"Alex's Excellent (?) Adventure"-- What's A Mini-Zamboni?

The "glamorous" life of a professional quilter can sometimes be a bumpy ride.

Join us to see what happened to Alex while traveling to the Ricky Tims Super Seminar in New Orleans this past weekend.

Photo by Gregory Case Photography

Join the Fun: "From Doodles to Quilts" with RaNae Merrill
As a child, quilt designer, teacher, and author RaNae Merrill spent hours doodling on her favorite toy, a Kenner Spirograph. Obviously time well spent: nowadays, she begins each new quilt with a series of doodles and sketches. Join us (in Episode 1003) on location at the Onaledge B&B and Rockledge Country Inn (Manitou Springs, CO), where RaNae shows a sampling of her signature spiral and mandala quilts, and then shares her design process and unique foundation-piecing method.

For the grand finale, RaNae, an accomplished pianist, treats us to a selection by J. S. Bach, and innkeeper Maureen Hance conducts a tour of the circa-1890 Rockledge Country Inn.

Free to Star Members! Why Quilts Matter: Part 2
Don't miss this exciting and informative nine-part series that takes viewers on a journey into the importance of quilts in American culture.

Shelly Zegart is the host (and executive producer) for this comprehensive and entertaining documentary, and TQS wants you to "travel" along.

Part 2 of Why Quilts Matter: Quilts Bring History Alive is available free to Star Members now through March 31.

This is a gift for Star Members, so be sure to sign in.

Each week a new episode will be presented:

Episode 1 - Quilts 101 - Antique and Contemporary Quilts
Episode 2 - Quilts Bring History Alive
Episode 3 - The Quilt Marketplace
Episode 4 - What is Art?
Episode 5 - Gee's Bend: "The Most Famous Quilts in America?"
Episode 6 - How Quilts have been Viewed and Collected
Episode 7 - Empowering Women One Quilt at a Time
Episode 8 - Quilt Nation - 20,000,000 and Counting!
Episode 9 - Quilt Scholarship: Romance and Real

Quilt Designs in Iron

Alex's artist's eye was amazed at the colors and designs in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

She bought a street painting and was enchanted by the original ironwork.

Hear the sounds of New Orleans and see your future quilt designs in this slideshow.

Yippee! BOM "Fizz" Kits Available!

Don't miss your opportunity to join in the 2012 BOM fun! Avoid the time and effort of gathering just the right fabrics by letting the Shoppe do the work for you.

Jeannie has been cutting like a fiend to prepare a limited number of beautiful, ready-to-ship "Fizz" fabric  kits. Don't wait too long! These kits are going fast!

The people at the New Orleans Super Seminar fell in love with the "Fizz" colors.

Make a "Star Belly" Sampler with Alex

Brush up on your piecing skills by taking a three-day class with Alex at Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore, CA, Feb 21 through 23.

You'll learn how to use fantastic fabric combinations along with a variety of piecing techniques.  These methods will give a new excitement to your stars.

This fun and informative workshop (which includes lunch each day) is sure to fill up fast, so sign up today.