Londa's Travel-Log

     The experiences and places I find in my travels seem worthy of sharing - so read on for some - hopefully - entertaining and useful information...

Morris, IL - Heartland Quilt Guild Show  March 2009

The real treat to this show was an old high school buddy of mine reading my name on the publicity and calling me.  What fun - she remembers MUCH more about our high school 'experience' - especially with the same 'boyfriend' at the same time!  Vickii helped out, and it was good to be with she and her hubby and catch up.  ESPECIALLY when - being the last ones loaded out at the end of the show - and the van all loaded up - go to turn the ignition - and NOTHING! 

Dead as a doornail!!!  A quick call and her husband came to get us - and we enjoyed pizza and wine at their closeby home while waiting for the tow truck which managed to jump us to get us home.  Glad home was just 2 hours away!

Cleveland, Ohio - Original Sewing and Quilt Expo  March 2009

     My friend/assistant Cyndi and I found a charming shopping/eating experience        

at a business called  Ghyslain in Richmond, IN.  Now, mind you - being ladies - we need to stop pretty darn often, and this stop led us to a health food store to use their 'facilities' and I asked for a recommendation for a local eating place.  Ghyslain was the recommendation.  We feasted on a lovely lunch, and then selected these desserts by this famous chocolatiere to take for a late night treat once we reached our hotel in Cleveland.  His website is www.ghyslain.com.  There, you can order these yummies for yourself, read about this interesting man, and even inquire as to tours of the chocolate factory!  

The other interesting place we ate at was the 100th Bomb Group Restaurant in Cleveland, right across from the IX Center and Cleveland airport.  This lovely establishment is a tribute to this air force group and their contribution to WWII. My husband and I had eaten there last year and really loved it.  Again - there is a website to check out:  www.100thbgrestaurant.com.  

Fact:  My foam floor that contributes to somewhat saving my back while standing at these shows does NOT work on top of carpet!  It was almost funny - the bubbles and creeping that our floor did at this show!  From now on - if there is carpet - I'm leaving my floor (except for 4 squares for under the cash register) at home.  Even though the 'carpet' in these halls is just on top of concrete - I'll just have to stand close to the cash register.  

Will my back make it?  That is becoming a question - one customer suggested it is trouble with my sacroiliac - and looking that up - I think that might be the case.  Though, now home - and not standing and lifting constantly - it feels just fine.  For now, I've decided that a good hour plus massage by a professional at the end of each show is a VERY legitimate business expense!  :)

Sleep is always a challenge when I travel, as I'm spoiled completely by our Thermopedic mattress - which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!  Without it, and only my pillow, my body just doesn't rest - especially when the hotel phone rings in the middle of the night!  Comfort Inns are going down on my list, and HAMPTON Inns way UP! 

International Quilt Festival - Chicago  April 2009

My customer from long ago here in my retail store - Birdie - accompanies me to this show - then her hubby comes up bringing my hubby to finish off the show - AND to help pack up - YEA!!!  We have a grand old time - and this year was no different.  This was the first year I ever decided to stay further away from the Donald Stephens Center and take the FREE hotel shuttle in - and WOW - that worked GREAT!!!  If you're going to a show and want to save money parking - especially in a big city situation like Chicago with a BIG convention center - you might want to investigate this concept! VERY convenient, and sure a money saver - both in hotel AND parking.   AND, FREE internet at the lesss expensive hotels to boot!

Gleaning Ideas Galore from Customers' Clothing...is one of the best parts of doing these shows.  This potholder purse grabbed my eye

  It's creator shared that it was from potholders her kids wove as children - which she resurrected and turned into a purse by looping together leftover COTTON loops (hard to find!) and then knitting - on large needles - the gusset and long handle.  It was just TOO CUTE!  Especially attracted my eye as making potholders was my very first business when I was in - about the 4th or 5th grade.  I made them like crazy and then went door to door selling them 1 for 25 cents or 2 for $35 cents.  Guess kids can't go door-to-door any longer (but back then we did the same with GirlScout cookies for $.50 per box too!), but there's always the internet..........

Here's yet another idea - just an extra T-shirt cut into leaf shapes, and stitched onto an existing shirt with straight stitch down the center...  I'd seen this earlier on a ready-to-wear top myself and made notes - but a picture is worth a thousand words.  This idea WILL turn up on a Creative Sweatshirt Jacket - and people will ask how I can come up with these ideas - well:  from RTW to a large degree!  Ideas are plenty for the taking...

This smart gal had taken the color que from her great shoes - and you'd never believe how this shirt complimented her shoes!  The little things of life can serve to excite us these days .....

Birdie and I always brainstorm well together - and I have a new idea cooking - a way to serve and share with gifts of creativity and sewing - watch my Blog...  Still in prayer and thinking mode on this one.