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Capt'n John: I enjoyed Grace Errea's work that I saw while we were taping her show. When we got home, I contacted Grace and bought a quilt for my office that would remind me to stay focused. I loved the determination in the eyes of the Eagles in her quilts. Also, the feathers of the neck always draw my attention. Be sure to check out the different fabrics.  Hopefully it will help with my ADD.  (The quilt is 27" x 30"). Grace's book is excellent and worth it for the pictures alone.

It was fun to find out that the quilt was featured in C&T's Date Keeper-- Quilted Masterpieces.

Can you guess which of these is the correct name of the quilt? (Answer is in the Comments)

1. American Treasure
2. "Squirrel"
3. Screeching Eagle
4. Eagle II

Zoom in to see the appliqué.     Can you see where she signed?

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"Why did you change the website?".  On this day of Thanksgiving, first let me thank you for your patience. The site is going to be evolving over the next 6 months, and I know you will like where we are heading. Here are some reasons for the change:

1. Number 1 is that Webmaster Bob created the original site in 2007 from scratch. The computer language is an older language and would be hard for a new programmer to come in and take over. As the site grew, Bob just hand created each section. We can't run the business thinking Webmaster Bob is with us forever. That was our first reason for the change.
2. The new language is in modules. We have certain modules now and we can add more. Bob doesn't have to create each from scratch.
3. We wanted to improve the ability of the entire membership to exchange ideas, pictures, and techniques. We have added this ability, but we are still learning how it works. We have hired a moderator to learn all the features of the new forum and the new community. She will be teaching us all how to use it soon.
4. We want people to join, and even create, groups. You will have Public groups to learn together and private groups for fun. We interviewed a group that left MSN and they told us what they would like the site to do. We are working on their suggestions now.
5. We had a major glitch at the start. The outside programmers missed an important problem and it exploded when the site went live. Webmaster Bob has been working 15 hours a day to add a new module and throw out the original membership and store systems. They are now up and running. You can join and renew fast and easy now (and get $10 Off at Superior Threads). You can also get our Black Friday deals in the new shop. Yes, we added Paypal as you requested.
6. We have an amazing program of new shows, interviews, projects, and tools to present to you. We are going to use the new architecture and new modules and programs to make learning quilting even easier and faster.
7. We appreciate your input, suggestions, and even your complaints. We are using all of them to tweak the site to your preferences. You will see a lot of changes each week.
8. To those who are having some trouble with the videos, we are working with Vimeo to get them fixed. The videos were the one thing we didn't change!! But apparently Vimeo made some changes exactly at the same time. Your iPads should work again. We had one person tell us that the HD is working backwards for her. If she clicks it on, it is actually off. If the video is choppy, click the HD button even if it shows off and see if that fixes it.

Again, thank you for your patience and feedback. We have wonderful content coming your way and it will be worth the pain of webbirth.

Capt'n John

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It's Time To Renew and To See What's New

Actually it isn't time to renew for a lot of you who got the email. We sent it to all Star members rather than Star members with renewal dates through Jan 31. 

BUT all Star members should know that they will receive a FREE 6 month membership to give to a non-Star member friend this holiday season. You can email it or print it out and wrap it up. It will be placed in your MY ACCOUNT area later today. (It is just for non-members and can't be used to extend your current membership.)

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I was fascinated by the art shown in the Vietnam Tour 2. Don't miss out on these great pictures of the art, clothes and embroidery. So I Googled Vietnam art and found this site. (TQS has no association or financial deals with this site.) I think the embroidery art is amazing and very inexpensive.

I bought this piece that reminded me of Yosemite and expect to see it up close in a few days. Here is a link to the tour and also a link to the art website.

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We recently taped with quilt artist Grace Errea (amazingquiltsbygrace.com-take a  look through her gallery) for an upcoming show.  I loved her use of color and enjoyed her landscapes, people and nature quilts and wanted to buy one- but which one?

She has several Eagle quilts that spoke to me.  I have a mild case of ADD and lose focus quickly (squirrel!) and I loved the steely eyed determination in the look of the eagles.  

We are half way through our redesign of the entire TQS site, but there is a lot of work left. Now when I start to wander, I look at this quilt and the Eagle is saying, "Focus!". (At first I thought it was saying "Don't touch my Bernina!") Great job Grace.

Screeching Eagle 27" x 33" -Grace Errea

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Alex and I just got back from the Medocino Coast of California.  I thought I would share one of our pictures that looks like the quilt of the day.

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Ardis James donated 1000 quilts to open the International Quilt Study Center & Museum at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.  While Ricky and Alex worked in Omaha at accuquilt, I (Capt'n John) got a last minute opportunity to visit the Museum.  

The Museum was closed, but Dr Pat Crews and Carolyn Ducey, Phd. made me feel very welcome.  My first question was "What was your very first quilt?".  

Since Ardis & Robert James donated 1000 at the same time, Carolyn Ducey showed me the very first quilt that Ardis James bought.

I have to admit, it was fun just watching them unbox and spread it out.  You get a great idea of how they store the quilts.

Click Here to see the quilt in the archive.  Then try a search of your own.

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Masterpiece Thread will now come in 2-ply donuts (wonderful colors) and 3-ply 600 yd spools and 2500 yd cones. (Why? See Video below).

BUT, when we talked, Bob mentioned that he still had a number of colors of the 2-ply spools in the warehouse.

SO, I asked if he would offer a special price to the TQS viewers.  Bob appreciated all of the comments during our last contest and will offer these remaining spools to TQS viewers at

                          $5.99 a spool = 33% off.  While they last.

The 2-ply spools work great on loosely tensioned machines (top tension in the 1.5 to 2.0 range).  Many of you mentioned that you loved the 2-ply.  SO, stock up now because they are going away.  (Try out the new 3 ply while you're at it.)

Thank you Bob for thinking of us first.

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The "Share the Love Contest" brought many great suggestions for me and how to handle Valentine's Day this year.

 I have used several of your suggestions.  We are making it a quilting day for Alex.  I will handle all calls.  Lunch will be delivered from our favorite diner and I will be cooking dinner (rain or shine at the BBQ).

I wrote a poem (Be Kind! It's the thought that counts) and I put it in a photo album with family pictures set with every 2 stanzas.

Here is the poem:

Dear Alex,

We met in college across a crowded ballroom.

You were not impressed, but I saw stars & moons.

Against advice we married young, or so it seemed.

Life alone can work, but it's better as a team.

Now we were dancing the steps of life together,

as we planned for tomorrow & prayed for forever.

Life changed abruptly when, without drugs, you had Joe.

The dance steps now faster, before we mastered the slow.

It took some begging to try for a girl so fair.

Soon with drug list in hand, we were joined by Adair.

Schools were a blur with lessons failed and lessons learned.

We pointed directions, and sometimes paths turned.

We got them through college and finally sober.

Their futures assured, while our finances smoldered.

Now the rooms are clean, dishes washed, tables dusted.

Our advice is sought & occasionally trusted.

I'm thankful for our love and your every wrinkle.

I'm sorry your Johnny Depp is a man who can't tinkle.

Life is so uncertain and our years could now be few.

Each morning I thank God for another day with you.