Daily Blog

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Straight cuts are very important in quilting and rotary cutting with a long ruler leads to unexpected slips or movements that prevent an accurate cut.  Join Jan as she points out a variety of ways to make sure you stay on path.

Jan has more for TQS in the coming weeks.  To get free patterns and check out her teaching schedule (or to just thank her for her classes here!) go to www.jankrentz.com. 

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TQS Reporter Mary Kay Davis got a chance to interview Quilt Mystery Author, Terri Thayer, while at the Pacific International Quilt Show last October.  Terri tells us a bit about herself and her quilting mystery series starring Dewey Pelicano.  To learn more about Terri visit www.territhayer.com.

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Patt Blair shares with us images of some of her beautiful painted quilts.  Patt creates these quilts using a special "paint pencil" and fabric dyes.  For more on Patt watch Episode 510, Quilts Through Two Artist's Eyes (Patt Blair, Tammy Finkler).  Or visit her website, www.pattsart.com.

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(Tangled, TQS Member Nepeanquilter's black cat quilt)

For those of you with Paraskevidekatriaphobia, or a morbid irrational fear of Friday the 13^th, here are some interesting facts:

1. Fear of Friday the 13th dates back to Nordic Mythology. Many of their thirteenth Gods met with violent deaths, such as Loki, the trickster God.
2. Ancient Romans regarded the number 13 as a symbol of death, destruction and misfortune.
3. The guillotine blade falls 13 feet.
4. Certain ocean liners will be held in dock until after midnight to appease passenger's fears on Friday the 13th.
5. A "quatorzième" is a professional 14th guest hired by the French, who had only 13 guests in attendance for dinner, who felt that was unlucky.
6. A witch’s coven consists of 13 members.
7. Hotels rarely have a room number 13. Usually it is called 12a or 14. Same with floors of buildings and the elevators without a #13 button.
8. A British study concluded that even though there were less cars on the road on Friday the 13th (as compared with other Fridays), more accidents were reported.
9. A baker's dozen consists of 13 for a reason! So the story goes, a witch near Albany, NY demanded 13 items every time she came into a particular bakery, and one day the old baker could not afford her extra biscuit. She sneered some strange words at the man and he suffered terrible luck from then on, until he brought her another 13 rolls. After that, life was once again easy for the baker and word spread around town. The custom is still sometimes practiced today.
10. In Scotland, there is no gate 13 in any airport; instead there is a gate 12B.
11. Microsoft skipped Office 13 for being "an unlucky number," going directly from Office 12 to Office 14.
12. In some forms of motor sport, for example Formula One, there is no number 13 car.
13. There is a Friday the 13^th: The Series two-part episode called "The Quilt of Hathor," involving a cursed quilt which allows the person underneath it to dream their enemies death.

And, if you are looking for something to do this Friday the 13^th … Head on over to the Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara, CA.

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The Making Memories Foundation gives wishes to breast cancer patients. These imaginative quilts, made from bridal gowns, were donated to raise funds for this wonderful cause.

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Hey Gang - I have a great question and need great minds..............

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While in Houston at Quilt Festival, Gammill Quilting Systems, in conjunction with Quilts of Valor unveiled their one-of-a-kind Patriotic Machine. In case you missed it we wanted to share some up close photos with all of you of the unique artistry painted onto a Gammill.  To read more about the story behind the creation of this machine, revisit of TQS newsletter here. 

There is only one of these machines created.  And Gammill and Quilts of Valor are working on the ins-and-outs of showcasing it.  If you see this machine at an upcoming show or event, set up for a one-on-one experience.  The artistry will knock your socks off!  It is Gammill's endeavor to have as many people see and touch this patriotic machine in support of the Quilts of Valor Foundation and their efforts to cover ALL service members and veterans with wartime quilts called "Quilts of Valor" (QOVs).

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Earlier this summer, we featured an article on toile and the museum dedicated to preserving its history (click here).  TQS member LizzieBCre8ive just happened to be in France the day she received her eNewsletter.  Join us as she shares a lovely photo album of her visit to the museum.  Click on the full screen button to enlarge the screen.

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Sometimes simple is best. Here is a guy and his piano, nothing more. This video was recorded live in 2007. Ricky performs his Angels We Have Heard on High. The piano is the one he often mentions in his lectures that went through the 1979 Wichita Falls, TX tornado - and still has the scars to prove it.

Post your holiday memory today - go here.

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While in Houston for the quilt show, Alex ran into a wonderful nine-year old, Lexis, who had volunteered to be a "white glover," someone who is allowed to touch the quilts and lets us view the back of thems.  She has quite a passion for quilting and sewing as you'll soon see by clicking on her picture.