Wow, this month is flying by!  I started this newsletter at the end of March and hoped to have it out on April 1. Here it is the 10th already. . . I guess it really is true that time flies when you are having fun.

April is a busy month for me with lots of fun classes and shows . . . and not-so-fun income tax preparation and bookwork.  It always feels good to have that chore behind me.

I spent most of the past week preparing for and teaching at the Superior Threads School of Threadology here in St. George, Utah.

Over 40 wonderful students came from all over the United States and Canada for this fun three-day event.

I taught two classes:  Texture Magic Madness and Fun with Fusible Thread.

Students experienced the fun of creating texture on fabric using Texture Magic as they made this lovely Texture Magic Tote. 

Students also learned how easy it is to applique using fusible thread while making this handy little needle case.

Our next School of Threadology will be in beautiful Hawaii in July.  If you are looking for a wonderful, learning vacation, please join us.  Contact Quilt Ventures for more information.

This coming week I leave for Chicago where I will be demonstrating Texture Magic in the Superior Threads booth at the IQA Show in Rosemont.  If you will be there, please stop by to say hello and see what's new. 

I'll have lots of new patterns and new samples to show, including a great safari version of the All Occasion Baskets.  (Unfortunately I finished it just in time to ship to the show so I'll have to post pictures in a later newsletter.  It turned out darn cute!)

In between getting ready for both of those events, I've added some new patterns and new products to my website.

New patterns:

Feeling Patriotic

Show your patriotic spirit any time of year with these stylish pillows and table runner.

Add interest and charm by texturizing the fabric for the stars and white stripes using Texture Magic.

The pattern includes both a a small 12" x 12" pillow (above) and a long 14" x 28" pillow (below).

 

You'll get even more "WOW!" factor by stitching the star section using Razzle Dazzle.  That's how we stitched the star section on the 16" x 28" table runner.

 

Special thanks goes to Nedra Sorensen and Heather Purcell for helping me design these projects. Thanks, too, to Nedra for sewing the samples shown above and on the pattern cover.

Serenity II Shoulder Bag

This is essentially the same pattern as the Serenity Shoulder Bag.  However, because it does not use the special gradated fabric for the body of the bag, the pattern pieces can be laid out differently and it can be made with a bit less fabric.  

I made the bag shown on the new pattern cover using fabrics from Moda/United Notions' Lakeside Resort line of fabrics by Holly Taylor.

This version was made using fabrics from Michael Miller.  I bought these fabrics at my favorite local quilt shop, Quilted Works.

My friend Draza made this version of the Serenity Shoulder Bag using an embroidered denim fabric.  She skipped texturizing the fabric with Texture Magic.

I enjoyed seeing how good the Serenity Shoulder Bag looks made in different styles of fabric.  I'd love to see what you've made, too, so please send me your pictures!

New supplies:

2" rings for the Serenity and Serenity II Shoulder Bags

Because some customers have had trouble finding the 2" rings for the Serenity Shoulder Bag, I'm now stocking them in several colors:  black, cherry, oak, white, and pewter. 

Machingers Quilting Gloves

I'm adding some of my favorite products to my website, so these wonderful gloves are natural additions.  If you are a machine quilter, these gloves are a must.  If you've tried machine quilting and didn't like it, you might want to try it again while wearing a pair of Machingers.  You'll be amazed how much easier it is to grip the fabric and how something so simple can reduce your fatique and stress.

Upcoming Classes:

Please click here for a schedule of classes that I'll be teaching in the coming months.

For those here in St. George, please be sure to note the change in date for Annie's Play Day this month.  It will be April 23 rather than April 30.

In June, I will be teaching and lecturing for the Greater Quilt Guilds of Houston in Texas.  My lecture will share my Texture Magic journey and will include a trunk show of many of the items I've made using this fun product.  The next day we'll have a full-day class which we've called Getting Down to Business. In this class, students will make a business-style bag from my Bookin' It Bag, Laptop Computer Carriers, or Executive Carryalls patterns.  More info about the class is on my website.

In August, I'll be in Olympia, Washington, for the Association of Pacific West Quilters Symposium.  Classes will include the Serenity Shoulder Bag, Architexture table runner, and Texture Magic Baby Bibs.  For more info, please go to my website.

Gallery:

I love getting pictures of projects made using my patterns and I received some fun images this past month.

Jan Bonarski is a Texture Magic rep in northern Michigan.  She made this version of my Architexture table runner using a variety of summery fabrics.  She calls it Summer Fruit.  I love how the textured arcs look like watermelon!

 

Another Texture Magic rep, Susan Albrecht from Arizona, sent this photo of her version of the Little Miss Sunshine ensemble.  Too, too cute!

Giveaways:

Please visit I Have A Notion's blog for a fun 30-day giveaway celebrating her first anniversary.  I've donated an All Occasions Baskets pattern.  Congratulations to Kelley and all her readers on a year of fun!  

 

April Special:

Save $5 on a one-yard package of Texture Magic!  Just type the code TEXTURE MAGIC in the discount section when placing your order.  Offer expires April 30, 2010.

Until next time, happy stitching!

Annie

March, 2010

Easter is just around the corner and I've got some great new patterns to share:

All Occasion Baskets Cheery fabric baskets in two styles make perfect projects for holidays or special occasions. Either of these easy-to-make baskets would make a great Easter basket for someone special! Version 1 has a texturized inset strip bordered with optional rick rack trim. Version 2 has a texturized body and optional rick rack trim spanning the plain inset strip. .Read more and see more pictures here.

Easter Egg Table Runner Celebrate Easter and spring with this fresh 16” x 39” table runner sprinkled with colorful eggs. Add interest and charm by texturizing the fabric for the eggs using Texture Magic™. One half-yard package of Texture Magic™ is all you need. Pattern includes complete instructions for texturizing fabric as well as piecing using traditional piecing methods or foundation paper piecing.   Read more and see more pictures here.

Other new Texture Magic patterns and supplies:

	From My Heart to Yours pattern Celebrate love, friendship, or a sweet baby’s birth with these little wall hangings. Easy-to-appliqué texturized hearts and simple embroidery add to the charm. Grab some fun fabrics and your embroidery supplies. Add texture to some of the fabrics using Superior Threads’ Texture Magic™. Then have fun making these sweet little projects. Read more and see more pictures here.
	Heirloom Baby Ensemble pattern Make an heirloom outfit for a special baby in your life using today’s modern techniques. Achieve the look of hand smocking easily by texturizing some of the fabrics using Texture Magic™ from Superior Threads. Beaded lace trims, beads, and ribbons make beautiful, but easy embellishments. Pattern includes complete, step-by-step instructions for texturizing fabric as well as assembling gown with self-lined bodice and border trim, bonnet, and slippers. Read more and see more pictures here.
	Steamer (Power Steam Pro) If you enjoy creating texture with Texture Magic, you may be interested in this steamin' HOT new product.  Because it is steam (not heat) that activates the Texture Magic and produces the texture on the fabrics, a steamer is the easiest tool to use.  A steam iron works perfectly well, too, but you must be careful not to touch the Texture Magic with the hot sole plate of the iron.  Heat won't ruin the Texture Magic or melt it or make it stick to your iron.  It will, however, make the Texture Magic stiff.  If you use steam, the Texture Magic stays very soft and supple. Read more about what I love about this particular steamer here.

Spring Special:

Place an order totaling at least $30 (before shipping) and I'll send a FREE pattern (my choice).  Just type the code SPRING SPECIAL in the notes section of your order.  Offer expires March 31, 2010.

Website Update News:

I'm pleased to say that my new website is finally up and running!

I hope that you'll be pleased with the changes.  Here are some of the features:

I hope that you'll find the new website to be an improvement and would love to hear your comments and/or suggestions!

Happy National Quilting Day to all of you!

Annie