This is what Laura Brooker’s dining room looked like after all the quilts arrived. On Monday we had a caravan to get all the boxes to the Grand Hyatt, where another group of Princesses waited to unpack them for the next day's judging.

Tuesday was judging day. Scarlett Rose, Kathy Kansier and Lorraine Covington, along with the Heart-and-Hand chapter, spent over 12 hours in this room. This committee was headed up by Mabel Toth and Helen Siegel.

Tuesday night we sorted the quilts to be hung the next morning. Marilyn and Bob Hood, Dorothy Johnson, Debbie Yamokoski, TAS's Teri Tope and I sorted the quilts.

Wednesday morning--time to hang the quilts!

Marilyn Hood coordinated set up day. With so many Princesses there to help, the job went smoothly.

Sue Lorenz and Pat Osinga are ready to open the Registration booth at noon on Wednesday. The Hidden Stitches TAS chapter was in charge of this big job all week. Sue and Toddy Sumsky headed up the Registration committee and all three are also Feather Princesses.

The vendors began arriving at noon Wednesday to set up.

Opening day

TAS president Jaydee Price and her husband (all the way from Sequim, WA) manned the The Appliqué Society information/membership booth.

Everyone kept the vendors busy!

Pacific Rim booth

Everyone knew Zoë Albert's charming husband. The Alberts are from Canada and Zoë is the TAS Chapter Coordinator.

Debbie Buckley is a White Glove volunteer

TAS's Teri Tope (left) and 2009 National Show Coordinator, Cathy Cardwell

Laura Brooker and Dorothy Johnson Co-Chair of Appliqué in Tampa Bay

Crystal River's Heart-In-Hand chapter handled the judging room and helped every day of the show.

Princess Kim Martin came down from Bakersville, NC, to help with the show--from set up to takedown.

Now Laura Brooker’s grandson Cole Parkinson knows why the quilt the Princesses made for him disappeared from his nursery wall. They won a third place ribbon for this quilt.

The Little Quilt Auction wrapped up Saturday afternoon. Front row: Janie McCart, Anne Bond and Cathy Cardwell; Middle row: Sharon Pruitt and Bet Courey (LQA chairs) and Gail Messerschmidt; Last row: Emily Luckhurst, Twyla Anderson, Nancy Pierce (our Princess from Green Bay, WI), Laura Brooker, and Kim Martin (Our NC Princess)

La Veda Longfellow Myers (pictured with husband Mike) designed and later hand painted Tropical Splendor. The Feather Princesses hand appliquéd and hand quilted it. Brenda Grampsas, an AQS certified appraiser, appraised the quilt at $7500.

Debbie Buckley with our show program editor and official photographer, Michelle Barry

Dorothy Johnson and Laura Brooker were sad to know Kim Martin and Teri Tope would be leaving soon.

Scarlette Rose and a few of the many Feather Princesses and friends who helped make "Appliqué in Tampa Bay" a huge success--and so much fun.

Mabel Toth, leader of Crystal River's Heart-In-Hand  chapter and co-chair of the judging committee. relaxes in what is left of the Florida Quilt special exhibit.

Laura recruits her husband Rod Brooker for Saturday night takedown.