Karla Alexander Slideshow - Episode 603

It's time to take a peek behind the scenes of Episode 603 where you can learn to do the "block shuffle" with Karla Alexander author of the best-selling Stack the Deck book series.  Karla will demonstrate how she creates and alters blocks to give them a unique twist.  Also on hand is Bernina pro Gayle HIllert who will show our members how to use decorative stitching to embellish clothing that can be adapted for use on quilts.

To sneak a look, click here.

TQS Contests
Don't forget to enter the latest TQS contests.  Are table runners your cup of tea?  Or do your tastes run to expressing yourself on the freeway?  Currently underway are two TQS contests.

License plates are an opportunity to tell the world about your interests while traveling on the road.  And quilting is no exception.  We found lots of clever plates while recently visiting the Road to California show.  This gave us an idea, why not see what other "quilty" license plates are out there.  So, we are giving you a chance to win a TQS goodie bag. 

We'd love to get photos of license plates, or their frames, from all over the world that expresses  creativity when it comes to quilting and travelling the open highway.  It does not have to be your license plate, if you see an interesting one in your dentist's parking lot, take a photo and submit it. If you'd like more information on the contest and to see a few examples, click here.  The deadline for submission is February 2, 2010.

Or, perhaps you want to express your creativity in a more "quilterly" manner, such as creating anoriginal table runner? Then, you need to enter the Spring Table Runner Contest.   Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three contestants and your creation will be published on theTQS website.  The deadline for submission is March 1, 2010.  For more information and contest rules, click here.

"Spring's Counterpoint" by TQS member pattheclarinetist

The Quilts of Carol Doak
Carol Doak, world-renowned (and world-traveled) quilter, author, and teacher shares with TQS a number of her delicious quilts from her books Mariner's Compass Stars and Simply Sensational 9-Patch Stars. Take a look at the results from her "can't miss" foundation-piecing methods.

Push Play to enjoy Carol's amazing quilts.

Top 100 Puzzle - Hollis Chatelain - Sahel

This quilt by Hollis Chatelain was created with hand dye-painted fabrics and machine quilted.  It measures 80" x 60" and depicts the Sahel region of the Sahara Desert where trees are scarce. We've added a few more pieces to the non-rotating puzzle this week.  Click on the puzzle to give it a try.

For those of you who have asked about a website showing off the quilts, I don't believe one is available.  However, there is a book, 20th Century Best 100 American Quilts, which can still be found on Ebay.  There is also a PBS video, A Century of Quilts:  America in Cloth, which can be found at www.pbs.org.

Punxsatawney Phil 

A Pennsylvania German custom began in the 18th century which had its origins in ancient European weather lore.  While this sounds very high-falutin', we're really just talking about Groundhog Day. It is celebrated in the US and Canada on February 2 and is said to determine the end of winter. Punxsatawney Phil the Groundhog has become the face of weather prognostication and is quite a celebrity in his own right.

Click here, and watch the furry rock star.