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While you're diligently working through all of those stacks of magazines and patterns, think about how you can gather images, designs, colors and textures that you find interesting or helpful, to save for later inspiration. What to do with those ideas? Here are several methods that other quilt artists find useful.

1. Take all of those ideas, ads, color inspirations and place them in notebooks for those times when you feel stumped. Jean Wells (Show 1301) keeps creative notebooks that help her with color, composition, and texture ideas.

             
                  (Photos by Gregory Case Photography)

         
                     (Photos by Gregory Case Photography)

2. Jamie Fingal (Show 1702) uses small notebooks and cardstock hang tags for inspiration, which will later often become quilts or fabric lines.

3. Maybe you prefer to see your inspirations in your space. Jacquie Gering (Show 1202) and Jean Wells (Show 1301) use areas in their studio to tack up images that appeal to them.

4. Pam Holland (Show 110) carries around a small sketchbook when she travels. It allows her to draw ideas whenever the mood strikes.  She also enjoys using her Ipad with the app Paper by 53 for sketching.
                                  
 

5. Alex (Shows 809 & 1210) uses her cell phone to capture things that inspire her. From color combinations (above left) to quilting ideas (above right), she finds that the phone is a great tool for collecting ideas.

And...

6. Ricky (Shows 803 & 804) takes the time to sketch and draw when he is inspired, and keeps things tucked away in a folder. Once in a while he is struck by inspiration while out and about. In this example, he walked past the post office, looked up, and realized he was looking at a dragon motif in the ornamental decoration on the gate. This dragon was the inspiration for his Fire Dragon Rhapsody quilt.

Fire Dragon Rhapsody by Ricky Tims

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Primitive Quilts and Projects (PQP) is a magazine dedicated to the primitive quilter, rug hooker, and stitcher.  PQP is published by Jeni Gaston, Judy Williamson and Gretchen Smith... all sisters, who are all about bringing you the finest publications in the industry. You'll love the look and feel of their beautiful magazines...the projects are submitted from some of the most-admired designers in the primitive fiber arts world. Each issue offers at least 15 projects, inspiring show and tell, a focus on charitable causes, and a fun advice column from their own Mom, Mary Falcsik.

Their  prize for  International Quilting Weekend is a basket full of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazines, books, wool, threads, and a super-nice coffee mug!  Total retail value is over $500!

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International Quilting Weekend Will Be Here Soon!

March 18-20, 2016

We'll be opening all of our shows from the first seventeen series -- shows 100-1713 -- for the entire weekend. This means that, for three special days, everyone will have the chance to view over 200 shows, featuring some of the quilting world’s leading artists, for FREE.  And of course, there will be prizes, including...

Quilters Select giveaways:

Select Quilting Rulers! Easy-to-read lines for marking and measuring fabric – 1/8”, ¼”, ½”, ¾” and 1” marking as well as multiple angles. Each ruler has a unique non-slip coating that makes for more accurate cutting! No more accidental cuts, and squaring your blocks has never been easier!

Select Cutting Mats! These self-healing, multilayer mats are usable on both sides, with versatility in mind. One inch lines with two sets of corresponding numbers are placed around the perimeter of the mat and read left to right AND right to left – never lose your place or have to count backwards!

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One of the easiest ways to sneak an extra serving of veggies into your day is to add some green to your fruit smoothie. I don't notice any difference in the taste, except an inherent "freshness" that I really enjoy. Here's my favorite fruit smoothie, which gives you at least one serving of veggies, and also a good amount of protein. (I try to include protein in most of my meals and snacks, because protein can prevent you from becoming hungry too soon.) 

Start with about a cup of frozen strawberries, add a cup of yogurt, and a bit of liquid to get the blender going. Add some Splenda or sweetener of choice, along with a splash of vanilla and a bit of cinnamon. Add a bunch of spinach--one or two big handfuls. Blend until very smooth. Remember what you learned in your quilter's color class--red and green make brown. It tastes just like a strawberry smoothie if you don't look at the color!

If you want a pretty green smoothie, use spinach along with banana and pineapple--lime green! Add some vanilla protein powder to up the nutritional value. 

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Charlotte has several areas in her home where she displays her artwork and enjoys her work day.  Follow along as she shares ideas for organization and display, and gives you great tips for using clamps and clothespins in your studio.

Star Members can watch Charlotte in Show 1805: Telling Stories and Quilting.

Click here to visit Charlotte's website.

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Alex sat down with quilter, teacher, and author of Old Quilts, New Life, Sarah Fielke, at QuiltCon West 2016.  They discussed quilting "down under," and their joint passion for antique quilts.

Click here to visit Sarah's website.

Click here to find out about ordering Sarah's latest book, Old Quilts, New Life.

Star Members can watch Sarah in Show 2004: Into the Woods We Go - Embroidery with Whimsy in Stitches. In this show Sarah shares how effective a hand-quilted big stitch can be on your project.

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Rhonda Pierce, Marketing Director and Sewing Educator for SCHMETZneedles.com, discusses SCHMETZ Household Needles and how often the needle should be changed. She also discusses why the needle should be changed.

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Join Ricky for the inaugural of his newest online class at LetsQuiltTogether.com. Registration is open now.

Class starts Saturday, March 26, 2016!

Class Price -  $29.95 (as the class has started, the introductory price of $19.95 is no longer available)

Mi Cabina - My Little Cabin
 
If you have never taken one of Ricky's online quilt classes, this is a great time to start. The class runs for a short three weeks and the quilt is quick, easy, and fun.



Mi Cabina, By Ricky Tims, 70.5" x 80.5"

Mi Cabina (a twin/queen-bed coverlet) is the perfect snuggle quilt for you, and it also makes a great graduation gift or housewarming present. It features a fun variation on a timeless classic - The Log Cabin Courthouse Steps. The design has a scrappy aspect that is unified by a formal design layout. The appliqué featured in the border can be personalized, allowing you the option of truly making this quilt your own.

The classes post each Saturday morning and the best part is that you can participate at your own pace in the comfort of your own studio. You will be making the quilt along with other online classmates, which means you can interact with them and share photos of your progress!

Click on the image to view the video trailer.

 


Pick from your stash or order Ricky's hand-dyed fabrics today and get them in time for class. The fabric kit is available in two beautiful colorways - Desert Fantasy and Carnival Calypso. It contains all the fabric needed to make the quilt top and binding. The kit includes over 8 yards of fabric, along with the original Mi Cabina pattern from JWD Publishing.

Kits are sold separately.

For those wanting to use Ricky’s hand-dyed fabrics, act now!

Only 32 kits in each colorway are being produced for the inaugural of the Mi Cabina Class.

Ricky Tims' 100% cotton hand-dyed fabrics have a unique suede-like visual texture with a lovely soft hand. They are approximately 44" wide. The fabrics are individually hand-dyed in the USA at the Ricky Tims' dye studios.

Kits will begin shipping around March 15.

KIT (purchased separately from the online class)

now only $159, a $214 value SAVE 25%