This week happens to be Canada's national quilt exposition and (as if that isn't exciting enough for me), it is being held in Calgary this year. Last night was the grand opening and for a mere $25 we had an evening of laughter and hilarity provided by none other than Mark himself. I'm sure our peels of laughter nearly raised the rafters in the hall where we gathered in the bowels of the Telus Convention Center downtown. From his terrible experience going commando for an early flight home, to his hair raising (or ripping, rather) experience trying to squeeze into a girdle to be more 'fitly' seen in public, and realizing that a $5000 quilt might be close to his budget (though he didn't buy it) but a $5 chapstick was not, Mark had us in stitches for the entire evening.
And, even though all of this hilarity was plenty for us to feel we got our money's worth, he somehow managed to bring together each of his entertaining stories to end with a quilt. As he brought each quilt out and flashed it before our eyes, we couldn't decide which was causing more anticipation... Another story, or the next quilt.
I must say that my favourite quilt was his red-white-and-blue design in honour of American vetrans and all that they do/have done to protect his country and freedom (minus the goverments ill-treatment of them). I remembered buying the magazine it was from specifically for THAT quilt and didn't even realize until I got it home that it was a Mark design. It seemed to me to be something new for Mark and not one that I would have immedately categorized as his. Either was, the magazine has been safely stashed in order to make that quilt one day. At the end of the evening we were allowed to go up to the front and 'fondle his fabric', take pictures, and enjoy some of his creations much more closely. Even though I didn't bring my camera, I was glad for my Crackberry and got my picture taken with said quilt to log into in my quilt-pic history book. Next on the list for the book... Jane Stickle here I come!
At the end of the evening everyone seemed to pour out of the auditorium at an amazing rate (or at least faster than I expected). Stay, fondle, chat... Nope - rush to your car, traffic and bed. Obviously I was in no rush. After lingering for a bit to inspect Mark's creations, we (my friend and I) caught up with him briefly in the foyer. I think we came in at a bad time though since we caught him inspecting a lady's hiney to see if she was also going commando (don't worry, I'm mostly sure that it's not a regular practice for Mark, but a continuance from earlier in the show). He agreed to have his picture taken with us, and after a quick inspection we made our way to the doors and home. Upon arriving back home I uploaded the photo and realized something rather awkward... Where exactly was my right hand? Maybe you can inspect the photo and determine this for yourself! I posted the pic on Mark's fanpage and was thrilled to see he also got a good belly laugh from it.
Until next time, dream big, or at least bigger than what you are now! I'm going to try and figure out who my next famous quilter will be to get my picture with... Maybe Eleanor Burns or Kaffe Fasset so I can march with the big boys like Mark has!
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