Daily Blog

  0

fShare

Tweet

Justin and I have just finished eleven and a half hours of driving. We left La Veta this morning heading to Cape Cod (Hyannis, MA) for our Ricky Tims Super Quilt Seminar. We have made it to Lincoln, Nebraska for the night. We hope to make the drive in four days. Someone wondered if I stopped flying to places because one of my quilt was lost (then found) during an international flight this year. Not so. It is out of necessity that we drive. Is this a trip, a journey, or a quest? I'll let you decide after reading the facts.

1. We drive because we are pulling a trailer containing everything it takes to produce the event: boxes of syllabi, store merchandise, stage set-up, and of course, quilts, quilts, quilts! We also take audio and video equipment.

2. Because we are wagging a trailer, and because we have a schedule to keep, there are no side trips or stops. At the hotels, we usually have to call out for pizza so we don't have to haul a trailer to a restaurant. So, no, there's no stopping at every quilt shop along the way. However, we wave at all of you as we zoom by.

3. What do we do during all those long hours on the road? Well, today for example, there were about three hours of conference calls relating to - you guessed it - The Quilt Show. I spent about 3 hours writing an article for an upcoming issue of The Quilt Life, and I was able to weed through my photos I took at the Lady Gaga concert in Denver (see above). Yes, I went, yes, it was AWESOME! No, I'm not crazy - just ask Alex. I posted several quick posts on my Facebook page (go there and "like" me). We jammed to rock classics from Justin's iTunes playlists.

4. Because our new truck (and much of our equipment) was stolen a few years back (the morning before setup for a seminar) we bring all critical things into the hotel. It takes several trips even with a cart. Included in this endeavor are our clothes suitcases, all of our electronics, and all of the quilts (the most critical) - which is several cases. Each morning, it all has to be carted back out and repacked into the truck and trailer. - are you tired yet?

This will continue for the next three days and nights before we arrive at our destination. There I will meet Alex and John (Alex teaches at the seminar) and also Libby Lehman.

Next Thursday we will gather with our volunteers to set up. It takes about 5 hours. Then the registrants arrive and the fun begins. There is nothing that can describe this, but trust me - it's worth all the effort we go through to make it happen. - oh, and then there's the four day drive home following the same format we took to get here. The dog sitter is waiting - so, there is a deadline to get home too!

You decide - is it a Trip - a Journey - or a Quest?

  0

fShare

Tweet

We have our winners for the Superior Threads silk thread giveaway! They are Carol Muller, Susan Entwistle, and Laura Jaszkowski.  Susan and Laura have their own blogs; to see Susan's blog, click here and Laura has her blog here.

These three lucky winners will receive 5 spools of 220 yard silk thread in the colors of their choice courtesy of Superior Threads.  Thanks, Dr. Bob!

  0

fShare

Tweet

And WE knew all along........ that quilting is not just for Grannies - but for everyone. Check out this wonderful piece TQS Sugarmuffins 57 found on youtube to share. Hats off to Carolyn Hwang.

  0

fShare

Tweet

The Quilters' Guild of New South Wales has been kind enough to send TQS photographs of the award-winning quilts in this year's Sydney Quilt Show. The Sydney Quilt Show is an annual members' exhibition presented by The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc. in conjunction with the Craft & Quilt Fair. The show ran from June 16 through June 20, 2010 at the Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour.

Over 300 member quilts were exhibited along with What Tickles Your Fancy guild challenge quilts, wearables, a retrospective by guest exhibitor, Cheryl Bridgart, Best of Australia quilts sponsored by BERNINA, and much more. The next exhibition is set for June 22-26, 2011.

Kay Haerland, who won Best of Show in 2010, also presented a retrospective of her stunning pictorial quilts at the Sydney Quilt Show this year. If you are interested in seeing more of Kay's work, please visit her website at www.kayhaerland.com.

All images copyright The Quilters' Guild of NSW Inc.; Photography Credits: Nathanael Hughes, Aperture.

  0

fShare

Tweet

This is the last weekend of the Back to School Sale in the Shoppe. Get the Series 6 DVD and lots of great deals.  We are cleaning house so Hurry, it's all while it lasts!  Click Here.

  0

fShare

Tweet

In Lesson 5 of Free-Motion Fun this week, Patsy is showing you how to quilt your borders.  We're winding our way to the finish. If you need to catch up with past videos, click here.

Next week, in the final lesson, Patsy will be stitching feathers and showing you how to as well.  And keep your eyes peeled for a special surprise from Patsy!

(For those of you who have asked, Patsy's pattern is not currently available, however may be in the future.  We'll do our best to keep you informed.)

  0

fShare

Tweet

Quilter's are a surprisingly savvy group of people.  While the steroetype is a bunch of women sitting around a quilt frame, gossiping, we at TQS know that couldn't be farther from the truth. Quilters are always on the go and always learning something new, and they aren't afraid to share what they learn. TQS wants to know, "What else have you learned because of your quilting?"

Have you taken up photography because you had to photograph your quilt for a show? Have you learned how to Facebook because you wanted to share your photos with your grandmother in Poughkeepsie? Did you learn Photoshop Elements so you could learn to print on fabric? Can you cut a mat board because you wanted to frame a quilt? Submit a comment and share what you've learned.

(Photo:  TQS Member - longarm1)

  0

fShare

Tweet

and need your input. When asked what I miss most about Simply Quilts - I answer, "the drive bys" - meaning people who stumbled onto the show and got bitten by the bug. That was my true love about those ten years.  I am personally in love with everything quiltie and want to continue to "spread the gospel to anyone who will listen". Then I started thinking about all the young quilters out there that might need some basic piecing instruction....(my brain storm is starting to take form) - then I thought - "HEY - WHY NOT ME??"

So here is where the plan is at. I take the pieced BOM of Sue Garman as the basic platform and teach piecing instruction which coordinates with the quilt (as you know I do love stars and have taught them forever)  - NOW (here is where you come into the picture), not only do I invite you to take this journey with me - but do you know anyone who benefit from this project? This would be free to the world and would appreciate your help in getting the word out.

We will let you know when they start to post, as it will tke a little time to get everything in gear. I have a few days free and thought this might just be the perfect thing to do.....Also, do you have any questions you want covered?

  0

fShare

Tweet

Sometimes you just can't get that quilt together and you need to make something for a gift.  Or maybe you just need new inspiration or want to try a new technique; TQS wants to know, "What do you make other than a quilt?"  A bag, a postcard, a doll?  Have you learned anything new?  Did you take what you learned and apply it to your quiltmaking?

Submit a Comment and share your ideas with all the members.

  0

fShare

Tweet

We promised not to tell his age, but you can guess it if you like puzzles. Take the last two digits of the year he was born and switch them - that's his age.

What is your favorite Justin memory? - from the shows - or personally.

Happy Birthday, Justin, and many happy returns!!