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Story Submitted by: Margo

We don't have any pets any longer, but I do have two bird boxes for wild birds in the yard. We almost always have 2-3 clutches of Bluebirds in one box, and the other is up for grabs to whoever gets it first. Sometimes wrens, sometimes chickadees, sometimes nuthatches. From what I can tell so far it looks like there will be Bluebirds in both boxes this year, and the start of nest building is always a promise that warm weather will soon be here!

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Story Submitted by: Caitlin

In late 2004 my father was diagnosed with leukemia. The therapy through winter and summer of 2005 was a roller coaster ride. There were days I wasn't sure if he was going to make it. Dad was in hospital for 2 months straight that winter and he and my mother had to live in our local metropolitan city during the later half of his therapy as he had to be close to the clinic. The day they were able to return home was a triumph. Early that fall Quilter's Newletter Magazine published a pattern utilizing peoples hand prints to make a quilt. I latched onto that, drew up a list of participants and started slicing up blocks of fabric. The mail went out and started flowing back in at a good rate. Reading not only the endearments family and friend had written on the blocks themselves but the notes that came back to me had me in tears a lot! By Christmas The quilt, now 8x8 feet, was stitched in the ditch but had yet to be quilted or bound. Dad opened it up Christmas morning and was overcome with emotion. While it was not my intent, it was the 3rd time I've ever seen my father cry. All that expression of love, hope and healing in one place was very intense. The wonderful news is that dad is still in remission. He and my mother just bought a house 2 blocks from us, making me very happy.

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Story Submitted by: quiltpinkauction

The 2008 campaign, now in full-swing, hopes to build on the momentum of the previous year and set record breaking fundraising results. Here is your chance to join the combined efforts of thousands of quilters, merchants and fundraisers who are making a difference. The Quilt Pink auction will be starting May 7, 2008 and will conclude in November. With the assistance of Auctionwire, the premiere online auction agency, hundreds of quilts will be available for auction. New this year, you’ll be able to hear about the quilts and the personal stories behind them. Net proceeds from Quilt Pink benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure campaign. For more details about the auction, visit www.quiltpink.givingroom.com. Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race of the Cure, they have invested early $1 billion to fulfill their promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org.

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Here’s a creative recycling idea! The cardboard core of an empty fabric bolt makes a handy portable ironing board. Just wrap it in a thin towel, pin, and tote it to your next workshop.

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Today the proud residents of Livermore CA celebrate the worlds longest burning lightbulb - a strong 107 years old!  Know one knows WHY this lightbulb has survived for so long, despite a move and a few power outages - perhaps it is because of a perfect seal and it's low wattage. What ever the reason - it continues to burn strong.  Does your city have any "interesting" factoids we need to know about? Inquiring minds NEED to know!

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Speaking of National Teacher Day - Meet my daughter, Adair - or to her students, Miss Anderson. Although she does not consider herself a quilter, this visit to her school and class room makes me wonder. To learn more about the quilt in her class room make sure you are signed up for Series Three - In September you will discover the secrets of this quilt.

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                                                                                    "Fatsia Japonica" by Millyka

On May 3, 2008, the TQS website hit another milestone....our 9,000 quilt is now posted in our TQS Quilt Gallery!  This quilt is titled "Fatsia Japonica" and showcases the beautiful leaves of the Fatsia plant.  Fatsias have leaves up to 12" (30 cm) on a plant that can grow up to 8 ft. tall (2.4 m). 

TQS member Millyka says "This is a result of a class I took with Jenny Bowker.  I loved the class as it pushed me out of my comfort zone."

Keep posting your quilts in the TQS Quilt Gallery!  Remember that it doesn't have to be one you made; it can be one you purchased or received as a gift! You never know, yours may be our next milestone quilt! To view this and other member posted quilts click here.

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                                                                   Class Project by Students of "quiltedgentleman" 

Today is National Teacher Day in the United States.  It is a day when those individuals who spend so much time and effort are recognized for their hard work.  This quilt is a class project by the students in  quiltedgentleman's 1st grade as a donation for Relay for Life.  Each of the hands represents a student in the class.  What a creative way to include quilting, donation and art into a project.  This class is sure to learn a great deal by their combined efforts.

Each of us has had a teacher that left a lasting impression.  What tip or advice have you received from an instructor that has helped you with quilting?  If you are a teacher, what advice would you give to your students?

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Detail of "Flora Bella" by Annie Smith                                                  Photo by Gregory Case

Annie Smith, Episode 209, will be our special guest in chat room "Featured Guest" May 7, 2008, at 5:00pmPacific/8:00pm Eastern.  Annie will share more tips on successful fabric selection when walking by all of the temptations at the fabric store.  She will also share how to achieve more accurate piecing precision in your quilts.  Join us for an hour of great fun.  And remember, if you cannot join us, you are always able to read the transcript of the chat.  Just click on Chat Transcripts and select Annie Smith-Fabric Selection/Piecing Tips.  To watch Annie's show click here.

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When adding a sleeve to display your finished quilt, make the finished sleeve 4" wide, the size most commonly required for quilt shows. You may not be planning to show your quilt now, but you’ll be ready just in case—at a moment’s notice and without that frantic, last-minute flurry.