Daily Blog

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World AIDS Day is held on December 1st each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.

But did you know that in June of 1987 a small group of strangers gathered in a San Francisco storefront to document the lives they feared history would neglect. Their goal was to create a memorial for those who had died of AIDS, and to thereby help people understand the devastating impact of the disease. This meeting of devoted friends and lovers served as the foundation of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.

Today this quilt still grows.  There are more than 44,000 individual 3-by-6 foot memorial panels commemorating the life of someone who has died of AIDS.  It is the largest community art project in the world.

Here are some quick facts.

• Funds Raised by The Quilt for Direct Services for People with AIDS: over $4,000,000 (U.S.)
• Number of visitors to the Quilt: +18,000,000
• Number of names on the Quilt: more than 91,000
• Size: 1,293,300 square feet
• Viewing time: To see the entire Quilt spending only one minute per panel - over 33 days

And you can still make a panel to contribute to the quilt.  To view the quilt online, click here.

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As the hectic and often stressful holiday season is just about upon us, we here at TQS want to help you with your gift-giving list.  We have gathered 6 fast and easy 'quilty' gift ideas that can be whipped up in no time using fabrics that you probably already have in your stash.  So, avoid the crowds and get in that sewing room.  To find the pattern and directions click on the links below

1.  Weighted pincushion organizer.
2.  Fiber collage cards.
3.  Heating pad.
4.  Fabric post card.
5.  Joy Be With You mini wall hanging.
6.  Journal cover.

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Alex and Rayna kept talking even after the interview was over. Did Rayna really cut up someone else's quilt?

To order an autographed copy of her book, go to studio78notes.blogspot.com

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Maria Elkins won the Fairfield Master Award for Contemporary Artistry in Houston.  Sharon Pederson finds out how this wonderful quilt came to life.

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Alex talks with Rayna Gillman about her art and her new book, "Create Your Own Freeform Quilts" with C&T Publishing. To order an autographed copy of her book go here.

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Okay, we've made it through Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and now it's Cyber Monday. Are you ready to start thinking seriously about the holidays?

Are there any new, shiny, bright notions you might be on the lookout for?Something like this nifty seam ripper perhaps?  It's a seam ripper, light, and magnifying glass all in one.

Submit a comment and let us know, "What kind of notions are you looking for this holiday season?" Or, if it isn't already on the market, "What sort of notion would you design to help you with your work?"

To learn more about the Mighty Bright, click here.

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Here are some of hints for this quilt.  It is the cover quilt for Machine Quilitng a Primer of Techniques by Sue Nickels, available by clicking here.  And, it is the backdrop for Sue's free episode this weekend, Episode 402 - Quilting to Perfection.  It is called Blue Tulips on Pink Skies.

Blue Tulips on Pink Skies - 36 pieces non-rotating

Blue Tulips on Pink Skies - 100 pieces non-rotating

Blue Tulips on Pink Skies - 100 pieces rotating

Blue Tulips on Pink Skies - 289 pieces rotating

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Have you been following along with the TQS Basting Event?  If you have, then you'll know who likes to use 505 Basting Spray and now is your chance to win a can!

Just submit an email to BastingSpray@thequiltshow.com type "505" in the subject line.  Tell us who likes to use this spray and you'll be entered into the drawing.  TQS Members only please!

Six lucky winners will be chosen at random.

Hurry, contest ends Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at Midnight PST.

If you've missed any of the Basting Blogs, simply go to the Daily Blog and enter Basting into the Search For box.

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Here are more award winning quilts from the International Quilt Festival in Houston 2011 along with a number of close-ups, and in some cases the quilter herself.