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CURRENT
INTERNET SPECIAL
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Dragonflies in Flight
2 Fabric Applique
Sale Price: $10.00
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WHAT'S NEW
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Paradise:
Two Fabric Applique Quilt,
pattern, 24"x36". $12.00
We received our Hoffman Digital Print Fabrics last week. These fabrics are 100% cotton and are wonderfully soft. These are regular fabrics not batiks and printed with ink. We have two colorways available in Fabric Packs and by the yard. You will love these!
Pictured are a couple of samples I created using these wonderful fabrics as the backgrounds. 
Dragonflies in Flight:
Two Fabric Applique Quilt, pattern, 24"x36". $12.00
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I HAVE A NOTION
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Introducing you to the notions Connie and Nancy use.
Aurifil 50 weight Thread
Made in Italy, AURIFIL's Cotton, 50-weight / 2-ply thread is made from the highest-grade, long staple, 100% Egyptian cotton fibers. This gives the thread its high sheen, superior strength, and smooth almost fuzz-free qualities. The ideal thread for hand applique, machine piecing, machine quilting, and general sewing.
We find AURIFIL's 50-weight thread to be thinner and smoother than other manufacturers' 60-weight threads.
Aurifil 50 wt. Thread: $4.50 per spool.
Purchase yours here. We also carry the Aurifil Thread Card.
The best way to select thread colors is when viewing actual thread. This wonderful Thread Card has actual thread wraps of every Aurifil thread, taking the guess-work out of selecting your thread colors.
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NANCY'S CLASSES ON ACADEMY OF QUILTING
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On-line and on demand
Nancy's online classes at Academy of Quilting are now "on demand." That means you can take any of Nancy's classes any time you want. Here's how it works: Go to www.academyofquilting.com and click the ON-DEMAND button near the top of the page. You will see an alphabetical list of all the classes that are offered all the time.
Here is a listing of Nancy's on-demand classes. Check them out:
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| Making this heart was one of my distractions.
Happy Valentines Day! |
Do you become distracted when you are trying to get things done?
Staying on track and not getting pulled away from your task by ideas swimming around in your head is difficult at times. I was curious about this, so did a little research and learned some interesting things.
One of the articles I read suggested distractions make us more creative. Apparently research shows that when we are trying to make a decision if we take 2 minutes and do something different we are more capable of making the decision.
I feel that being creative requires a balance between distractions and focus. Distractions help us process our thoughts and focus helps us execute our ideas. This seems to hold true for me. In the past when I was seeking a distraction I would go clean something, sew or even move furniture. Now that I spend more time on my computer I find myself checking Facebook, email or researching something that leads to a hundred other things.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself when trying to decide when to focus and when to allow your mind to wander:
1. Does this task require 100% of your attention to
complete?
2. When does focusing stifle your creativity?
3. What time of day are you naturally most focused?
4. When are your distractions really just an avoidance
technique?
5. Are you most creative when you are
somewhat distracted?
What are your favorite distractions?
My daughter and I will be vending at the Quilter's Anonymous 35th Annual Quilt Show "Quilting in Paradise", March 11-13, in Monroe, WA. Janice will be joining us, too. Come see many of our quilt samples, shop, and visit with us!
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DRAGONFLIES IN FLIGHT: 2 FABRIC APPLIQUE QUILT
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Darting Distractions
Dragonflies are truly a welcome distraction. I love how they look when they flit around. The variety of sizes and colors are amazing.
There are many stories and much lore relating to dragonflies.
One says that if a dragonfly lands on you, you will receive excellent news from far away. Dragonflies symbolize a "cross" to some; where others think, like a butterfly, they symbolize change; and some believe they represent the sense of self that comes with maturity.
Native Americans believe that dragonflies are a symbol of renewal after a time of great hardship.
So, whatever they represent to you let's welcome them as a beautiful little distraction.
Dragonflies, 2 Fabric Applique Quilt, pattern, 24"x36". Normally this pattern sells for $12.00. For a limited time it is the Internet Special for just $10.00. Purchase yours here.
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CROWNING GLORY: RUNNERS AND BORDERS
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Creative Use of Runners as Borders
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| | Crowning Glory created using Hoffman fabric |
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.
All six of our Borders & Runners patterns include options for different lengths, from 18 inches (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!
Which border pattern and colors will you choose? 
Crowning Glory, Applique Quilt Borders and Table Runners, pattern. This is the 13"x72" version, $12.00.
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THE AMBIANCE OF CREATIVITY
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7th in our series on Creativity
If you have been reading along with our articles the past several months you may have tried several of our suggestions for stimulating your creativity. We imagine some of you are feeling the joy of creating new things, while others of you may feel a bit stymied, or stuck. No matter where you find yourself right now, we have even more suggestions to kick-start, or to continue stimulating your creative juices.
Above all, you want to be relaxed when creating. This is best  accomplished by orchestrating a suitable ambiance, mood, aura, or feeling in your creative space where your imagination is free to drift and explore. A place free of unwanted distractions, tension, fear, and frustration; full of energy, peace, and calm is your goal. The place itself is unimportant. It can be your studio, bedroom, living room, a park bench or your car. Consider all your senses. Fragrances, sounds, lighting, flavors and textures all contribute to an environment conducive to creating. Think flowers, incense, soft lighting, comfortable seating, tasty beverage, and soothing music. Preferably music without words, not even instrumentals of familiar songs. Words can be an unwanted distraction, constantly enticing you to sing along, rather than leading you to drift into unexplored territory.
The place you want to find is in your heart. Creativity flows from your spirit not your brain. You might think of this as being in The Zone, being Centered, or Inspired.
Here are a few things you may want to try in order to get, or stay, in The Zone:
- Sit quietly for a few minutes and relax, perhaps meditate or pray.
- Read something inspirational.
- Look at beautiful pictures, especially of nature.
- Play soothing instrumental music.
Forcing something to happen creates stress. If you become frustrated, take a break and try one of these:
- Call a friend.
- Take a walk.
- Run that nagging errand.
- Look at more pictures.
- Change the music.
- Write down the stray thoughts that keep interrupting you.
But, get back at it soon. Don't let the break become a diversion. You don't want to lose momentum. Remind yourself that you can do this. You can be creative.
Share with us on Facebook what your creative space looks and feels like. What helps to get you in The Zone? Next month we'll explore Manipulation. Fun stuff!
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DESIGN YOUR HAWAIIAN QUILT WITH NANCY LEE CHONG
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4-Day Event March 21-24, 2016
If you are coming from out of town, contact the people at Treacy Levine to make arrangements for extra nights.
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COMING EVENTS
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Connie & Nancy's Whereabouts:
2016 brings many opportunities to shop with Connie and learn from Nancy. Here are places where you can find one or both of us, 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:
2016 Shows, Classes, and Events:
- Feb 29-March 5, Williamsburg, VA. 3 classes with Nancy at Academy of Applique!
- Mar 11-13, Monroe, WA. "Quilting in Paradise" Quilt Show at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds. Meet me in Monroe!
- Mar 21-24, Mount Vernon, WA. Design and start your personal Hawaiian quilt with Nancy at the Treacy Levine Center March 2016 Quilting Event.
- April 1-2, Kennewick, WA. Tri-City Quilters' Guild
"Quilts for all Seasons" Quilt Show at the Three Rivers Convention Center. Shop till you drop!
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May 11-12, Orange Grove, CA. Orange Grove Quilters Guild. Hawaiian Applique Class with Nancy.
- May 14-15, Grants Pass, OR Rogue Valley Piecemakers "Starry, Starry Night" Quilt Show. Wow, more shopping
- June 3-5, North Carolina Quilt Symposium. Nancy will be teaching Hawaiian Applique, 2 Fabric Applique and Celtic Knotwork.
- June 9-11, St Cloud, MN, Minnesota Quilter's 38th Annual Quilt Show at the River's Edge Convention Center. The furthest east we will be in 2016, hope to see you here.
- June 15-16, Houston, TX, Hawaiian Quilting class and program with Nancy.
- June 24-25, Medford, OR, Mountain Stars Quilters Guild "Cherish the Old, Embrace the New" Quilt Show
- July 12, Sandpoint, ID, Panhandle Piecemakers. Nancy will be teaching Hand Quilting and speaking.
- July 13, Hope, ID, Clark Fork Valley Quilters. Learn 2 Fabric Applique from Nancy
- July 18-23, Kona, HI, Join Nancy for 5 days of workshops at Quilting on the Beach Summer Camp
Register NOW for classes. They can fill quickly, or be canceled if not enough people register in advance.
Schedule Nancy now for your show or event in 2016, 2017 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 Washington State. 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 hearing from you.
A hui hou,
Until next time,
Connie & Nancy
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