Daily Blog - TheQuiltShow.com

A Kindegartener's Nine Patch

Story Submitted by: quiltnmama

Each year I have worked with my children's classmates to create a quilt that they present to their teacher at the end of the school year. In the past, I have worked with water color pastels, fabric marbling, and applique. I wanted to think of a new, unique quilt to do with the students this year. This year, our art docent program included a module which studied the quilts of Faith Ringgold. After this lesson, I decided to work with my son's kindergarten class on quilt block design. The children worked with squares and half-square triangles to create their own nine-patch block. They then picked two batik fabrics to be used in their blocks. Their teacher is currently expecting her first child this summer. At the time of the work, we did not know if she was expecting a boy or girl. I felt the batiks offered bright vibrant colors that any child would love. Many of the fabrics contain animals in the designs. We have since learned that she is due to have a girl. This is the finished product. Each child's name is embroidered on their block. The quilt was presented at a surprise baby shower that the parents and children in the class held.

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Hoovers here I come!

Off Kathy and I went up to Hoovers in Mifflinburg, for another fabulous Bernina event. Oh sure, you might think it is all about sewing machines (please don't tell Martin Favre President of Bernina USA, about this aspect of my journey), but we did get side tracked. First I fell in love with Daisy, the perfect pocket companion. I tried to convince Mr. Hoover that she needed to relocate to CA., but "no". Then off to meet Dancer, a 4 day old pony colt! Just how can a person possibly fall in love twice in one day?!

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Hinkletown

Today I had the pleasure of spending my time with Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman of Hinkletown / Bernina. The event was held in a snazzie facility and we had a TON of people attend. I love doing these "gigs" as I am with my people..............and that would be you! Imagine my surprise when Julie came up with her Quilt Show name tag on. THANK YOU JULIE!!!!! You made me smile even more than I was before I saw you!!! Thursday I get to spend the day with the Hoovers..............I love being a part of the Bernina family!

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U.S. History

First off let me admit that U.S. history was/is not my strong point. How in the world did I breed a child that is teaching 8th grade U.S. history? In fact, next week her class will be discussing the Civil War. With one day to hang out around Harrisburg and because of Adairs passion for U.S. history, I decided Gettysburg was the way to go. The day's events were simply specatular. I drove to the National Cemetery and befriended a park ranger, who herself was an 8th grade teacher, and she guided my viewing with skill and insight. Acre after acre you could view monuments where WE fought each other for our country's democratic system. Thought it was so long ago, in the scheme of world history it was just yesterday.

Probably most of you are also aware of the underground railroad and the history that surrounds that. I had the opportunity to see an establishment where they hid the slaves on their way to freedom. All in all, this day has made me commit to learn more about who we are in the United States as a people and rejoice in the freedom we enjoy.

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My First Market--John Anderson

It was my first Market. The first time I have had a chance to join Alex in this sea of booths. The show is for businesses selling to businesses. It’s a cacophony of sounds and smells. It’s an organized carnival of vendors who show and explain and talk and laugh. It’s a outdoor bazaar carried on indoors.

There are beautiful quilts everywhere you turn. There are fabrics from around the world—Asia, India, Europe and Japan. The fabrics form a garden of colors in every shade. There are solids and prints and special designs. At some booths I couldn’t figure out what they were selling and I was too embarrassed to ask. There were sewing machines of all sizes, and tools, rulers, triangles and stencils. Some booths had items for consumers and some had programs and aids for shop owners. There were magazines and books. There were a lot of famous quilters I recognized from Simply Quilts. Mostly I remember friendly neighbors and people saying “It’s a New Day” and getting a special “TheQuiltShow.com” pin.

But now I’m home while Alex travels on to Pennsylvania. She called on the answering machine. She had several concerns. Here are the answers:

See you soon.

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V-Tech

At market we are struck by so many inspirations, not only to the eye, but to our hearts. I met up with Meryl Ann Butler (author of 90 minute quilts www.MerylAnnButler.com ) who is a Hokie mom. Struck with the terror of that day, she was moved to make a quilt for her daughter, a med student.. Butlers search for fabric in school colors led her to Jeff Pollack, president of Print Concepts Inc, the only U.S. manufacturer of collegiate print textiles. Jeff suggested that in addition to a quilt for her daughter she should consider making a quilt for the college.Fortunatly she took his suggestion to heart. This womderful wallhanging will be presented to the school at graduation. Meryl would like to remind us that in addition to the 33 grieving families the campus remains with incredible post truamatic stress and there are funds set up to help all of those who are reliving and trying to heal from the trauma. Gifts may be made to"Virginia Tech Foundation Inc" and sent to: Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, University Development (0336), V Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. In addition, both Ricky and I thank you for the effort that has been both spear headed and implimented on this site.

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Coming to Quilt Shops Everywhere - Part 6, Final

We’ll Spring Market 2007 is history. Two items not mentioned in the previous blog posts are the final patterns from Alex and Ricky with JWD Publishing. We will post images of these final two patterns soon. We just couldn’t get the photos to show you as of this posting.

GeorgeleWarre, one of our international members from England posted the following comment on yesterday's blog:
Just one little point from this side of the Atlantic, please remember when planning shows that very often, not all the products that you talk about or use, are available outside the USA

George we thank you for your comment. It offers us the perfect opportunity to make everone aware of our vision. We want to assure all of our international members that are keenly aware of the scope of our community and the limitations on obtaining products in other countries. As such, our master plan is to be able to provide a site with our Quilt Show Shoppe and a Resource Directory that will allow you to find and purchase anything featured on our site. We urge everyone to support your Local Quilt Shop, but we also know that not everyone has a LQS and many people in foreign counties can't easily find what Americans might find common - like Freezer Paper (as stated in Episode 103). Remember also that we appreciate getting newsworthy reports from abroad. Help us obtain that information by emailing via the Contact link.

The ARJJ directors had several meetings this week to begin the development of ‘Phase Two’ of The Quilt Show. So, just stay with us. There are many great things to come and you won’t want to miss out on any of it. Stay tuned!!!

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Coming to Quilt Shops Everywhere - Part 5 of ?

From yesterday's blog post about Spring Market, DFrank27 said, "Help us help you (please!)... I would like to see my local quilt shops listed in your search and I would like to see more quilters in Northern Colorado as members." Naturally we WANT to see every shop listed. However we can't reach them all and you are right - you need tools to help get the word out. Here's what we have.

We currently have a 3.5 x 8.5 'bookmark' that we would love to get distributed by shops and guilds (or even you), but we will run out during Market. We are ordering more of them next week when we get home. All you have to do to get a stack for your shop or guild is to email Customer Service from the Contact page. In addition we are putting together a tri-fold brochure that should be available soon. We are happy to provide these at no cost - just email us the address and the amount you would like to have.

ARJJ Corporation, the parent company of The Quilt Show, stands for Alex, Ricky, Justin, and John. This was the first time we have all been together - ever! Thanks to all the sophisticated forms of communications we have been able to have board meetings in different states and have made a lot of decisions without being together. We took this photo today in our Spring Market booth. So, here ya go - for the first time - all of ARJJ together.

We have spent our time working out strategies for TQS. We are looking at what more can we offer that will provide rich internet quilting content. The plans and vision continue to be refined and many of your requests have been under review. We have to proceed with one thing at a time, but plan to see more good stuff on the site in the weeks ahead. We're working for you, and yes - It's a new day!

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Coming to Quilt Shops Everywhere - Part 4 of More to Come

Ricky and Alex spent a day greeting shop owners and letting them know all about TQS. There were many members who came to say "It's a New Day!" and many more merchants who had never heard of this new endeavor. Please don't assume your friends and shop owners know about the site. Help us spread the word.

Recently released is Alex's new book on machine quilting published by C&T called Machine Quilting with Alex Anderson: 7 Exercises, Projects & Full-Size Quilting Patterns. Who else but Alex could make machine quilting easy enough for all of us, and so much fun that even the hesitent quilter can't wait to get started? Learn to set up your space, adjust your machine, choose the right supplies, and mark and baste your quilt. And, oh, you’re going to love these gorgeous projects!

Ask your LQS if they have it. To read more about it visit our site sponsor C&T. Under their Catalog secion on Quilting and Sewing, click through and then select Quilting by Hand and Machine.

There is so much more to share - and two more days of Market, so we will extend this series. Check back for more great Market news.

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Coming to Quilt Shops Everywhere - Part 3 of 4

Rhapsody Fantastique

For all you digitized embroidery lovers (how many do we have?), Ricky has created nine new designs called Rhapsodie Fantastique. These designs are based on his Rhapsody album series and you'll see that they relate to the design style of Reverie, posted in yesterday's blog. These designs will be on CD rom and will be formatted for all embroidery machines.

Better yet, Superior Threads is producing a new set of threads just for these designs. The new threads are called Art Studio by Ricky Tims. There will be three sets of 12 colors (36 new colors in all). The colors used to create this quilt are called Rain Forest. The other two sets are Flower Garden (jewel tones) and High Desert, for those who love dusty tones. The instructions will give the three different color-ways for all nine designs. Only two of the designs are presented on this quilt. Just imagine the possiblities with NINE different designs!

Each of the designs create five-inch blocks. One helpful aspect of the embroidery is that, when the design is completed, a five-inch outline of basting is stitched around the design so when the design is removed from the hoop it can be cut 1/4 inch outside the basting so you don't have to worry about how to center the design.

Shops will be able to order these CD-roms from Tims Art Quilt Studio and most major distributors. The threads can be obtained from Superior Threads. Quilt shops will be able to also get the designs and the threads by early Summer.

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