Mrgaret Make It Simpler Box
Quilting News from Anita Grossman Solomon

 

Whether you're 18 or 81, if you're like me the fall always brings back happy feelings of new "school year" possibilities - learning new things, making new friends and maybe even going on a field trip or two.  As a quilter, you're smart enough to know that all of those things are still quite accessible.  The fall brings great local and international shows, guilds regroup,  new  fabrics arrive at your local quilt shop, and there's finally time to be inside and focus on doing what you love - Quilting!  
 
I'm excited to share with you today three great opportunities to learn new skills:  take advantage of Craftsy's sale on their amazing Online Classes going on today Thursday, 9/18 through Monday 9/22, enroll in one of my workshops at the International Quilt Show in Houston or join me aboard Stitchin' Heaven's "Quilting on the Quantum" Caribbean cruise so we can "sun and sew" in February.  Details and links are provided below.
For Quilters who like to wear their PJs to class...

Today's the day to take advantage of Craftsy's incredible  "Big Fall Sale" offering up to 50% off of classes.  The sale runs now through Monday, 9/22.  
 
I believe creating gorgeous quilts doesn't have to be complicated and shouldn't always require the purchase of a new tool.  In my  "Traditional Blocks Made Simple" class, you'll learn how to customize your own rulers, use paper patterns for cutting and sewing and deploy my stack-and-stitch method of block creation.  
 
My unique methods will help you breeze through arrowhead, pineapple, square-on-point and "unbiased" blocks.  The class also covers fabric selection, preparation and block arrangement, so faster than you'd ever expect, you'll have a quilt that will truly make you proud.  
 
Bonus with class sign-up:  my bestselling e-book,  Rotary Cutting Revolution (a $14.99 value) is included free!  You'll also have access to previous and forthcoming questions, answers and hints from me and other enrolled quilters (many of whom I'm sure will also be in PJs and slippers!).
Here I am getting ready for my "close-up" on the Craftsy set. They are wonderful people to work with!
A Field Trip for Quilters who want to "Shop, Look & Learn"

What could be better than seeing "the best of the best" quilts, shopping amazing vendors and having a chance to learn new skills and techniques?  The International Quilt Festival (Oct. 30 - Nov. 2, 2014) truly has it all!  I am honored to once again be teaching at Festival and I hope you'll consider signing up for one of my classes to complete your Festival experience. Here is the list of my three Make It Simpler workshops:
Please click on the name to see project sample photos. For registration information and to see full workshop listings: 

This is an exciting year for the Festival as it celebrates its anniversary with a special quilt exhibit "Ruby Jubilee: A 40-Year Celebration".  One of my Pineapple Quilts was selected for this exciting exhibit.  Click here for Ruby Jubilee exhibit details

For Quilters already dreaming about Spring Break! 
Love Quilting + Love Travel = Truly Unforgettable Vacation
Hop on board Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Quantum of the Seas, and join me, Carol Doak, and Laurie Tigner for a fun filled vacation that alternates three unique quilting classes with stops at Caribbean favorites of St. Thomas, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Labadee®, Royal Caribbean's private paradise.  Best of all, there's no packing up your machine as a Bernina 3 Series machine will be yours for the week.   
Click on Stichin' Heaven Travel for full details

Additional Opportunity to "Sea & Sew"
Click to View Cruise PDF
 
 
 
If the idea of New England in the Fall makes you swoon, sign up now for the 
Road to California's Fall Foliage 2015 Quilt Cruise. Over 10 quilting workshops, open sewing and Janome machines with 24/7 technical support guarantee a wonderful experience.  Additional quilt educators joining me on this seven day adventure will be Stevii Graves, Shelly Pagliai, and Margie Ullery and Victoria Findlay Wolfe.  
Whether it's from your home, Houston or the high seas, I wish you much happiness in your pursuit of greater knowledge and creative expression in your quilting pursuits.

Quilty as charged, 
Leaf from my book "Perfect Blocks in Minutes"