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Join us for this week's TQS Summer Camp Project from Olfa.  This is a fun (and quick!) project to make. One thing that makes it fun is that you sew through the batting and the backing as you go -when you put the last piece on all you have to do is bind the edges because you were quilting as you went!

Why not consider using outdoors to dress up a drab picnic table, or over a solid colored table cloth to make just the right statement for your event. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this project makes up.  Be sure to check out each week's project in on the Projects page here.  And don't forget to post your creative versions in Show and Tell.  Keep up the good work campers!

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fusionwear sv is a contest sponsored by the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles and ZERO1.  They want to find an image that represents Silicon Valley in California much in the same way as a Hawaiian shirt represents Hawaii. The minute you see it, you know what it means.  Images have been submitted and artists Corinne Okada Takara and Collen Quen are waiting to see the results of voting which ends June 11, 2010.  Once a design has been chosen it will be used to create printed fabrics and couture designs called fusionwear sv.

These are just a small sample of the images submitted, to learn more about the project and see more examples, click here.  To learn more about Corinne Okada Takara, click here.  To learn more about Colleen Quen, click here.

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Inspiration can come from anywhere and TQS member, FrancesB, wanted to share one of her favorite addresses from Harry Potter author, JK Rowling.

Rowling had many ups and downs in her life and it seemed to serve her well as inspiration. Her speech, The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination, was given at Harvard in 2008 at the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association.

See if you can't apply the fringe benefits of failure and the importance of imagination to your quilting endeavors the next time the thread breaks, the block doesn't fit, or the colors are all wrong.

Click here for the video and transcript of the speech.

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TQS Summer Camp continues with this fast and easy project from AccuQuilt GO!  Everyone can make this fun raggy throw pillow for your bed, couch or a college student's dorm room.  Be sure to catch all of the Make it Monday projects every Monday through September 6, 2010 on the Projects page.  Happy Stitching!

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Bernina is releasing a new educational video called Online Inspiration.  Nina and Jennifer will show you how to have creativity and inspiration right at your fingertips. Click here for the video, or click on the BERNINA banner at any time.

You can also find more ideas and projects on the BERNINA site. There is a wonderful Make It section where you can find projects galore including crazy patch pillows, embroidered wall falowers, and coil couture.

Also at the BERNINA site is Learn It which offers all kinds of instruction for Bernina products from sewing machines and sergers to accessories and software. There are sewing fundamental classes and fashion sewing classes, software classes and embroidery classes, and so much more.

Now, if that isn't enough to get you motivated, there is Sewing Republic from BERNINA. This site has even more project ideas from a juice box tote, to a knit hat, to a shower tote. What's really fun is that these projects come from all over the world and include a bio of the originator as well as a link to their blog. If you want project updates, you can have Sewing Republic sent to your inbox.

For those who are find themselves in a sewing pickle, Sewing Republic, can help them out. There are online tutorials, FAQs, even a glossary to get that problem solved.

And there's more, Sewing Republic also offers help with your machine, has special offers from BERNINA, and helps you to find classes in your area.

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In his continuing video series "Thread Therapy", Dr. Bob Purcell of Superior Threads has been teaching us the ins and outs of everything you always wanted -and NEED- to know about Thread.  Today's lesson is about "Cotton Thread".  Did you know that some cotton thread comes with a "glaze" on it and this can gum up your machine?  How can you tell if your thread is glazed? Find out by watching today's lesson..click the arrow to start.

Bob is giving one TQS member a $50 Gift Certificate to Superior Threads.

To enter, send an email to cotton@thequiltshow.com and type in "Dr. Bob" in the subject line.  Deadline is Monday, June 7, 2010 at midnight PST.  This contest is open to ALL TQS members worldwide, so enter today!

To watch Dr. Bob's lesson on "Proper Tension", click here.

To watch Dr. Bob's lesson on "Metallics", click here 

To watch Dr. Bob's lesson on "The Importance of Needles", click here

For more information on all the different threads available to you, please visit the Superior Threads website at www.superiorthreads.com.

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It's Drawing Day...a worldwide initiative to get everyone to draw for the sake of art.   TQS is once again joining the effort and has opened a Show & Tell area to put up your drawings.  We not only want your drawing, but we want to become a "worldwide refrigerator" and see the drawings of your family.  Here is a chance to encourage the creativity of your kids and grandkids and give them an opportunity to see their work on the web.  Draw and together upload your pictures by:

1.  Scanning your picture and uploading it to our Show & Tell area

2.  Taking your camera and getting a picture of the drawing and then uploading it.

Need more help? Watch the video on "Uploading Your Pictures" by clicking here.

Your drawing uploaded to our site automatically enters you for a chance to WIN a special quilting goody bag!

Kids seldom need ideas, but if you need some ideas: show us a quilt block, a quilting pattern, a flower in your yard, a self portrait, a bird from your area, or a tree.  (This will be for the whole family, so keep it family safe.)  If this is outside your comfort area, then even better. 

The worldwide "Drawing Day" goal is 1 million pictures.  Last year we reached 145 pictures.  Let's top that!  Our goal at TQS is several hundred pictures.  Can we reach 500?

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The works of award winning quilt artist -and TQS favorite- David Taylor are on display at the Steamboat Art Museum in Steamboat Springs, CO May 28 through October 17, 2010.  TQSWizard Lilo attended the grand opening and will be reporting back with behind the scenes info you will only see on TQS. To learn more about David's exhibit -as well as see a great mention about TQS!- read the article by Mike Lawrence with the Steamboat Pilot by visiting our TQS Press Page here. 

Be sure to watch David in Episode #406 "Following the Artist's Process".

"Sally at the Window" by David Taylor

(photo by Gregory Case Photography)

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"I can't draw!" Who hasn't said that before?  The fact of the matter is, we all can draw something. A flower, a quilt block, a geographic shape...even a doodle is drawing.  Drawing is like everything else - it takes some time and practice.

On Saturday, June 5th, TQS is participating in "International Drawing Day 2010".  Celebrate the artist deep inside all of us.  We know it's in there and we want to see it! To participate we urge you to create a new drawing for the Show and Tell.  Get your family involved too!  It can be as simple or as complex as you wish - it's not a competition. We just want you to draw!

To post your drawing - scan it, or photograph it, and upload it to the Show and Tell link on TQS. The official International Drawing Day is June 5, but you can post your drawing anytime between now and the end of the day on June 5th.

The worldwide "Drawing Day" goal is 1 million pictures.  Last year, TQS posted 145 pictures.  Can we top that in 2010?  Yes, we can!  Can we reach 500?