by Terry

     How many times have you heard, "April showers bring May flowers"?  I have heard this old saying all of my life.  I love rain; I love flowers.  I'm hoping that with the receipt of this newsletter, I'll find most of you finally thawing from a long winter.

     Spring is my favorite time of the year, especially April and May.  The rain is refreshing and it stimulates everything into growing.  The trees are budding out, a few of the "special" ones are blooming (dogwoods and redbuds), the fruit trees are flowering, and flowering bushes are beginning to flourish.  Tulips are popping up, daffodils and jonquils are blooming... the warm, pleasant air spurs most of us into "spring cleaning".  

     And now that I've mentioned that... my goal for April?  To organize my extra quilt blocks and see what I can do with them (other than leave them without a quilt to call home).  How many of you have extra blocks laying around?  What are you going to do with them?  If you have no plans, then let me make a suggestion or two.  Why not sew them into small quilts and donate them to local organizations?  Or why not sew a few of them into a medallion (a large block of blocks), and start a "round robin charity drive" quilt for Project Linus on the forum? If the latter interests you, then be sure to read the details in the Forum section of this newsletter!

     On the 9th of March, I drove up to the Lowell Quilt Museum (in Massachusetts) and viewed the "Oxymorons:  Absurdly Logical Quilts" exhibit.  Talk about remarkable!  I was amazed at the skill and creativity!  Such a wonderful show.

     Last weekend, I took a "scenic" drive right out of the book "Most Scenic Drives in America" by Reader's Digest.  It was drive #92 and I had the most relaxing, and educational, day trip to northwest Connecticut.  I highly recommend this book for those of you that like to travel, or for those of you that just like to display "coffee table" books.  I already have more "touring" plans for the next few weeks and, of course, I'm adding a few quilt shops to my list of things to do while touring.

     Happy spring!

     Brand new this month is the debut of the issue of the Quilting Passion Newsletter, snail mail edition!  I have thought long and hard about doing this and weighed the pros and cons, and the pros won. You may be wondering what the differences between the snail mail version and this online version are?  Well, first, is the inclusion of patterns that are not going to be on the Web site.  These are patterns that I have put together; some block patterns and some quilt.  The first issue is going to include part one of a gorgeous wallhanging.  This pattern, when released, sells for almost the price of the entire newsletter, making the newsletter a bargain!  The newsletter premiers on April 15th, and will go out every other month, for a total of six issues per year.  The price?  $9.95.  For more information on subscribing, refer to the eMarket.   Note:  For those of you wondering why I'm also selling a subscription... well, here's one of the major reasons.  I have some patterns in my head that require accuracy from block to block, in order for the whole quilt to work out right.  While the Web is a wonderful medium for putting patterns, there is really no control over the accuracy with which they print out for everyone (too many different printers, browsers, computers, settings, etc.).  So, by including the patterns in the newsletters, I'll know everyone is working with the same exact thing.  If you would like to just "try" an issue, then merely subscribe to the first one, for $3.00.  I hope to see all of you in the mail!

     The new Quilting Passion Web site, located at http://quiltingpassion.com, is completely up and running.  I have moved almost everything from the old site at sregora.com, so you need to update your bookmarks to point to the new site, else you're going to get errors trying to find pages.  Thank you so much for your patience with me as I tackled this huge move!

     What else is new?  Well, I've added a new activity to the Web site called "Find Me!".  I really appreciate the time that many of you spend surfing my site, so this is just one way I am showing my appreciation.  So, what is Find Me!?  If you check the Find Me! Web page often, you'll discover new quilting item pictures added.  If there is no winner name beside the picture, that means that that item is still up for grabs on the site!  All you have to do to win it, is locate it, then follow the instructions on sending me location.  The first person to do this wins.  Free.  No shipping charges, no nothing.  Absolutely free!  I try to add a new item weekly; or as soon as it's located and claimed.  So far, three books have been given away, and a fourth will be revealed sometime this week.  Be on the lookout!

     Something else new is the Project Linus on the forum.  Be sure to read the forum news about this worthwhile activity to benefit children in need!  I simply cannot tell you how excited I am about this project!!!

     A new forum also opened this past month, all about reading and books.  So, if you're an avid reader or collector, check out The Book Nook.

     Need a new wallpaper for your desktop?  Try the new April wallpaper located on the Web!  I like the cute little thimbles I added to some of the blocks.

     The Quilting Passion eMarket opened on the first of March and already has three items.  I hope to be adding more items soon! 

   
by Terry

     There are so many new patterns on the Web!  I simply cannot seem to stay caught up, which is a good thing, really.  I have found the time to add  50 new ones this past month, however, including some Hawaiian quilting patterns, and some old traditional Kansas City Star patterns.

     Click here to begin the exciting  journey of pattern surfing!

by Terry

     My pick for pattern/project of the month is one that is very fitting for spring.  This adorable 3-D project is authored by Debbie Mumm and is called "Daisy Garden".  It includes a few yo-yo patches and is as cute as it can be.  Be sure to check it out!

   
by Terry

     Do you like the look of the traditional bow tie block, but don't want to have to sew with those funky seams?  Well, try sewing this old block with a new shortcut!  Using a fabulous shortcut, make this block in no time at all.  It's simply called "Bow Tie".  

    
by Terry

     There have been a few updates to the gallery for mystery quilts.  Be sure to check them out in the Subscriber's Gallery!

     Currently, there are no Mystery Quilts, but I can say this... there is one in the works in my head!

by Terry

     The Gallery has had several new additions, so when you get a chance, take a look at all of the fabulous quilts made from our readers over the past few weeks.  A special thanks to those who share their finished projects with me!

by Terry

     The forum is perking right along.    There is a wealth of knowledge being shared, as well as many, many activities!

      The March Quilter of the Month was Patty, from Louisiana. The criteria for selection is hard to explain because it varies so much, but it can be based on the level of participation, logging in, and just plain randomness.  Or a combination of all these things!  Patty can expect to receive her prize soon.  Congratulations!  Perhaps YOU will be chosen in April!

     There have been several members that have had surgery the past month.  My best wishes for a speedy recovery to all of you!

     Do you believe in luck?  Well, one of the many activities going on at the forum is something called a Block Party.  Each month, a new pattern is chosen, along with a theme and colors.  Anyone wanting to participate can send blocks (can make as many or as few as you want!) to GR8DAME (Myra) and then, around the 16th, a drawing is held and the blocks are given to the lucky winner(s)!  This activity has proved to be exciting and very rewarding for some.  The March Block Party was the largest yet!  There were three winners, with a grand total of 72 blocks given away!  Will April top that?

     The Fat Quarter Drawing, hosted by Peggy is off the ground.   There have been several entries for the drawing.  The drawing is April 16th, so you still have time to send in your entries (which are purple fat quarters)!

     A new activity that began in March is called "Round Robin Charity Drive", or RRCD.  This is a wonderfully new activity in which members volunteer just a little of their time (and resources) to help make little quilts to be donated to Project Linus.  Talk about a hit!  This project began around mid-March and we already have 17 quilts making their rounds!  One of the things that makes this project so popular is that no one individual is responsible for making an entire quilt; it's all done on a volunteer basis for each step in the quilt-making process.  I am very excited about this!!!!  I can hardly wait for the quilts to start rolling in so that they can be distributed to Project Linus.  For more information, refer to the Forum Project Linus Web page describing the project.

     Another new activity is for those of you that love to read fictional books, that include quilts and other needle arts.  This activity is called "Round Robin Books" and works like this:  Someone announces that a paperback book is available to read, then forum members sign up to read it.  The book then makes its rounds from member to member on the list.  All members are out is the price to ship the book, via media mail, to the next person on the list!  Right now, the Earlene Fowler series is making its rounds, as well as the Monica Ferris series.

     For those of you that are members of this very special forum (which is my home on the Internet!), thank you.  For those of you that haven't visited yet, please do so by clicking here.  Remember, basic membership is still free!  Two other types of membership is now offered by Delphi:  Advanced ($0.99/month) and Plus ($3.95/month).  Check the forum for details on these.

    
by Terry

     There are currently two (2) quilting classes open for enrollment:

1. #101, 12-Month Sampler

2. #202, Frank Lloyd Wright Stained Glass

     These classes are 100% free; no tuition!  Click here for more information on them, and continue reading to hear a few words from one of the teachers!

     I'm teaching the 12-Month Sampler, and although we're about to begin our fourth block, it's still not too late to join!  Catching up should take hardly any time at all!

     For those of you enrolled in the 12-Month Sampler, the fourth block should become available around the 10th of the month.

by Kimberly

     The Stained Glass Quilt Class has just gotten underway.  There is still plenty of time to join in and participate in the fun!

by Terry

     More free patterns, of course, to be added to the site, plus I'm working on a wallhanging pattern that will sell in the eMarket sometime in May.

by Terry

     Any new ideas roaming around in your head that you'd like to share with me?

by Terry

     Spring is springing and I am tickled pink.

     Take some time to smell the roses, take a walk in the crisp air, and get in touch with someone that you haven't spoken to in awhile.  It's a great feeling!

     Have a wonderful month and I hope to talk to you soon!

Happy quilting,
Terry