Daily Blog

  0

fShare

Tweet

Photo by TQS member McCQuilter - Share your holiday quilts or holiday photos HERE.

Going to the Christmas tree lot with my father is one of my favorite memories...we always searched for the perfect tree - and of course, my brother and I rarely agreed on which one that was! My father worked (in the 60's) at a large open air mall - and they were the first to have the tiny Christmas lights that we're used to now. (Somehow we managed to have several strings of those lights at our house too.) One year after we got home with the "perfect" tree and put it in the stand it was discovered that a major branch of the tree was broken, not quite through, but enough to sag and ruin the symetry of the tree' silhouette. Necessity being the mother of invention - we found green thread and "sewed" that branch right back up. It was one of the most beautiful trees we ever had and if that branch was the first to dry out and turn a little brown - didn't matter to us! Phyllis Coppolino from Atlanta, GA.

Read more stories like this and share your story too.
Purchase Ricky's New Christmas CD here.

  0

fShare

Tweet

The BOM video is ready for viewing.  Click on BOM on the navigation bar and all Star members can see the final video in the Series.  Everyone needs to download the BOM 2009 patterns before 12./31/2009, but don't worry, the videos will be available for all of 2010.

  0

fShare

Tweet

Just in time for the Holidays, Jinny Beyer has a fantastic gift for one of you.  She is giving one lucky TQS Member an autographed copy of her latest book "The Quilter's Album of Patchwork Patterns".  This book is a must have for quilters and historians alike.  Jinny shares over 4,050 blocks with their historical reference and includes instructions to make the blocks any size you want.  Sure to be the must have book in any quilter's collection and it can be yours...FREE!

To enter to win, go to jinny@thequiltshow.com and type in "Quilter's Album" in the subject line.  Deadline to enter is Monday, December 14, 2009 at midnight PST.  Jinny will ship internationally, so everybody is encouraged to enter to win this autographed copy.

(Note: you can also just type the email address into your email program if you are having problems with the link)

BONUS:  Download Jinny's "Border Print Placemat Pattern" for FREE:  click here .   

To watch Lesson #1: "Jinny Beyer Designing Fabric" click here.

To watch Lesson #2:  "Jinny Beyer Using Border Prints" click here.

Stayed tuned for more TQS lessons from Jinny!

  0

fShare

Tweet

Photo by TQS member lacefairy- Share your holiday quilts or holiday photos HERE.

JUSTIN SHARES A STORY!
As a child of the 60's, we too had one of those of hideous aluminum Christmas Trees. Being a child though, I never thought it hideous, I thought it gorgeous; especially, when the rotating 4-color light wheel would project it's majesty on the tree. I would go into the "formal" living room where our tree lived, and would lie on the couch for hours watching the lights change on that aluminum tree and watch the reflections and shadows on the wall. It was mesmerizing as child to watch and get excited about the gifts all propped-up under that fake tree! Although I don't want of those now in my home, that memory brings back warm thoughts of my family from long ago!. Justin Shults from La Veta, CO. 

Read more stories like this and share your story too.
Purchase Ricky's New Christmas CD here.

  0

fShare

Tweet

January 4, 2010 – It’s the deadline for entering the 2010 AQS Quilt Show & Contest in Paducah.  You’ve dreamed about entering a show and this year you’ve made your masterpiece.  Your friends tell you it is wonderful, your family tells you it is wonderful, you even think it is wonderful, but you’re afraid to enter it into a juried quilt show.  Have you ever considered if everyone were afraid, there would be no quilt shows?  Sometimes you just have to put on your “big girl” panties and go for it.   So here you go…10 Things to Know About Entering a Show.

1.  Check the deadline.  The quilt show might be in April, but the entry deadline might be in January.

2.  Read the rules for that particular contest/show.  Every show is different, a quilt that qualifies as a wall quilt in one show, might be a bed quilt in another.

3.  Complete the entry form.  Aside from the obvious name, address, and telephone number, you’ll need to have a name for your quilt, the dimensions of your quilt, and the insurance value of your quilt. Most contests will insure quilts up to a certain value without an appraisal. You may also need the name and contact information for your local newspaper.

4.  Select the category in which your quilt belongs.  Again, check the rules to make sure you enter your quilt where it will be best represented.

5.  Write a descriptive paragraph.  Some shows require a description of your quilt; others want a brief description of your design process.  Be just as creative when writing about your quilt, as you are when you are making it.

6.  Give proper credit.  If you used someone’s pattern or book, or altered an existing design, make sure you give credit to the originator of the design.

7.  Photography:  Two photos are usually required: one of the entire quilt and one a close-up of the quilt.  A photograph can make or break an entry.  You don’t want Grandma Suzie’s shoes peeking out from the bottom of the quilt.  For help in photographing your quilt, watch Episode 205 where Gregory Case (Photo Man) discusses properly photographing quilts and Episode 308 where he shares great tips on what to emphasize in your quilt photos when submitting them for a show.

Photos usually need to be submitted on a CD.  You can do this yourself or have it done for you at a local shop or online.  You can have your photos taken professionally.  Gregory Case would be an excellent choice:  http://www.gregorycase.com/ .  C & T publishing also has a photography service: http://www.ctpub.com/client/client_pages/sites/CT_photoservices.html.

Some shows require that you send a headshot to accompany your entry form.    Generally, they want a picture of you from the shoulders up, against a plain background.  These do not have to be professionally done, but if you feel you might be entering more than one contest, it might be worthwhile to have one made up for you.

8.  Entry Fees:  Most shows/contests require an entry fee.  This can range anywhere from $10 to $40 dollars per quilt.  Some fees are lowered if you are a member of the organization running the show.

9.  Sleeve and Label:  If your quilt is selected, it will require a sleeve and a label.  Read the rules to determine what that particular show requires.  An excellent document on making a sleeve can be found at: http://www.americanquilter.com/documents/shows_contests/sleeve_instructions.pdf  

10.  Shipping:  Once selected, you’ll probably have to ship your quilt unless you live nearby.  Make sure you pack it per the show/contest directions.  Some shows are very specific about packing materials and shipping labels and they may require the use of a particular carrier.  There might also be a return-shipping fee.

You can do it!

  0

fShare

Tweet

Jan continues her classroom with the history, shape, use and styles of rotary cutters.

We are still building the schoolhouse for all of our teachers.  We expect a "move-in" permit by the first of the year.  Until then, here are Jan's classes so far.  Each is short, informative and fun.

Click the pictures, quit chewing gum and start the class.  (Sit up straight!)                                                                        Part V - Rotary Cutters

Part I-Rulers	Part II-Ruler Selection	Part III-Stop Slipping	Part IV-Cutting Mats

  Part 6-Blades                   Part 7-Repair          Part 8-Accurate       Part 9-Accurate2 

   Safety First 

  0

fShare

Tweet

Quilt by TQS member CMOELLERS - Share your holiday quilts or holiday photos HERE.

While in my early teens living in MI., we had an area in our back yard that was lower than the rest of the yard. It was like this all the way down through my neighbors yards as well.) When it rained the water would stay there and freeze and we had an instant ice rink. I learned to ice skate on this rink and play hockey. Sometimes if there were not too many sticks sticking out of the ice we could skate down through the neighbors back yards. We would also make a bon fire and drink hot chocolate while we skated. I loved ice skating and I thought I was the luckiest kid in the world being able to skate in my own back yard. Joan VanReese from Belleville, MI.

Read more stories like this and share your story too.
Purchase Ricky's New Christmas CD here.

  0

fShare

Tweet

Emily (MacInnes) Somers, created, directed and choreographed this in Portland last week for her Medline glove division as a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness.  This was all her idea to help promote their new pink gloves.  We don't know how she got so many employees, doctors and patients to participate, but it started to really catch on and they all had a lot of fun doing it.

Medline is donating a portion of the sales of the gloves to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.  Check it out.

  0

fShare

Tweet

Tonight begins the first of eight days of celebration for Jews around the world.  Along with special holiday foods cooked in oil, gift exchanges, and lighting of the menorah, they will remember the victory of the Maccabees in 165 B.C.E.  Upon returning to the temple for its rededication the Jews found only one oil flask containing one day's oil remaining.  They used the small bit of oil they had to light the Menorah, and found that the oil lasted for eight days. 

  0

fShare

Tweet

The Signature Newspaper - December 10, 2009 - Reprinted with permission

La Veta is the inspiration for Ricky Tims’ Christmas in a Small Town

Ricky Tims presents Christmas concert and new CD

By Brad Atchison

 (LA VETA, COLO.—Dec. 10, 2009)  Ricky Tims describes the time he has spent in La Veta as simple life on a grand scale, and is also an exceptionally fitting description for his most recent artistic endeavor. With this multi-faceted project Tims has pieced together music and memories into a holiday tapestry that depicts Christmas in a Small Town.

Christmas in a Small Town is a three-part production; live concert, new CD and a web-based multi media event.  Each of these expressions shows the creativity, sincerity and fiber of a multi-talented artist. 

Tims’ seasonal Christmas concerts have become a holiday tradition for the residents of Huerfano County, southern Colorado and snowbirds who brave a winter visit to their summer nests in Cuchara and La Veta.  His concerts present like a big-stage review without losing the intimacy and familiarity of a local production. 

“It's all fun, but I would say far from relaxed,” said Tims.  “This year there is new music and new musicians.”  For his 2009 production, Tims is bringing back Jeff Bilyeau to play the didgeridoo and the Broadway voice of Nashville recording artist Kat Bowser.  In addition, Tims has invited local percussionist Johnny Watson and Colorado’s internationally renowned Veronika String Quartet to join him on stage. 

Christmas in a Small Town is also the name of Ricky Tims new CD.  Although some recording artists approach Christmas music like an obligation, Tims’ holiday recording project avoids the ‘insipid’ and revels in the ‘inspired’.  The 12 musical tracks feature a mix of the secular and spiritual, contemporary and traditional as well as... - continue reading the full article