by Terry

     Is it summer?  Or spring?  It is hard to tell because we have been having so many thunderstorms, it seems like April in Oklahoma.  And I love thunderstorms!

     I am not only settled in my new home in Bloomington, Illinois, but I have completely unpacked everything... and that includes both sewing machines!  I was going into withdrawals, it had been so long since I've sewn.  I just cannot seem to find enough time to get my quilting "fix".  I bet you know what I'm talking about!

     I'm still working about 70+ hours a week, but I love the work and time passes quickly.   And, of course, I find time to relax.  In other words, life is just peachy, ya know?

     My new home in Oklahoma now has a floor!  I am told it should be finished by Christmas.  I can hardly wait!  I am going to have to make more frequent trips home to keep an eye on things.  I sure don't want any surprises.

     Within the next week, the Web site is going to get a face-lift.  I've been working on a new look (in my spare time) that should make it much easier to navigate.  More clicking, less reading.  I'll be adding it a page or two at a time, so I certainly appreciate your patience.  Let me know what you think!

by Terry

     First, the shopping cart on my Web site is slated for a makeover, also, so stay tuned.  It is still functional, it just is going to have a different look.

     Debuting in April was the first issue of the Quilting Passion Newsletter, snail mail edition and the response surprised me.  I am already preparing for the release of the next issue, which goes out on August 17th.  I am cramming more and more into each issue, because I simply cannot find a stopping place!      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 August wallpaper located on the Web!  Done in red, white, and blue, this wallpaper is sure to make you think about the hot sizzling sun, maybe on a beach?

     The Quilting Passion eMarket opened on the first of March and already has six items.  I hope to be adding more items within the next two months, including the pattern from the Mystery Quilt 8, which is currently in progress, but only available on the Web through August.  And speaking of MQ 8, it is coming along splendidly!  A few have shared pictures with me and they're looking great!  And for a nice surprise, unless I change my mind, my MQ 8 is making its way onto my new home page of the Web site.  ;)

     Three words:  All About Blocks.  I have begun a new section on the Web with this title that is going to be, well, all about blocks!  It is going to not only feature blocks, but it is going to give multiple sizes for multiple patterns.  I have also added a beginning section on basic quilting.  I hope to add 500 patterns to this section within the next year.  I am doing this instead of the Block of the Month, which ended in July, 2002.

     Some disappointing news in this section, too.  Until I can think of a "fix", I am unable to send out mass e-mails for all of the newsletter and mystery quilt subscriptions.  So, until this is working properly (my ISP doesn't like it, so it may never work properly), you will have to find the new ones on the Web.  Which is another reason I am redesigning my site; the home page is going to have a section called "What's New" that only has the new stuff in it!  Including the current newsletter and mystery quilt.  So, please be patient... this is very frustrating to me!

   
by Terry

     July was a very busy month for me, but somehow I found the time to add 110+ patterns to the Web!  I must have done them in my sleep!  

     Click here to begin the exciting  journey of pattern surfing!

by Terry

     My pick for pattern/project of the month is one that  is seasonal, but the holidays will be here before you know it!  Try making this 12 Days of Christmas card holder.  I think you'll like it.

by Terry

     A new mystery is well underway, called Stargazing.  It should finish mid to end of 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.   There have already been five installments for this MQ and I plan on releasing another installment this coming weekend.

     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).

by Terry

     The Gallery has had a few 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 is chugging right along!  I suspected it would slow down during the summer, due to vacations and such, but it really hasn't.  I think some of you are as addicted to it as I am.  :)

      The July Quilter of the Month was Wilma from Michigan. 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!  Wilma can expect to receive her $10 gift certificate soon, to be spent at Fare Tahiti Fabrics online.  Congratulations!  Perhaps YOU will be chosen in August!

     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 July Block Party, which featured a simple pinwheel pattern, was a hit!  There were a couple of  winners, (Kristen from California, Carol from Minnesota) with a grand total of 35 blocks given away!  August's block is a scrappy, easy-to-piece block fashioned after a Card Trick, but with a twist.  Will August prove to be your lucky month to win?  The drawing is coming up on the 16th!

     The Fat Quarter Drawing, hosted by Peggy is moving ahead.   The "Anything Goes" drawing was on July 16th, in which Marianne (Illinois) won 17 FQs and Carol (Minnesota) won 10.  The new drawing will be held on August 16th and the theme is "Clean Out Your Stash:  Anything Goes", so if you would like to become eligible to win, simply submit your "blue" FQs to Peggy.  A few FQs have been donated, so the take on this one should be a wonderful treat for the lucky winners.!

     The "Round Robin Charity Drive", or RRCD is absolutely amazing.  I have already received 25 finished quilts, and given 24 of them away.  And there are more on the way and more still making the rounds!  

      The last four quilts that were sent out went to:

• Kathleen Miller, Project Linus of Cincinnati, Ohio, received three.

• Lolly Pratt, Oklahoma City, received one.

I have two quilts ready to go, and as soon as I receive one more, I'll mail them out to the next person on the donation list.  Speaking of which, if you haven't read the donation list, please do so.  There is such a need!  Which brings me to my next thought...

      The needs are great and the quilts we ship are very much appreciated.  All of you that participate in this make this possible.  YOU are making a difference in the lives of children that need comfort.

     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.  We have 66 quilts to our credit at this moment.  What a comfort for children!

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

     Another activity that began is that of Volunteer of the Month.  All participants in the RRCD Project Linus project are eligible to win.  Congratulations to Beth of Ohio for being chosen as Volunteer of the Month for July.  A huge thank you is due for contribution to the project.  Beth will also receive a $10 gift certificate to Fare Tahiti fabrics.  Perhaps YOU can win in the future!

     Our Secret Sibling Patchwork Pal project ended 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 is going to be hosting this project.

     There are numerous block and fabric swaps going on, so if you're in the mood to sew, feel free to jump right in!  There are also many in the works, so stay tuned for new information.

     Would you like to join in on a fun day of shopping and quilting?  Well, I am hosting a Quilting Bee on Saturday, August 24th, from noon to whenever.  This is going to be a monthly event, alternating between a Saturday and a Friday.  I have a lot of cool activities already in the works, so if you live near Bloomington, Illinois, please join us!

     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 eighth block should become available by the 20th of August.  It will be announced on the new home page of the Web site under What's New.

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 August/September.  I'm also going to be overhauling the Web site soon in an effort to make it even better!

     Isn't quilting a marvelous hobby?  Or is it a way of life...

by Terry

     This summer is zipping right along.  I can hardly believe August is here!  I hope that each of you are taking time out for yourselves and your families.  

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

Happy quilting,
Terry