Freda's Hive: Market Parties - Bloggers Meet-Up and Riley Blake

One of the highlights of Quilt Market was going to several parties where we got to mix with bloggers and friends in a great atmosphere. At Quilt Market you are like ships passing in the night because there is so much to do and see. But with the parties, we had an opportunity to mix and talk and put faces to blogs and have a great time.
This is the fabulous Amy of Diary of a Quilter on the left. Without Amy there would have been no blogger party. She's amazing and I'm glad to call her my friend. She lives sort of close to me. We are going for lunch next week to talk about all the fun we had at market. On the right of Amy is Vanessa of V and Company. I was so glad to meet Vanessa.
This is Callie of Make It Do. Callie lives very close to me, too. She and Amy really organized and did all the work to make the party happen. Callie has an amazing blog. You can see the prize table in the photo and behind the prize table is the swag bag table. We had some fabulous sponsors that really made the party possible. Visit the Bloggers Meet-Up blog to see the sponsors and view more photos.
The weather cooperated somewhat for the party so we were able to spill out onto the patio at the Blue Lemon. I loved meeting and talking to the people but I didn't get around to everyone.
Jacquie of Tallgrass Studio is on the far left in the white jacket. I really was so happy to meet her.
It was a great mix of people at the blogger's party and it made me glad to see everyone and put faces to blogs.
Here I am talking to some girls. What a weird face!
The wind started to pick up towards the end of the party. This table is full of my friends. You can see Lori and Rae Ann the DIY Dish Twins. Sorry this is so dark. In the dark is Sherri, Susann, Vanessa and Kim. But wow, isn't this picture so amazing with the temple behind the girls.
This is Kathy of Pink Chalk Fabric.
Left to right is Katy of I'm a Ginger Monkey, Jennifer of Sis Boom and John of Quilt Dad. These are some of my favorite people.
We had a fantastic turn out. I'm sure you can pick out people you know. Everyone was very sweet and nice. It was a great idea (thanks again Amy and Callie). We had some fantastic prizes. There were 2 Slice machines given away, FQS gift certificates and a cruiser bike among many other wonderful prizes. Some of my photos didn't turn out. Ronnie from Road Home Quilting won the bike from Sugar Town Quilts, and you can go to her blog for great photos. Don't forget to check out other photos and our sponsors at the Blogger's Quilt Market Meet-Up blog.
I had the thought during the party that I might not meet these people again, or most of them again. I hate goodbyes. So I slipped out at the end and went to the Riley Blake Party. I'm such a party animal (usually NOT).
Riley Blake Party was in the Depot at Gateway downtown. They had drinks and dinner and the best 80's cover band ever. The whole party was an 80's theme. And when we arrived the party was in full swing. Thanks so much Riley Blake for inviting me and allowing me to bring some friends.
Almost every one was dressed in 80's costumes and everyone was dancing and having so much fun. I wasn't able to get good photos of the party. So go to Candice's blog Handmade with Love to get good photos of the Riley Blake Party. I'm sure there are other places to get photos, too. It was an amazing party. Riley Blake seems to do everything right.

Next post is about our post-Market retreat. The fun continues...I'm not done yet.

-nanette