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CURRENT
INTERNET SPECIAL
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Seahorse
2 Fabric Applique Quilt
Sale Price: $10.00
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How To:
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Quilt Labels:
Do you have a favorite process to create your quilt labels? My process involves my camera, computer, inkjet printer and inkjet printable fabric sheets. The inkjet fabric sheets differ slightly depending on the brand you use, and I do not have a favorite brand. There are different fabrics available in the sheets. I have tried to use the silk sheets just because I love the feel of silk, but I would not recommend them, the colors are not as bright and they are more difficult to sew to the back of your quilt (they like to slide around). Be sure to follow the instructions for the particular brand you choose. As I am planning my label I like to include an image of the quilt or something that is important to the quilt, the name of the designer, maker, and quilter. Because it sometimes takes me quite a while to complete a quilt. I usually include both the start and finish dates.  My favorite label so far is my Amelia Earhart quilt label for the SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) Oregon show of Notable Women. This label is very special because as I was completing the quilt my grown son, who was visiting at the time, drew a picture of Amelia while he was home, so I scanned the drawing and added it to my label. Another important thing I do for the PRQC display quilts is to put a picture of the pattern cover on the label. This makes sure all of the information that should always be with a quilt stays with it. What are some of the creative ways you label your quilts? Share with us on Facebook.
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CRUISE TO HAWAII WITH NANCY
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15-day Hawaiian Quilting Cruise
March 10-25, 2017, We are very excited to announce that Nancy will be teaching a 4-day Hawaiian Wall Quilt workshop on the way from San Francisco to Hawaii, and a 3-day 2 Fabric Applique Quilt workshop on the return trip aboard the Grand Princess.
For details and reservations contact: Janet St Peter, with Exquisite Travel Adventures. Her number is: 775-781-8951
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Customer Question
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Marking a 2FAQ pattern onto dark fabric
Q: "I will be using dark fabric for the applique on a 2FAQ and was wondering how you would suggest I get the pattern transferred to the dark fabric, since using a light box or window wouldn't work. I thought of tracing the pattern on fusible web and then fusing it to the wrong side of the dark fabric (reversing the pattern) and cutting it out that way. Is there an easier or better way?"
A: Please do not do anything that would put the pattern lines on the back of your applique fabric.
The way we mark very dark fabric is to use Pattern Transfer Paper (PTP). This is like carbon paper, or dressmaker's transfer paper. With this you lay the applique fabric right side up on a hard surface, put the coated side of the PTP down on top of the applique fabric, then put the pattern on top of that. Then just trace the pattern lines with a dull pencil - very easy!
For your first time with these patterns, please read and follow the instructions. In brief, you are marking the entire pattern on the right side of the applique fabric; then baste the "A" shapes as a full piece of cloth to the background fabric. After it is basted, cut on the lines marked from the pattern. You can see that if your markings were on the back of the applique fabric this would not work. The beauty of this method is that all the big and little pieces are basted in place before you cut, so nothing is lost, stretched or distorted and no puzzle about where to place the many pieces!
Our PTP sheets are 18" x 24", making it easy to mark half the quilt then just slide the paper to mark the second half of the quilt. Some people use 2 sheets together to mark without having to move the PTP. Other products that do the same thing are Chacopy or Saral, they are just much smaller sheets. Our product is made by, and the same as Saral, but we have it made into larger, easier to use sheets.
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ACADEMY OF QUILTING WITH NANCY LEE CHONG
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On-line and on demand
If you don't live where you can take a class from Nancy in person, check out Academy of Quilting where Nancy's classes are all "on demand." That means you can take Nancy's classes from anywhere at any time you want.
Here is a list of her classes. Check them out:
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With new leaves emerging many, of us are renewed, and this often leads to a desire to clean house or clean our studios and sewing rooms. As quilters I think we all  have substantial fabric stashes... I know I do. How about you? As I sifted through my fabric I discovered a few pieces of hand-dyed fabrics that I have been saving for that SPECIAL project and they happen to be Janice's hand dyes. These are pieces I purchased before I acquired Pacific Rim Quilt Company, so I have had them for a while. What in the world am I waiting for? I need to use them. Do you have some special fabrics that you are hanging onto for that special project? If you do, it is time to use them!
Nancy has a full schedule of classes this summer, all over the country. If you have wanted to take a class from the best applique teacher this may just be a good time to do it! Meanwhile, I will be vending in Minnesota for the first time, followed by shows in Medford, OR and San Diego, CA. We are both looking forward to seeing many of you this summer!
(Check our Calendar for more details.)
Mahalo, Connie |
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SEAHORSE: 2 Fabric Applique Quilt Pattern
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Fascinating little creatures
Seahorses are fascinating little creatures. In preparing to write this month's newsletter I decided to read a bit about them. Some of the facts I had heard and others surprised me. Did you know they mate for life, and the males have a pouch in which they carry the eggs until they hatch? Now wouldn't that be a switch if humans were that way. I am afraid our species would have died out a long time ago. Sorry, I am getting off track.
When I saw seahorses at the Oregon Aquarium I was shocked at what lousy swimmers they are. They anchor themselves to coral or grasses with their prehensile tails, and can stay in one place for days. These charming, unusual little creatures capture our hearts and our imagination.
While in Kona, HI, Nancy had the opportunity to visit the "Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm". The farm raises seahorses for domestic aquariums, so poachers lose their customers and leave the seahorses in the ocean. She also let me know that the seahorse in our pattern is a male. Wouldn't this make a perfect wall hanging for a new baby or in a child's room?
Seahorse, 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.
We have many suitable Fabric Packs for this quilt. Remember you can choose any 2FAQ Fabric Pack to go with any 2FAQ pattern, or mix and match to get the look you want.   Seahorses are found in an astounding array of colors, don't be limited by our color choice. Choose your own!
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LILIES OF THE VALLEY: Hawaiian Patterns
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The flower for May
 May's birth flower is the Lily of the Valley, and it just happens to be one of my very favorite little flowers. When I was a child they grew alongside our house in a nice shady spot. When I would go out the back door in the Spring their perfect little tiny bell-shaped flowers would smell so good. Ahh, what a wonderful memory!
The Lily of the Valley symbolizes sweetness, purity and hope. They say if this is your birth flower you are a beautiful person, known for your practical side. What a lovely sentiment for all of those born in the month of May. I must say I have some friends and family with May birthdays and I agree with everything except the practical... just sayin'... ;-)
This Lilies of the Valley quilt was made with a special one-yard piece of hand-dyed fabric for the background. Now, imagine it with one of your special pieces of fabric. Stunning!
Lilies of the Valley, Hawaiian Quilt pattern, 36" x 36", plus a co-ordinating 21" block pattern. $12.00. Purchase yours here.
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SWING DANCE: Applique Border and Runner Pattern
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Versatile Pattern
Swing Dance is a pattern with so many uses and endless creative design possibilities. Consider it as a stand-alone piece on your table; above or next to a door; or at the foot of your bed. But there is more! It would make a great border around a pieced quilt; or it could be very fun as a strip on just one side of your quilt. I love asymmetrical quilts. 
And still more! Imagine it with various colors as the waves; or use a fabric that grades from dark to light for the applique, maybe even put it on the same graded fabric, just rotated so opposite colors or values are behind the applique. See what I mean... The more you look, the more creative the ideas become. What would you like to do with this one? Share on Facebook  your ideas, or better yet, if you used this pattern in a quilt post a photo.
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OVERCOMING OBSTACLES: Let Loose! Soar...
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Part 10, last in our Creativity Series
For the past nine months we have considered Creativity from many different angles. Here are the general topics we have considered: - Discontinuity: Stimulate your creative juices
- Kick-start your creative process: Move out of your Comfort Zone
- Characteristics of Creativity
- The Creative Process: Five Steps
- The Creative Process: Motivation and Preparation
- The Creative Process: Incubation, Illumination, Implementation
- The Ambience of Creativity
- Creative Manipulation
- Evaluating your creative ideas
And finally, - Overcoming Obstacles
 To really take wing and fly creatively we need to be light and free; unburdened by obstacles that hold us down and prevent us from being as creative as we want to be. How do we get from where we are to where we want to be? What are some of those obstacles and how can you overcome them? Our goal now is to identify the things that hold you back and develop strategies to move you forward. -
Mental barriers
- Victim of negative self-talk
- Harboring unrealistic expectations
- Unwilling to break out of familiar routines and habits; taking refuge in the safer status quo
- Fear of failure, discomfort, looking foolish, making mistakes, or being rejected
- Don't want to waste valuable materials and resources
- Beliefs about right vs. wrong and that play is frivolous
Strategies: Turns out our biggest obstacle is our own negative  self-talk. Begin today to practice new responses to your mental barriers: Turn "I can't do that" into "I can't do that yet." Or try: "I've never done it before, but I can learn." Or, "If other normal people can do that, so can I." Remember when you tried something new once and it didn't work as you imagined, you didn't like the results. Did you say "I'll never do that again" and quit. Or did you tell yourself "It didn't work that time" and tried again after modifying some variables? It's interesting that as we learn to tame our negative thinking, we suddenly find solutions to other obstacles and are set free to create. -
Physical limitations
- Differing abilities
- Lack of skills
- Inadequate space
Strategies: Explore alternative ways of doing things. There is more than one way to do everything. Take classes, read books, watch videos, join or form a group of people with similar interests. Share creative space with a friend. Good organization is generally the best way to utilize small spaces and save time. Don't like to waste time searching for things? Then organize the clutter. Find creative energy in chaos? Then relax with your clutter. Do what suits you. -
Time constraints
- Competing needs for our time and attention
- Don't want to waste time on things that are unsuccessful
Strategies: If having time to be creative on a regular basis makes you a happier person to be around then make time to create. The obvious is to prioritize what is most important to you. Less obvious, if you just can't find time to be artistically creative then do what needs to be done more creatively. Take pleasure in all the little things you do all day long that bring beauty and pleasure to you and those around you. Give yourself credit for all the creative things you do every day; don't beat yourself up over what you don't have time to do. -
Financial restrictions
- Competing needs for limited financial resources
- Don't want to waste valuable materials or buy un-needed tools
Strategies: It doesn't take money to be creative. Consider that perhaps we are the most creative when we have the least. Trade, barter, share tools and materials with friends and family; shop for used tools, equipment, and materials. Creatively reuse and recycle.
10 more tips to overcome obstacles: - Make it fun. Be outrageous. Explore alternatives.
- Be creative in every aspect of life. Avoid ruts and change-up routines.
- Approach every obstacle as a creative problem-solving opportunity.
- Put a fire in your belly. Have a passion, feel the urgency.
- Put a lion in your heart. Have courage, believe in yourself.
- Get going. Develop and hone your skills; put yourself in a position to win.
- Get rid of excuses.
- Turn the negative self-talk into positive affirmations. Convince yourself you are good.
- Be persistent. See yourself as being creative. Believe yourself to be creative and you will be.
- Talk to people you see as creative. Find out what and how they do what they do; how do they see themselves; what drives them to create?
A few great resources:
- You are never too old to play. Go play at Crayola.com. Start with these two pages: "Importance of Creativity" and "52 Creative Weeks"
- Whether you want to design a Hawaiian quilt or not, get your hands on our book and DVD Design Your Personal Hawaiian Quilt. Then, don't just look at the pictures, but read it, and watch the DVD. Spend time with it; let the inspiration wash over and envelop you. Just immersing yourself in the creative process will take you places you could never have expected, imagined, or dreamed of.
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And finally, re-read this series of articles. You can find a complete compilation, here on our How-to and Ideas page.
Our wish for you is that you experience the sheer joy of being creative. Believe in yourself, take wings and fly. Soar high!
Remember, keep sharing photos and stories with us. We want to see what you are creating!
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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 Event
- 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 7, Yelm, WA. Gee Gee's Quilting, Inc. Nancy will be teaching Hawaiian Applique.
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July 11-12, Sandpoint, ID. Panhandle Piecemakers. Nancy will be teaching Chong Way to Applique, Hand Quilting and speaking.
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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
- Aug 16, Sevierville, TN. Nancy will be teaching 2 Fabric Applique
- Aug 24, Yelm, WA. Gee Gee's Quilting, Inc. Yes, Nancy is teaching here again, Hawaiian Applique.
- Aug 30, Anacortes, WA. Come for one of Nancy's Applique Mystery classes, Mysterious Merry-go-Round. (if this sounds like fun, consider hiring her to come and teach one of her four applique mystery classes.)
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Sept 31, San Diego, CA, San Diego 35th Annual Quilt Show at the San Diego Convention Center. Even more shopping and quilts.
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Sept 8-10, Medford, OR. Mountain Stars Quilt Guild. 2 Fabric Applique (a rare 2 day workshop) and Hawaiian Lecture with Nancy.
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Sept 23-24, Philomath, OR. Mary's River Quilt Guild. Nancy will be speaking and teaching 2 Fabric Applique.
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 or Maine is near. Think regionally.
Looking ahead, Nancy is returning to the Academy of Applique in Williamsburg, Virginia. Feb 27 - Mar 3, 2017. Contact Nancy if you live on the East Coast and want to schedule Nancy to visit your guild either just before or just after these dates.
And Nancy will be visiting the San Fernando Valley Quilters in California July 8-10, 2017. Let Nancy know if your guild would like to piggy-back with that trip.
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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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