Journey to Houston for Lots of Quilts!

Last week Debbie and I went to Houston for the International Quilt Festival.  We have always wanted to do this, and even though we have been in Houston several times just prior to this show, we have been there for business, rather than pleasure.  Although we always found some joy in going, no matter what!  This time we were not there to buy and order merchandise for the store.  We went for the fun of wandering among the many booths of vendors, spying some favorite fabrics and new ideas to take home with us.  We stayed at the Cambria Hotel, and really enjoyed our room and the view from the 15th floor.  In the mornings, we walked the 4 blocks over to Phoenicia to find some breakfast and/or lunch at this wonderful grocery and deli.  Then just about 2 more blocks to the Convention Center.  We were very comfortable with walking everywhere we went, and made sure we got back safely to our hotel before dark.

I don't have a lot of pictures from our visit there, but we sure had a lot of fun!  One night we even played Scrabble in the hotel lounge!  (We each won a game.)  We did both get excited to see some new products, and we shop well for each other because we have similar likes.  And because neither of us really needs any more fabric, we can get away with buying ½ yard pieces which we split in 2 and we each get the satisfaction of something new!

Some thoughts and tips about going to Quilt Festival - 
Don't be afraid to stay in the nearby hotels, if you can't get a room at the Hilton, which is the hotel linked with the Convention Center.  We were not afraid at any time.  There has been a lot of improvements in the area of the Convention Center and Minute Maid Park.  We went to restaurants within walking distance, too.
We highly recommend stopping at the Phoenicia Market to get some food or snacks or salad/sandwich to take to the park or convention center for lunch.  Much cheaper than the food court at the show, and much more tasty and fun.  When you go there, make sure you look at all of the interesting products they have, and go upstairs, too.
We did not know that rolling bags are not allowed into the show. (They are allowed for the Quilt Market that we attended, organized by the same Quilts, Inc., group.  We checked our rolling bag in the morning, used large tote bags for our shopping, and then paid $1 to get our rolling bag out at lunchtime and put it back in the storage area until the end of the day, when our tote bags were getting heavy again!
They do rent scooters, and there were a lot of them to dodge.  Plus, they allowed strollers, even for kids that climbed out of the strollers and toddled through the crowded aisles.  Would have loved to have my wheelie bag with me, to compete with all those other vehicles!
There are 3 nice restaurants within a short walk.  There is an Italian restaurant and a seafood restaurant within the Convention center, and a good Mexican restaurant in the Hilton across the street.  I can make an entire lunch from their chips and guacamole, prepared fresh at our table!
​Remember to have lots of fun!