We recently had the opportunity to catch up with Cindy Needham, show 202, to see what's going on in her life - as usual she amazed us with her incredible stamina.

TQS: What are you doing these days?

Cindy: I've been teaching more than ever now, which is absolutely the best! Traveling and teaching has to be one of the more exhausting things I've done, but it is also the most rewarding.

TQS: Where can our members find you in the coming months and what will you be teaching?

Cindy: It seems that I've been teaching everywhere lately! In the past, my teaching was limited to California, but this year has allowed me to get my feet wet. I've been teaching and speaking for Superior Threads, as well as conducting my own Wholecloth Linen Quilt workshops and guild trunk shows. I have been invited to teach at Sisters Quilt Show, Quilting in the Pines, Houston Quilt Festival, Asilomar, Quilting in the Garden, and Road to California.

My newest "project" is hosting my own quilting retreats at Richardson Springs here in Chico, California. It is something I've always wanted to do, and this will give me opportunity to spend oodles of time with my students on a "non-teacher" basis to spoil them all rotten.

TQS: How does teaching at a retreat differ from a class at a shop or guild?

Cindy: When you are teaching at a shop the class will last for a day or two and often times you are able to establish a relationship with many students who return for future classes. You have the opportunity to watch their skills grow and develop and celebrate their victories. When you teach at a retreat, the students in your class have often waited a year or more to attend and are very jazzed about being there. You only have a few days to inspire them and make a memorable impact on their quilting. It's fun to do special things and spend a little more time with each one.

TQS: We heard that you are going to be featured in American Quilter Magazine.

Cindy: I'm very excited about this feature. I have been a subscriber and admirer of this magazine for years. Of course I couldn't make it easy on myself and use a quilt that was already done! I found a beautiful cutwork tablecloth, layered it on pink Dupioni silk and quilted the devil out of it. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

TQS: Tell us more about your Retreats at Richardson Springs and what a student could expect.

Cindy: The retreats are being held at Richardson Springs in Chico, California which is a beautiful old hotel about five miles back in a canyon. It was built back in the 20's and has so much charm and history. Everyone brings whatever project they want to work on...even if they just want to "veg out" and work on absolutely nothing...it's legal to do so! I have invited two teachers to teach morning and afternoon workshops which leaves me free to spend lots of time with everyone and give help wherever needed. We even get an old fashioned campfire and marshmallow roast at night.

TQS: How can a Guild contact you for a trunk show?

Cindy: I LOVE doing trunk shows. They are popular as the quilts are encouraged to be fondled and checked out. You would contact me by email at linenqltr@comcast.net or cneed1934@aol.com. I only open emails that have "quilting " in the subject line.