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     "The Beat Goes On" by Ricky Tims 

If you aren't already familiar with the nonprofit Alliance for American Quilts, then you'll want to go immediately to visit their inspiring website, www.centerforthequilt.org.  As fans of this dynamic organization whose mission is to preserve and share the stories of quilts and their makers, we've asked the AAQ to contribute a monthly segment to this blog.

These monthly segments will showcase various projects of the Alliance, explain how to navigate the Alliance's fast-growing virtual quilt collection, and announce newsworthy events such as contests and the posting of new interview, quilt records and documentary profiles.  First, let's look at two of the best known Alliance projects, the Quilt Index, featuring historic quilts from many private and public collections, and Quilters' S.O.S-Save Our Stories, an oral history project with today's quilters.

Quilters who drool over vintage quilts love to stop by the AAQ website, www.centerforthequilt.org to visit the Quilt Index, a vast online quilt collection jointly run by the Alliance and Michigan State University.  So far, there are about 18,000 quilts on display, many from state documentation projects.  You can search by historical period, quilt pattern, maker's name or browse an entire collection. Look for the number to quilts online to explode soon, swelling to more than 50,000 documented quilts, including entire collections from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum and the Museum of the American Quilter's Society, among others. 

For the sake of temptation and inspiration, here is a stunning 1850 Baltimore Album quilt from the D.A.R. Museum collection, posted last year.  In contrast to the vintage quilts at the Index, the Quilters' S.O.S.-Save Our Stories project allows you to look at a vast range of quiltmakers working today, including many famous teachers, art quilters and prize winners.  For each interview, the quiltmaker brings a "touchstone" quilt to talk about, explaining his or her personal quilt history.  More than 650 quiltmakers have been interviewed so far for the Q.S.O.S.  Above is the photo that accompanies the interview with Ricky Tims' conducted at the Houston International Quilt Festival in 2000.

Read more about The Alliance for American Quilts on the blog next month:  if you want to stay up to date about Alliance news meanwhile, you can sign up for a free e-mail newsletter on the homepage, www.centerforthequilt.org

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Blennerville, Kerry, Ireland - The Jeanie Johnston Commemorative Quilt was designed and made by the Jeanie Johnston Quilting Circle, a group of women involved in quilting in the Tralee area for a number of years. They are Mary Codd, Eily Kennedy, Kitty Palmer and Wendy Sharpe.

The Quilt commemorates the emigrant barque Jeanie Johnston that made sixteen Trans-Atlantic trips and never lost a crewmember or passenger. The idea for such a quilt was suggested by John Griffin Chief Executive of the Jeanie Johnston ship building project, but it was not until late in 1997 that we decided to have a go and begin work on it. We initially worked in our homes but as the quilt took shape and more space was needed, we moved to a room in the Ashe Memorial Hall.

The design incorporates the Jeanie Johnston in Blennerville with a group of emigrants on the quay waiting to board it. Close by are the Blennerville Windmill and Workhouse, and dotted on the hills in the background are the abandoned homes of famine victims. The Quilts lower border has famine scenes of women digging in search of potatoes and of a mother holding her dying child; a picture of the Fever Shed in Grosse Ile is a reminder of the sufferings of the famine emigrants. There are also crests of some of the seaports associated with the ship; Quebec, New York, Boston, Belfast, Dublin and Tralee.

Click here for more information about this quilt.

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Take a peek inside Jaquie's (of alden Lane) home - if you have not yet started decorating, this might be the push you need!

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Paducah, Kentucky, USA, The ever evolving art of quilting takes on new ground-breaking originality in the exhibit Fiber Revolution: Quilts as Art, November 9, 2007-January 22, 2008.

 Fiber Revolution is a network of professional textile artists combining their knowledge and experience in marketing to exhibit and sell their artwork. Fiber Revolution’s goal is to provide greater visibility for contemporary art quilts while educating the public about fiber art as an exciting art form. Although the art is constructed from fabric, it is not meant to lie at the foot of the bed, but rather to hang on the wall like an oil or watercolor painting. 

 The artists, exhibiting their work under the Fiber Revolution name, use fiber as their medium dying it, painting it, cutting it, tearing it, stamping it, fusing it and embellishing it. The final step, stitching through the layers of fabric, brings a dimensional depth to the artwork that mere paint cannot. 

Click here to visit the National Quilt Museum for hours and information. 

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Thank you member Marlene for the ultimate present ANY girl would ever want! I think I need to go to church and pray right now - either for a miracle or for forgiveness - it's your call.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsHDdawSjLU&feature=related

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If you love all things old, including barns, doors, and stones, you just may want to plan a trip to Longmont, Colorado for an extrordinary exhibition at the Old Firehouse Gallery.  The exhibit, "Sticks and Stones", features the works of Vita Marie Lovett and Denise Labadie.  Both artists have works depicting old and sometimes ancient structures using fabric, paint and thread.

Vita recreates photos of primitive doors and hinges using hand painted fabric and miles of thread.  Denise, who was our featured guest in Episode 106 of The Quilt Show, continues her work focusing on the ancient megalithic stones and churches of Ireland.  Using hand painted fabric stones Denise builds walls and structures she photographed while exploring the countryside of Ireland.

   "Sticks and Stones" Fiber Art Exhibition

   Opening Reception:  January 11, 2007 from 6-9:00pm

   Show Dates:  January 11-February 16, 2007

   Old Firehouse Gallery

   667 4th Ave. & Coffman

   Longmont, CO 80502

   303-651-2787

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Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 22-25, 2008, It is with great pleasure that Courtepointe Québec Quilts invites you to the Salon 2008. The provincial Quilt Show will include bed quilts, wallhangings, art quilts, youth quilts, quilts on humorous designs theme, and guilds quilts commemorating the 400th anniversary of Quebec City.

 At this grand exhibition you will admire magnificent quilts created by Quebec quilters. From the largest bedcover to the smallest of wallhanging, from the most classic to the very modern, there is somehting for all tastes.

A boutique will also be open to the public where you will certainly find this unique quilt you have been dreaming of. Do not miss this extraordinary event.

For more information click here.

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Anderson, usually a law abiding citizen, was recently caught in the act. What do YOU think the story was? Speculating minds want to know! Person with the best story (keep it short and simple please) will win an autographed copy of Neutral Essentials. This contest has no rules or boundries - it is simply up to the secret panel to pick at their viewing pleasure who the winner is. Have fun!

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Calling all dog lovers! Just when you think Santa would have his priorities in line, look where I found him?!

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Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, May 8-10, 2008 -  Extended Hours on Friday Night of the Show Only.  We have re-considered keeping the show open Thursday night during the 5th Anniversary Celebration & Awards Night, and will not do so after all.   

AND we are pleased to offer a special presentation, free of charge, to attendees Friday night of the show!  Bernina of America, Inc. and your local Bernina dealer, Nuttall’s Fabric Centers, are excited to offer an entertaining program entitled "Machine Quilting Techniques for Award-Winning Quilts". The 1 ½-hour lecture/demonstration will present ideas and techniques to quilters of all skill levels no matter what brand of machine they own.  A slide show of award-winning quilts will also be presented. Attendees won't want to miss this educational opportunity to enhance your current skills or to pick up a few new tricks to take you to the next level. 

For more information click here.