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TQS Giveaway
*The box below must be checked to enter the contest
 
 
 
 
 
Click here to view T&Cs for this sweepstakes

 

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In Charlotte's quilt, the free-motion machine stitched and appliquéd trees are made of needle-felted wool roving.  Additional hand embroidery adds dimension to the trees.

The cranes are appliquéd to the fabric background.  The quilt is free-motion machine quilted by Charlotte.

This quilt is available for sale; click here for more information.

Star Members can learn more about Charlotte's work in Show 1805: Telling Stories and Quilting.

WoodlandCranesbyCharlotteHickman - 36 pieces non-rotating

WoodlandCranesbyCharlotteHickman - 100 pieces non-rotating

WoodlandCranesbyCharlotteHickman - 289 pieces non-rotating

WoodlandCranesbyCharlotteHickman - 100 pieces rotating

WoodlandCranesbyCharlotteHickman - 289 pieces rotating

Original Photo: Gregory Case

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International Quilting Weekend Will Be Here Soon!

March 18-20, 2016

 

We'll be opening all of our shows from the first seventeen series -- shows 100-1713 -- for the entire weekend. This means that, for three special days, everyone will have the chance to view over 200 shows, featuring some of the quilting world’s leading artists, for FREE.  And of course, there will be prizes, including...

Quilters Select giveaways:

Select Quilting Rulers! Easy-to-read lines for marking and measuring fabric – 1/8”, ¼”, ½”, ¾” and 1” marking as well as multiple angles. Each ruler has a unique non-slip coating that makes for more accurate cutting! No more accidental cuts, and squaring your blocks has never been easier!

Select Cutting Mats! These self-healing, multilayer mats are usable on both sides, with versatility in mind. One inch lines with two sets of corresponding numbers are placed around the perimeter of the mat and read left to right AND right to left – never lose your place or have to count backwards!

 
 

 

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One of the easiest ways to sneak an extra serving of veggies into your day is to add some green to your fruit smoothie. I don't notice any difference in the taste, except an inherent "freshness" that I really enjoy. Here's my favorite fruit smoothie, which gives you at least one serving of veggies, and also a good amount of protein. (I try to include protein in most of my meals and snacks, because protein can prevent you from becoming hungry too soon.) 

Start with about a cup of frozen strawberries, add a cup of yogurt, and a bit of liquid to get the blender going. Add some Splenda or sweetener of choice, along with a splash of vanilla and a bit of cinnamon. Add a bunch of spinach--one or two big handfuls. Blend until very smooth. Remember what you learned in your quilter's color class--red and green make brown. It tastes just like a strawberry smoothie if you don't look at the color!

If you want a pretty green smoothie, use spinach along with banana and pineapple--lime green! Add some vanilla protein powder to up the nutritional value. 

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Charlotte has several areas in her home where she displays her artwork and enjoys her work day.  Follow along as she shares ideas for organization and display, and gives you great tips for using clamps and clothespins in your studio.

Star Members can watch Charlotte in Show 1805: Telling Stories and Quilting.

Click here to visit Charlotte's website.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow

 

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Alex sat down with quilter, teacher, and author of Old Quilts, New Life, Sarah Fielke, at QuiltCon West 2016.  They discussed quilting "down under," and their joint passion for antique quilts.

Click here to visit Sarah's website.

Click here to find out about ordering Sarah's latest book, Old Quilts, New Life.

Star Members can watch Sarah in Show 2004: Into the Woods We Go - Embroidery with Whimsy in Stitches. In this show Sarah shares how effective a hand-quilted big stitch can be on your project.

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Rhonda Pierce, Marketing Director and Sewing Educator for SCHMETZneedles.com, discusses SCHMETZ Household Needles and how often the needle should be changed. She also discusses why the needle should be changed.

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Join Ricky for the inaugural of his newest online class at LetsQuiltTogether.com. Registration is open now.

Class starts Saturday, March 26, 2016!

Class Price -  $29.95 (as the class has started, the introductory price of $19.95 is no longer available)

Mi Cabina - My Little Cabin
 
If you have never taken one of Ricky's online quilt classes, this is a great time to start. The class runs for a short three weeks and the quilt is quick, easy, and fun.



Mi Cabina, By Ricky Tims, 70.5" x 80.5"

Mi Cabina (a twin/queen-bed coverlet) is the perfect snuggle quilt for you, and it also makes a great graduation gift or housewarming present. It features a fun variation on a timeless classic - The Log Cabin Courthouse Steps. The design has a scrappy aspect that is unified by a formal design layout. The appliqué featured in the border can be personalized, allowing you the option of truly making this quilt your own.

The classes post each Saturday morning and the best part is that you can participate at your own pace in the comfort of your own studio. You will be making the quilt along with other online classmates, which means you can interact with them and share photos of your progress!

Click on the image to view the video trailer.





 


 


Pick from your stash or order Ricky's hand-dyed fabrics today and get them in time for class. The fabric kit is available in two beautiful colorways - Desert Fantasy and Carnival Calypso. It contains all the fabric needed to make the quilt top and binding. The kit includes over 8 yards of fabric, along with the original Mi Cabina pattern from JWD Publishing.




Kits are sold separately.

For those wanting to use Ricky’s hand-dyed fabrics, act now!

Only 32 kits in each colorway are being produced for the inaugural of the Mi Cabina Class.

Ricky Tims' 100% cotton hand-dyed fabrics have a unique suede-like visual texture with a lovely soft hand. They are approximately 44" wide. The fabrics are individually hand-dyed in the USA at the Ricky Tims' dye studios.

Kits will begin shipping around March 15.

KIT (purchased separately from the online class)

now only $159, a $214 value SAVE 25%


 

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Here's the information regarding a call for entries for Celebrating Yvonne Porcella from Pokey Bolton.

Click here for more information.

“Live Your BRIGHTEST Life: A Tribute to Yvonne Porcella” will be a featured art quilt exhibit hosted by Pokey Bolton at “Quilting in the Garden” at Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore, CA, September 23-26, 2016. With fabric and thread, this is your opportunity to celebrate an amazing icon in the quilt world, and convey what living a bright life means to you.

As part of this exhibit, they are asking quilt makers to include a written tribute to Yvonne and share how she has influenced your art or touched your life, whether or not you met her in person. These tributes will be placed in a book and given to Yvonne’s family.

Quilt Entry Specifics:

  • Quilt Size: 18”(W) x 26 (H)” (You may submit up to two entries.)
  • Must include a sleeve for hanging and your information on the back.
  • 2 narratives: 1) Narrative explaining your quilt. 2) A tribute to Yvonne to be placed in a book for her family.
  • Digital Images (72 DPI) and accompanying narratives due: August 6, 2016, emailed to info@craftingalifellc.com. Subject to read: YVONNE PORCELLA ENTRY
  • You will be notified by August 12, 2016 regarding inclusion and given shipping instructions.
  • The quilt must be received by September 9, 2016 in order to be included in this exhibit.

You are invited to offer your quilt for sale; all proceeds to go to Yvonne's founding organization, Studio Art Quilt Associates.

Want to be inspired by Yvonne?  Watch the video below.

A few years ago the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles had the exhibit, Yvonne Porcella: Bold Strokes.  Curated by Deborah Corsini, the exhibit featured 21 of Yvonne's quilts, spanning a 25-year time period. Included are three examples of her kimono-shaped quilts, as well as many of her graphic appliquéd quilts with their interesting cartoon-like characters. You'll also see an abundance of black & white checks, which add the signature touch to many of her designs.

Star Members can watch Episode 713: TQS Quilting Legend with Yvonne Porcella to learn much more about this wonderful lady.

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International Quilting Weekend Will Be Here Soon!

March 18-20, 2016

 

We'll be opening all of our shows from the first seventeen series -- shows 100-1713 -- for the entire weekend. This means that, for three special days, everyone will have the chance to view over 200 shows, featuring some of the quilting world’s leading artists, for FREE.  And of course, there will be prizes, including...

 

AccuQuilt -  GO! Fabric Cutter and the GO! Qube – 12” Mix & Match Block

 

The new GO! Fabric Cutter Starter Set saves you time cutting so you have more time to quilt!

  • 90% faster than rotary cutters or scissors
  • Accurately cut up to 6 layers of fabric at a time
  • Safe, easy-to-use design helps reduce hand and arm strain
  • Unlimited design options with wide range of quilting shapes

New GO! Qube Mix & Match 12" Blocks take cutting fabric pieces to a whole new dimension. Designed to save you time and money, each GO! Qube includes 8 GO! dies, 2 cutting mats, 13 block patterns, a Getting Started DVD, plus a self-contained storage system. Find out how easy it is to create 12" finished blocks using your GO! Fabric Cutter and GO! Qube … just add fabric! Most blocks take less than a half hour from cutting to sewing.

The GO! Qube Mix & Match 12" Block includes:

  • Shape 1: GO! Square-6 1/2" (6" Finished)
  • Shape 2: GO! Square-3 1/2" (3" Finished)
  • Shape 3: GO! Half Square Triangle-6" Finished Square
  • Shape 4: GO! Quarter Square Triangle-6" Finished Square
  • Shape 5: GO! Half Square Triangle-3" Finished Square
  • Shape 6: GO! Square on Point-4 3/4" (4 1/4" Finished)
  • Shape 7: GO! Parallelogram 45º-3 11/16" x 4 15/16" Sides (3" x 4 1/4" Finished)
  • Shape 8: GO! Rectangle-3 1/2" x 6 1/2" (3" x 6" Finished)
  • GO! Cutting Mat-6" x 6" (55137)
  • GO! Cutting Mat-10" x 10" (55111)
  • Getting Started DVD
  • Pattern Book
  • Self-contained Storage System