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Enrollment is open for Part 1 (26 weeks) of Ricky's 2019 52-Week Photo Challenge (classes). It is an in-depth photography program for anyone who wants to get better results with their DSLR camera. Start with the basics and grow through the entire year! It’s perfect for beginners, novices, and photo enthusiasts.

Early Bird Pricing is still available!

70% OFF Through December 2

$599 - NOW $169

 

Here's Ricky to tell you all about it.

This class is for you if...

You have a great camera but think it is smarter than you.

You enjoy having a camera handy on trips and family events.

You wish you knew more about art and composition.

You took a great shot but it just didn’t have the same impact when you saw it on your computer screen.

Ricky’s 52-Week Photo Challenge is an in-depth photography class for anyone who wants to get better results with their DSLR camera. Start with the basics and grow through the entire year! It’s perfect for beginners, novices, and photo enthusiasts.
 
You get weekly:
VIDEOS
PDFs
INSPIRATION
CLASS INTERACTION
CRITIQUES
 
Join Ricky for his 2019 52-Week Photo Challenge Class. Share the link with someone you know. The class starts with the very basics.
 

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From the IQA:

Members who attended the recent Lone Star Quilt Conference (IQA's annual meeting) at Quilt Festival in Houston were the first to see the 2019 IQA Raffle Quilt: "Boot Scootin' Around Texas" by Sherry Reynolds (at left, with IQA coordinator Crystal Battarbee and outgoing Board Member Michele Muska). What an incredible work - and by our top winner this year!

You will be able to purchase tickets from IQA after the first of the year. The drawing for this quilt will be at International Quilt Festival in November 2019.

 

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Here's a beautiful Mariner's Compass block from Jinny Beyer. What other blocks will you discover in the game?

 
 

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We've all heard about blocking a quilt, but have you ever "blocked" a block so that it comes out the right size? Laura at SewVeryEasy shows you how.
 
 
 
 
 

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Ricky visits with surface design artist Jane Dunnewold in Houston. They discuss the creative process, how to celebrate the positive and move past imperfection, and the meaning of "creative stamina." They also talk about Jane's upcoming course, Creative Strength Training 2019.
 
 
Click here to learn from Jane in Show 1501: Discover Sensational Surface Design.
 

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We always love to see Helen Godden's latest quilt. She seems to get at least one, and sometimes several quilts, into Houston each year. When we saw the sign say "Helen Godden," we knew we would love it. But then we stopped and looked closer...What is it made of....YARN??

Take a look at Lindsey and check out the close ups.

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It's all about value with Circular Reasoning. The variation in value placement results in a high energy quilt and keeps your eye moving.

The pattern for Circular Reasoning can be found in Lynn's book, Every Last Piece.

Watch Lynn Carson Harris in Show 2310: Big Impact With Bits, Scraps and Tiny Blocks.

CircularReasoningbyLynnCarsonHarris - 35 Pieces Non-Rotating

CircularReasoningbyLynnCarsonHarris - 99 Pieces Non-Rotating

CircularReasoningbyLynnCarsonHarris - 300 Pieces Non-Rotating

CircularReasoningbyLynnCarsonHarris - 35 Pieces Rotating

CircularReasoningbyLynnCarsonHarris - 100 Pieces Rotating

CircularReasoningbyLynnCarsonHarris - 300 Pieces Rotating

Original Photo: Lynn Carson Harris

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It's all about value with Circular Reasoning. The variation in value placement results in a high energy quilt and keeps your eye moving.

The pattern for Circular Reasoning can be found in Lynn's book, Every Last Piece.

Watch Lynn Carson Harris in Show 2310: Big Impact With Bits, Scraps and Tiny Blocks.

Original Photo: Lynn Carson Harris

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Here are the quilts for the first team from the over 320 teams that participated in the International Miniature Quilt Exchange (IMQE). 201 teams submitted their quilts to be a part of the Exhibition in Houston 2018 and we are featuring the 24 teams selected for the first IMQE Exhibition.

Click here to learn more about the International Miniature Quilt Exchange (IMQE).

Enjoy the quilts from Team 102 created by Coleen Thackray and Alison Giachetti.

Title of Quilt: Allo, Aloe from Zimbabwe

Quilter's Name: Coleen Thackray

Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

Allo ‘Aloe from Zimbabwe..... When I first applied to join the miniature exchange I wondered if a twin would want someone from Zimbabwe, to many a pariah country. It turns out Alison actually knew people who had spent a few years working here which was a great introduction. From initial communication we found some common details, Alison sharing her name with my sister, the fact that we had almost identical cats as profile photos! While quilters are quilters worldwide my fascination is how different life, language and homes are between different countries. This was my inspiration in using a traditional block to form ethnic shaped Kraal houses, no mud walls or thatch roofs though! Then an interest of mine, local flora. A couple of aloe varieties, appliquéd on fabric printed from locally written articles, surround by flying geese.... representing the beautiful Fish Eagles of Zimbabwe with their haunting calls. While I really did want to use only local fabrics working in miniature scale did not work for large scale wax or Java print fabrics so more American fabrics crept in.....My appliqué flowers were actually carefully cut from hoarded Ricky Tims’ fabric bought at the IQC Africa 2013! This was a fun experience.

 

Title of Quilt: The Touch of Class

Quilter's Name: Alison Giachetti

Location: Lafayette, Colorado, US

My teammate and I each tried to create quilts that reflect something of ourselves and our communities. My goal was to represent family, community, and country. I designed my quilt based on a photo taken by my spouse at a local ballet school, and made it with fabrics obtained from local businesses and from an amazing quilt store we found in Casper, Wyoming during a visit to view the total solar eclipse in August 2017. By participating in IMQE, I gained an increased understanding of my teammate’s country, Zimbabwe, including, if only to a small extent, what it is like to live there. Coleen and I continue to develop our connection. This is my first quilt. I joined the exchange to push myself to take that first step – something I had intended for over 5 years. The design was partially planned in EQ7, so I began learning that software. During the planning and construction, which uses multiple techniques, I learned to hand appliqué, and hand and machine quilt. Among my unexpected discoveries: I prefer a needle in hand to one in the machine; hand sewing is like riding a bicycle (once learned never forgotten); I love hand appliqué; and some battings are impossible to hand quilt! Thanks to TQS and others for all they taught me and the excitement they bring to the craft. This quilt and all others that follow are dedicated to my mother who would have been surprised that I chose this road.

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In the Antique Quilts of the British Isles exhibit at Houston 2018, this quilt was on the end and grabbed everyone's attention as they entered the Quilt Display side of the Convention Hall. Take a look at the closeups. The last picture is the BACK of the quilt.

Below is the back of the quilt.