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Medallion by fiquilts

It's time to record the story of the recent, exciting TQS Half-Square Triangle/Strip Exchange for posterity! We've been asked by a very ambitious member, CMOELLERS (Carol), to put out a call to all exchange participants.

In recognition of the many, many beautiful quilts being created with the exchange triangles, Carol would like to create a book and DVD to document the process. Anyone who would like to share their own HST Exchange project is welcome to be included.

Your project can be submitted by email or snail mail. 

Submission for entry in prototype due by September 1, 2011 (see #5 below)
Final deadline for submission is May 1, 2012 (see #5 below).

Email is preffered.  Please send all requests for submission to carol.moellers@gmail.com.  If you have any questions regarding the project send them to the address above.  Please keep emails messages to a minimum as Carol wants to reply back as quickly as possible.

1. Submitting your entry

     a.  The subject line of your email should include the words "SOS SoTTT/Batik Exchange Project-My Submission.

     b.  Attach photos of your project (quilt, table runner, wall hanging, etc.) to your email.          

• Send 2-3 full-view digital photos of your project.
• Send 2-3 detail photos showing the quilting used in your project.
• Send a photo of the label on the back of your project.
  

     c.  If using snail mail, burn the images on a CD.

     d.  Project information (see #3 below)

     e.  Keep deadline dates for inclusion in mind (see above)

2.  Photo Requirements

     a.  Full-view photos must be of the entire project (all sides and edges included).

     b.  No part of the project can be obscured.

     c.  The project must be displayed in full length.  Do not lay your photograph on the floor for photographing.  Use a light or white background in the photograph.

     d.  Please do not stand in the photo or have friends (including pets) in the picture.

     e.  Be sure the digital photo is the best representation of your project as possible.  If you make a garment, try to photograph it on a mannequin, showing the front and back of the garment. 

      f.  Pay close attention to the clarity and color of your photograph.

      g.  Digital photos should be at least 4 MG (megapixel) but no larger than 8 MG saves as a JPEG file.

       h.  Do not send sllides or prints via snail mail.

       I.  Your CD will not be returned if using snail mail.  Please send your CD in a protective case so it will not be damaged during shipping.

3.  Project Information- Include in the body of your email/letter

      a.  Name of your HST project.

      b.  The name of the pattern (commercial or original, giving credit to the artist).

      c.  The size of the project (width & length).  This is not a requirement if it is a garment.  If it is a purse send the approximate dimensions.

      d.  In 300 words or less tell me what inspired you to participate, why you chose the particular design, or anything you want to say to share with your fellow participants.  All HST projects hava a story and this is your opportunity to share your story with others.

      e.  Include your name and/or your TQS screen name.

      f.  Your city, state, country.

4.  Sending your entry via snail mail

      If you choose to use snail mail, send Carol an email requesting a mailing address.  Indicate in the "subject line" of the email-"S.O.S. SoTTT/Batik Exchange-Snail Mail Instructions".

5.  Deadline Dates/Viewing/Buying a Book or DVD/Permission

      a.  A S.O.S. SoTTT/Batik Exchange Book prototype will be available for viewiing at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX this November 2011.  If you would like for your project and information to be in the prototype please send it to Carol by September 1, 2011.

      b.  Those not able to attend IQF will be able to see a special Smilebox slide show of the prototype book/DVD.  TQS will announce the slideshow in a Weekend Fun and Daily Blog.

      c.  The final deadline to have all submissions for the S.O.S. book/DVD is May 1, 2012.

      d.  Information regarding when the book/DVD will be available will be announced on TQS in early 2012.  This will include how to order your own copy, cost, postage, etc.

      e.  By submitting your HST projects/information for the S.O.S SoTTT/Batik Exchange Project you are allowing Carol permission to use and share your HST project/story in the book and DVD.

The TQS gand, Edyta, Debbie, Clara, Ritzy, Margo and all the sorting helpers did all the hard work, now it's time for us to have fun and share our completed HST projects.  Now, start sewing and get those SoTTT/Batik projects finished, we have a story to tell.

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The nonprofit Alliance for American Quilts is holding several very cool fundraisers in New York City in August, and we've got TWO tickets to give away for the premiere event in the AAQ's Quilters Take Manhattan program.

Saturday, August 6 will be a fun-filled afternoon, featuring Marianne Fons, known for her magazine and TV show; Marianne's zany daughter, Mary Fons, from the show Quilty; and Jay McCarroll, first-season winner of the popular TV show, Project Runway, who now designs fabric for FreeSpirit Fabric. Jay will be interviewed on-stage at F.I.T. (the Fashion Institute for Technology) in New York's fabled Garment District by the always-outrageous Mark Lipinski, who truly puts the "fun" in fundraiser.This interview will become part of AAQ's oral history project, Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories," which is archived at the Folklife Center of the Library of Congress.

Tickets for this event sell for $45 each, which includes refreshments, goody bags, awesome door prizes, and a silent auction. 

The Quilt Show, however, has TWO Free Tickets to see "Marianne & Jay on the Runway," and you can enter to win one by sending an email here. (One entry per person, please!) The contest ends Wednesday, July 20, and the two winners will be announced in Weekend Fun on Friday, July 22.

You can visit the AAQ website anytime to buy tickets for the afternoon event; there also are tickets available for an evening cocktail party at the biggest quilt retailer in Manhattan, The City Quilter, just a short walk from F.I.T. Go to www.AllianceforAmericanQuilts.org for more details, including nearby discounted hotels, and to order tickets online.

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In Lesson 3 of Alex Anderson - Hand Quilting, Alex discusses using polyester batting.  Click here to see Alex's classroom.

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Sharon talks to Luana Rubin of eQuilter.com about her large online store, the Irish Quilt Festival, and donating to charity.

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Gammill is having a blow out sale including the Statler Stitcher.  Savings are as high as $4000. 

Alex found out that Capt'n John didn't know what a Statler Stitcher was.  So she took him to the Gammill booth to find out.

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It's almost the middle of July. When do you start getting gifts together for the holidays? Is it too early to start working on holiday projects? Is it too late? 

When do you start to Ho, Ho, Ho, and Sew, Sew, Sew for the holidays?

(Fabric is Surfin' Santa from Alexander Henry.)

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There are moments in life that are undeniably unique, inspirational, and memorable. Most of you are aware that I have been involved in a reunion choir comprised of students from my high school acapella choir between the years of 1961 and 1993. Those were the years (32 of them) that Donald B. Cowan directed the choral program at S. H. Rider High School in Wichita Falls, TX. 

Through Facebook, a reunion began, and the seeds for singing together with our beloved director were planted. The vision became a reality. The Donald B. Cowan Legacy Choir performed in Wichita Falls, TX on June 25th and again this past Saturday evening, July 9th, at Bass Performance Hall in Ft. Worth, TX. Singers from across the country assembled once a month to rehearse and the final performance left us all exhilerated and inspired. I can only wish every person reading this has had, or will have, a red-letter day such as this in their own lives. 

The commitment I made to serve Legacy Choir as president and tenor section leader has taken away from time I use for other ongoing responsibilities, but for me, this event was an opportunity to pay back a debt. I was given so much by my musical mentors during my formative years and this was my chance to show my appreciation. 

I composed Prayer of St. Francis, an eight part piece that was premiered at both concerts. It was one of the greatest honors in my life to have such an amazing choir sing my composition - but even more of a blessed moment to know that those singing were my peers.

The review out today had this to say: "glorious in their delivery" - "resplendent" - "stunning" - "reverent and powerful"

Please take a moment to read the entire review in the Times Record News.

Once the CDs are available, I'll let you know. Expect Septemberish.

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Molly Upton's ideas were inspired by the fine arts, painting, architecture, dance, music, and literature, and she found a method for creating her ideas through fabric. Torrid Dwelling, created in 1975, was far ahead of its time. In fact, at the time of her death at the age of 24, her work was being represented in a Madison Avenue art gallery. Torrid Dwelling uses a wide range of fabrics and innovative strip-piecing techniques. Molly commented that she drew inspiration from "wandering through ruins, active streets and deserts; from past civilizations, and (from piano) keyboards."  This quilt is 98" x 92" and is in a private collection.

Torrid1 - 36 pieces non-rotating

Torrid2 - 100 pieces non-rotating

Torrid3 - 100 pieces rotating

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In Step 7 of Making a Portrait Quilt with Rob Appell, Rob shows you how to attach the top and bottom inner and outer borders to the quilt in a single step.