Alliance for American Quilts Unveils 2010 Contest
The nonprofit Alliance for American Quilts has just announced the theme of its 2010 quilt contest, "New From Old." This will be the fourth annual contest for the organization, whose mission is to document, preserve, and share the stories of quilts and their makers. 

Here are the major details:
Quilt size:  16" square
Deadline:  May 31, 2010
Grand Prize:  Handi Quilter HQ Sixteen Quilting Machine for Sit-Down Use

As in previous contests, the Alliance encourages a free interpretation of the contest theme. "New From Old" could refer to a new quilt made from a traditional pattern or a quilt made from vintage fabric or fragments of an old quilt. The theme also might be interpreted personally or metaphorically, depicting anything or anybody who has been re-invented and/or re-imagined. Be playful!

The top prize, valued at $5,000, is a major prize, especially for producing such a small quilt. The other prizes are also noteworthy, and include a huge gift basket filled with goodies from sponsors including TQS, Moda, and Simplicity Creative Group. Second prize is Electric Quilt software, and third is a basket with items from sponsors including River Silks and C&T Publishing. Learn more about the prizes and contest here. From there, you can click on the contest page and download an entry form. Contest quilts become the property of the Alliance, which will auction them off on eBay next fall.

There are many benefits to entering, even if you don't win a prize. Not only are all contest quilts displayed on the AAQ website, but they will be touring to several major quilt shows, including the NQA (National Quilting Association) Annual Quilt Show in June and the AQS (American Quilter's Society) Show & Contest in Knoxville, TN in July. After the contest, all entries will be exhibited permanently on the Quilt Index, a much-lauded database of 50,000 quilts run by the Alliance in cooperation with Michigan State University. 

In addition to knowing that your quilt will be preserved for the future, you'll be helping to preserve and grow a dynamic, educational, and inspirational organization for everyone who loves quilts.

Joe and Julie's Next Adventure
Sunday, January 31, 2010
10:00 am-3:30pm

If you didn't have a chance to join Julie Silber and Joe Cunningham for adventure #1, which took place in December, here's your chance to catch these two dynamic individuals for what promises to be another exciting day of "crazy" fun and learning at the San Jose (CA) Museum of Quilts and Textiles. The line-up of presenters is something you don't want to miss. 

Guided Tour of the "Still Crazy" Quilt Exhibit
Julie Silber presents "Crazier Yet:  A Trunk Show of More Antique Crazy Quilts"
Joe Cunningham presents "Using Crazy Ideas:  A Timeless Concept" Old & New Quilts
Barbara Brackman presents "Clues in the Calico"

Lunch and museum admission are included. Space is limited, so sign up soon!  For more information on the event click here. 

For those of you not able to attend, we would like to share some of the lovely quilts in the "Still Crazy" exhibit. Enjoy the images that our own Mary Kay Davis took on a recent visit to the museum. To see the quilts, click here.

Spring's Counterpoint by TQS member Pattheclarinetist

Enter TQS Spring Table Runner Contest
How would you like to like to win money for your original quilted creation? TQS is offering the chance for you to enter and win the first of three seasonal contests. We're kicking things off with our Spring Table Runner Contest. To find out the rules and what you could win, click here. 

Get That Space Organized!
Does the thought of attacking that "black hole" you call a quilt studio make you shudder? Keeping all your tools, fabric, patterns, and other quilting items organized can be an overwhelming challenge. Take a stroll through TQS Legend (Episode 513) Libby Lehman's studio and office to learn how to organize from an organizational pro. While both her studio and office are relatively small rooms (14' x 14'), Libby is a whiz at utilizing every square inch to make the space work to utmost efficiency. To learn how she does it, click here.

Tell Us About Your "Merry Band of Quilters" on The Quilt Life Blog
Some people might say that you and your small group of quilting friends are obsessed, but--in reality--you all just love quilting...and being together. Perhaps you've had a ritual for years of traveling together to one (or few) favorite quilting events, or perhaps you attend a different event every year. What are your group's favorite quilting destinations? Do you all wear something--a hat, a badge, a T-shirt--that identifies your group? Tell the world about your merry band of quilting diehards, in 100 words or less, at The Quilt Life blog here.

Start Stitching for Summer 
Get ready for summer by stitching up this lovely Butterfly Quilt designed by Alex Anderson. The kit--which includes fabric for the top and binding, and rickrack trim--is ready and waiting to "wing its way" to you. Additional fat quarter packs also are available at a disounted price. To find this and other summery projects, visit the Shoppe here.