Golden Quilter Awards - Vote for your favorite Nominees

"Nominations" are now closed and voting is open for the Golden Quilter Awards' Voting & Giveaway.  You can now vote for your favorite nominatees in the Golden Quilter Awards.   Votes for the winners will be accepted via email to SewCalGal or posting comments on this blog, whereby votes include one name per category of the Golden Quilter Awards.  Votes will need to be submitted to SewCalGal by Sunday, March 21st.  Winners of the Golden Quilter Awards will be announced on Monday, March 22nd! 

Thank you to everyone that took time to submit "nominations" in February.  Keep in mind that nominating someone is a separate step in the Golden Quilter Awards than voting.  You may actually prefer to vote for another nominee, than the one you may have originally nominated.

Drum Roll........Nominations for the Golden Quilter Awards 2010 include:

1) Nominees for Best Designer:
Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs  Bunny Tales
Art To Heart
Bonnie K. Hunter
Bonnie McCaffery
Carol Doak
Deb Karasik
Elaine Waldschmitt, of The Quilted Closet
Eleanor Burns, of Quilt In A Day
Indygo Junction
Janet Mednick
Jaybird quilts
Jinny Beyer
Joanna Figueroa, of Fig Tree Quilts
JoAnn Mullaly
Jo Morton
Judy Laquidara
Kaffe Fasset
Karen Brow (Java House Quilts)
Karen Cunagin
Kay Mackenzie of By Kay MacKenzie
Kelly Gallagher (JukeBox)
Lacey J. Hill  (Golden Thyme Designs)
Lisa More (Quilts With A Twist)
Lynette Jensen (Thimbleberries)
Mark Lipinski
Mary Lou Weidman
Nancy Schwalm (Garden Path Designs)
Nina Lise Moen
Nora McMeeking (Bella Bella Quilts)
Pearl Periera (P3 Designs)
Patricia Pepe
Patrick Lose
Piece O Cake Designs
Sarah Fielke  (The Last Piece)
Sharyn Craig
Tracey Brookshier

2) Nominees for Best Teacher/Instructor:
Alex Anderson
Becky Goldsmith (Piece O' Cake)
Betty Alofs
Bonnie K. Hunter
Carol Kaplan
Carol Miller (Quilt University)
Carrie Nelson (Miss Rosie's Quilt Company)
Caryl Bryer Fallert
Dena Crain
Fons and Porter
Fran Gonzales
Heather Mulder Peterson of Anka's Treasures
Jan P. Krentz
Jane LaFazio
JoAnn Mullaly
Karen Cunagin
Lyn Mann
Mary Ellen Hopkins
Mary Jane Ehlich
Mary Tabar
Melinda Bula
Nora McMeeking (Bella Bella Quilts)
Pamela Allen
Pearl Pereira
Peggy Martin
QuiltingArtsWorkshop.com
Ricky Tims
Sharyn Craig
Wendy Matthson

3) Nominees for Best Author:
Angie Padilla
Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins (Piece O'Cake)
Bonnie K. Hunter
Dina Pappas
Elaine Waldschmitt, of The Quilted Closet
Eleanor Burns, of Quilt In A Day
Fran Iverson Gonzalez
Frieda Anderson
Jan Krentz
Jane Hardy Miller
Jennifer Chiaverini
JoAnn Mullaly
Jo Parrott
Kaffe Fasset
Karen Sievert
Kay Mackenzie of By Kay Mackenzie
Kim Brackett,
Laura Lee Fritz
Laurie J. Shifon
Lily Marie Amaru
Marie Bostwick
Mary Hickey
Mary Lou Weidman
Melinda Bula
Nancy J. Martin
Nora McMeeking (Bella Bella Quilts)
Sara Diepersloot
Sarah Fiekle
Sharyn Craig
Susan Taylor Propst

4) Nominees for Best Quilt Store (Physical)
Country Loft, La Mesa, CA
Cozy Quilt Shop, El Cajon, CA 
Eddie's Quilting Bee (Menlo Park, CA)
Keepsake Quilt Co., Center Harbor, NH
Luella's Quilt Basket, Redondo Beach, CA
Pine Needles Sewing Center,  Cedar Rapids, IA
Quilter's Paradise, Escondido, CA
Quilt In A Day, San Marcos, CA
Quilts & Sew Forth, Mentor, Ohio
Rosie's Calico Cupboard
Satin Moon, Victoria, BC
Temecula Quilt Co., Temecula, CA.

5) Nominees for Best Quilt Store (online)
Alderwood Quilts
AllBrands
Clotilde.com
Cozy Quilt Shop
e-quilter
Fabric Shack
Fabric.Com
Fat Quarter Shop
Fat Quarter World
Hawthorne Threads
I Have A Notion (IHAN)
JuneTailor
Keepsake Quilting
Pink Chalk Fabrics
Prairie Moon Quilts, Macon, MO
Quilt In A Day
The Quilt Shoppe
This and That Fabrics
Webfabrics

6) Nominees for Best Long Arm Quilter
Al Hutchins, Quilt Artistry Studio, Fayetteville,  N.C.
Brenda Whitt, Escondido, CA
Carla Barrell, Feathered Fibers,
Judy Madsen, Green Fairy Quilts, Saint George, Utah
Laurie Daniels, Fox Creek Quilting, San Diego, CA   (Nominated during the nomination cycle, but SewCalGal overlooked until 3/5/10)
Michaelanne Gephart,  Flossie's Quilting, San Diego, CA
Paula Reid, Batts in the Attic,  Palmdale, CA (Nominated, but not a long arm quilter)
Tammy Spencer, Quilting Things For You, Ontario, Canada
Vivian Love , Quilts With Love, Yorba Linda, Orange County, California

7) Nominees for Most Innovative new product (physical item)
AccuQuilt
ArtBin Storage products
Jelly Rolls
June Tailor Creative Ruler
Lacy Hills' Sizzling Cirlce Ruler
Liquitex
Martelli's Ergonomic Rotary Cutter
Quick Points Ruler
Quilter's Review - Cutter-And-Ruler Combo Is Safe And Easy
Quilt In A Day - Flying Geese Ruler
Simplicity Bias Tape Maker
Snapware storage products
Tinlizzie18
Wrights' SideWinder Portable Bobbin Winder

8) Nominees for Most Innovated new product (software item)
Electric Quilt - EQ6
Electric Quilt - Quilt Design Wizard
Embird Software
Kaleidoscope Collections - Kreator 3
Inklingo

9) Nominees for Most influential person in the world of quilting to-date, aka "Lifetime Achievement".
Eleanor Burns
Pat at Silver Thimble Talk
Lorraine Millar (I will be sharing her story this coming week)
Alex Anderson
Bonnie Coleman
Nancy J. Martin

If you wish to participate in the Golden Quilters Awards Voting' March Giveaway, you can click here (link to be added later today) for more insight on this corresponding giveaway.  Points for those that participated in the Golden Quilters Awards "Nominations" Giveaway in February will automatically have their points entered in the Golden Quilters Awards Voting' March Giveaway.  Everyone can also pick up more points by "Voting" for their favorite nominee in each of the categories.  Additional points will be awarded for blogging about the Golden Quilters Awards Voting, posting a badge on your blog, and many additional ways to earn points.  They will be listed when the Golden Quilters Awards Voting March Giveaway is posted later today (http://sewcalgalcontestinfo.blogspot.com/ )

For more info on the Golden Quilter Award Nominations: http://tinyurl.com/ygqhayz

The winner of the Golden Quilters Awards Nomination February Giveaway  is  the Happy Cottage Quilter.


If you would like to read prior posts about the Golden Quilter Awards:   http://tinyurl.com/ykjmm4l

Again, you can email me your "votes" or post your "votes" in the comments section on this blog.  But votes need to be received by Sunday, March 21st to be counted as the winners will be announced on Monday, March 22nd..

Moving forward

Awhile back I joined a virtual group of quilters for a "Snowball" sew-along. There is a great group of quilters that have been participating in this sew-cial:  Linda (The Quilting Cat),  Andee (The Modern Diary), Barb (Bejeweled Quilts), Bekky (Quilts & Such), Cathy (Cat in the Sewing Room),  Cindy (Snippy Sews Sometimes), Hooks Pins & Needles,  Jen  (Cre8ative Quilter), Lori (Oodles of Noodles),  Lori R. (Projects & Such),  Michele (Barrels of Monkeys), Moneik (Moneik Quilts), Patti (Pieces of Patti), Regina (Bit N By A Quilting Bug), Tamera (Tamera Quilts),  Trish (Compulsive Quilting), Angela (so scrappy), and Val (Lofty Thoughts). 

Linda and Regina have coordinated this fun sew-cial.  While several participants have finished their snowball and nine patch quilt, there are several (like me) who are still working on their project. 

 Like many things in life, I'm probably going to be the last in this group to finish my snowball quilt.  I initially struggled with the decision to use a collection of fat quarters, a layer cake, or scraps in my stash.  I decided to use some scraps, that I wanted to "make work" with some cat fabric I had.  While I was waiting for my replacement laptop I was able to sew my blocks and put most of the top together....until I stitched over a pin and triggered my favorite sewing machine to stop working.  While this sewing machine is now in the shop, to have the "timing"  fixed, my new laptop arrived.

I've migrated all my data to my shiny new "red" laptop and am trying to load all my programs. And, I'm trying to learn the new features of the Win 7 o/s.  I do feel a bit slow on this computer, but it is nice to be back up and running again.  ....hopefully I'll be fully functional on this laptop (and on my sewing machine) very soon. 

Hope all is well with you!

Update from SewCalGal

From a PC perspective, I'm still borrowing PCs as my replacement PC has not yet arrived.  I'm tracking shipment information online and with luck, it will arrive tomorrow.

On the quilting side of life, I have my 730 packed up and ready to take in for servicing tommorrow.  I didn't pull a pin out before the needle hit.  I may have damaged the cam (very expensive).  It isn't picking up the bobbin thread.  Not sure how $$$ but this is another example where I want to remind everyone to remove pins before the reach the sewing needle. 

I'd like to remind everyone that I'm still collecting "nominations" for the Golden Quilter Award.  There are various categories that you can nominate someone, or a business, or product, to win an award. And, if you are in to contests & giveaways, by making a nomination you will also be entered to win a giveaway in February and in March.  To clarify, anyone that enters the Golden Quilter Award Nominations and Giveaway in February automatically has their points carried over to the Gold Quilter Awards in March (where your votes will select winners of the Golden Quilter Awards).

Anyone can nominate a candidate who has made a difference in the world of quilting. Key awards will be given for the following categories for 2009 that are the most inspiring :


1) Designer:
2) Teacher/Instructor:
3) Author: Most inspirational
4) Quilt Store (physical)
5) Quilt Store (online)
6) Best Long Arm Quilter
7) Most Innovative new product (physical item)
8) Most Innovated new product (software item)
9) Most influential person in the world of quilting to-date, aka "Lifetime Achievement".

If you haven't yet submitted your nominations, you can submit via email or by posting a comment on this blog.  Visibility to all announcements will be made March lst, when votes for winners of the Golden Quilter Awards will be accepted...and entries to a March Golden Quilter Awards giveaway will also be accepted.

Please help spread the word.  This is a great way to recognize your favorite quilt designer, teacher, authori, store, long arm quilter, favorite products, and the person whom you feel has influenced the world of quilting.  Your nominations can make a difference in providing recognition for those whom you feel deserve it! 

Negotiator Update

My PC Negotiator gave it his all, but concluded it wasn't worth the $$$ to pay for an on-going relationship with a two year old laptop (that had given me nothing but problems from day 1...and has been on strike more days than it has ever worked). 

Needless to say, I've fired that laptop.

As this laptop was made by a well known manufacturer, whom I had been loyal to for many years, at one time I would have really liked to have had this decision be a win-win.  But, I'll be honest, this particular laptop went on strike less than six months of service.  It was returned to the Manufacturer 3 times, plus at different times parts sent to me.  The Manufacturer could never repair it, and this laptop remained on strike until it went out of warranty and the Manufacturer refused to service it for the 4th time (never repaired for the other 3 times).  Fortunately I purchased this laptop with American Express, and they double the warranty.  The laptop was then shipped off to a different repair place who quickly repaired the unit (even though 3 visits to the original manufacturer could not fix it).  But now, at the two year mark, given a new reason for it to strike has happened I really don't see any reason to continue to work with it, or be loyal to the Manufacturer.  

I struggled with how to send the message, and hope I'm being polite.  But the conclusion is the same. I can't move on with this computer or manufacturer. 

Ultimately it looks like I'm going to have very limited access to the internet, until I can hire a replacement laptop.  Fortunately my PC Negotiator was able to give me a cool hardware tool, which contains the hard drive of my fired PC, for me to migrate data to my new PC.  Still, I know the migration process isn't easy and I still need to hire a replacement laptop.

Until I can get back up and running, my posts (and emails) will be limited.  I can borrow PCs, but I can't migrate all my files to these PCs, thus making it difficult to continue research and sharing insights.  But life goes on. The strike is over!  I've accepted it, and am actually happy to fire this particular laptop.  Now looking for a new brand to be loyal to!

In the meantime, please know I'm still accepting nominations for the Golden Quilter Awards, which I'm also hosting a giveaway.  Nominations will be accepted in February  via email or posting comments on any of my blogs.  For more information:  http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2010/02/golden-quilter-awards.html   In March, I'll announce all of the nominations and start accepting votes for the winners of a variety of categories.  And, in March, I'll have another giveaway in support of the Golden Quilter Awards.  Plus, those that like giveaways and enter in February your points will be carried over for the March giveaway.  Please help spread the word.  There are a lot of categories and all nominations (appropriate nominations) will be recognized.

Polka Dot Pineapple

I love reading Polka Dot Pineapple's blog.  Arlette (Lettie) is a talented woman and has created many delightful tutorials, of which I count many in my stash of asbsolute favorites. I'm particularly fond of her tutorials for making flowers.

I hope you'll pop over to Poka Dot Pineapple's inspirational blog! 

http://tinyurl.com/yjqsl7v

http://tinyurl.com/yhmjms9

 







http://tinyurl.com/yjobou4

My PC has gone on strike!

I've called in a negotiator (PC Technician) to determine if my PC and I can maintain a relationship much longer.  If we can not find a way to work together, I'm going to need to get a new PC.  In the meantime,  my posts are on hold.

This morning I started out my day happily reading other blogs.  Then I read Leah's post about Silver and Tough, at 365 Days of Quilting.  I sympathized as I know how painful it is to have a hard drive failure (I've had more than my fair share).  I also realized that it has been awhile since I've backed up my laptop.  But did I go off and back it up?  No!

After taking photos and getting ready to make a post, I attempted to turn on my PC multiple times.  Black screen each time, with loud beeps.  Reminded me of previous hard drive failures.   Needless to say, I'm now quite sorry I didn't back my laptop up this morning (or last week, or last month).  Well, I did recently back up my machine embroidery designs and have a good overall backup in early January.  Hymm.

So, I hope this motivates everyone to go backup your PCs and/or laptops tonight!

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day. 

I played with EQ6 and Kaleidoscope Kreator 3 this week.  I was wanting to learn how to import images in EQ6.  I started my lesson by using Kaleidoscope Kreator 3 to create some images (blocks) for this purpose.  I hope you like what I created and, if you haven't already learned how to import images to EQ6 that this will motivate you to give it a try (it is really easy).  And there are an endless number of images you an import and create quilts in EQ6. I just wanted to use Kaleidoscope Kreator 3 images for my exercise.  I also think Kaleidoscope Kreator 3 is easy, fun and makes fun Kaleidoscope images that also make for great EQ6 projects too!

I took the image above and very quickly created various "blocks" using Kaleidoscope Kreator 3.  I actually had so much fun, I created ~20 blocks (images) and could have easily created thousands of Kaleidoscope images!

Using EQ6, I imported my favorite Kaleidoscope Kreator 3 images (all of my creations were saved to *.jpg format) into my EQ6 photo Library.   Simple steps in EQ6 were:  click on Library from the main menu bar, click on photo library, click on import, click on from image files, select the image you want to upload to EQ6, click the open button and your image now appears in your imported results window.  You can then click on your image(s) and clck on the add to sketchbook button, where ou can now pull your images from your sketchbook to your blocks in EQ6!  Very easy.

After adding my imported images to my EQ6 sketchbook I was able to easily and quickly create this simple quilt design, using images that I had created using  Kaleidoscope Kreator 3 creations.

And, if I wanted to make actual an actual quilt that reflected these beautiful Kaleidoscope Kreator 3 blocks, I could simply print them via my inkjet printer on to Electric Quilt's inkjet fabric and then stitch out these printed fabrics to make the quilt. 

This exercise would also be easy to make a simple memory quilt, by importing photos of special memories.

Again, this was really an learning exercise to play learn how to import images in to EQ6.  If you haven't learned to do import images in EQ6, I hope you'll give this a try.    

You can also create Kaleidoscope quilts within EQ6, using a variety of different Kaleidoscope blocks where each  block allows you to select fabrics and colors for each piece of the block.  Where as, the Kaleidoscope Kreator 3 software allows you to take any image and turn it into a Kaleidoscope.  Insights shared in this post are an example of how these two software packages can be used to create a beautiful quilt.

I  hope to share insights with you, in the near future, on the Kaleidoscope designs within EQ6, as well as EQ's Kaleidoscope Collections software.

Valley Quilters' 30th Annual Quilt Show (aka Hemet Quilt Show)

To those living in Southern California, we frequently refer to the Valley Quilters Annual Quilt Show as the "Hemet Quilt Show".  This year is the 30th year for the Valley Quilters Quilt Guild to hold this delightful quilt show, which SewCalGal views as a "model" quilt show for other quilt guilds.  

Valley Quilter's guild members are well organized and hold a professional quilt show, full of beautiful quilts on display, in a range from traditional to artistic.  They also add so many special touches, like the plastic glove inside of every program (e.g. inexpensive white glove alternative to allow viewers to touch the quilts on exhibit).  They also do this with their members who volunteer to help with the planning and organization, as well as sharing of quilts.  This is truly a talented guild that has great members who consistently hold a wonderful show.  And, SewCalGal views the "30th" quilt show is truly their best show ever.

Among the amazing quilts on display all were professionally labeled that were easy to read.

Bonnie Burton made this beautiful machine appliqued quilt, which she also machine quilted.

Gayle Asebedo made this delightful applique quilt, which she appropriately named "Tennessee Waltz".

{above} Jeani Campbell made this beautiful quilt, which was hand quilted by Betty Barney, and called "Old Glory II".

{above}Gloria McKeehan made this beautiful quilt, which was machine quilted by Lynette Harlan.  It is called "Moonlight Serenade".

This beautiful quilt is made and hand quilted by Rosalie Reed.

{above}Lynn Beck made and machine quilted this beautiful quilt she calls "Leftovers"

{above} Marlene Oaks made this beautiful quilt of her husband and grandaughter, which she calls "Megan and Grandpa".

{above}Marvel Dorf made and quilted this delightful quilt, which she calls "Hawaiian Memories for Kaylee"

{above} BJ Jones made and machine quilted this lovely quilt, she calls "Safari Ride"

This delightful quilt is owned by BJ Jones and made by "Gals from Maze Stone Guild".  It was machine quilted by Nancy Williams. 

{above}Libby Fritzinger made and machine quilted this cheerful quilt. 

{above}  Gloria McKeehan made this beautiful quilt.  It was machne quilted by Lynette Harlan.  

{above} Diane Best made and machine quilted this colorful quilt.

{above}Mary Waller made this quilt and Evelyn Eilers machine quilted it.

{above} Terry Sheldrake made and machine quilted this lovely quilt.  And, it was her first quilt and her first quilt that she quilted on a longarm!  Inspirational!

{above}Wilma Baker made this cheerful quilt and it was machine quilted by Barbara Ragan.

There was also a good selection of vendors offering new fabric, patterns, tools and many wonderful items that we all need!

{above} Two Wacky Woman had a wonderful booth full of beautiful sample quilts, original designs and cool gadgets.  This is definitely a booth you'll want to not miss!

There was also a fun boutique with various items for sale.  And many happy shoppers finding super deals!

{above} Mary Ann Moga finding deals in the Boutique, to help her make beautiful charity quilts.

Clearly, Valley Quilters' 30th Annual Quilt Show is a huge success.  This show continues to be open to the public tomorrow.  I hope you'll get a chance to visit this show this year, as well as make plans to attend it in 2011.  It is a fun quilt show!

Valley Quilters (Hemet) 30th Annual Quilt Show,

Valley Wide Recreation Center,
901 Esplanade Ave.,
San Jacinto, CA.

Valley Quilters Guild
P.O. Box 2534
Hemet, CA 92545

QuiltingArts: Let Your Inner Animal Out Challenge

QuiltingArts has just posted photos and insights on 120 art quilts that were submitted to QuiltingArts in response to their "Inner Animal Reader Challenge".  SewCalGal is so excited about these amazing quilts and appreciates QuiltingArts sharing photos and insights on these delightful quilts online.  This is an awesome online exhibit of inspiring quilts, where many insights are shared on how some of these quilts were created.  I do hope you'll take time to visit all of the beautiful quits that were entered in this chllenge and kindly shared online under the exhibit:  Let Your Inner Animal Out 

This exhibit is inspirational!  And I wanted to be sure you don't miss the opportunity to view these beautiful art quilts:

{above}  Lynn Redmond's colorful "Crazy Colored Kitty"

{above}  Diane Lochala's lovely "Bobcat at Heart" quilt.

{above) Ann Turley's delightful quilt, that I can't find an official name for.  Makes me wonder what you might call this cute quilt.  "Queen for a Day"? 

{above} Pokey has a delightful entry that I couldn't find a name for.  Hymm.  What would you call this beautiful piece of art?  "Watching with Joy?".

{above} Bonnie Ouelette's "Wild Thing, You Make My Heart Sing". 



I hope you'll take time to go admire all of the beautiful quilts that were entered in QuiltingArts' challenge "Let Out our Inner Animal". 

Thank you to QuiltingArts for this wonderful challenge and for all those that entered.  SewCalGal hopes that more quilters and artists will be inspired by this wonderful online exhibit. 

I do hope you'll go check out this online exhibit: Let Your Inner Animal Out And, I hope many of you will be inspired and subscribe to QuiltingArts Magazine! It is an inspirational magazine, with every issue being a treasure!





http://quiltingarts.com/

Golden Quilter Awards

I've had some very generous offers for donations to the Golden Quilter Awards. But I want to step back and focus on awards and recognition for those that are nominated and ultimately receive recognition for the Golden Quilter Awards. As such, I'd like to seek your feedback. What do you think would be an appropriate prize for a "Lifetime Achievement Award", or the "Most inspirational Designer" or "most best SW product"?  What prize is appropriate to recognize these winners?  Or is the prize simply that they are recognized by their pers. 

Part of me says it would be wonderful to give a nice engraved plaque to the winners of each category.  But, due to the cost, I would need sponsors to help fund the cost of these awards.   But maybe you have other ideas for how to recognize and award the winnners of the Goldne Quilter Awards. 

Please let me know your ideas for what type of award (gift) is appropriate. In the meantime, if you check my blog for sharing insights on giveaways, you'll find insights on a contest I have that is open to those that take time to nominate those for the "Golden Quilter Awards".

Golden Quilter Awards's Nominations & Giveaway

Do you like watching the Oscars, Golden Globes or other awards ceremonies, where the best of the best are recognized for their contributions? 

I've been dreaming of the day when those involved in the world of quilting would receive reconition, similar to the Oscars or Golden Globes, but as "my" golden years have arrived and I'm still not seeing appropriate recognition for those that have made significant contributions in the world of quilting, SewCalGal has decided to host the 2010 Golden Quilter Awards!

Anyone can nominate a candidate who has made a difference in the world of quilting. Key awards will be given for the following categories for 2009 that are the most inspiring :

1)  Designer:    
2)  Teacher/Instructor:  
3)  Author: Most inspirational 
4) Quilt Store (physical)
5) Quilt Store (online)
6) Best Long Arm Quilter
7) Most Innovative new product (physical item)
8)  Most Innovated new product (software item)
9) Most influential person in the world of quilting to-date, aka "Lifetime Achievement".

 Are you aware that March is considered National Quilting  Month?  

Winners of the Golden Quilter Awards will be selected during March, as part of the National Quilting Month. 

Anyone can nominate a candidate for the various categories of the Golden Quilter Awards.  Simply send your nomination to SewCalGal via email or placing a comment on this post.

Top nominations for the Golden Quilter Awards will be shared in March, whereby viewers will be able to vote for their favorites.

SewCalGal is looking for sponsors of the various award categories.  Sponsors may choose what their award to the winner may be.  It may be simply recognition on a blog, with a detailed interview of the winner, and/or a plaque that is given to the winner, a gift to the winner, or even a giveway that is in honor of the winner.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of one of these award categories please contact SewCalGal.  Sponsors will be announced and recognized in future updates about the Golden Quilter Awards.

In the near future SewCalGal will have a badge for this event, and is hoping that others will share insight on their blogs, tweets, facebook and emails.  To clarify, SewCalGal wants to facilitate recognition of those that have made a difference in the world of quilting, and it seems that March (National Quilting Month) is a perfect time to hold such recognition.  I just hope you'll want to participate and encourage others to do so.

Again, let me know who you want to nominate...and if you want to be a sponsor for one of these awards.   Volunteer graphic artists also appreciated.

I'll share more info soon, but if you have a favorite for the categories I've listed and you want to nominate them for the 2010 Golden Quilter Award, please feel free to leave a comment on this post or email me.

Anyone that nominates a candidate for the Golden Quilter Award is also automatically entered in my giveaway. For more insight on this giveaway:  http://tinyurl.com/yzk6sks

Hemet Quilt Show - 30th Annual Show

The Hemet Quilt Show is scheduled for February 12th & 13th. SewCalGal hopes you are coming to this fun quilt show.  There will be over 125 beautiful quilts on display.  And many delightful vendors.

This is also the 30th Anniversary of this quilt show.   Even if you don't live in the area, it is worth a trip.

This annual show is a wonderful show, that will feature many beautiful quilts, a consignment shop, a boutique, quilt appraisers will be onsite, many vendor booths, and a featured quilter will be sharing their quilts and insights.

This show is open to the public from 10am to 4pm each day.  Admission is only $6 per person.  

Like most quilt shows, strollers and children under six will not be  allowed.  For more info call  951-927-4348 or email:   lindawayment@verizon.net

Valley Quilters (Hemet) 30th Annual Quilt Show,
Valley Wide Recreation Center,
901 Esplanade Ave.,
San Jacinto, CA.

Valley Quilters Guild
P.O. Box 2534
Hemet, CA 92545
SewCalGal also enjoys visiting Polly's Pies for lunch, after visiting the Hemet Quilt Show.  Yummy lunch and delightful pies.  DH approved quilt show, when you bring a Polly's Pie home with you!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

New Book Released: "More Favorite Traditional Quilts Made Easy", by Jo Parrott

 "More Favorite Traditional Quilts Made Easy", by Jo Parrott  is a delightful new book published by Martingale & Company/That Patchwork Place and released January 12th.  It is a follow-up book to "Favorite Traditional Quilts Made Easy", also by the same author and publisher, which was a very popular book!

This new book is an excellent book for beginner quilters thru advanced quilters!  There are many delightful traditional projects in this book, all with new tricks & insights on how to make beautiful quilts using a no-template method.  The traditional designs include:  A Storm at Sea, Broken Star, Geese in Flight, Stars on the Water, and others.  There are actually seven great projects, plus two bonus projects in this book. 

I love this beautiful "Stars on the Water" project.  And, there is also a bonus project that shows you how to make a "Floral Table Runner" using design blocks from this quilt design.

All of the quilt designs in this book have easy to follow instructions, with great visuals.  Many excellent tricks are also provided for each design. 

I love how insights are provided on how to create the beautiful Broken Star design using a strip method.  And how to get a "bonus project", which is a cute wallhanging, by using diamond unit segments from making the Broken Star quilt.

And the "Green Frogs at Sea" quilt design is a delightful design that would work great with just about any novelty print, as well various prints.  I also love scrap quilts, and really like her "Scrapy Rectangles" design.  It is truly impossible to pick my favorite project in this wonderful book!  They are all projects that I'd love to make a quilt for my home, charity project, and/or gift! 

This is a wonderful new book that  I recommend you check out soon.  You can find it on the Martingale & Company online store, and I also think any "good" quilt store will be showcasing it with the "new releases" for Spring 2010.