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PuppusOkay TQS Members, a new dog has joined the mix in the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative December Online Auction. This new dog is a called  Puppus Doggus Dreams and it was made by non-other than Ami Simms herself.  As Ami says "That doesn't happen every day. In fact, I haven't had a quilt in the auction since Priority: Alzheimer's Quilts were in triple digits ---several years ago, in fact."

Falling LeavesWhat are you going to do?  Are you going to let Ami's dog smush her cold nose into Alex and Ricky's business? It's time to put that dog on a leash.

Get out there and bid for Ricky and Alex!

To bid on Ricky's Falling Leaves quilt, click here.


To bid on Alex' Broken Dreams quilt, click here.   If you really want to go to the dogs and vote for Ami's quilt, click here.

Remember any donation will help in the fight against Alzheimer's.  The Auction ends on December 10 at 10pm Central Daylight Time.

Broken Dreams

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Spirit Stars

Spirit Stars by Karen Garth. Based on Pineapple Stars by Sharon Rexroad.

Ricky Tims Inc. is happy to announce that Karen Garth of Henderson, Nevada has been awarded the 2010 Ponnie Brinkman Retreat Scholarship. Karen receives free tuition and $500 towards her retreat expenses. 

Karen was nominated by the Desert Quilters of Nevada. The nominating board of directors for the Desert Quilters of Nevada state, "Karen's enthusiasm, willingness to volunteer, and desire to learn and to share what she has learned, in an inspiration to us all."

Congratulations to Karen Garth on being the first to receive this scholarship. Congratulations to all the Ponnie Brinkman Retreat Scholarship finalists.

Karen says about her quilt shown above:

I added digitized machine embroidery and applique to the setting blocks of this broken star pattern. The embroidery is from OESD's Spirit Song set, hence the name of the quilt. I entered this quilt in the "Ugly Fabric Contest" at Quiltique, my LQS. The "ugly fabric" was a Shibori-style commercial cotton fabric that I fussy cut for the center and point portions of the pineapple diamonds.

 

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In March 2009, David Taylor was set to be a guest on the show.

Alex talked to David a day before the episode was taped and he showed her his quilt in progress. Alex instantly changed the taping from what was scheduled and asked David to reveal to the audience what he was working on, what techniques he was using, and how his colors and shadings were achieved. There is no painting on these quilts, just fabric selection.

After viewing the slideshow, make sure to watch David's Episode 406: Following the Artist's Process

(As this is an older slideshow, you may have difficulty viewing. Trying using Mozilla Firefox if your browser does not allow the show to load.)

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: David Taylor

 

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Here it is the final month of your quilt journey. This month you will be making the final blocks and assembling your masterpiece. If you're working on Hugs and Kisses, this month's final "assignment" is the Ring around the Roses block (above left). If you're working on Star Crazy, you'll be working on "Four-Patch and Quad Stars" (above right). 

No matter which BOM you've chosen, you're sure to pick up lots of useful info and tips from Sue Garman's great instruction.

To download the December BOM pattern for Hugs and Kisses, click here.  To download the December patterns for Star Crazy, click here.  And be sure to catch Alex's new classroom lesson's here on Piecing 101 featuring our Star Crazy BOM.  Alex helps you work to improve your skills.

In the meantime, for surefire inspiration,  visit the BOM section of Show and Tell (be sure to click "Show BOM ONLY" view) to view the beautiful blocks already posted by fellow TQS members.

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Alex and Ricky are at it again and this time they are going head to head  In Episode 712 - The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative (Ami Simms) coming up for your viewing pleasure on Monday, December 6, Alex and Ricky gifted Ami and the AAQI with two quilts.  Those two quilts are now up for auction and the battle has begun. Who will own bragging rights this time?

First up is Alex' Broken Dreams (10" x 8") - Quilt #5990 - which she dedicated "To Ami who has taken countless families tragedies and has grown a movement short of a miracle."

The bidding starts at only $40.  This is your chance to own a little bit of Alex' work and to donate to worthy cause.

To bid on Alex' quilt and learn more about the AAQI, click here.  The auction ends December 10.

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And of course, not to be outdone, there is Ricky's quilt.  If you missed the opportunity to bid in the World Series Quilt challenge, now is your chance.

Falling Leaves (8.25"  x 7.25") - Quilt #5086 - Your generous bids are appreciated by the artists who made these beautiful quilts and by everyone struggling to end this vile disease.

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The bidding starts at only $40.  You could take this opportunity to own quilts by both Alex and Ricky!

To bid on Ricky's quilt, click here.

And there are other Priority Quilts up for auction as well. To see them, click here.

Christmas is coming, who wouldn't like to see these quilts under their tree?

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You need to load the quilt correctly to get the spectacular results you want.  Here's how to do it right.

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Paola (left) and Livia (right) Rovaris

Global Tour Part 2:  A Stitcher's Double Delight
As we continue our tour around the globe, let us venture a little bit further south in Europe to the city of Torino, a city Italy that the Rovaris sisters call home.  While working at the Houston Quilt Festival we found their charming booth just around the corner from ours.  Decked out in homespun red and white ticking, the booth exuded a warmth and hospitality amidst the hustle and bustle of the Festival around us.  In an age where so much is made by machine, it was a breath of fresh air to see that everything they design is made by hand, including these monogram pendant necklaces.

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                                                Monogram Pendant Necklaces by Rovaris

While cross stitch have waned in some areas over the past few years, it is very much alive and well in Europe according to the Rovaris sisters. Their small business, born from their love of cross stitch, has grown over the past ten years by leaps and bounds.  But, as is often the case, the road that lead them to where they are today came from a much different direction. --Lilo Bowman
To read more visit our Articles page here.
  

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There are some very necessary tools for the longarm quilter.  A paint brush?  Take a look.

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A Stitcher's Double Delight

by Lilo Bowman

As we continue our tour around the globe, let us venture a little bit further south in Europe to the city of Torino, Italy a city that the Rovaris sisters call home.  While working at the Houston Quilt Festival we found their charming booth just around the corner from ours.  Decked out in homespun red and white ticking, the booth exuded a warmth and hospitality that was a fresh breath of air amidst the hustle and bustle of the Festival around us.  In an age where so much is made by machine, it was a breath of fresh air to see that everything they design is made by hand, including these monogram pendant necklaces.

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Monogram Pendant Necklaces by Rovaris

While cross stitch might waned in some areas over the past few years, it is very much alive and well in Europe the Rovaris according to the sisters. Their small business, born from their love of cross stitch, has grown over the past ten years by leaps and bounds.  But, as is often the case, the road that lead them to where they are today came from a much different direction. 

For twenty years, the twins Livia and Paola worked in the family owned computer business.  The company, which dealt with mostly with computers for aircraft provided a good income, but not much time for personal creativity.  With the demands of work and family, Livia and Paola cherished the time when they could relax and cross stitch for a few hours. Their handiwork was usually shared with friends and family.

As fate would have it, a bad economy hit the family business hard and they were forced to close down.  With families of their own to support it became time to move in another direction.  Livia and Paola decided to make use of their creative talents and computer skills by launching their own business.  For years, they had been asked if they had charted patterns for their creative cross stitch designs such as the sewing machine cover (below).

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So it seemed the perfect time to take the plunge.  That was ten years ago.  Over the years their activities have managed to keep them stay very close to home.  They still manage all aspects of the company, from design, to photography, and printing.  Keeping things small allows them the freedom to easily make changes when necessary.  Both sisters draw all of the charted designs which later become patterns.  New patterns are printed in small quantities to test for their popularity before producing larger runs.  Pattern designs range from whimsical to the more traditional. Livia and Paolo said that their most popular designs are cats and hearts.

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While most designs are in English or Italian there are a few that are offered in several languages.  We found this Christmas tree with Edelweiss, holly, and spools of thread to be quite charming.  All designs are presented on either natural linen or Aida cloth using red embroidery floss.  Most designs are for charts only, however, there are a few that include a pattern.  They told us that most Europeans prefer to buy just the charted design rather than a kit.  A few accessories (charms, wooden spools, buttons, etc.) can be purchased on their website for those who cannot find them in their local area. 

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The sisters reside in Torino, Italy but spend a great deal of time traveling around Europe to various needlework shows, especially in France where they are sought after for their unique designs.  They said that trunk shows are very popular in small villages around Europe.  To see more of their work click here.




















 

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We are clearing out the Shoppe.  Cyber Monday Fun.

It's our big "After Thanksgiving Sale". 
HUGE
savings on books, BOM kits and more. 

You won't want to miss our best sale ever!

Sale starts Friday, November 26, 2010. 
So start your Holiday shopping with us here!