Help! I need thread!

I've spent the last couple of weeks, and some time at Quilt Market, trying to decide which brand of thread to carry in the store. I have been a die-hard Star Cotton fan for over 7 years now, but it's just not cutting the cake any more! They've changed their weight and quality, and now it won't run through my Nolting without breaking constantly. Frustrating, to say the least. It also seems to leave a lot of lint during piecing and quilting. So...I am on the hunt for a new thread.
The problem is I have no idea which one to go with. My top picks so far are:

Signature, because it is less expensive but works well for quilting in the Nolting and for piecing. It's available in various sized spools, including giant cones. It costs about $4.95/500 yards.
Mettler, because it is superior quality and works great for quilting, although it doesn't come in larger cones for the Nolting. It's also $6.70/500 yards.
Aurifil, a brand recommended to me by a friend, but comes in 1400yard spools with seem more expensive (around $10) because you're buying more at once.

So, what to do???? Please leave me a comment with your favorite threads. Give me a reason why you think one is better than another, please! Would the price of the Aurifil scare you, or do you value the higher quantity and quality? Would you be more likely to spend less and go with Signature? Help me decide. I'm having one of those obsessive compulsive urges to buy a thread display for the shop!

G.E. Designs Does it Again!

Here is a peak at a new quilt and fabric line coming early this Fall! The brand new fabric is called "Amma's Garden," and is scheduled to arrive some time in September. The quilt pictured, "Poppy Garden," will be available from The Crazy Quilter as a kit. If you like it, you'd better snatch it up fast! If it's like the last quilt, Indian Peaks, it'll be gone so fast you won't even know it was here! Indian Peaks is still in my "someday" list because the fabric left before I even got to make a sample. This time, I've ordered a kit to come a few weeks early. Maybe I'll have a sample in the shop before the kits are gone - we can hope, anyways.
I borrowed this picture from G.E. Designs' website, until I have the chance to upload my pics of their booth from Market. Not only is this a beautiful quilt, but the pattern includes 2 other, smaller, bonus projects. I also picked up some of their new strip patterns at market. See them soon, under Jelly Roll Patterns My sister is working as fast as possible to enter everything into the website. Not an easy task, with my nephew sticking pens in the printer and causing general mayhem!

Introducing Alice

Let me introduce you to Alice! Alice, a friend of Martha, and former resident of the Portland Quilt Market, now resides at The Crazy Quilter. We rescued Alice from a life of loneliness and nudity, and we will soon be creating a whole new wardrobe for her. Watch for pictures of Alice's new look, coming soon!

The Return

I'm back from Quilt Market! And boy oh boy, it wasn't disappointing! My mom, Vicki, and I came back with a car load. I'll be posting all week on what we found. Watch the website for new merchandise in patterns and notions all week. Then, watch each month for new fabrics from The Buggy Barn, Atkinson Designs, Moda, Timeless Treasures, G.E. Designs, and Granola Girls!
We even managed not to terrorize the Starbucks baristas in Portland (OK, maybe just a little), and we even met some new friends. I'll be introducing you to Rosie and Alice soon.
For now, I have to run. I'm closing my eyes to the house my husband and kids didn't clean while I was gone, and I'm spending the day frolicking among the new patterns and notions. I might even manage to get some new projects started. I also received the new Moda University information while I was gone, so I have meetings to plan and fun things to think of. I'll be back to write more soon, with pictures!

I Survived Another Field Trip

We're back from Silverwood, and I'm still alive, barely. Why is it that I forget how much walking and work that really is? And why, tell me why, did I agree to that 3 days before I get to walk through Quilt Market??? I'm such a wimp, and not very good at being physically uncomfortable. It was cool yesterday, I was cold, my legs were tired, and since getting sick on the plane, I don't like motion rides. Perhaps this isn't the field trip for me? If I start talking next year about going, someone please comment and remind me about this post!
On the up side, the weather here is supposed to be beautiful this weekend. High 80's and full sun. Of course, I'm out of town, which seems to happen every time we get some decent weather. My kids are ecstatic, practically jumping up and down with joy at the thought of wearing shorts. Will did a double take when I picked out shorts and a t-shirt this morning for him. "Kylee! I get to wear shorts......and short sleeves!" he shouted. It was a far cry from yesterday, when he came stomping down the hall with pants in hand, saying, "Mom - I didn't choose these stupid pants!"
I'll be busy today, tying up loose ends before Market. There are plenty of them, too! My car needs an oil change, I need to pack, there's a mountain of laundry the size of Everest, and I have to finish at least 1 more quilt before I go. There's also bills to pay, phone calls to make, food to pre-prepare, and organization that needs to happen. Yes, you're right, I don't have a prayer!

Behold, Birchwood!

The new Birchwood fabrics are up on the website. Check them out!

The Countdown Begins

OK, so I'm a little late starting my Quilt Market Countdown. After all, there's only 4 days left, really, so what's the point of starting it now? Well, remember how I'm always late? Consider this part of my "late" personality! It only takes a quick blog search to find out that most Quilt Marketer's have been counting down since the beginning of the year!
After reading all about it on everyone's blogs, I'm getting even more excited to go. It should be a fun road trip, since it's in Portland and we are driving. Funny how that flying sickness gives you a new perspective on flying, not to mention that there's no way I can fit everything into 2 suitcases. A prerequisite of Market is to bring at least 1 empty suitcase to fill with great stuff to bring home!
That DVD player I bought for the infamous trip to Salt Lake City will sure come in handy. Combined with the GPS system my friend offered to bring, we should be set! Portland Starbucks beware!
I also made reservations for Houston last night. Yes, believe it or not, you need to make reservations for Fall Quilt Market before Spring Market even happens! This year, I am trying a new tactic. Instead of spending $150/night on a hotel room downtown near the convention, plus paying $50/each way to and from the airport, I am staying 10 miles away, and renting a car. Only time will tell if this is a good strategy, but I had to try. Between the taxi and hotel savings, I saved over $200. That may not seem like a lot, but I hate wasting money, and that's $200 more I can spend on fabric and other merchandise!
Well, time to take the girls to school. And then it's on to my to-do list for the rest of the day. Hopefully I can squeeze some quilting in there somewhere!