some pre-planning and coordinated efforts (the three educators), we soon sorted the samples into piles and found spots for them on the walls or the tables. I forgot to take pictures before we left yesterday. 

I have no idea how many shows I've set up over the years. I'm sure it's nothing compared to some long-time vendors (at any show), but I always seemed to be in the booth that was the last to leave the hall on set-up day and was more likely the last one to leave on tear-down day. But yesterday? We were smoking, and we were out of there by 4:30! I think that was a record for me, and I was ecstatic. 

I only took one picture of our booth because I sent it to M. She travels with me often!! LOL. 

Two of my samples in the booth

But for those coming to Quilt Canada, be sure to visit us. OK, I get it—you may not want to buy a sewing machine, but come on into the booth because we have MANY techniques displayed. We'll be demoing the new digital cutter, Momento, and you're bound to learn something. So do not be shy!!!

Here's something very important to know about the SVP Canada booth. We sell Husqvarna Viking PFAFF, Singer machines, and the Momento digital cutter. Unlike the other sewing machine booths, we have TONS of samples in our booth. You have access to the three (amazingly talented) educators, you have access to a couple of dealers, tons of samples, and many, many techniques. So come in and look at the techniques and ASK QUESTIONS. As I said, you may not be in the market to buy a machine, but hopefully, you're in the market to learn a new technique!!!!

We even got to go to the awards ceremony last night. Since we were sponsors, we were able to get seats in the front row. 

Waiting for the awards ceremony

And I chatted with a few old friends. I ran into Kathy Bissett, which is funny because I thought of her the other day when I ran across a quilt top that I made using her Magic Tiles pattern. When I was home, I couldn't remember her last name for my life, but she was sitting beside us, and her name popped into my head! I chatted with Luana from eQuilter.com, who was there to congratulate some winners - she always sponsors a category. I love her travel plans and her quilt plans. Paul, of course, was flitting around, and we grabbed a selfie. He's quite the social butterfly. 

I got up to accept an award on behalf of Shay in the Youth Challenge. I had sponsored her quilt in the youth challenge, which I posted a link to a while back when the online voting was on. She won in her category—16 - 19. The win was well deserved. I haven't seen the piece in person, but close-up details show it's amazing. I think we should watch her as an artist—she'll go far if she wants. 

Now, for anyone at Quilt Canada, there is a viewer's choice for the Youth Challenge, and you could vote for hers!!! But pick the one you like the best - her talent will speak for itself!!! 

I haven't seen the quilts because our well-oiled team focused on getting that booth together. I must say how impressed I was with how well we worked together. All of the team!!! Kudos to the SVP team -- you all rock!!!

In the morning, I went out to explore. OK—whoever thinks the prairies are flat is sadly mistaken. I have only been to downtown Edmonton ONCE, in about 1974. I did not remember the hill! But we're on a hill overlooking the river, and the convention center is also built on that same hill. 

I started by finding the staircase and the funicular to get down the hill. The funicular wasn't open, so I walked down the steps. These are the steps in the convention center to get back up the hill. 

Lots of steps in the convention center

I'm very happy I did not bring my orange jacket. I would have looked like a tourist. I spotted many locals out in t-shirts and shorts. OK, that was a bit much, but it must be a "dry" cold because it really isn't cold. I was comfortable in my plaid shirt, but my hands were sometimes cool. Thankfully, my plaid shirt has pockets! 

Look who I spotted loitering on a bench near the square where the hockey game will be on Friday. Yep -- they were hogging that seat and wouldn't budge an inch. 

Bob and Doug McKenzie

Let's say that they were very realistic!! But that brings back many memories of Bob and Doug McKenzie - EH!!! 

Once I found my way from the river, I did an Adventure Lab. How could I not? So that sent me wandering the streets of downtown, which isn't very big. There are lots of beautiful murals on the walls of buildings. 

A mural

There's the Rogers' Place, which will be the scene of much activity on Friday when the hockey game is happening. I don't think I'll be near the place. It's a short walk from where we are but not as close as the Minute Maid Stadium when we were in Houston. 

Rogers Place

There is lots of ironwork around, and I took this picture to show my dad so he could make something like it with his plasma cutter. 

The metal railing around an outdoor cafe

At lunch, I spotted this bag in a gift shop across the street at the food court—a bag with bicycles on it. I did NOT buy the bag. I do not need a bag with bicycles on it—I could make one if I needed to —I have a ton of bicycle fabric. 

A bicycle bag

WAIT -- I must remember to leave my credit card at the hotel. We have Wonderfil on one side of our booth and Emmaline Bags on the other!!! 

We are much nearer the land of the midnight sun, and the summer solstice is happening today or tomorrow. It's not dark here, even early in the morning (4:30). When I was in bed last night, I saw the sun and ran to the window. This is what I saw!!! Should I call this Edmonton Henge? 

Edmonton Henge

It was hilarious, as the sun was just at the right spot. It was a great moment to be sure to have a camera in your hand. 

On that note, I must prepare for a walk this morning. Oh my—it's a heat wave (sorry to all those in the east), but it's 8 degrees this morning—double what it was this time yesterday! I might not even need my plaid shirt!!!

Oh, I wrote this on my Facebook page last night. It was as far as I could go before I was too tired to think. 

Twas the night before Quilt Canada, and all through the hall

Not a quilter was stirring, no one at all

The samples were hung in our both with great care

In hopes that lots of people come to visit them there

With me and my colleagues all headed to bed

Great waves of excitement danced through our heads

Now I have to come up with the rest of it tonight!

Have a super day -- again, come into the booth to say HI if you are here. 

Ciao!!!!