What's New...

I'm excited to announce that I'm going to be teaching at Asilomar in 2012! Better known as the Empty Spools Seminars, each week-long session gives quilters a chance to study in depth with one teacher. And, you could take a class with me! June 17th to the 22nd, 2012, to be exact. The location is spectacular, right on the coast near Monterey, California. I'll be teaching Storm at Sea, naturally, emphasizing the design potential with this versatile pattern. The 2012 catalog is not out yet, but you can put those dates on your calendar, and bookmark the Empty Spools website: Empty Spools at Asilomar

Also, I was nominated as one of the "Best Quilting Teachers" for the 2011 Golden Quilter Awards. Aw, shucks. So who is the quilting world going to vote for, me or Alex Anderson? Hey, wait, Alex is also nominated for a "Lifetime Achievement Award", so maybe she won't win twice... Check it out, and decide how you want to vote in several categories: Golden Quilter Award Nominations

Did I mention that you are entered in a drawing for 30 prizes if you vote?

What's a Wind Powered Website?

This website is now 100% wind-powered. What, you may ask, does that mean, exactly? Well, the site is hosted by Brinkster, who reports that as of November 2010, 100% of the energy used to power their datacenter and offices comes from wind energy. How about that. We qualify fir a "green certificate". (I think I feel a green quilt in the near future...)

What's New in the TRIMplate department...

If you have used and enjoy piecing with my Storm at Sea TRIMplates, you will be happy to learn that there is now one available for making the Little SIS units. This is not sold by C&T Publishing or in stores, just through me. You'll have to email me for details. The new TRIMplate also makes a "kite in a square" or KIS unit, which is not technically part of the Storm at Sea pattern, but it uses the same pieces as the TIS. It's great for making your own pattern variations.

What Else is New...

Ok, technically this is old news, but just in case you missed it when in came out in Spring, 2009: I have a book in print with my name on the front cover this time! (As opposed to my name in teeny-tiny print on the inside when I worked as editor or illustrator.) You can order the book and the set of TRIMplates directly from C & T Publishing, or get a signed copy from me! (email me)

Teachers, this makes a great class. You get to teach a new hands-on technique with a really unique set of tools: the TRIMplates. TRIMplates are not templates! This is something really different and new. Students really like to learn from demonstrations, and my trim-after-you-sew method gives a great sense of satisfaction because the pieced units come out so exact with little fuss. Plus, there are many opportunities for design exploration, so you can target advanced quilters as well as those who are just learning piecing skills beyond the basics. Shop owners: you have the opportunity to sell books and TRIMplates, and offer classes. Of course, I'll consider coming to your shop to teach, but the teachers you already have working for you can do a great job just by following the book. Contact me about a handout for a class project.

If you would like a chuckle, click on the link below to see me doing a video demonstration of my TRIMplate tools on C&T's website. (Click on the link below, then scroll down to look for the right video clip.) Go to C&T And... if you are considering hiring me to teach a class, please believe me that I am better in person!!