by Terry

     Spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner.  The weather here in Connecticut is PERFECT!  Warm during the day, cool at night; and thunderstorms last night made it absolutely divine.  

     And speaking of Connecticut, I'll be moving at the end of the month.  As most of you know, I own a computer consulting company, and as such, I temporarily relocate to my largest project.  I am finishing this one in Connecticut soon and beginning one in Bloomington, Illinois.  I am looking forward to the move because I will be a LOT closer to my home and family (in Oklahoma).  Of course, I dread the move already, but am excited about this new venture.

     My time has been so scarce for the past month as I've been working 60+ hours a week.  I can hardly wait to get back into quilting and if I can finish some work tonight, I plan on making a medallion for our forum's RRCD Linus project.

     Father's Day is just around the corner and although I am not going to be able to fly home to spend the day with my father, I am planning a week's vacation the first of July.  If ever there was a perfect father, it's mine.  And I found the most perfect Hallmark greeting card to send to him, too!  I am so blessed to have both my mother and father living.

by Terry

     First, I'm rebuilding the shopping cart on my Web site!  It is going to be easier to use and navigate.  Check back in a few days to see the changes.

     Debuting in April was the first issue of the Quilting Passion Newsletter, snail mail edition and the response has been fantastic.  I am already preparing for the release of the next issue, which goes out on June 17th.  The June issue not only has continuations of projects begun in the first issue, but there is also a new project or two planned... just in time for the summer holidays.  The first issue includes part one of a gorgeous wallhanging sampler that is a great start for beginners, part one of a "Simply Sizzlin'" Mystery Quilt, and a nifty new paper-piecing pattern putting a new twist on an old block .  Although this came out April 15th, anyone subscribing between now and June 15 will receive the first issue.  And, of course, it is always available as a single copy for $3.00.  Subscriptions are $9.95 a year, and international pricing is available.  For more information on subscribing, refer to the eMarket.   

     Need a new wallpaper for your desktop?  Try the new June wallpaper located on the Web!  I like the fresh, springy look to this one and it's colors are my favorites!

     The Quilting Passion eMarket opened on the first of March and already has three items.  I hope to be adding more items this month, including the pattern from the Mystery Quilt 1! 

   
by Terry

     Patterns, patterns, patterns.  There are so many to choose from!  I added 5 in the month of May; my time just did not allow for new pattern scavenging.  I hope to add  more this month.

     Click here to begin the exciting  journey of pattern surfing!

by Terry

     My pick for pattern/project of the month is one that is so appropriate for those who sew!  It is an original design by Marcia Hohn of Quilter's Cache.  The project is a small wallhanging, paper-pieced, called "Notions".  It looks great!

     Be sure to check it out!

   
by Terry

     Did you like the "grapes" block featured in my desktop wallpaper for June?  If so, you can find this simple appliqué block on the Quilting Passion Web site.   Grape-themes seem to be quite popular right now, so give this block a chance if you have time.  I have provided some wonderful samples of turning this simple block into a placemat or a tablerunner, too.  It's called "Grape Escape". 

     This block is available on June 2, 2002.  I suggest printing it off using the "landscape" setting on your printer for the best print.

    
by Terry

     A scrappy new mystery is in the works and I hope to begin it by the second weekend of June.  It should finish sometime in August.  The theme is "stars" and I think you'll really like this quilt.  So, either start sorting your fabrics into two piles (darks and lights) or be thinking about a dark fabric selection for the background (either black or navy or something celestial?).  Also, plan on golds or whites or lights for the foregrounds.  Check for updates either on the Quilting Passion Forum or via the MQ mailing list. 

     This pattern is only going to be available on the Web for the duration of the Mystery Quilt and is going to be sold as a separate pattern after that, so be sure to grab the files while you can, or if you prefer to purchase the pattern, you can do that when it becomes available (August).

     I can hardly wait to begin and hope to have fabric requirements up by June 5th!

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

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

by Terry

     The forum just gets better and better, thanks to you!

      The May Quilter of the Month was Patti, from California. 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!  Patti can expect to receive her $10 gift certificate (donated by RiverMOO, Inc.) soon, to be spent at Fare Tahiti Fabrics online.  Congratulations!  Perhaps YOU will be chosen in June!

     Feelin' lucky?  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 May Block Party, which featured a Tessellating Star pattern, was a hit!  There were two winners, (Genny from New York and Joan from Alberta, Canada) with a grand total of 35 blocks given away!  June's block is a very cute and very easy-to-piece cat block.  Will June prove to be a good month for you to win?

     The Fat Quarter Drawing, hosted by Peggy is off the ground and going strong.   The "Tickled Pink" drawing was on May 16th, in which Myra won 20 FQs, Jeanne won 15, and Betsy won 9.  The new drawing will be held on June 16th and the theme is "Symphony in Blue", so if you would like to become eligible to win, simply submit your "blue" FQs to Peggy.

     The "Round Robin Charity Drive", or RRCD is absolutely amazing.  I have already received 10 finished quilts, with more on the way and more still making the rounds!  

      I have donated eight of the 10 received and am waiting to receive one more before donating the next three.  So far, these eight went to:

• Carol, President of Project Linus, Bloomington, Illinois received five.

• Terrie Madruga, Coordinator of Evergreen Project Linus, San Jose, California, received three.

     I am tracking all of this information on our Web site, so it is easy for you to keep up with what's happening with this tremendous and oh-so-valuable project.  

     For more information, refer to the Forum Project Linus Web page describing the project.

     We had a wonderful chat with fictional author Earlene Fowler on the 30th.  She writes fabulous mysteries that incorporate a lot of quilting into the plots.

     Our Secret Sibling Patchwork Pal project ends on June 30th, but it is being reorganized for the remainder of the year for that wish to continue.  If you would like to join in on the fun, be sure to check out the news on the forum.  Genny and Frank will both be hosting these projects.

     There are numerous block and fabric swaps going on, so if you're in the mood to sew, feel free to jump right in!

     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!  

    
by Terry

     There is currently only one class open for enrollment:

1. #101, 12-Month Sampler

     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 sixth block should become available on the 2nd of June.

     I'm also considering teaching a beginning class using EQ5 once it comes out.  If there is enough interest, that is.  Please let me know if you'd like to participate in this?

by Terry

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

by Terry

     This month is going to be a busy month for all of us, but I hope that you take some time for yourself and your families.  And please keep me in your thoughts as I move yet again.  I think I'm getting too old for this type of work!

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

Happy quilting,
Terry