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WHAT'S NEW? | |
The Perfect Thread Bag - New Cover Fabrics Karen Kay Buckley has introduced two new batik covers for her Perfect Thread Bags. You can specify which cover you want when you order from us, if you are particular, otherwise we pick and send you what we have available. To see more photos, and learn more about these bags, or to purchase yours, click here. |
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NEW COLOR SAMPLES | |
Aurifil Thread
If you have purchased an Aurifil thread card from us in the past, keep reading. We have been able to get a limited number of inserts (only 24) with the new 2014 colors. Just glue this panel insert into your old thread card and you are current again.
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We are not putting this on the website (yet). We are first making them available only to people who purchased their thread card from us. To get your panel insert, reply to this email, tell Janice you want the new color panel and she will email you instructions for how to pay. Cost is just $3.00 (includes postage).
Don't have a color card? If you order a Thread color card now it comes with the new colors already in it.
"Thank you! I bought the Aurifil thread chart from you a few weeks back and have to tell you it was one of the best quilting investments I've made this year. It will be so nice to buy thread and not be totally shocked by what arrives!"
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JANICE'S ROYAL HAWAIIAN QUILT | |
Na Lani Apo'ia I Ka Lei Aloha Mau Loa
Heavenly Ones Embraced by the Everlasting Lei of Love
Royal Hawaiian quilts are especially prized. Usually red and yellow, the colors of Hawaiian royalty, they depict various images of things important to, or associated with Hawaiian kings and queens. Janice pays particular homage to the queens of Hawaii by featuring Queen Kapi'olani's crown (in the border), and Queen Lili'uokalani's fan (in the medallion), surrounded by maile leis, with King Kamehameha's spear and kahilis in the corners.
Janice designed and started this quilt in 1985 while living in a 22-foot travel trailer with her husband and cat. It was finished in 1990. It measures 82" x 86". |
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THE QUILT TOUR SPECIALISTS | |
There are tours, and then there are TOURS. Our first encounter with Country Heritage Tours was years ago when they arranged for us to show our Hawaiian quilts to two groups they brought to the Pacific Northwest Quiltfest in Seattle.
Fast forward, many years, when Janice's friend invited her to join her on a Country Heritage Tour to Paducah and AQS QuiltWeek. She obviously said yes, and she is glad she did!
In their 26th year of arranging tours for quilters, you travel with them confident that every detail has been taken care of. For a fun and stressfree travel experience book your next tour with Country Heritage Tours - The Quilt Tour Specialists. |
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QUILT SHOWS | |
Look for these vendors
Nancy will be vending at several quilt shows this summer, see her schedule at right.
Remember, our patterns are also sold by other vendors at quilt shows. Visit these booths to see quilt samples and buy our patterns at these shows:
Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival - Albuquerque, NM (May 22-24, 2014)
Carson Valley Quilt Guild, Carson Valley, NV (June 7-8, 2014)
Sew Original Quilt & Creative Expo - Reno, NV (June 12-14, 2014)
- Quilt Passions
- Quilter's Cove
Snake River Valley Quilt Guild - Idaho Falls, ID (June 19-21, 2014)
Mountain Star Quilt Show - Medford, OR (June 27-29, 2014)
- Quilter's Cove
- and us, PRQC!
Oregon Summer Quilt Expo - Redmond, OR (July 10-13, 2014)
Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival - Castle Rock, CO (July 10-12, 2014)
Oregon Coastal Quilters Guild - Newport, OR (Aug 1-2, 2014)
- Quilt Passions
- Quilter's Cove (Newport is the home of Quilter's Cove)
- and us, PRQC!
Full show schedules are posted on these websites:
We try to publish accurate information, but it is always best to confirm with the vendors if you are making special plans.
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ALL-STAR AWARD WINNER | |
Fourth Year in a Row!
We send our e-Newsletters to you via Constant Contact, a great company that makes it very easy for us to communicate with you. Each year they honor just 10% of their thousands of customers who consistently set a high standard of interaction with their customers.
For the fourth year in a row we have received the All-Star Award! We wanted to share the great news and express our gratitude (again!) to you, our loyal customers, for helping us achieve this honor. Our emails are made with you in mind, so thank you for engaging with us and welcoming us into your email box. |
| If you received this Newsletter from a friend, sign-up to receive future issues here: |
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Have you ever been to the American Quilter's Society show in Paducah, Kentucky? Their banner above greets you, but only hints at the southern hospitality and visual riches you will enjoy while there. In April, Janice made her third trip to the show for its 30th anniversary.
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Heavenly Ones Embraced by the
Everlasting Lei of Love |
Her first trip, in 1991, was as a contestant when her Hawaiian quilt (at right) was in the show; second trip in 2004 when we had a booth as a vendor; and this year purely as a spectator, for fun.
Half the draw for Janice is the delightfully charming, historic town of Paducah. When you go, remember to plan extra time to wander the streets visiting the many artist studios, galleries, antique shops, gardens, and restaurants.
"Of course, the quilts were amazing, but if I had to pick my favorite...it would be the miniatures. They were beyond belief, exquisite. The show is well-run, the people are all delightful, the number and variety of events impressive. Part of what made it so enjoyable was that I traveled with a Country Heritage Tours group. I can't say enough good things about how well organized the tour was, every detail planned in advance, well executed, and so much fun!"
If you've never been to one of the national quilt shows, we encourage you to make the effort. You will be glad you did. In the meantime, maybe you can visit a show in your local area, or better yet, one we will be vending at this summer! For now, we are happy you are taking a few minutes to visit with us today.
E komo mai,
Welcome,
Nancy & Janice |
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HIBISCUS - 2 Fabric Applique Quilt | | |
TROPICAL MEMORIES
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Few flowers are as instantly recognizable as the hibiscus, Hawaii's State Flower. Memorable for its profusion of large colorful blossoms, prominent stamen, and graceful dance on the breeze. Everyone returns from their trip to the tropics with memories and pictures of hibiscus.
Put your memories into fabric with this Hibiscus 2 Fabric Applique Quilt pattern. Make it quickly using raw-edge applique techniques*, letting the raw-edges enhance the crepe-like texture of the flowers, and jagged edges of the leaves. You choose your preferred applique method -- instructions for raw-edge, fusible/machine, and needleturn applique are included with every pattern.
 IDEA: The pollen at the end of the stamen on nearly all hibiscus blossoms is yellow. Add another subtle dimension to your quilt by embroidering colonial knots or French knots using yellow thread. For a touch of drama, use gold metallic thread!
Hibiscus, 24" x 36", Normally, this patterns sells for $12.00, for a limited time purchase it for only $10.00. Purchase your pattern here.
* Read the December 2011 issue of our e-Newsletter for encouragement and how-to tips for Raw-Edge Applique and Raw-Edge Binding.
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| 2 FABRIC APPLIQUE QUILTS WITH NANCY LEE CHONG - DVD |
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Needleturn applique lessons at home
We all lead busy lives. It is difficult to carve out time to take a quilting class, even when you have a good teacher in your area. Taking a class has its own challenges...being able to see what the teacher is doing, and then remembering what you learned days, weeks, or even years later. What's the solution? A DVD, of course. If your goal is to learn needleturn applique,  or to improve your techniques we recommend our DVD: 2 Fabric Applique Quilts with Nancy Lee Chong. Why a DVD? It can be played over and over again while you practice your techniques; it is there for you when you have time, now or a year from now; no one is blocking your view of the teacher; no internet connection is required; and, as Nancy's husband has said, you can hit the mute button when you are tired of listening to her. (Aren't husbands wonderful?)
With this DVD you will learn Nancy's stressfree needleturn applique techniques while learning to make one of our 2 Fabric Applique Quilts. The pattern for the 11" x 17" Dragonfly quilt pictured on the cover is included, but you can follow along with the DVD using any of our 2FAQ patterns. Needleturn applique is a universal skill that can be applied to any applique project.
Here is what is included in the DVD:
- Introduction
- Supplies
- Fabric & Pattern Preparation
- Needleturn Applique
- Basic Stitch
- Straight Edges
- Points
- Outside Curves
- Inside Curves
- Reverse Points (Valleys and Slits)
- Quilting Ideas
- Finishing the Quilt
- Squaring off the quilt
- Binding
- Sleeve
- Quilt Gallery
- Plus, 11" x 17" Dragonfly pattern (as pictured on the cover), printed actual size on paper, including the suggested quilting lines.
Run-time is approximately 2 hours. The close-ups are amazing, and you can play it over and over as you make your quilt and practice your stitching.
Here are just a few of the comments we have received from people who have this DVD:
- "I would have never believed that I could become a stress free applique lover. I finished the Spring Lilies in two weeks just sitting in my favorite chair with your video close by in case I needed to review. From start to finish, in the evenings, I finished the pattern and I am now loving this technique. I suppose that you can say I am now hooked on applique. Thank you for the easy to follow instructions that are incredible. You show how easy and STRESS FREE it truly can be. Thank you for the wonderful experience and simple techniques that you have given me."
- "I have Nancy's 2FAQ DVD and think it is beautifully done. Great information, great video, great all around. Thank you for producing this DVD."
- "I recently bought the Dragonfly pattern and DVD. I have been quilting for 25 yrs and have never had a good binding or corner application until I viewed the DVD. For the first time my binding is perfect and the corners are perfect! The directions are very understandable and easy to follow. You have changed my way of doing bindings and corners and I just wanted to thank you for "turning on my light bulb"!
- "I was introduced to your company by a DVD from my library (dragonfly), and although I am a lifelong needleworker, I am self-taught, so I learned so much from that well-produced DVD."
2 Fabric Applique Quilts with Nancy Lee Chong, $25.00. Read more about our DVDs, and buy yours here.
For our International Readers: This DVD is NTSC format, but we have had customers from all over the world view it successfully. Especially if you play it in a computer, the format is universal.
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FOREST FINERY - Applique Quilt Borders & Table
Runners | | |
Love this border!
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Forest Finery as a border around a Double Wedding Ring quilt, by Maggie Klenke |
 There is a reason we named a line of patterns Applique Quilt Borders and Table Runners...because we wanted to give you maximum flexibility in using these great designs in multiple ways. Just think of the possibilities! With these long, narrow patterns you can:
- Do the obvious and make a tablerunner, or bed scarf;
- Stitch multiple panels side-by-side to make a large quilt;
- Alternate the applique panels with solid panels to show off your quilting; or,
- Alternate panels with a complementary pieced panel for more variety;
- Make a quilt longer by adding a border panel to the top and bottom of a quilt;
- Make a quilt wider by adding borders to both sides;
- Do as Maggie did, and add four borders around a quilt.
All of our Borders & Runners patterns include options for different lengths, from 18" (yes, for a placemat, or a small quilt, or a quilt block, or a corner block) all the way up to 70 or 72 inches!
The wonderful quilt above was hand-pieced and needleturn appliqued by Maggie Klenke. It won Best of Show at her county fair. Congratulations, Maggie!
Forest Finery pattern sells for $12.00. Buy the pattern here.
To see more examples of quilts made using these patterns, visit our Quilt Borders & Table Runners Gallery.
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| FUN IN HAWAII | | |
Summertime Events
 | | Practicing Doing Nothing |
We try to remember while in Hawaii to relax. Janice calls it "Practicing Doing Nothing." It is hard to do, particularly with all the fun and interesting cultural events going on all the time. If you find yourself in the Islands over the summer make it a point to attend one or more of these events. Inspiration for your creativity can be sparked anywhere. It is always good to go to something new ... like a Rodeo, or Ukulele Festival!
The Islands are also rich with local farmers' markets, street fairs, galleries, art & craft fairs, and concerts. Always plenty to do, between practicing doing nothing!
June
* King Kamehameha Celebration (all islands)
* Great Waikoloa Food & Music Festival (Big Island)
* Maui Film Festival (Maui)
* Big Island Jazz & Blues Festival (Big Island)
* Annual Red Clay Jazz Festival (Kauai)
July
* Quilting on the Beach - Summer Camp (Quilt Passions, Big Island)
* Makawao Parade & Rodeo (Maui)
* Hawaii All-Collectors Show (Oahu)
* Ukulele Festival (Oahu)
* Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championships (Molokai - Oahu)
* Ka Ah Hula O Halauaola 2014 World Hula Conference (Kauai)
August
* Hawaii International Jazz Festival (Oahu)
* Hawaii State Windsurfing Championship (Maui)
* Duke's OceanFest Ho'olaulea (Oahu)
* Kauai Sand Festival (Kauai)
September
* Aloha Festival (all islands)
* A Taste of Lahaina (Maui)
* Maui County Fair (Maui)
TIP: A wonderful website for finding things to do in Hawaii is www.gohawaii.com, the website for the Hawaii Tourism Authority. A visit to this website makes you want to board the next plane to the Islands!
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COMING EVENTS | |
Nancy's Whereabouts:
Making plans for Spring and Summer travel? Here are opportunities to shop in our booth, take a class from Nancy, or catch a presentation at shows, shops and guilds. Most guilds welcome visitors, so don't be shy.
Make your plans now for one or more of these events:
2014 Shows, Classes, and Events:
- May 24-25, Brookings, OR. Nancy will be vending at the Azalea Quilters Guild Quilt Show.
- June 11 & 14, Simi Valley, CA. Simi Valley Quilt Guild. Hawaiian quilting presentation and 2FAQ class.
- June 12-13, Northridge, CA. Valley Quiltmakers. Hawaiian quilting presentation and class.
- June 18, Baltimore, MD. Baltimore Applique Society. Hawaiian quilting presentation.
- June 19-21, Baltimore, MD. Faithful Circle Quilters. Hawaiian quilting presentation and Hawaiian quilt design class.
- June 27-29, Medford, OR. Nancy will be vending at the Mountain Stars Biennial Quilt Show.
- August 1-3, Newport, OR. Nancy will be vending at the Oregon Coastal Quilters Guild Quilt Show.
Register early for classes. They can fill quickly, or be canceled if not enough people register in advance.
Click CALENDAR for details and contact information.
Academy of Quilting
If you do not live where you can take a class from Nancy in person, then perhaps an online class at Academy of Quilting would work for you.
Academy of Quilting brings you the joy of learning quilting, applique & patchwork in the comfort of your home with online classes. Nancy's next classes begin:
- June 27, Hawaiian Quilting 101
- July 18, 2 Fabric Applique Quilts
- August 22, Beginning Hand Quilting
- September 26, Baltimore Basics
- October 31, Make Your Own Hawaiian Quilt
Schedule Nancy now for your show or event in 2014, 2015, and beyond. If you would like her to come to your area to teach, let your quilt shop, quilt guild, or show organizer know. Print Nancy's Brochure and pass it along.
Piggy-backing is good!
Nancy is always eager to teach or speak at more than one location when she travels. If she is able to book multiple events, then each group shares in her travel expenses. So it is just an economical and efficient way to book. If you see that Nancy will be anywhere near* you, then contact her to see if additional engagements can be arranged during the same trip. That way EVERYONE WINS!
NOTICE: Nancy will be teaching in Arlington Heights, Illinois March 19-21, 2015. If you would like her to teach or speak at your guild or shop between March 13 and 18, please send her an email.
NOTICE: Nancy will be on the east coast (US) from April 9-11, 2015. Contact her if you would like her to teach or speak at your guild or shop right after the 11th.
*Remember, Nancy is traveling from Oregon. So near means that if she will be in Florida even Virginia is near. Think regionally. |
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Thank you for spending a little of your precious time with us, we really appreciate it. Remember to send us your stories, pictures, questions, or suggestions. We love to hear from you.
A hui hou,
Until next time,
Nancy & Janice
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