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Debra Svitil, a part time elementary school teacher from Alpharetta, Georgia, was chosen to create a portrait quilt of First Lady Laura Bush.  The quilt was presented to Mrs. Bush on the occasion of the Congressional Club's 100th Anniversary Luncheon in Washington, DC on April 17, 2008.  It was commissioned by Alfredia Scott, wife of Congressman David Scott of Georgia and the chairperson of the event.

Mrs. Scott placed a call for designs to be submitted for her consideration through Arts Clayton Gallery in Jonesboro, Georgia.  Debra knew immediately that she wanted to create a piece that would honor Laura Bush, the individual, and highlight her dedication to furthering education - specificlly her idea that childre's reading is a gateway to further things.  She found the perfect quote from Mrs. Bush that embodied this ideology and built her concept for the quilt around that quote:

A love of books, of holding a book, turning its pages, looking at its pictures, and living its fascinating stories goes hand-in-hand with a love of learning.

She began by painting the portrait with fabric inks and paints.  She then quilted Mrs. Bush's head and shoulders using more than 30 different colors of thread.  Mrs. Bush's love of country is reflected n the overall background motif - a stylized stars and stripes from the American flag.  Having lived in Texas and knowing first hand the strong sense of identity Texans derive from their state symbols, Deb utilized blubonnets (the state flower) when making the stripes.  Woven among the bluebonnets are other symbols of Texas; Monarch butterflies, pecans, an armadillo and even a longhorn!

Deb was there for the presentation of the quilt and met Mrs. Bush.  She feels honored to have been chosen to create this piece of art for the First Lady. 

To visit Debra Svitil's website, click here.

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Paducah, Kentucky, USA - The stunning international art quilt competition and exhibition, Expressions: The Art Quilt, is currently on exhibit at the Museum of American Quilters Society through July 8.

Ricky Tims curated the exhibit which had its initial showing in 2006 at Tims' Art Quilt Gallery and has toured the country for the last two years. The Museum is its last stop before these incredible quilts are returned to their owners. 

The topic and techniques used to create each presonally expressive piece was left solely up to the artist.  From abstract and stylized to photo realistic designes, with colors ranging from vibrant to subtle, these dazzling pieces are often purchased by private modern art collectors or added to museums.

With over 230 entries, quilters from across the United States and as far away as japan, Australia and Switzerland competed.  The final 63 were selected by Tims, Joan Hanley, a painter and sculptor and Katie Pasquini Masopust, art quilter and current president of Studio Art Quilt Associates.

Shown above is Tonal Meditations by Carol Krueger. 

Click here for more information about this exhibit at the Museum of the American Quilter's Society.

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Houston, Texas, USA April 30, 2008 - Many quilters are familiar with the International Quilt Festivals held across the United States each year. Quilts, Inc., the sponsors of the various Festivals, have added unique and exciting features to their website that will make the site more interesting and helpful to all quilters.

First, Festival attendees could get help and information for planning their visit from the new Friends @ Festival  forum, which allows users to post questions they have about upcoming Festivals and receive responses from fellow users or show staff members.  It is also a place where veteran Festival attendees can share their experiences and advice about the shows.

Another exciting new addition to the Quilts, Inc. website is the Festival Gallery Online, which features a sampling of quilts from a different Festival special exhibit each month with photos and information on the artworks.  Also, visitors to the website can now read entries from "A Piece of My Mind, " an online journal from Quilts,Inc. President and Festival Director, Karey Bresenhan.

Plus, the new feature, "Top Tips from Top Teachers," includes a frequently changing list of tips on quilting and creativity from different well-known instructors as well as a listing of their upcoming Festival classes.

To visit the Quilts, Inc. website, click here.

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Cochise County, Arizona, USA - A new non-profit entity, the Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame, is currently being organized.  Initially it is to be a virtual entity, housed on the organization's website.  They are  looking for exceptional quilters to honor.  Nominations will be accepted beginning in March 2008 through May 15, 2008. Nomination forms and more information are available on the organization's website. 

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Houston, Texas, USA April 30, 2008 - The sixth edition of International Quilt Festival/Chicago drew even more quilters and fabric enthusiasts from all parts of the world than in previous years. Attendees had the opportunty to shop, to learn, and to get an up-close view of incredible artworks - both traditional and contemporary - on display.

In all, 20,249 attendees made their way around 525 booths selling everything from finished antique and contemporary quilts to fabrics, patterns, books, notions and machines. Also among the 288 different vendors were those offering crafts, antiques and home decor as well as jewelry, bags and gift items.

Additionally, more than 1000 quilts, dolls, and wearable art garments were on display in nearly 20 special exhibits. And close to 1,400 Festival attendees also enrolled for special classes, lectures, and special events. With more than 100 classes offered this year, subjects ranged from basic hand quilting to advanced applique and photo transfer to rust dyeing.

For information on upcoming Festivals, click here.

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May 1, 2008 - On April 15, 2008 Christa Ebert of Bad Zwichenhahn, Germany joined Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA) and unknowingly became the organization's 2000th member.

"This is a BIG day for SAQA!  We have had amazing growth over the last few years, and it would not have happened without the many dedicated volunteers who have created an organization artists want to belong to.  My hope is that we can continue growing and retaining members - both national and international - artists, students, academics, collectors and other arts professionals," said Judith Content, President.

SAQA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the art quilt through education, exhibitions, professional development, and documentation.  With an active membership of established and emerging artists, the artwork created by SAQA members can be found in both national and international exhibitions, galleries, museums and private collections.

Click here to learn more about SAQA.

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May block "Scarlet Daffodils" by Sue Garman 

After a long winter it is so astounding to see the first flowers of spring popping their heads out of the dark, deep earth.  Daffodils, or Narcissus in Latin, are called the flower of spring.  And we know that warm, sunny days are to follow when these cheery flowers begin to show their colorful heads.

This month Sue Garman brings you a beautiful urn filled with scarlet Daffodils.  By now, your applique technique is getting better and you should feel less intimidated by the design.  Be sure to continue "showing off" your completed blocks.  We love seeing each quilt as it progresses.  To download the Block of the Month Pattern click here. 

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                                                                                                     Photo by Gregory Case

In a recent TQS Newsletter (Vol. 2, No. 17), we asked you "What Magazines Inspire You?"  And as a TQS member wrote to us and said, "Are you sure you want to open that can of worms?"  The answer is yes!  And boy did we hear from you.  We have learned a lot of great new places that a quilter can gain inspiration.  And really it is right in front of us every day, if we know what to look for.  (Oh, I digress into yet another topic of conversation...we will save that one for later.)

So far we have heard you like everything from the traditional quilting magazines all the way to regional art magazines to gardening.  If you haven't responded, we would love to hear from you as to what magazines you like to read (even magazines outside of the quilting industry).  We especially are enjoying the responses from our overseas members.  So keep your responses coming to Ruth at advertising@thequiltshow.com.  And we will let you know our findings very soon. 

Ruth

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We’ve all heard those awful stories about quilts that “go missing.” Here’s a way to make your claim of ownership more secure. If you normally sign your quilt by attaching a separate label, stitch the label to the backing fabric before you baste the quilt. The label will be quilted into the quilt, creating a more permanent ID.

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Photo by Gregory Case

Episode 209 with Annie Smith airs today. Annie, the first quilting podcast queen, teaches tricks for successful fabric selection and piecing techniques to make your quilts outstanding. Cheryl Uribe, Gizmo Girl, also shares new tools and a quilting game to make quilting more fun and accurate. To watch the show click here.