MODKIDBOUTIQUE: Bernina University

WDT, Part 3: Orlando
Bernina University

And on with the tour... We spent the next few days in sunny Orlando at the Bernina University 2010 show. I really didn't know what to expect since this was our first time attending but I was certainly not disappointed. Set-up was a snap (a few minutes of our time versus the 2 days it takes to set up a Quilt Market booth). The setting couldn't be any more gorgeous. And there was lots of opportunity for networking. I saw some familiar faces there and met lots of new people.

I spent most of my days doing this...

While the rest of the family did this...

But they did let me out once in a while, so I can't complain...

The highlight of the show was in no doubt the last day in which Sydney was invited to participate in the 2010 Bernina University Fashion Show. WOW! What a wonderful experience this was for all of us, but especially for my little baby, who had her runway debut and never even broke a sweat (I can assure you the rest of us were way more nervous than she was!)

The Fashion Show lasted well over an hour but we wanted to share a little 6-minute excerpt from the show with you all. This is the portion that showcases the indie pattern designers such as yours truly but you'll also recognize some familiar names like Pink Fig, Lila Tueller, Lucy Morey and Colette Patterns. Enjoy...

(and yes, I know the announcer called Kyoko "Ava"... oh well. She realized her mistake later on and corrected it when the real Ava came out.) ;)

And now for the giveaway! I made a lot of new friends at Bernina University and it totally paid off to stay till the end because after the show, most vendors left behind lots of show samples. The Olfa booth was right next to ours and the nice Olfa lady gave me a couple of Olfa Circle Rotary Cutters which she assured would be ideal for cutting those circles on the sides of my Sun & Surf Tote... and she was right! This tool is downright GENIUS! Down the aisle from us the nice couple manning the Dritz booth gave me a few samples of their 40 mm snap-on grommets, which are the same size that I use for the Sun & Surf Tote. You see where I'm going with this, right?

I would love to share the wealth with one of my dear blog readers by giving away a prize package which includes:

1 Olfa Circle Rotary Cutter
1 Pkg of Dritz brand 40mm snap-on Grommets (you choose the color...I have 8 different colors! And each package contains 8 grommets.)
1 Sun & Surf Tote pattern
3 yards of Patty Young fabric (you choose the fabrics from any of my 4 quilting cotton collections!)

Just leave a comment below and tell me... well... anything! Did you enjoy the video? Do you want your own complete Sun & Surf Tote kit? What fabrics would you choose if you won? Are you enjoying your Summer so far? Have your Summer travels taken you anywhere fun and exciting?

I'll randomly pick a winner one week from today (Monday, July 26). Good luck!!!
Added: please leave a way to contact you in the comments... either a clickable link or an email address. In the past we've had a heck of a time trying to contact contest winners! ;)

World Domination Tour
Spreading laughter and MODKID style one fabric store at a time

(I know, I know, just roll with it... this is probably the closest I'll ever get to feeling like a rockstar on tour.)

Our girls left this morning for a 2-week vacation in FL with the grandparents. So, you'd think now that the kids are gone it would all be fun & games around here... but noooo. It just wouldn't be me if I planned for rest and relaxation. Ever. Let's just see... on Thursday afternoon, our Realtor is coming over to take a look at the house and take some photos for the listing. This means that in less than 48 hrs. we have to get this house in tip-top shape... steam clean the carpets, polish the wood floors, touch up the paint. And I should probably put away the piles of laundry and toys that seem to have a life of their own. Ideally I would've liked to plant a few flowers out back and spruce up the landscaping but who's got that kind of time? Kids or not.

Two days after the Realtor comes, we are headed to Chicago to spend 4th of July with Jon's family. Then 2 days after that, we're driving all the way down to Atlanta, GA for some fun, fun stuff which I'll get to in a second and 2 days after that, we'll be driving down to Orlando, where I'll be exhibiting at the Bernina University for 4 days, culminating in a Fashion Show on the 12th! Then we pick up the kiddos and drive all the way back to Central Illinois. Doesn't that sound relaxing?!?

So, what about this trip to Atlanta? Lemme tell ya... I am super excited to be going there because on Wednesday, July 7th, I'll be stopping by WHIPSTITCH in the early afternoon for a quick visit and then heading over to INTOWN QUILTERS that evening for a lecture where there will be goodie bags, door prizes and laughs galore! Check out the write up they did about it on their blog. Here are the details:

An Evening with Patty Young
Wednesday, July 7th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
1058 Mistletoe Road
Decatur, Georgia 30033
404-634-6924

You can purchase a ticket here or try your luck at winning one on Mary's blog.

Then, here are the details for Bernina University in Orlando, FL.

Bernina University 2010

Merchant Mall -- MODKID Booth #15
July 9th - 12, 2010 (Friday - Monday)
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
One Grand Cypress Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32836

This is a wholesale only show so if you are a retailer and will be attending this year's exhibits, please stop by Booth #15 and say hi! Also, please don't forget to come to the Fashion Show on Monday, July 12th at 12:30 p.m. Sydney will be modeling 3 different MODKID designs so we want to show her as much support as possible. :)

When we get back from our Tour of the South, I have to begin preparing for my next super fun appearance... and if you live in the Midwest, you must not miss this:

SEW MANY THINGS
is pleased to present PATTY YOUNG
Trunk Show/Lecture – Friday, August 6th, 6 pm - 8 pm
Hands-on Class (Abigail pattern) – Saturday, August 7th, 9 am - 4 pm
For more details, or to purchase a ticket, contact:
Sew Many Things
1015 13th Ave N Suite E,
Clinton, IA
563-242-6135
www.iasews.com

So, I guess I'll start with the Southeast, then work my way through the Midwest and will conquer the rest of the World another time... ;)

And since I hate to do a blog post without photos (and I'm missing my sweet girlies already!) here ya go:

Sophie, Grandma and Sydney at the airport fountain. This photo was taken literally 5 seconds after I yanked Sophie's bottom tooth right out of her mouth. It was dangling by a string and beginning to bleed to I pretended to be wiping off the blood with a tissue and just pulled it before she could say anything. She didn't even notice until I showed it to her.