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Do you know about the World of Threads Festival? It showcases contemporary fiber and textile art in all forms.  It is also known for its Weekly Fiber Artist Interviews which have already featured 133 artists.
 
Click here to go to the World of Threads Festival website.

Main Festival Venue

Address: 2302 Bridge Road, Oakville, Ontario, (closest major intersection Bridge Road & Third Line)
Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10 am - 6 pm, Sun. 12 - 5 pm
Parking: Free
Exhibitions Pages: The Red and the Black | Solo Shows & Installations
 
 
 
Installation View: Variegated Threads - Curated by Gareth Bate & Dawne Rudman.

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Barbara Black's quilt, "Red and White - By the Numbers," was selected as the commemorative quilt for the Ruby Jubilee, the 40th celebration of the International Quilt Festival.  Now Barbara is working on the TQS BOM 2016, "Rajah Quilt Revisited" and sharing her work in her blog, "MY JOYFUL JOURNEY: My life as a Quiltmaker and a Quilt Teacher. All things QUILT!"

Barbara's already made one change to her "Rajah Quilt Revisited" that you might want to think about if you find the center appliqué a bit daunting.  She has elected to use a vintage textile as the center.
 
If you find a vintage textile and it isn't quite big enough for the center of the quilt, you can always add "coping" strips, otherwise known as an inner border around the textile, to bring it up to the correct size.

 

 
 

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Over at WeAllSew.com, Pat Delaney of Crabtree Lane Studio shows you how to make a bright and colorful Owl Pillow with this free pattern and tutorial.  It's another great project for using up your scraps and fat quarters.
 
 
 

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There was everything from traditional to modern, and from blooming flowers to Santa Claus at AQS QuiltWeek Phoenix 2016.  Here are a few more fabulous award-winning quilts.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow

 

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Here's an adorable project from the Fort Worth Fabric Studio blog.  Two great things about this project.  One, you can use up your scraps. Two, you can make the project again.  This time use green and white fabrics and add a shamrock.  Or how about using pastels and adding an rabbit for Easter?  Maybe red and green with a pine tree for Christmas?

Click here for tutorial.

 

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"Bloomin' Cogwheels" is a fun quilt from Janna Thomas.  If you love it, you can make it yourself.  Click here to order the book.

Star Members can watch Janna in Show 1803: It's All in the Border.

BloominCogwheelsbyJannaThomas - 35 Pieces Non-Rotating

BloominCogwheelsbyJannaThomas - 96 Pieces Non-Rotating

BloominCogwheelsbyJannaThomas - 299 Pieces Non-Rotating

BloominCogwheelsbyJannaThomas - 96 Pieces Rotating

BloominCogwheelsbyJannaThomas - 299 Pieces Rotating

Photo By: Janna Thomas

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Alex and Ricky had fun on the set with that lovely quilter from down under, Jenny Bowker.  Jenny's Show 1804: Quilting Outside the Blocks debuts on February 14, 2016.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow

 

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Jenny Bowker creates incredible pieced landscapes, with exotic images from the Middle East and Malaysia, where she lived with her diplomat husband.  She connected with the traditional tentmakers of Cairo (who have been crafting their elaborate appliqué fabric pieces since 2000 BC), and depicts them as the gentle people she came to know.  Jenny shares her quilting style, which often extends the quilt’s interior design out into the borders.  She saves the most complicated quilting for the outside edges, where it is easier to manipulate them.  She also walks us through the process of dissecting a tiling design (whether simple or complex), and creating a vellum pattern for it.  She demonstrates this technique with a challenging design featuring two overlapping vases. She also discusses why all quilters should enter their work into quilt shows.

Jenny's Show 1804: Quilting Outside the Blocks debuts February 14, 2016.

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Oatmeal is one of those tried and true breakfast options. Oatmeal has long been touted as being good for your heart because of its high fiber content. But sometimes you get a little tired of oatmeal day after day, right? Never fear, there are so many ways to doctor those oats, you will never get tired of them again!

First, there's overnight oats. What could be easier? You take the ingredients, most of which can be found in your pantry or refrigerator, combine them in a mason jar, and put them in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, your breakfast is ready and waiting for you! Here's a link to a variety of Overnight Oatmeal recipes.

Another recipe that I found was actually a quilter's creation! Quilter Kathleen Tracy came up with this unique idea for Crispy Baked Oatmeal. I have tried it and can tell you that it is delicious. 

And a third way to make oatmeal a little differently is to vary the add-ins. Here's an extra-special combo I made called "Almond Joy Oatmeal." It is so delicious, I have sometimes made it for dessert!

Oatmeal is a good way to start your day. It gives you plenty of energy to get into the studio and start quilting!

Visit Debby's healthy living blog!

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Jen shows you how to create an adorable organizer using embroidery hoops and layer cakes.
 

Click here to visit Shabby Fabrics.