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With the excitement of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Triangle Exchange still fresh in the air, we want to ensure that all those beautiful triangles arrive to the sorting station in the most organized and easy-to-distribute way possible. After all, there will be several hundred thousand of these little bits of fabric traveling around the world! At last count, there are 615 participants in the following locations: the US, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Finland, Norway, Australia, Panama, New Zealand, Germany, South Korea, and Switzerland!! So, as you get ready to send out your triangles, keep these guidelines in mind:

• Each triangle should still have the paper attached. Please mark (on the paper) your name, state, and country. This way, the recipient can enjoy knowing from whom they have received their triangles.

• Place all your triangles in a plastic baggie. Clearly mark the baggie with your profile name and the number of triangles included.

• Be sure to include a pre-addressed, stamped envelope so that the organizers can mail triangles back to you.

• Place everything in a sealed envelope/box and mail to the following address:  Please note the address correction highlighted in yellow.  The address listed in the Newsletter was incorrect:
  

Debbie Wolf
TQS Exchange
PMB#9
5554 South Peek Rd.
Katy, TX 77450-7130

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Photo by Gregory Case Photography

This episode is so “meaty” that we had to break it into two parts! You’ll want to be on hand for both as quiltmaker, teacher, author, fabric designer, musician, and our own TQS co-host Ricky Tims walks you through the complete process for making your own, unique Rhapsody-style quilt.

• Learn to create the design
  
• Make the templates
  
• Prepare the background
  
• Prepare and stitch the appliqués
• Assemble the component parts into an original masterwork that you and your family will treasure.

In addition to the step-by-step process, Ricky will have lots of fantastic quilts on hand to inspire you. It’s almost like having him come to your sewing room for private lessons…and you can replay each step as many times as you wish.

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The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative is the featured charity TODAY (Friday, January 28) on Philanthroper.com - a new venture that encourages big change with pocket change.

AAQI has  special opportunity TODAY ONLY.  Beginning at 10 am eastern, Philanthroper, launched by Mark Wilson, is featuring the AAQI on his site.  He's asking his visitors to donate $1 by clicking on the "Give $1" button on his site.

Click here to donate.  

Take the first stitch with the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative. Its one of the few places where you can donate a buck. Just 100 pennies. It's affordable. It's easy. And like stitching around the quilt frame, we all can do a little to make a big difference. Let's get it done!

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As you all know by now, Gatton, Australia was hit pretty hard in the recent flooding.  It was a coincidence that we shared the article on the ladies of Sew Creative during that time.  Many of you have asked how everyone is doing.  Gail Chalker sent us a note to let you know that they are ok and have set up the shop to serve as a place of refuge. 
"As to the flood here in Queensland it is devastating.  Gatton and Grantham bore the brunt of the flood with the army and police still recovering bodies daily.  The sound of helicopters flying over my home and shop each day is frightening as you know it means more tragedy.   My dear brother Graham had seconds to get out before his home was swept away.  He survived with the clothes on his back and then spent the next hour trying to save as many folk as he could – unfortunately the flood was so fast many drowned before his eyes.   Each of my children were affected by floodwaters as well as my 80 year old father.  As each was evacuated they came to my home which we re-named Mattress Inn – but it was so good to have them all safe.

Brisbane (our capitol) was also badly hit but folk had about 10 hours of notice of the impending flood.  Grantham had none!

As to Sew Creative we were spared.  To help we opened the shop as a drop in point for the ladies in the Evacuation Centre.  They shared coffee, tears and we had quilts that needed binding so they could sit and stitch, chatter etc.  We sent each of the quilters away with a stack of patchwork and quilting magazines so they had something to distract them whilst in the Evac. Centre. 

We have quilts ready to go and we are also making up ‘quilters care packages’ with scissors, needles etc as well as ‘ladies care packages’ with personal toiletries as we see the Mums looking after their kids needs first so we at Sew Creative thought they need them.    

Business wise the flood will be the end of many businesses in the Gatton / Grantham area and I pray Sew Creative will not be one of them.  As Australians ‘Aussies’ we have a saying ‘it’ll be alright mate’ and I believe with everyone pulling together Queenslanders will come through this tragedy!" Gail Chalker

If you want to help, be sure to check out the online auctions taking place through January 24, 2011.

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It's time to head off to Africa. Ricky sent some pictures from the plane as they were getting ready to take off from JFK.  These guys look awfully happy to be leaving. Could it be because this is what they will be doing?  They will be visiting the Karen Blixen Museum in Nairobe, staying at the Mt. Kenya Safari Club, founded by William Holden, meeting with the Nanyuki spinners and weavers, and of course, going on Safari. Did I mention the hot air balloon?

Let's wish them a Bon Voyage and a very safe journey!

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Photo by Gregory Case Photography

In this technique-packed episode, pattern and fabric designer Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts amazes Alex and Ricky with an easy method for producing dozens of accurate half-square triangle units in minutes with just two pieces of fabric and her Triangle Exchange Paper. The “exchange” of ideas continues as Edyta shows how to enliven your quilts with diamonds, rectangles, and other shapes made from strips and using her clever “Strip Exchange” technique. Also not to be missed: Alex demonstrates how to design and draw a custom double-feathered wreath for quilting.

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Nic Bridges of nicquilts.com felt powerless and wanted to do something to help with the Queensland Flood Disaster.  She is auctioning off her quilt "Ginkgo Blues" to help in the relief effort. To place a bid, click here.  The proceeds will go directly into the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal created by the Queensland Government to help the many communities devastated by the disaster.

 Ginkgo Blues by Nic Bridges

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Our hearts go out to all of the families touched by the devastating and unusual weather that has recently hit various regions of the world.   From the floods in Australia to the snowstorms along the Eastern US, we at TQS want all our friends around the world to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.  

If you know of an organization that is working to aid those who have been hit, please let us know here.  We will be glad to post updates for TQS members who would like to contribute.

Flooding in Brisbane, Australia - BBC News

Snow Storm in Arkansas, USA. - weather.com

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Photo by Gregory Case Photography

Series 8 gets off to a free-wheeling start as fabric artist, designer, author, and teacher Susan Carlson visits the set with the lowdown on how she creates her “serendipitous” collage-like quilts.

Get inside her design process, pick up some tips on using your fabric scraps as “paint,” explore the potential of interpreting the same design in three different colorways, and learn a cool technique for applying binding.

All this, plus Ricky shows you how to splice (and spice) your fabric by inserting a “lifeline sliver". Click here to watch this outstanding show!