April 2020 was going to be a glorious month, but that was destroyed with the announcement of Machine Quilters Expo being cancelled along with many other quilt shows across the country. I had 5 quilts entered in this wonderful show and was planning to attend it in Manchester, New Hampshire. The pandemic shut everything down, cancelled flights, cancelled hotels, cancelled classes. Refunds were given by the airline and hotel, but the event didn't give a refund at that time. Prepaid attendees were told their money spent would be rolled over to the next event April 2021.
The MQX April event was cancelled late fall of 2020 with the news that there might be a refund of attendees prepaid fees. Many of us were not pleased with the announcement that our prepaid fees might or might not be refunded and that it depended upon the event owners expenses. In December it was announced that refund checks would be sent and we would only get a percentage of our money back.
The event kept all fees for entering the quilts in the show. I entered 5 quilts and lost $125. The event kept all fees for the core class enrollment of $45. The event kept 50% of all class fees prepaid. I received a refund check for $190. I prepaid $575.
This has left a very sour feeling regarding a show that I loved. It wasn't the show owners fault the show was cancelled twice. It wasn't the prepaid attendees fault the show was cancelled. It shouldn't have fallen on the shoulders of the prepaid attendees to cover the loss. It was also made known that the prepaid vendors lost all of their fees. Those spaces are incredibly high priced. I've heard those spaces can run $5000. The convention center made it known that because of the cancellation the event wasn't charged the event fee and that it was refunded. Events have to have insurance.
Every other large and small quilt show event has been cancelled in 2020 and some in 2021. Like many quilters, I'm fearful that this will set back our industry years before it can recover.
One of my show quilts entered in MQX is "The Boys". It is a wall quilt made from a photo I had taken of Angus and Duncan, our golden retrievers. It was made using a raw edge fusible technique and free motion quilted. I'm very pleased with how it truly represents the boy's expressions. Even though it hasn't made it to a show, I feel it's a winner.
Today is January 31st and it's the day sales taxes are due in Wisconsin for the year 2020. Because I'm talking taxes I thought I would share a few furry happy faces. 
They don't care that I hate sales tax day or that I also hate fed tax day on April 15th. All they care about is eating, playing and getting to go potty. If only our lives were that simple. 
This year had the challenge of forced business shut downs and strict guidelines for individuals out in the community. Working primarily from home as a self employed craftsman has been to my benefit I never had to shut down. I did see fewer items come to me for quilting and I was able to keep up with the work that had been brought to me.
I also was able to find extra time to keep my fiber art supplies up for stocking at the gallery. I'm still working on the fiber layered journals and sketchbooks with another dozen to finish tomorrow. After that, I start on my fiber layered table runners that sell very well in the summer. 
As we lead into the beginning of 2021, my helpers send you greetings. Angus, Shelby, Duncan, Abby, Pepper and Willow (she was camera shy).
