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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

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Holiday photo by Sewisew - Share your holiday quilts or holiday photos HERE.

We bought our artificial tree for $29 20 years ago. Every year, Samantha tries to talk us into getting a new bigger tree. And every year Josh says he likes the old tree, it's sorta like Charlie Brown's. I don't think it's THAT bad. But it's our tacky Christmas tree and I like it, so we keep it. Robbie Joy Eklow from Third Lake, IL.

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Purchase Ricky's New Christmas CD here.

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

In the little village of Sheldon, Illinois, every year the mayor and village board, and Mr.Liebenow (who owned the big garage at the end of Main Street.) They would invite Santa Claus to come. Of course, all the kids in town were there. I still picture Santa arriving in a horse drawn sleigh. They drove it right into the garage where all the children were waiting in antiscipation. We were out of the cold. Santa and his helpers passed out stockings of candy,apples, oranges, and nuts. What a delight for all the children. We would sit on Santa's lap and tell him what we wanted for Christmas. We usually received a coloring book and crayons too, and then we would walk around the corner to the movie theater where we were treated to a free Christmas Movie. Oh, What wonderful memories. Thanks for letting us bring them alive again. - Joan Sweeney from Sheldon, IL

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Purchase Ricky's New Christmas CD here.

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                    "White Dots, Gold Points"                                                      "Dancing Feet"

Every so often an opportunity comes along that is just too good to miss; and we wanted to be sure to share it with you.

For the first time ever, Paula Nadelstern is offering a limited edition of signed Giclee fine art prints featuring the twelve signed kaleidoscopic patchwork blocks created for her American Folk Art Museum exhibition (as seen in Episode 508).  These stunningly gorgeous prints, produced on Daguerre canvas, measure at the original twenty-inch square size plus a two inch black border, and are suitable for framing or stretching.  Each of the signed and numbered prints have all of the tonalities and hues of the original fabric blocks.  Limited to 100 of each design, they can truly be considered collector's items. Order your own piece of fine art here.  Better hurry, though!  We know that they will sell out quickly.

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Quilters love new and cool tools, and what quilter wouldn't want a chance to play with the hottest new tool on the quilt scene today--the AccuQuilt GO!  Small and portable, the GO! gets the cutting chore done in no time flat. Well, TQS is giving you a chance to win one of your very own, and there are no strings attached. (Well, maybe a couple!)

1. You must be a TQS member (Basic or Star).
2. Only one entry per member allowed.
3. You must enter to win by sending an email to go@thequiltshow.com .

It couldn't be simpler...but don't wait!  You must submit your entry by 12:00 midnight PST on December 28, 2009.  The winner will be announced in the newsletter January 4, 2010..

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Quilt by TQS Member MaryRinWI - Share your holiday quilts with us HERE!

I remember one Christmas growing up that was my favorite! I was ~ 7 years old, and my little brothers were 6 and 3. My parents pulled the family together during the autumn months and told us that it would be a "special" Christmas and each of us would be working with one of my parents and making each others very special Christmas presents that year. 

Over the next couple months, I worked with my Mom and made my brother Matt a magician's black hat. (He was an aspiring magician at 5 years old!!!) The hat had secret pockets inside and was made with an empty gallon container that had once held ice cream, a sturdy cardboard brim and all covered in black polyester. 

Both of my brothers worked with my Dad and made me a two story doll house - ALL handmade, cut from wood, including a stairway to the second floor, a Christmas bulb coming out of the ceiling for lighting in each room, a carved fireplace in the living room, and even pictures on the walls. I so enjoyed the process of making the gift for my brother, and that doll house was my favorite gift of all time. And the ANTICIPATION over those fall months knowing what I was making for my brother and wondering what was in store for me. WOW!

It wasn't until decades later that my parents told us that money was so tight that year, that they were not sure how the bills could be paid if they did not take "drastic measures".....and that's why is was a "homemade" Christmas...... What an incredible gift that year of financial hardship was..... it gave me my favorite Christmas memories! - Mary Kay Runyan from St. Paul, MN

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Purchase Christmas In A Small Town
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I guess you could call it sunny CA- but from SNOW in the bay area yesterday to a hard freeze last night (that's our fountain) - we do seem to have wacky weather going on. What's going on outside your window today?

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Photo by Gregory Case Photography   Click picture for short trailer

Join us in Episode 512 as we present clever ways to help you using a variety of techniques. Sharon Pederson demonstrates how to use a "road map" to create a quilt block. (You can trust Sharon: she teaches Machine Applique for the Terrified Quilter!) Ricky shares ideas for building a design using die-cut templates, and we take a road trip to Robbi Joy Eklow's studio that will open your eyes to a special way of designing.  Click here to watch the Show.