Here I am, nestled in between quilts from Gone to Texas, Route 66 and Pick of the Seasons typing this blog. It is the first day of Quilt Market – we are open for business! So far, it has been smooth sailing, thanks to our crew that came along. Usually it's just Doug, Edie and I, and we're often still setting up the morning of the show. But this time, our photographer Aaron Leimkuehler, designer Brian Grubb and editor Deb Rowden came along to help. (And thanks to author Sheri Howard (of Ruby Red Dots) for stopping by to help bag patterns!)

Yesterday we had six different schoolhouse sessions where we presented our new books. All were well attended, and Edie, Deb and Brian were very entertaining for their audiences. Deb and Brian were sure to mention our new book Artful Bras: Hooters, Melons and Boobs, Oh My! A Quilt Guild’s Fight Against Breast Cancer at the end of every schoolhouse. The quilt shop owners sure got a hoot (pun intended) out of the subtitle. Authors Sarah Maxwell and Dolores Smith, Betsy Chutchian, Jan Patek and Barbara Jones also hosted schoolhouse sessions.

Last night was Sample Spree, and it was crazy as usual. We sold out of Betsy Chutchian's Gone to Texas within the first hour. We also sold out of Women of Influence, our current block-of-the-month project. Even with Doug, Edie, Aaron and me all working the table, we were busy the entire time. The quilting industry is definitely thriving!

We're a half-day into the three-day show, and so far all is well. We've seen lots of quilt shop owners – and all seem to be excited to be back for another year. We had a couple orders from the Netherlands this morning – so if you're in that part of the world, our books will be getting to you soon!

Thanks to Aaron, Brian and Deb for all of their help this year. It has definitely helped ease our load. And Aaron, you seem to be a natural at quilt market, so be sure to mark us down for Spring Market in Minneapolis in May.

For more timely updates from Market, check our Facebook page. We'll also be uploading photos from schoolhouses, sample spree, and the show to pickledish very soon!

Diane is the marketing and sales manager of Kansas City Star Quilts.