by Terry

     Summer is so close to coming to an end... can you believe it?  This year has gone by so quickly, it's amazing.

     I have actually found time to do a little bit of quilting the past month!  It has been wonderful and I can hardly wait to find even more time.  In fact, my plans for tomorrow, Labor Day?  Quilt!!!

     I'm still working about 80+ hours a week, but I love the work and time passes quickly.   And, of course, I am looking forward to retiring in the future and getting my new home finished.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

     Speaking of my new home in Oklahoma, it has porches!  And there is also electricity and water now.  So much to do, though.  Next week, the framing begins.  I should take some pictures and show them to you.  I'm excited!

by Terry

     First, the shopping cart on my Web site is going strong  It is still functional, but I do plan a new design sometime in the future.

     Debuting in April was the first issue of the Quilting Passion Newsletter, snail mail edition and the response surprised me.  I just released the August issue, which included several patterns.  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 September wallpaper located on the Web!  Done in traditional school colors, it's appropriate for the month of September, since most schools are opening again.  The apple appliqué used in the wallpaper is also located on the Web.

     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 just finished and will remain on the Web for about two more weeks.  

     So, what about the new section called  All About Blocks?  Well, work has sure gotten in my way of adding to this as much as I had planned!  But, I've managed to add a couple of appliqués today and hope to add more within the next few months. 

     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

     August was an extremely busy month for me, and there were only 11 patterns added to the site!  Isn't that pathetic?  I promise to try to do better in the future!  

     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 fall and Halloween will be here before you know it!  Try making this cute Bat Tablerunner.  I think you'll like it.

by Terry

     A new mystery, called Stargazing, just finished.  It will remain online until about September 15th, so if you want it, you'd better print it off now.  After that, it will be put in the eMarket.  

     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 is one I think everyone will love!  Plus, try making this using Christmas fabrics; should look great!

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.  Can you believe it will be a year old on the 17th of this month???  September is going to be a "Good" month; a time for sharing good things in your lives.  A celebration of all of us.

      The August Quilter of the Month was Peggy from Idaho. 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 September!

     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 August Block Party, which featured a block called, "Not So Much of a Trick", was won by Jessica of Wisconsin.   Jessica won 9 blocks!  September's block is a rich Autumn block called "Autumn Tints".  Will September 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 August 16th, in which Myra (North Carolina) won 15 FQs, Alexis (Maine) won 7 FQs, and Judy (Indiana) won 6.  The new drawing will be held on September 16th and the theme is "Autumn/Fall", so if you would like to become eligible to win, simply submit your "autumn" 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.  We have initiated a total of 76 quilts since March!  Isn't that fantastic?  Just think of all the little lives that have been affected because of our efforts.

     The last quilt donated went to a young 16 year old in Oklahoma City, after having a heart transplant.  The Daily Oklahoman did a huge write-up about it.  The more publicity we get for charity quilting, the more we can accomplish.  A huge thank you to everyone that is helping to make this the success that it is.

     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 76 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 Bonnie of Ohio for being chosen as Volunteer of the Month for August.  A huge thank you is due for contribution to the project.  Bonnie will also receive a $10 gift certificate to Fare Tahiti fabrics.  Perhaps YOU can win in the future!

     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.

     Our forum administrative assistant, Kimberly, hosted a Challenge.  It was a huge success!  You would just have to see the entries to believe them.  They were totally awesome.  Great job!!

     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 tenth 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 ninth block became available today.  It can be found 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 September/October.  I'm also thinking about another MQ!

     Quilting is such a passion of mine.  How about you?

by Terry

     Fall is right around the corner.  For those of you that live in the states, enjoy Labor Day!  Have a safe and happy holiday.  

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

Happy quilting,
Terry