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Meet Virginia Avery. Jinny has been a guiding force in our industry for over 50 years! Jinny was a pioneer to quilting when she started teaching in the 60’s and did not retire until recently in 2005. Through her enthusiasm in teaching and helping people find their voice in cloth, Jinny quickly became a major influence during the quilting renaissance of the 1970’s and her efforts continued for decades. Her innovative approach of using patchwork in garment construction was ground breaking and paved the way for the incredible popularity of art to wear. Her perseverance, dedication and love of this industry has made her our pick for the first TQS quilt legend – 2007!

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It's the biggest shopping day of the year so don't forget about browsing around the TQS Shoppe. Looking for a great gift for a quilting friend? Why not check out the kits that are ready to go. Remember, you get 10% off all purchases during our grand opening. Offer ends November 25th so don't delay!

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Handmade Buttons by Incomparable Buttons 

Just around the corner of the TQS booth in Houston we discovered some amazing handmade buttons created and painted by hand by women in South Africa.  The business, called Incomparable Buttons, was started in 1984 by Jennifer Pascall as a way to employ and support out of work women in the area.  The idea for the button business literally came to her one night while sleeping.

Her first designs were created around the kitchen table.  She freely admits that her initial buttons were a mess.  Eventually she developed a clay mix (slip) that worked.  Early buttons that incorporate traditional African designs and animals are still popular today.  Along with African themed buttons their designs include animals, fruits and vegetables, sea animals as well as simple graphics.

As the company grew Jennifer hired and trained women from the local community in the art of button making.  Most of the women hired had never held a paintbrush in their hand.  Today they are considered masters of their craft. Each woman takes great pride in the work she produces. "The ladies sense of belonging within the company and skills as crafters not only gives them tremendous pleasure but also provides them with economic empowerment and has uplifted all their families."

Each button is made using a slip that contains crushed stone.  This makes the button extremely hard and machine washable.  They do not recommend dry cleaning.  The buttons, once created, are dried outside in the sun, and then fired for 24 hours in a kiln.  You might want to consider some of these unique buttons for your next embellishment project.  To learn more about Incomparable Buttons and to read about some of the artists click here.

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How many times do you glance down at the floor while walking through a building?  During our stay in Houston we must have walked across this lobby floor hundreds of times without giving it a thought.  On our last morning we snapped this photo.  What a great idea for a quilt!  Can you just imagine this done in applique'? What a stunner that would be.  Do you have any quilts that have been inspired by floors, walls, or other architecture? 

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The day has finally arrived. The Quilt Show Shoppe is having its Grand Opening. In celebration everyone shopping at the Shoppe from November 12-25, 2007 will receive an automatic 10% discount off all purchases. After November 26, 2007 all Star Members will always receive a 5% discount on all purchases. Discounts do not apply to subscription purchases. Visit the Shoppe and you will find patterns, books, notions as well as many of the products we presented over the last year in our show episodes. We also carry the limited edition TQS pins.

If you are a shop owner and would like to partner with us we would love to hear from you. We want to be your biggest supporter. Just enter click on our contact page and we will inform you prior to a show airing what items will be presented on that particular episode. This will allow you time to have your shop stocked.

For those of you around the world who do not have easy access to quilt shops or are otherwise stranded when you see a product mentioned on the show that is not available locally, you will find what you want right here with us online. Click here to enter the Shoppe. We will ship worldwide.

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In just two more weeks the final episode of Series One will post. This show is entirely shot on location and will honor someone who was a pioneer during the recent renaissance of quilting. We are thrilled to have documented the life and work of this person. Some of you are making guesses on the forum as to the identity of this mystry legend. All will be revealed in time - but mark your calendars and be among the first to see who we are honoring as our first Quilt Legend. This show will post on November 26th.

Speaking of the last episode, have you renewed your membership for Series Two which begins in January? All Star Members for Series One will be able to watch Series One until it is gone, but to see Series Two you have to purchase that series. We are offering a special if you purchase the combo of Series Two and Series Three. Next year we are doing TWO series, or 26 shows for 2008 - so you'll get new shows more often (like every two weeks!).

As the holidays approach you might want to consider purchasing a gift subscription for a friend. You can do this as well. The gift subscription option is now available. Thanks for making our first year at TQS so successful!

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     Alex, Gail Thomas, Annette Hendricks, Helen Godden, and Ricky 

During our time in Houston many stopped by The Quilt Show booth to say hello and to snap a photo with Alex and Ricky.  It was also great meeting so many of our TQS members in person.  One afternoon the “Three Sisters” stopped by to visit.  We were able to grab a quick photo of these three incredible artists.  Just a few days prior they won first place in the group category for their collaborative work on their quilt “The Three Sisters”. 

The story of their meeting and collaboration on this quilt is fascinating in itself.  Who would have thought that three women from different countries who met in Houston two years ago would, during one long night in a hotel room, design a quilt that would travel back and forth across the world?  Each woman added her own artistry to the piece before sending it on.  To read the complete story about this amazing quilt click here. 

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            "Rag Quilt" by emoore 

For all of you making quilts for the California Fire victims we would like to say Thank You.  Wendy has informed us that she has received word of many quilts being created for this nation-wide effort.  We even have a member from New Zealand whose guild is involved in this project.

The San Diego Fire Dept. has requested that donation quilts be sent to the following distribution center:

   Attention:  Debra Fischle-Faulk

                   Rancho Bernardo Local Assistance Center

                   18448 West Bernardo Drive

                   San Diego, CA 92127

Post office shipping is very expensive.  We have found FedEx ground to be the cheapest method for those wanting to send their donation quilts. And thanks again for all of your efforts.

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Many of you may have missed the recent Ricky Tims' telephone interview with Penny Halgren on October 15, 2007.  Penny has been so kind to allow our TQS members to read the transcript of the interview at no cost.  To read the interview transcript click here.

Penny will also be holding another live telephone interview with Alex Anderson on December 10, 2007 at 5:00pm Pacific/8:00pm Eastern.

Dial (620) 294-3005--Pass code 3639#

      To mut yourself out *6

      To un-mute yourself  *6

If you register prior to the interview on December 10, 2007, you will receive additional information about the call prior to that evening.  To register click here. 

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The day has finally arrived.  The Quilt Show Shoppe is having its grand opening.  In celebration everyone shopping at the Shoppe from November 12-26, 2007 will receive an automatic 10% discount off all purchases.  After November 26, 2007 all Star Members will receive an automatic 5% discount on all purchases.  Purchase discounts do not apply to subscriptions.  Visit the Shoppe and you will find patterns, books, notions as well as many of the products we presented over the last year in our show episodes.  We also carry the limited edition TQS pins.

For those of you around the world who do not have easy access to quilt shop or are otherwise stranded when you see a product mentioned on the show that is not available locally, you will find what you want right here with us online.  Click here to enter the Shoppe.