Sometimes inspiration can come from the most unusual places - for instance when I was a little girl we would head up to the mountains to camp at a wonderful little lake - This cloth sample was made from memory. Fast forward - we recently went back to the lake for a party - and guess what? My memory did not fail me. Expose yourself to unusual treats - you never know where your next quilt idea will come from. Perhaps, for me, a little light bulb or cup cake quilt is around the corner! What is the most unusual inspiration you have used for a quilt?

Although not quilt related - my passion for the light bulb intensifies (as my quest for interesting fabric) grows as the search for the party continues. 

I got to thinking about the Livermore light bulb and decided to pursue the issue. Part one of two.

For the second time in less than one week, The Quilt Show has reached another milestone!  We are now 29,000 members strong Worldwide!  Our mission is to educate, inspire, entertain, connect and grow the world quilting community in a fun, positive and interactive environment!  And the FUN is catching on across the globe...TQS now has members in over 95 countries! 

Our next milestone is just around the corner at 30,000 members.  Let's see how fast we can get 1,000 new friends.  So keep telling your friends, your family, other guild members, and people you meet in your LQS about joining TQS.  You never know who else is a quilter unless you ask!  It's a New Day!  Everyday!

Here’s a creative recycling idea! The cardboard core of an empty fabric bolt makes a handy portable ironing board. Just wrap it in a thin towel, pin, and tote it to your next workshop.

Today the proud residents of Livermore CA celebrate the worlds longest burning lightbulb - a strong 107 years old!  Know one knows WHY this lightbulb has survived for so long, despite a move and a few power outages - perhaps it is because of a perfect seal and it's low wattage. What ever the reason - it continues to burn strong.  Does your city have any "interesting" factoids we need to know about? Inquiring minds NEED to know!

Speaking of National Teacher Day - Meet my daughter, Adair - or to her students, Miss Anderson. Although she does not consider herself a quilter, this visit to her school and class room makes me wonder. To learn more about the quilt in her class room make sure you are signed up for Series Three - In September you will discover the secrets of this quilt.

                                                                                    "Fatsia Japonica" by Millyka

On May 3, 2008, the TQS website hit another milestone....our 9,000 quilt is now posted in our TQS Quilt Gallery!  This quilt is titled "Fatsia Japonica" and showcases the beautiful leaves of the Fatsia plant.  Fatsias have leaves up to 12" (30 cm) on a plant that can grow up to 8 ft. tall (2.4 m). 

TQS member Millyka says "This is a result of a class I took with Jenny Bowker.  I loved the class as it pushed me out of my comfort zone."

Keep posting your quilts in the TQS Quilt Gallery!  Remember that it doesn't have to be one you made; it can be one you purchased or received as a gift! You never know, yours may be our next milestone quilt! To view this and other member posted quilts click here.

                                                                   Class Project by Students of "quiltedgentleman" 

Today is National Teacher Day in the United States.  It is a day when those individuals who spend so much time and effort are recognized for their hard work.  This quilt is a class project by the students in  quiltedgentleman's 1st grade as a donation for Relay for Life.  Each of the hands represents a student in the class.  What a creative way to include quilting, donation and art into a project.  This class is sure to learn a great deal by their combined efforts.

Each of us has had a teacher that left a lasting impression.  What tip or advice have you received from an instructor that has helped you with quilting?  If you are a teacher, what advice would you give to your students?

Detail of "Flora Bella" by Annie Smith                                                  Photo by Gregory Case

Annie Smith, Episode 209, will be our special guest in chat room "Featured Guest" May 7, 2008, at 5:00pmPacific/8:00pm Eastern.  Annie will share more tips on successful fabric selection when walking by all of the temptations at the fabric store.  She will also share how to achieve more accurate piecing precision in your quilts.  Join us for an hour of great fun.  And remember, if you cannot join us, you are always able to read the transcript of the chat.  Just click on Chat Transcripts and select Annie Smith-Fabric Selection/Piecing Tips.  To watch Annie's show click here.

When adding a sleeve to display your finished quilt, make the finished sleeve 4" wide, the size most commonly required for quilt shows. You may not be planning to show your quilt now, but you’ll be ready just in case—at a moment’s notice and without that frantic, last-minute flurry.

Debra Svitil, a part time elementary school teacher from Alpharetta, Georgia, was chosen to create a portrait quilt of First Lady Laura Bush.  The quilt was presented to Mrs. Bush on the occasion of the Congressional Club's 100th Anniversary Luncheon in Washington, DC on April 17, 2008.  It was commissioned by Alfredia Scott, wife of Congressman David Scott of Georgia and the chairperson of the event.

Mrs. Scott placed a call for designs to be submitted for her consideration through Arts Clayton Gallery in Jonesboro, Georgia.  Debra knew immediately that she wanted to create a piece that would honor Laura Bush, the individual, and highlight her dedication to furthering education - specificlly her idea that childre's reading is a gateway to further things.  She found the perfect quote from Mrs. Bush that embodied this ideology and built her concept for the quilt around that quote:

A love of books, of holding a book, turning its pages, looking at its pictures, and living its fascinating stories goes hand-in-hand with a love of learning.

She began by painting the portrait with fabric inks and paints.  She then quilted Mrs. Bush's head and shoulders using more than 30 different colors of thread.  Mrs. Bush's love of country is reflected n the overall background motif - a stylized stars and stripes from the American flag.  Having lived in Texas and knowing first hand the strong sense of identity Texans derive from their state symbols, Deb utilized blubonnets (the state flower) when making the stripes.  Woven among the bluebonnets are other symbols of Texas; Monarch butterflies, pecans, an armadillo and even a longhorn!

Deb was there for the presentation of the quilt and met Mrs. Bush.  She feels honored to have been chosen to create this piece of art for the First Lady. 

To visit Debra Svitil's website, click here.

Paducah, Kentucky, USA - The stunning international art quilt competition and exhibition, Expressions: The Art Quilt, is currently on exhibit at the Museum of American Quilters Society through July 8.

Ricky Tims curated the exhibit which had its initial showing in 2006 at Tims' Art Quilt Gallery and has toured the country for the last two years. The Museum is its last stop before these incredible quilts are returned to their owners. 

The topic and techniques used to create each presonally expressive piece was left solely up to the artist.  From abstract and stylized to photo realistic designes, with colors ranging from vibrant to subtle, these dazzling pieces are often purchased by private modern art collectors or added to museums.

With over 230 entries, quilters from across the United States and as far away as japan, Australia and Switzerland competed.  The final 63 were selected by Tims, Joan Hanley, a painter and sculptor and Katie Pasquini Masopust, art quilter and current president of Studio Art Quilt Associates.

Shown above is Tonal Meditations by Carol Krueger. 

Click here for more information about this exhibit at the Museum of the American Quilter's Society.