Market Trip Part II

After we were done at the Opry we headed for Franklin and checked into the Marriott. Nice hotel, the room was clean, they had a wonderful restaurant there called Lorraine's and even though it was past serving time, they still let us eat from the buffet. Yummy! We headed to the Embassey Suites after eating to register for Market and then we plopped our butts in a couple of chairs while we waited for Meet and Greet and watched everyone come and go. It was fun to see all the stuff the vendors were hauling in and to people watch. The vendors hung banners over the railings and we kept watching them as one by one the banners would appear. I had to keep asking Mary Ann what the banners said because I couldn't make it out most of the time. I think I better get my eyes checked!


So as we were sitting there, I mentioned to Mary Ann that I hadn't seen anyone I knew. She gave me that look she sometimes does when I say things that she can't believe I said because they are so ridiculous. Why in the world would I know someone at the Embassy Suites in Franklin Tennesee! I said it not because I expected to see someone I knew but because when my sister and I go someplace together she always sees someone she knows so I've started saying I haven't seen anyone I know when we go places because I never do. Clear as mud right? I do have a point with all this rambling......not long after that I was watching the elevator come down with a load of people and lo and behold there was one of our stitching ladies! I poked Mary Ann and said LOOK! There's Doreen! Mary Ann whips her head around and says where?? I point her out and Mary Ann looks again. Then she slowly turned her head back to me and says.....you really need to get your eyes checked Julie. That's not Doreen. So in my defense, the gal had the same hair and body type as Doreen and Mary Ann said if she squinted a bit it looked like her but it wasn't really her. Still, while I was sitting there I also saw, Deb, Linda, Mary, Carole, Nancy.....all ladies from our stitching group. The only one I didn't see was Connie and she's a one of a kind so I didn't really expect to see her as I'm pretty sure they broke the mold after her! LOL!! Love ya girl friend!

Meet and Greet was at 7:00 that evening. Since this was our very first Market, we weren't sure what to expect but by 6:45 there was quite the crowd outside the doors. It was nice to see previews of some of the vendor booths and to chat with the designers but it was a madhouse in there and I was really worried that the next day would be more of the same. A few of the vendors were going to be open that evening so we hung around and did a bit of shopping that night at Dessins. It was crowded and took forever but eventually we were done and headed back to the Marriot.

Saturday morning at 9:00 found us back at the Embassy Suites, rolling suitcase in hand ready to fight the crowds.....only there weren't any. I was thrilled for myself but felt really bad for the vendors. Everyone said it was very quiet and slow. I found the designers to be warm and friendly for the most part and quite helpful when they found out we were market virgins. I would have loved to take pictures of the different "shops", most were set up so cute and clever! But it wasn't allowed and while I could show you what we bought, most of you have already seen it online somewhere so I won't bore you with that. I will say I saw a lot of things in person that I had seen pictures of beforehand and believe me when I tell you pictures just don't do most of them justice.

For instance the Erica Michaels petites collection, the pictures are nice but when you see them in person they are gorgeous!!!


Kinda of hammered home the importance of shop models. We need to work on that I think!

Saturday came to a close with tired feet and fried brains. We opted for fast food for supper that night and I had my very first Chik-fil-A sandwich. It was quite tasty and now I know what people are talking about when they say Chik-fil-A. I was clueless before!!

That's it for today folks. Have a great day!