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From ARJJ - when we think of our TQS family - We simply have LOVE in our eyes!

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Saturday, February 14th - Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone! Yesterday we spent the day traveling by boat to Iquitos then by plane to Cusco, Peru - but Cusco was not our final destination. This morning we are going to take a 4-hour train ride to the small town of AGUAS CALIENTES. This ride will take us through beautiful scenic areas of Peru. Upon our arrival in Aguas Calientes, we will take a 30-minute train ride that goes through the Urubamba Valley (The Sacred Valley of the Incas) to the fabulous mountaintop ruins of MACHU PICCHU.

Located 120 km northwest of Cusco, the Inca city of Machu Picchu lay hidden from the world in dense jungle covered mountains until 1911. This 'Lost City' is one of the world's archaeological jewels and is one of South America's major travel destinations. Machu Picchu was never discovered by the Spaniards. For centuries it was buried in the jungle until Hiram Bingham "rediscovered" it in 1911. We will check into our hotel for a two night stay and spend the rest of the day exploring these ancient ruins. I'm particularly thrilled that we'll have two opportunities for Machu Picchu sunsets and two opportunities for Machu Picchu sunrises. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to see Machu Picchu in the mist. We've saved the best for last and I expect the next two days to be life changing.

Read more about Machu Picchu.

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I caught up with Carolyn Reese and chatted about the history of Road - pay attention to fantastic offer she made to our TQS family - it is VERY exciting - Hey Carolyn - count us in!

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Not long ago we tested our knowledge of Block Names.  Let's see how good you've become at identifying blocks.  Block Test#1 will be easier than Block Test #2 and #3 (a new test Fri, Sat & Sun).  The music is Heart and Soul off Ricky's Heart and Soul album.   We have the CD - Click Here.

The Blocks are from the Collection of Susan Brooks and are dated to the late 1800s.  Each block will show twice.  Try to guess the name right away and then the answer will show.  Yes there are often several names for blocks, so I used the ones that were on the wall of the exhibit at The Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek, California.  How are you doing?

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Thursday, February 12th - Today are going to travel by boat to the Explor Napo Lodge for a rain forest breakfast. After breakfast, we’ll hike to the spectacular Canopy Walkway, connected by tree platforms that reach a height of over 115 feet above the forest floor - all the while trying to keep a tally of the macaws we see. Later, we’ll visit the "ReNuPeRu" Ethnobotanical Garden where over 240 medicinal plants are cultivated by a local shaman who will explain the nature of Amazonian natural healing. Later in the afternoon we will return to Ceiba Tops Lodge and perhaps enjoy a short nap in the hammocks. I for one will be ready to catch thirty winks.

Tomorrow is a travel day where we leave Iquitos and the Amazon and we will spend the day making our way to Cusco, Peru.

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At the recent Craft and Hobby Association Winter Trade Show, TQS sponsor AccuQuilt received two outstanding awards for their originality as well as creative use of their merchandising booth space. 

The award for Best Innovations was given based on the newest and most innovative product.  Retailers, CHA members, CHA consultants and members of the press attending the show voted on and selected the best products of the show.

The Exhibiting wit Excellence award was presented to AccuQuilt for their creative use of their booth space on the show floor.  Voted on by members of the press, consultants, and CHA staff, the judging criteria included use of floor space, visual appeal of exhibitor booths, and overall presence and friendliness of staff.

We at TQS would like to say congratulations to AccuQuilt for a job well done!  To learn more about AccuQuilt and their product line click here.

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Wednesday, February 11th - This morning we begin our day with a morning boat ride to visit a small village of Yagua Indians. Fortunately we have a guide will explain the Yagua Indian culture and how it was affected by the arrival of Europeans. Acutally it was the Yagua Indians that gave the Amazon river their name. When the Spanish explorers came, they met angry Yagua warriors wearing grass skirts - but because of their dress the Spaniards the men were mistaken for women. The Spaniards named the river after the Greek tribe-like women warriors - Amazons. There will also be an opportunity to see some of the local crafts. I hear there is going to be a blowgun demonstration. The Yagua elders still use them for hunting. I'll be sure to stand out of the way. In the afternoon, we will walk to the neighboring town of Indiana. Originally a Franciscan mission, Indiana has grown into a large river community.

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Hey everyone - in case you haven't seen this months edition of Quilters Home magazine, it features a visit to my home. They sent our TQS Photo Man, Gregory Case, to spend a day with me to get some images that reflect how I live and who I am - behind the scenes - sort of speak. I was not only impressed with the snaps that Gregory captured, but also the intuitive questions Mark asked as he interviewed me. Thanks QHM for an excellent expose of a day in my life - although rest assured, as I type my studio is trashed!

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OK gang - I am getting over some nasty something and it's time to get "back on the road" - or more of road to CA. One of the best things about large shows, is that you run into "family" and speaking of family, whatcha think of John's new look?