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CURRENT
INTERNET SPECIAL
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Cat Nap
2 Fabric Applique Quilt
Sale Price: $10.00
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I HAVE A NOTION
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One of my favorites:
Pattern Transfer Paper
Pattern Transfer Paper (PTP) is a very valuable and useful product. It is similar to old fashioned carbon paper, except with chalk. You simply place it on the right side of your fabric with your 2 Fabric Applique pattern on top and trace your pattern. No need for a light box. PTP is available in a convenient 4-pack which includes: white, red, blue and yellow, or you may purchase single sheets. Each sheet is 18"x24" so you only have to move once as you trace the pattern and you can use them over and over again.
Pattern Transfer Paper: Single sheets, $5.75. $20.00 for an assortment of 4 Purchase yours here.
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MULTI-COLOR HAWAIIAN QUILT
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A Beautiful Orchid Oasis:
In our September, 2015 newsletter we had talked about using several colors for your Hawaiian Quilts. I received an email with photos of this amazing quilt from one of our wonderful customers, Margaret Davis. I shared this on Facebook but if you missed it or are not on Facebook here it is:
Margaret was very successful in her use of 4 different applique fabrics on a dark background. What colors would you use for yours?
How To: Here is one easy way to replace leaves or blossoms with another fabric: Cut the entire design from a single fabric and lay it out on the background fabric in the usual way; use the paper pattern to cut the flowers (or other elements) from a different fabric; cut away the original flower or element and use it as a placement guide to position the differently colored piece in its place.
Take a look at our September Newsletter for a more complete description of the process. Share your creations with us on Facebook.
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NANCY'S CLASSES ON ACADEMY OF QUILTING
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On-line and on demand
If you do not live near where Nancy is teaching or cannot travel to take one of Nancy's classes, check out Academy of Quilting where her classes are all "on demand." That means you can take any of Nancy's classes any time you want.
Here is a listing of her classes. Check them out:
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In my travels this month I have been so exhilarated by all of you.  It was great to meet and visit with so many. As the month went along I spent a lot of time in the car traveling to Mt. Vernon and Kennewick, Washington, with trips back home to southern Oregon between events. One of the many highlights of the month took place in Mt. Vernon, Washington. For several months we have been sharing ideas with you to ignite your creativity. I am guessing some of you are still thinking, "I am not creative or artistic." But, I still don't believe that. I believe everyone is creative. And my belief in this was confirmed at Nancy's 4-day class, "Design Your Personal Hawaiian Quilt" last month in Mount Vernon, WA. I knew this class would be life-affirming for me, but of course it would be, it's my life! |
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I was inspired and amazed by the women I met and worked with. As in any class everyone was at a different place in their quilting journey. Watching Nancy connect with each student at their level and then bring them along was incredible. Her love and respect for Hawaiian quilting and it's traditions was infectious, and she drew each and every one of us into it with her! More than one student declared this class a life-changing event for them. Several times I overheard comments like these: "This is so exciting. It's like a whole new door opening." And, "It validates me as a designer, a creative person." Many had NEVER thought of themselves as creative and now know they are! Their creative quilt designs were wonderful and I can hardly wait to see them complete. As Picasso said, "Every child is an artist". Let's become that child again and create!
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CAT NAP: 2 Fabric Applique Quilt Pattern
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Daisies
Did you know the only place on earth where daisies do not grow is Antarctica?
Daisies have always found a spot in my yards. They are beautiful and very easy to grow. As a child, or even as an adult, have you ever pulled the petals off a daisy while chanting, "He loves me. He loves me not." I bet you have...
Our popular Cat Nap pattern features a lovely little kitty napping among the daisies. I think I would like to be napping right now.
Do you know someone who has a kitty they love? This would be the perfect gift. You can give it as a kit with one of our fabric packs or give it as a completed wall hanging.
Cat Nap, 2 Fabric Applique Quilt pattern, 24" x 36". 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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DELICATE BEAUTY: Hawaiian Patterns
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A bit of Hawaii
Yellow hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii. Hawaiian hibiscus is an ornamental flower, shrubs bear blooms almost every day, but the blossoms last only for a day even when on the bush. When Mark and I visited I was amazed at the variety of sizes and colors of hibiscus.
In Hawaii if you see a women with a hibiscus tucked behind her left ear, it means she is married, taken, has a significant other, or maybe just doesn't want anyone bothering her! If she wears a flower behind her right ear, it means she is single, available, and approachable.
Whatever attracts you to the hibiscus you can have it in your home to enjoy and admire.
Delicate Beauty, Hawaiian Quilt pattern, 42" x 64" $12.00. Purchase yours here.
DESIGN YOUR PERSONAL HAWAIIAN QUILT, DVD AND BOOK
If you have ever wanted to design your own Hawaiian quilt this is a great resource. Nancy and Janice have been designing and making Hawaiian quilts for over 30 years. Now, with this book and video, they teach anyone with the desire, how to design their own personal Hawaiian quilt. Join in the tradition of Hawaiian quilting and design your personal pattern. With their help, you can do it. If you can cut with scissors, you can do this. No special drawing or design skills required. Honest! Design Your Personal Hawaiian Quilt book and DVD by Janice Lee Baehr and Nancy Lee Chong. Only $45.00, get your copy here.
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IS THIS A GOOD IDEA? Evaluating your creative ideas
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Part 9 in our Creativity Series
For the past several months I've been hoping to inspire you to stretch your creative muscles. By now I hope you have several creative ideas or designs swirling around. So, this month let's consider how to evaluate your creative ideas or designs. You might think I am going to tell you what a good idea looks like. But I can't do that, only you can determine that for yourself. Instead, here is a list of questions to answer and thoughts to consider that will help you look at your creative idea or design, to see it from various angles, and determine its value to you.
- If it is still in my head: sketch it, write it down then look at it later. (Some people keep creative idea journals, others of us just have scraps of paper ...eh, everywhere!)
- Does this make me (happy), (satisfied), (fulfilled)?
- Is this a good or a great idea? Don't discard good ideas just because they may not be great.
- What does my gut tell me?
- Does this express my passion?
- Does this fulfill my objective?
- Will this be worth the effort?
- Are there any drawbacks?
- Is this interesting?
- Is there something here I can build on to make it even better? (Review the Manipulation techniques in Part 8 of this series.)
- Is this doable?
- Will this be fun for me to do?
- If this fails, what's the worst that could happen?
- If this fails, will I be able to salvage or build on part of it?
- Is the timing right?
- What assumptions am I making? Are they valid assumptions?
- What unnecessary limitations am I imposing?
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Have I been successful with anything like this in the past?
- If not, what is different about this idea that will make it more successful?
- If yes, is there a problem with this idea that I am blind to?
- Is this too much like everything else I do to be really creative?
- Am I afraid that because no one else has ever done this, I won't be able to either?
- What is stopping me from moving forward?
After you have answered these questions for yourself, you might ask someone else to answer them so you can see your idea from another point of view. When you realize that everyone you ask to evaluate your work will look at it with different eyes, through a different lens or filter, you will see there is no right or wrong. There are preferences, opinions, likes and dislikes - but no absolutes.
Notice that many of these questions urge you to move forward, adapt, alter, expand, or change your original or current idea. Creativity implies a door that is wide open to possibilities. Don't corral your idea too quickly. Keep your ideas swirling around in your imagination, keep making sketches, or making notes, don't be in a hurry, and enjoy the process. When you have multiple designs to consider choosing the one you like the best becomes easy.
So let go! Have fun! Stretch your creative muscles (of which you have many). If one idea doesn't turn out, try another, and another, and another. Who will be first to share their creative ideas on our Facebook page? Next month, the last installment in the series, we will look at obstacles that block our creativity and how to move them out of the way.
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COMING EVENTS
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Connie & Nancy's Whereabouts:
The Spring and Summer quilt show and travel season is shaping up! Make your plans now to shop with Connie and learn from Nancy in 2016. Here are places where you can find one or both of us, watch a presentation, take a class 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:
- April 27, Shelton, WA. Annie's Quilt Shoppe. Nancy will be teaching her 2 Fabric Applique class.
- April 30, Lynden, WA. Tangled Threads Quilt Shop. Nancy will teach the Chong Way to Applique.
- 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. Come shop and see our quilt samples in person.
- May 18, Yelm, WA. Gee Gee's Quilting, Inc. Join Nancy, she will be teaching Hawaiian Applique.
- May 21, Centralia, WA. Whelan Quilt Works, Nancy will be teaching the Chong Way to Applique.
- 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. WOW, more shopping!
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July 11-12, Sandpoint, ID. Panhandle Piecemakers. Nancy will be teaching Chong Way to Applique, Hand Quilting and speaking.
- July 13, Hope, ID. Clark Fork Valley Quilters. Learn 2 Fabric Applique from Nancy.
- July 19-23, Kona, HI. Join Nancy for 4 days of workshops at Quilting on the Beach Summer Camp
- 7/19, 2 Fabric Applique
- 7/20-21, Hand Applique Landscapes
- 7/22, Hibiscus Vase Hand Applique
- 7/23, Show, Nancy is the featured Quilter
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Aug 31 - Sept 3, San Diego, CA, San Diego 35th Annual Quilt Show at the San Diego Convention Center. Even more shopping and quilts.
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.
2016 Shows, Classes, and Events:
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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