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Have you ever looked at a fabric and thought, I could have designed that.  Or thought, that would be great if I had just the right coordinating print.  Or maybe you just can't find the exact fabric you'd like to finish your quilt.  Well now, you can be the fabric designer.  It's true, a number of websites are beginning to turn up that will print your design on fabric.

It is a very simple process, for most the sites all you need to do is:

1)  Create an account: Enter your name and address and create a password.  Once you have created an account, any files you submit will be stored should you require them later.

2)  Upload your design via a file: Each site has generally the same file requirements, but you should always check to make sure your file will be compatible with that particular site.  Once you have uploaded your file, you are able to do some manipulation of the images. e.g. mirroring, offsetting.

The general requirements are:  150 dpi, JPG, TIF, PNG, EPS, PDF files: file sizes 10 - 25 Mb; RGB or LAB color

3)  Submit your order: Enter shipping information and payment type.

Prices begin at about $16 per yard.  The price depends on the type of fabric and size.  Some sites will print fat quarters.  These companies strive to be environmentally friendly in their use of dyes and pigments.

To learn more, just click on the site logo.

  

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Ricky Tims

 

Visit Ricky Tims in the Midwest this weekend where he will be sharing his knowledge in lectures, demonstrations and a concert.  Now that's an inspirational weekend!

On February 5, 2010 Ricky will be at the Yoder Department Store for lecture/demonstrations on Grand Finale and Kool Kaleidoscope.  You are sure to be inspired while learning some very cool techniques! Click here for more information.

There's more Ricky!  Don't miss the book signing or the Lunch/Seminar this weekend, February 6th and 7th, 2010 at The Bigsby Sewing Center in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. Click here for more information.

 

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Hey Batter, Batter!  It's time to talk about batting or wadding as it's also known.  As with pins and rulers, there arebatting about a zillion variations.  There is 100% cotton, cotton-polyester, 100% polyester, and wool. And let's not forget batting made out of bamboo and batting made out of 100% recycled plastic bottles. It comes in white, off-white, and black.  And of course there is the high-loft or low-loft decision. Which batting do you prefer and why?  Does it matter if you are machine quilting or hand quilting? Do you like your batting with or without a scrim? Do some battings hold creases in your quilt more than others?  What about pre-washing your batting, do you or don't you?

Just submit a comment and let us know what's between the layers of your quilt sandwich. 

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License PlateToday is the last day to enter the TQS License Plate contest.  We want to see how quilting creativity is expressed on license plates from all over the world.  

Submit your image in Show and Tell by Tuesday, February 2, 2010.   That's today!  The winning plate will be selected by ARJJ and announced in the Weekend Fun Newsletter February 5, 2010.

For a little bit of fun, we put together a slideshow of some plates found in the parking lot at Road to California.  Click here to hit the road.

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Photo by Gregory Case Photography    Click on Picture for a short trailer.

Are you looking for a simple way to give your blocks a unique twist? Be sure to join us as quiltmaker Karla Alexander, best-selling author of the Stack the Deck book series, demonstrates how she creates and then alters a block for a fresh new look. Along the way, she takes the mystery out of sewing a partial seam, chats about her quilts, and “uncovers” a fabulous show and tell. In addition, Bernina pro Gayle Hillert is on hand to show us how to utilize decorative stitching to embellish children’s clothing, with techniques that adapt for quilts as well. To watch the show, click here.

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If you have not already written the name of a friend or family member on a purple patch for the Name Quilts that will be part of the "Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope" traveling quilt exhibit, it is not too late.

Please email Ami Simms with the name of the names of family or friends you know who has or had Alzheimer's, or a related dementia, so that they can be included in the 10,000 names the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative is collecting to honor and remember.

Please share the person's first name, first name & last name, or their first name and the first letter of their last name---whatever you feel most comfortable with. Please include the city and state where they are/were from.

If you have already put your loved one's name on a purple patch at any time during the last year, the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative has got it. If not, please let Ami add the names now. No limit. As many people as you wish to honor is fine. 

We urge you to email AmiSimms@aol.com now with the name and location of your loved ones and friends and support this monumental project. 

 

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"Star Crazy"                                       "Hugs and Kisses"

Let's get going on our BOM projects.  If you are working on Star Crazy, this month you will be making two star and two chain blocks.  For those working on Hugs and Kisses, you will make a wreath with daisies.  No matter which BOM you choose, you are sure to learn from Sue's great instructions and tips all along the journey.  To download the pattern for the February Star Crazy click hereClick here for the February Hugs and Kisses pattern.

 

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We have a new website feature for you soon, but I'm having trouble with the computer.  Why are there 35 windows open?  Maybe someone out there is a computer expert who can help identify the problem so I can get back to work. --Capt'n John

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Groundhog day is celebrated February 2 in Canada and the US.  It all centers around a little rodent named Punxsatawney Phil who is watched the world over when he comes out of his burrow.  If he fails to see his shadow, he'll wander away from home and winter will be over.  If he sees his shadow, he'll head back down the hole and settle in for another six weeks of winter.  Phil has become quite a celebrity over the years.  Enjoy Anna Nalick's "Shine."  We promise you won't have to watch the video over and over.

 

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Check out this gift bag and card. One of the gals brought her gift in this fancy dancy bag and I almost had a heart attack thinking that one of the younger guests was a quilter - No, but her mom is! How super cool is this? When ever it is time for a baby gift she "shops" at her Mom's  for snugglie stuff to present to the new mom and newborn. Next time you need to wrap a gift? Go green, grab a glue gun and make yo - yos!

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