Daily Blog

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Hey gang! You probably already know I'm presenting the Christmas In A Small Town concerts December 18-20. For a couple of the songs I'm working on a music video. It dawned on me that YOU might be willing to provide me with some great holiday shots. Grab that camera and send me anything that screams "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas." How about your decorated trees, snow scenes at dusk, candles, holly, fireplaces with stockings, outdoor lights, and the list goes on. Landscape (horizontal) orientation is best for this project.

Closeups, shallow depth of field, and natural lighting will go a long way.

By submitting, you agree to allow me to use your image for the video. The deadline for submission will be on or before Dec 15 - the sooner the better for me. Post your high quality photos in the TQS Show and Tell link.

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At the top of Show 312 I demonstrate a few tricks with the double blanket stitch, a stitch I use a lot when doing raw edge fused applique. Fantasia is the block featured in that demo and the pattern is now available for free on our Projects link.

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Photo by Gregory Case

Do you want to know what's new and coming in the quilting world?  Join us in Chat room "Featured Guest" tonight, Dec. 8, 2008 at 5pm Pacific/8pm Eastern (01:00 GMT Dec. 9, 2008) when Gina Halladay will share more trends and buzz in the quilting world.  This is the time to find out about new patterns, fabrics, embellishments, and more.  It's guaranteed to be an hour of fun and great insider scoops.  Look for us in the chat room here. Not able to join us "live?" You can read the transcript of the chat by clicking on "Chat Transcripts" and selecting the chat you would like to read.

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Photo by Gregory Case               Click on Picture to start Promo

Join us for Episode 212 as Melody Crust shares ways to add that extra bit of sparkle to your quilts using paint, beads, and other embellishments. Her ideas will have you looking at your quilts in a whole new way.  We also treat you to a field trip of visual texture to the studio of Sandra Smith.  Tune into the show by clicking here.

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Our Ricky Tims Super Quilt Seminar is over (it was great and we met MANY TQS members there) and we are now heading back to La Veta. We are taking the 'scenic' route home. I know many of those in the U.S. have been to the Southwest and seen the magnificent Saguaro Cactus, but for those who live in other parts of the world, or for those who not been to the Southwest, here is a photo showing a bit of what we saw on the drive this morning. (sorry, but my camera battery was dead so I took the photo with my laptop.)

The bloom of magnificent Saguaro Cactus is the state flower of Arizona. The plant has a tall, thick, fluted, columnar stem, 18 to 24 inches in diameter, often with several large branches (or "arms") curving upward in the most distinctive conformation of all Southwestern cacti.

The Saguaro grows very slowly - perhaps an inch a year - but will grow very tall - up to 50 feet! The largest plants, with more than 5 arms, are estimated to be 200 years old. An average old Saguaro would have 5 arms and be about 30 feet tall. Visit Charlotte Warr Andersen's webite and see her quilt featuring these magnificent plants.

What unique flora, fauna, or geological features are in your neck of the woods? Do you find inspirational from your surroundings (or from your travels) that influence your creative efforts the same way Charlotte was inspired by the Saguaro?

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Bob "the Thread Guy" and Heather "Mother Superior" with Superior Threads just returned from a two week trip to Japan working on new products! (We can't wait to see what they are!) While there, the Purcell's happened to find a Japanese Quilt Shop in the Teramachi shopping area of Kyoto City and they are sharing the photos with all of us at TQS.

Every quilt shop around the world is different and has it's own unique look. If you have found a special quilt shop from around the world and you have a photo, post it (along with the name and city) in Show and Tell in the "World Quilt Shop Tour". Go here to upload your photos. It'll be our "World Tour of Quilt Shops" from your camera's eye! Thanks, Bob and Heather for these great photos!

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As we drove down Main Street in Mesa, Arizona while attending the Ricky Tims Super Seminar we saw the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Temple lit up for the season.  Here are some pictures of the wonderful display.

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We are currently in Mesa AZ for a Super Seminar -many of YOU are here! How cool is that? Also, many of YOU are now NEW to to this site - welcome! We are a friendly group of people! Yesterday, John and I snuck out while Ricky was presenting and we stumbled upon the coolest shop in the world - the name is Domestic Bliss. The store was TOTAL eye candy! I asked the husband of the owner if I could snap some shots for this blog and he gave permission. As I was snapping shots and drooling - he led me to a new part of the store - the CRAFTIE area!!!!  And oh yes, there was an area that had Heather Bailey's stamp all over it.  It turns out that Heather lives just miles from here - lucky lady! I LOVE this place and if you are ever in the area, this is a destination store - do not miss it!

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Alex seems to like my quilting suggestion, however, nothing is final until it's final, so don't be surprised if she changes her mind - or takes one of your suggestions.

In the meantime, she asked me to share HOW to mark the "Raindrops" pattern I drafted for her. The three images shown above will show you how.

1. First, draw several "targets" that do not overlap. These can be drawn with a compass, or by using various round items that will nest into each other. I used to have a concentric circle template so I know those are out there too. Make the "targets" various sizes.

2. After you have as many FULL rings, then start doing them again, but where they overlap - just don't draw the lines. This will create the effect of drops that hit the water earlier so they are being washed away by the full versions.

3. Finally, fill in the gaps, again, not overlapping any of the lines. I think it is a pretty cool option.

As far as the size of these rings, it will really depend on the size of your quilt. However, I think the largest of all the circles would be about 7-9 inches - could be smaller. I tend to like the space to grow slightly as the rings grow out from the center, but that's only my personal preference. They could be evenly spaced.

I suggested that Alex use a thread that really blends, rather than stands out, because the quilt is somewhat light and the shadows and highlights created from these rings would really be the star of the show.

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"Stars for a New Day" 2009 BOM by Sue Garman

We are so glad that everyone is so excited to begin working on the upcoming 2009 Block of the Month (BOM).  Many of you are wondering about the finished size and amount of fabric needed.  Not to keep you in the dark, we would like to share the particulars with you here. The finished quilt measures approximately 85" x 85".  It will take about 22 yards of assorted fabrics to complete this project.  Stay tuned for the introduction and first block pattern on January 1, 2009.  It's our New Year's present to you! 

PS:  Yes you can do this. Sue's instructions will guide you through.

Use your own fabric or check out the kit in the Shoppe.