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CHRISTMAS SOCKS
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Just 5 months to go...
We are sorry to bring this up, but if you are wanting to have this adorable Christmas Socks quilt as a tablerunner, mantle runner, or wall hanging for Christmas, perhaps you should get started.
Get your pattern here. $12.00.
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WHAT'S NEW?
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FACEBOOK!
The activity on our new Facebook page is picking up! More photos are being posted and ideas are being shared. If you are on Facebook, we hope you will LIKE our page and join in the fun.
If you are not a member of Facebook you can still visit our page, see the photos and follow the conversations.
We will be sharing helpful ideas and links, and telling you about the shows we will be vending at.
Come visit and help us spread the word about Pacific Rim Quilt Company.
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I HAVE A NOTION
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Introducing you to the notions Connie and Nancy use.
Gingher 4 inch Pocket Scissors
Here are reasons why these scissors are one of Nancy's favorite things:
- Wear around my neck on a lanyard. The blunt tip never pokes holes in my clothes.
- A nice sharp blade for accurate cutting.
- Cut perfectly all the way to the very tip of the blades. (Scissors don't have to be pointed to provide a good cut.)
- Perfect for cutting the single applique layer on 2FAQ quilts.
- Because of the short blade and blunt tip I have been able to get them on US airplanes since 2003.
- Gingher will sharpen your scissors for a small fee. Last time I needed to have mine sharpened was 2002!
I have three pairs: one at my sewing machine; one in my Perfect Thread Bag when I travel; and one on a lanyard around my neck whenever I am stitching by hand.
You deserve an excellent pair of scissors for your applique. Get yours here. $26.00, and worth every penny.
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RARE OPPORTUNITY
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4-DAY HAWAIIAN QUILT WORKSHOP
Love Hawaiian quilts? Want to design and make your very own? Here is a rare opportunity you will want to take advantage of. Join Nancy Lee Chong at the Northwest TLC Fall 2015 Quilting Symposium for an in-depth experience in making Hawaiian quilts.
Spend two days designing your personal Hawaiian quilt, followed by two days of making Hawaiian quilts.
"The Treacy Levine Center is a premier destination for spiritual and personal growth. Located on 200 beautiful serene acres in the Pacific Northwest, we offer onsite accommodation, delicious meals and enriching programs. Everybody needs more TLC."
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When you look for inspiration for your next quilt, where do you look? What do you think about? Most of us look at photos and patterns of quilts, and at our current fabric collection.
What else do you consider?
I often make quilts that incorporate images of my favorite things; and as I design new patterns I will definitely create designs of your favorite things, too. Quilts make a wonderful pallet for showcasing the things we love. I would hazard a guess that nearly all of your quilts incorporate a few of your favorite things: colors, images, fabrics, patterns, and techniques. Am I right?
As I look at our existing patterns and work on designing new ones, I've done a bit of thinking about where this all began. It began with Hawaiian quilts. Definitely one of my favorite things! (Though, I must admit my Hawaiian quilt has taken a back seat to all the work in front of me!) Hawaiian quilting has always been an important part of Pacific Rim Quilt Company and it will continue to be. I promise.
It has been a wonderful first month as the owner of Pacific Rim Quilt Company.* I feel so very blessed to have purchased such an incredible company, one that has been run so well. I have some very big shoes to fill, but feel I am up for the challenge and I'm enjoying every minute of it. Thank you for your support during this transition and the kindness you have extended to me. Quilters are the very best!
Remember to watch our Calendar to see when Nancy will be teaching in your area, and to find where we will be vending at a quilt show near you! We hope to see you soon.
E komo mai,
Welcome,
Connie & Nancy
* If you missed our Big Announcement in the May e-Newsletter, you may want to go read it.
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| A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS | | |
Inspiration abounds
I am working on a new Hawaiian quilt pattern design to add to the wonderful selection we already have. While designing I find myself poring over my photos of Kauai from a few years ago. Reminiscing is so fun!
Around every corner something new, exciting and beautiful revealed itself. Consequently, it has been a challenge to narrow down my ideas for the next new Hawaiian quilt design. On the plus side, Hawaii provides unlimited inspiration, giving me ideas for many future quilts! The photos you see in this newsletter, and also posted on our new Facebook page, are just a few of my favorite things.
Speaking of inspiration, favorite things, and new patterns! I will be introducing FOUR NEW 2 Fabric Applique Quilts patterns at the Newport, Oregon, quilt show August 7-8. The new patterns will be on our website, in our next e-Newsletter, and on Facebook in August. I designed two of the new patterns, and Nancy designed two. We are so excited! You have been asking for these designs of your favorite things for years, we know you will be pleased.
Did you know we have over 75 applique quilt patterns to choose from? We are confident that among all these designs you can find at least one with an image of your favorite things! We have patterns with all manner of critters, flowers, architecture, holidays, oriental, and abstracts. You are sure to find a favorite amongst the variety. To see all our patterns on one page, go to the Applique Patterns page on our website. From there you can click any photo to go to that pattern.
 Remember: If you don't find exactly what you are looking for you can Design Your Personal Hawaiian Quilt using our book and DVD set. If you can cut with scissors, you can do this. No special drawing or design skills required. It is that easy!
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SEA TURTLES & DOLPHINS: Hawaiian Quilt
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Friends of the sea
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| | Dolphins along Na Pali Coast |
While on Kauai, Mark and I drove as far as we could around the island, then took a Zodiac boat trip along the breath-taking Na Pali Coast. While on the Zodiac curious bottle nose dolphins entertained us as they played for quite some time in the boat's wake. What a show! This is just one of my incredible memories.
I often hear people say that spotting a dolphin or swimming with a sea turtle is a favorite memory of time spent in Hawaii. Making quilts of our favorite things adds to the pleasure we feel when making the quilt, and then when viewing it for all the years that follow. Recalling pleasant memories is a great way to relax and to balance our hectic lives.
We have told you before, and want to remind you again: Hawaiian quilts are not difficult to make. The designs look complex and, yes, they do take time, but neither of those make them difficult. Here are the simple steps:
- Fold and press two fabrics into eighths.
- Mark the pattern on the folded applique fabric, and cut it like you would a paper snowflake.
- Unfold the applique onto the background, using the fold lines as guides, then baste.
- Needleturn all the applique edges.
- Sandwich the completed top with the batting and backing.
- Quilt.
- Bind.
- Enjoy.
That's it in a nutshell, or should we say a turtle shell? Relax, our patterns give more detailed instructions, and you can also watch Nancy as she takes you step by step through every step in close-up detail on our DVD: Hawaiian Quilting with Nancy Lee Chong. The video is wonderful for watching over and over again as you practice your stitching, and to give you the confidence you need to know you are doing each step correctly.
No need to try to imagine how to make one, you can watch exactly how to do it; from selecting fabric, preparing the fabric, cutting, basting, applique, quilting, binding, everything! Nancy also shares with you the tips she learned from her teacher, Luika Kamaka, that make the process relaxing, enjoyable and rewarding. What's stopping you from making a quilt of your favorite things?
Sea Turtles & Dolphins, 42" x 42". Normally this pattern sells for $12.00 For a limited time it is the Internet Special for just $10.00. Buy yours now.
Look here for Janice's hand-dyed fabrics to make this quilt.
And here for other Fabric Pack selections.
If you have already made this quilt, please post your photo on our Facebook page. We all want to see your quilt! You say you are not on Facebook? No problem, you can view our page even if you are not a member of Facebook. You can also see others' photos in the Gallery page on our website, and send us your photo via e-mail to post in the Gallery.
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| SUNSHINE - 2 Fabric Applique Quilts | | |
Summer Sun and Fun
 Another favorite thing of mine, Nancy's, and Janice's, is the Sunday Morning program on CBS - you guessed it, on Sunday mornings! If you watch it (and we recommend you do), you know that their logo is a sun, and between segments they feature photos of artistic suns created in every imaginable media.
Well, years ago, Nancy designed the Sunshine quilt pattern with the thought that one day it would be shown on Sunday Morning. Finally, after several years Nancy inquired, and was asked to send a photo of her Sunshine quilt to the program's "Sun Coordinator" for use on the show. We are so excited about the prospect of one day seeing Nancy's quilt on Sunday Morning. Of course, to see it you have to be paying careful attention, never diverting your eyes from the screen at the end of a segment or else you'll miss it. And we have no way of knowing when, if ever, it will be shown. And perhaps it already has appeared and we missed it....ah well.
But, the point is, if the sun is one of your favorite things, you can make your own! Heather MacDonald made this special Sunshine quilt to greet her students as they enter her classroom. We love it! Thank you, Heather, for sharing your photo with all of us!
Sunshine, 24" x 36", $12.00. Buy yours now.
Find a Fabric Pack here.
Take a peek. To see more Sunshine quilts made by our customers visit the 2FAQ Gallery.
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| HAWAIIAN QUILTMAKING STUDY | | |
A Unique Request
We recently received a very fascinating request and thought some of you would like to participate. The request came from Gayle Plessner, a licensed marriage and family therapist in California, specializing in grief, trauma and anxiety disorders. She works with people of all ages. She is also a doctoral student of Jungian depth psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, CA.
Gayle is currently conducting research about quiltmakers' creative processes when hand making Hawaiian quilts. Here is her description, and how you can help in her research:
"Hawaiian quilt making is a unique art form both in technique and execution; a soulful, transformational and spiritual pursuit for many. I am interested in how the hand making of Hawaiian quilts affects the person making them, from inspiration to completion; what personal changes may occur during the different phases of the quilt; and what effect Hawaiian quiltmaking has on your mood, outlook, and overall well-being. These are just a few of the questions I ask when gathering data.
"If you are interested in participating in my study, please contact me from now until the end of July, 2015, at gplessner@gmail.com. Participants will be asked to sign an informed consent via email that will give more information about the study and preserve the confidentiality of participants."
We hope many of you will contact Gayle and participate in her study. Don't be shy!
Mahalo
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COMING EVENTS
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Connie & Nancy's Whereabouts:
Want to meet Connie and Nancy, or take a class from Nancy in 2015? Here are the places where you can find one or both of them; watch a presentation at a shop or guild; or find us at a quilt show. Most guilds welcome visitors, so don't be shy.
Make your plans now for one or more of these events:
2015 Shows, Classes, and Events:
- July 23-25, Spokane, WA. Washington State Quilters. Two workshops and two programs with Nancy.
- August 7-8, Newport, OR. Oregon Coastal Quilters Guild "Quilts by the Sea" quilt show. Meet Connie & Nancy.
- Sept 21-25, Mount Vernon, WA. Quilt Conference at the Treacy Levine Center. A rare 4-day Hawaiian quiltmaking workshop with Nancy. (See side-bar at left)
- Sept 28-29, Hayden, ID. North Idaho Quilters. Hawaiian quilt program and workshop with Nancy.
- Oct 16-18, Spokane, WA. Washington State Quilters-Spokane Chapter "Vive la Difference" quilt show.
- Oct 21-22, Yakima, WA. Yakima Valley Quilters Guild. Program and Hawaiian applique workshop with Nancy.
- Nov 7 & 9, Kent, WA. Evergreen Piecemakers Quilt Guild. An applique workshop and Hawaiian quilt program with Nancy.
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. Here are the next start dates for Nancy's classes:
- July 24, Hawaiian Quilting 101
- August 14, Beginning Hand Quilting
- September 18, Baltimore Basics
- October 16, Make Your Own Hawaiian Quilt
- October 30, 2 Fabric Applique
Schedule Nancy now for your show or event in 2015, 2016, 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 really 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!
*Remember, Nancy is traveling from Oregon. So near means that if she will be in Virginia even Florida 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,
Connie & Nancy
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