Daily Blog

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What are these ladies saying/thinking? (photo by Gregory Case, TQS Photo Man)

Because we like to have fun - we like to pick your brains - we think you are clever and brilliant - and mostly because we have a few extra Bernina totes with quilting goodies inside that we would love to give away - we are offering you the opportunity to win one. Caption this photo. There are three ladies on the front rown of the audience at a taping of TQS. Meet Mrs. Lepht, Mrs. Sinter, and Mrs. Wright. What do each of them have to say? Your answer must fit within 1000 typed characters allowed on the comments page.

How are the winners are picked? The four winners will be picked by Alex, Ricky, Justin, and John - ARJJ. We will pick our favorite answers. It's that simple. We can be bribed! NOT! But you can try. Give us your best shot at captioning this photo for a chance to win a goodie bag to celebrate the first TQS birthday. Deadline for submissions is January 7. Winners will be announced in January 8th newsletter.

Remember - we're looking for a conversation, thought -or comment from all three ladies. 

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QUILTMANIA NAMES RICKY TIMS AN EXCEPTIONAL MAN

Issue No. 63 of Quiltmania profiles Ricky as one of 9 "Exceptional Men" in the quilting world:
"Coming from the Texas plains where there are more tobacco-chewing cowboys than ballet dancers, where there is only red earth, and cattle and cactus stretch to the horizon, Ricky has, like many Americans, a family affair with quilting. In his case, it took the shape of the sewing machine he inherited from his grandmother and which he enjoyed watching her use when he was little. Ricky made his first quilts in 1991 and has just entered the Top 30 of the best quilters in the world! What a lovely development for this artist who never goes without his Stetson, whom thousands of fans worship and who brings his music to numerous quilt shows across the USA. There is no need to choose between his talent for music (his first love as he writes and performs his own pieces) or his quilting. He plays the piano and works with a needle with equal brio and enthusiasm!"

Ricky has created quilts in many different styles over his career. See his latest creative ideas in his book, Ricky Tims' Rhapsody Quilts.

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My lunch today, a plate of black-eyed peas, ham and mashed potatos.

I've learned that not everyone knows how important black-eyed peas are to folks in the south. I've had them every New Year's day of my life. They are supposed to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year. It's soooo important to me that three years ago I had to travel to Victoria, BC, Canada to teach on New Year's Day. I actually had to ask the coordinator of the workshop to find some black-eyed peas for me - in Canada - on New Year's Day! She finally found a can of assorted salad beans with a few black-eyed peas mixed in. At the hotel I asked the desk clerk for a can opener, went outside and sat on the sidewalk and picked out the black-eyed peas.

Here's a link on the subject. Click here. Do you eat black-eyed peas on New Year's Day? If so, tell us, and state where you are from (notice I didn't say live - rather FROM). If not, what do you do? Are there any other New Year's traditions out there for us to learn about?

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It's a New Day! It's a New Year! And it's OUR FIRST BIRTHDAY! That's right. Exactly one year ago today we opened the website for the world to see. Two thousand of you joined in the first week - amazing, since the new shows wouldn't be posted until April 1.

It's been a great year. We've learned a lot. We've learned from you. We have had fun beyond our wildest imagination, but most of all we created a community - a family. May the new year bring you and your loved ones happiness, peace, health and prosperity.

Thank you World Quilt Community - now let's all celebrate - it's your birthday too! In the new year, share the love - bring a friend into the TQS fold - nurture them, teach them, and help them grow.

Happy Birthday TQS - It's a New Day!

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Just like you, we have been chomping at the bit to get these ready for ALL of us. It is taking a bit more time than we originally anticipated. Status: The DVD is in the process of being authored and prepared for manufacture. You can bet we will jump for joy and toot the horns from the roof top when they are ready. Thank you for your understanding.

So what are you doing tonight? Our friends are coming over for supper and then leaving after we celebrate East Coast New Years. I am not a night time person and John has year end close where he works (accounting). Hmm - any suggestions for an easy and yummie super? I was hoping for crab - but apparently that is out of the question due to the S.F. oil spill.

 My grand dog getting ready for tonight's festivities -

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Bad Bart and his Mini Me (photo by Gregory Case - The TQS Photo Man)

The end of the year is a time of reflection and a time for renewal. Alex and Ricky have been reflecting on the past year. Now it's your turn. What memories do you have that are directly related to TQS? Did something on a show inspire you? Did you make a friend? Have your found assistance in the Forum? Were there any surprises?

While it's good to reflect, it is also good to look foward, so part two of the questions is: What do you hope TQS will bring next year? What do you hope stays the same? What should we change? What new features do you hope to see?

So it's time to reflect and renew. It's a New Day - and soon it will be New Year!

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Story Submitted by: eyeonquilts

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You might have noticed that web guru Bob has been into his tricks again. By many of your names you see a series of stars (up to four in many cases). Each star has significance which we would like to share with you.

1. Gold Star to the far left with a "C" - this indicates you were a charter member and joined before April 1 of 2007. Basically it indicates you had faith in our venture - THANK YOU.

2. TQS Star with "1" - This indicates you have purchased Series 1 (13 episodes) which have all aired. You will have the ability to watch these shows over and over again until the end of 2008. In addition this star "unlocks" many portions of the website, such as Alex's class room, Ricky's rhapsody and search functions. These features (and more) will also be yours to enjoy through out next year. This star is only available to be purchased until then end of this year - then it will be retired.

3. TQS Star with "2" - This indicates you are on board to start watching Series 2 (13 shows) which will start this January - Our first Show is with Judith Montano.

4. TQS Star with "3" - This indicates you are on board with Series 3 (again 13 shows) which will start airing this summer after series 2.

We are very excited that next year we will be rolling out a new show about every other week. We have ten "in the can" and are ready to rock and roll! We also have some cool surprises up our sleeves - just as we did this year. Now is the time to jump on board if you want the Series 1 star - because as stated above, after the end of the year it will never be available again - kind of like collecting show pins.

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Dear Alex,

Like you, I have been reflecting on this past year and how we experienced our fair share of ups, and thankfully, only a few downs. I agree, the scariest moment was when we learned that the cost of delivering the videos on the web would be more than twice our entire production budget - and this was happening in mid-March, just days before we were to launch the first show. I'm so thankful that new technology popped up that helped us with that issue. It was this new technology that enabled everyone to jump forward, back, pause, etc without waiting for an hour-long show to download. It was costly, but at least we didn't sink the ship before it launched.

From the beginning we wanted to show quilting as a lifestyle. There was no precedence for this in other quilting programs, so it was risky. We wanted the videos to be educational and contain techniques and projects, but also we wanted to allow our community to get to know us - provide a way for us to know them - for them to know each other - and for them to gain insight into the lives of the 'celebrity quilters' that we featured on the show. The concept was met with mixed emotions from our members at first, but it wasn't long before everyone seemed to enjoy the personal touch not only on the shows, but on the website as well.

The other big surprise for me was simply the evolution of the site. At first, it was all about our new "show" - but now I feel like the website has become the main attraction and the shows are the cherry on top. That's pretty cool!

We continue to openly share our personal lives - putting it all out there for our members to see. Again, risky! However, just read the following recent quotes and I think you'll agree that we are on the right track:

"Though we have never met in person, you feel like a good friend..."

"it has helped get me through a difficult holiday and helped me to remember some of my childhood Christmas memories." (regarding posting the Christmas Concert)

"I have renewed my membership for the next two series and I look forward to learning more and more about quilting and finding more new friends, and it's all possible because of the work you two have done for all us."

And then there was this precious comment from JaneGaySahr:

"Dear Ricky, ... I'm an old 64, widow, waking up Christmas morn in an empty house, turning on my computer to reach out and see if anyone sent emaiils today, and there you were offering this warm and friendly concert of Christmas cheer... I truly don't feel so lonely with your music filling my home... I had lain in bed a long time not wanting to get up in my empty house Christmas morning . . . and then love reached out and filled me. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ! ! !

These sorts of comments confirm that we are on the right track and that the our plans for the future (hint hint) will be worthwhile for quilters worldwide who will actively participate. I am committed to continuing to serving quilters worldwide in as many ways as I can. And so Alex, it's onward and upward as we march into the new year and celebrate our first birthday. In the meantime, tell me what's up your sleeves?

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Dear Ricky –

Last night at dinner we were reflecting over various aspects of this past year. While it has been an exciting journey – it is safe to say that many emotions were felt through out the year. When ever we hit a “bump” in the road, we would gather via ma bell and work things out. Has it been a smooth ride? If our guests only knew – We can laugh over some of it now, but perhaps the most riveting moment for me, was the morning you had been delivered the news that it would take several HUNDRED thousand dollars to get the site video ready. Apparently our idea was a bit before it’s time technology wise. We had already cashed the Bernina check, hired the crew and had taken subscriptions. You explained the situation plainly and clearly, then ended the sentence with, “we have excellent webmasters – they are working on this and we will be talking to them this afternoon – we are not going to give it another thought this morning – we have work to do”. “YOU SAY WHAT???” LOL – and our web guys did solve the problem.

I also remember standing at the top of the stairs right before the first taping – I am so glad Gregory Case / Photo man caught the moment.

And what about those bears? hmmm – you know revenge is sweet.

Anyways, thinking of you, reflecting on last year and planning for next.

Alex ;0)

Gregory Case