Daily Blog

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Ruth Shadar has another interesting item to share with our members.  Can you guess what it is? 

Ruth thinks it is from some time between the world wars, but has no accurate date.  Her Grandmother, Grete Haas (Silberstern) was the original owner of the kit. Grete was born in Vienna, Austria in 1897 and fled to Shanghai, China in the 30s – so its date should be some time between those dates.

The kit traveled  with her from Vienna to Shanghai, and later to Israel. Ruth received it from Grete when she went into her army service at the age of 18  (She is now 64.)  Ruth actually used it during the service, and later when she traveled (before hotels supplied their own kits).  

Do you have an interesting sew kit to share?  Then click on over to Show & Tell and submit a photo and don't forget to share its history.

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The top 100 puzzle this week is an applique masterpiece by Wisconsin quilter, Charlotte Jane Whitehill.  It was made in 1930 and was quilted by an "unknown" quilter.  Indiana Wreath measures 90" x 90"  Charlotte came to quilting a bit later in life. Born in 1866, she made her first quilt in 1929.  For the next fifteen years or so, she appliqued 35 quilts and pieced at least 2.  According to Barbara Brackman, the Indiana Wreath design was quite popular after many women saw a similar quilt in Marie Webster's 1915 book, Quilts: Their Story and How to Make Them.

Wreath1 - 81 pieces non-rotating

Wreath2 - 80 pieces rotating

(Please ignore the yellowing in the white background fabric, that is unfortunately a problem with the original photograph and is not part of the quilt.)

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Ricky would like you to share your fondest holiday memories on his personal Christmas website.  Is there a holiday tradition you enjoy?  Did you receive a present that turned your whole life upside down? Does your community have a parade, a holiday musical, or snowman building contest?  

We all have a holiday story to tell. Regardless of your age, your religion, or your location, please take a moment to share about those special times and places in your life and help Ricky expand the Christmas in a Small Town community.

Here's a cheery example from Carolyn; maybe you'll recognize the cousin:

I believe the most memorable Christmas is around 1957 or possibly 1958. I received this really neat toy piano from Santa Clause along with the dolls and doll clothes. I had this little cousin that wasn't really interested in the rocking horse that Santa pulled out of the his sack of toys. As my memoriy goes (andas the home movie shows), I kept getting booted off the piano bench by this little cousin. Much to his liking, he finally wound up with the little piano that had been stored for many years . After many quiet years, the little piano has been restored and I do believe if you look hard, the little piano is on the cover of Christmas in a small town.

Family and memories are the best Christmas that we can ever pass on to our future generations. Merry Christmas!

If you'd like to share your memories and read more heart-warming stories from around the world,  click here              

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Enjoy this sampling of the amazing Baltimore Album quilts from the Houston International Quilt Festival. The exhibit was titled, "Baltimore Album Review II: Baltimore's Daughters -- Friends Stitch Past to Future." They are some of the finest examples of the Baltimore Album Quilt revivalist movement and include many from the collection of Baltimore expert/artist/curator Elly Sienkiewicz. They are made by both hand and machine. Enjoy every block and see if you recognize the names of some our TQS members.

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Like in any painting project, the quality of the result has to do with the completeness of the preparation.

Click the picture to go to the classroom.

Did you miss any lessons?  They are all on the player when you click the picture.

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Simplicity is going to give 3 Lucky Winners a chance to win a Simplicity Deluxe Sidewinder. Just email to Sidewinder@TheQuiltShow.com  (copy and paste into your address bar in the TO: box-- if it's not automatic) and put "Deluxe Sidewinder" in the subject line.  One entry per person. The contest ends Monday night (December 13, 2010) midnight Pacific Time.

Here's what you need to know about this great machine:

• Interchangeable bobbin spindles accommodate bobbins for all makes and models of sewing machines, embroidery machines, long arm machines

• Winds thread from small spools to cones that hold as much as 12000 yards

• Two storage compartments in lid hold wound bobbins or spools of thread

• Telescoping guide adjusts to different heights of thread spools

• Thread cutter

• Tension knob to accommodate a variety of thread weights

• Knob to adjust fill capacity of bobbin - can wind just a little or wind full

• Compact size makes it easy to store or pack for travel

• Speed control knob

• For household use only

• Universal adapter included

• 90 day limited warranty against manufacturer's defects

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Re: The Holidays - What are you looking at right now on your to-do list?

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The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative - December Quilt Auction is ready and willing and able to supply you with a Priority Quilt through December 10.  That's tomorrow night!  Head on over to the AAQI and bid on some simply amazing quilts donated to support the cause.  While Ricky, Alex, and Ami all have quilts in the auction, there are many other wonderful quilts as well.  Here are just a few examples from Susan Cleveland, Lisa Ellis, and Marge Phillips.

Click here to head over to the auction, every penny fights this horrible disease.

Update - Ricky is currently in the lead, followed by Alex and Ami!

And, don't forget to show us your Priority Quilt in the Show & Tell area.

Alex says, "Great Holiday Gifts for a Great Cause!!!"

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Secure the top and then stablize it by several techniques.  Linda Taylor is walking us through the process of quilting on a longarm.  But all machine users will find helpful tips in the process.