Category: Uncategorized

Running time: 00:37:28 Size: 34 MB

I had a lot of fun sitting around the kitchen table in Mimi Dietrich’s home and talking about Baltimore quilts, Diary quilts, and other things.

I got a chance to meet long time listener of the program, Linda Kabota from Thailand. She brought me some really cool goods:

Not long ago, I made chocolate chip cookies from the recipe in the Lizzy B girls latest book, “Whimsyland.” I commented on this blog how I burned my fingers attempting to rescue a hot sheet of cookies coming out of the oven.

Lizzy B girls to the rescue one more time! They sent me a pair of homemade hot pads with a note:

Nobody can have a bad day when you get a care package like the one I did from Aurifil threads! These spools are fantastic!

Don’t forget to check out my online quilt classes HERE. Here’s a picture of student, Pat Leask, in her work area – watching the online videos and working on her project! She looks right at home. Pat, why aren’t you in your JAMMIES?!

Be sure to send me an email so we can add you to our mailing list for special offers on my boutique, special giveaways, and discounts on classes at Quilting Stash Classroom!

Click HERE to drop me a line – be sure to include:
your real name
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We don’t sell or give-away any of your personal information to anyone. We use it only for the purpose of sending you cool stuff and letting you know about special events and products available through Quilting Stash.

Running time: 00:28:13 Size: 26 MB

Yeah, if it were only a real vacation, not a working one — but I’m not complaining!! I had the time of my LIFE this Summer. Beginning in January of this year and my Quilting Stash Coast-to-Coast trip, I had no idea that I would be traveling so much this year — all having to do with quilting (well, almost all!).

Here is the run-down and highlights of my Summer:

North Carolina:

Thimble Pleasures Quilt shop has moved from Carrboro to Chapel Hill. To see pictures of their NEW fabulous store, click on this link: New TP Quilt Shop

Where Celeste and I had dinner: Mama Dip’s, a North Carolina institution!

A Southern Season all foodies need to apply ; )

Baltimore, Maryland:

I met Barbara Burham — an incredible quilter who decided to recreate an antique Baltimore Album quilt that she bought on eBay.

A block from the original quilt. You can see the stains and deterioration of the quilt and fabrics, but you can also see the beautiful detail in the hand applique and quilting.

Here is the new block. Barbara used fabrics that would most closely mirror the fabrics in the original quilt. Marty and Barbara worked together to create quilting that would best represent the original quilt as well. This quilt is a MARVEL!

Mimi Dietrich and Marty Vint, discussing Baltimore Album Quilt history in the Baltimore Historical Society Museum.

Mimi, Barbara, Marty and me with Robin’s ‘Thinker” at the Baltimore Museum of Art. The museum has an extensive collective of Rodin pieces, as well as one of the best restaurants that I have ever had lunch at – not cafeteria fare by any means. If you go to the museum, plan on eating there — you’ll be amazed!

Pennsylvania:

On to Pennsylvania to meet up with the Red Rose Quilt Guild — this was my very first trip to Pennsylvania!! And it was a great one!

One of the many Amish quilts in the collection at the Lancaster Museum of Quilts and Textiles. Inspiring!!

Here’s a link to the Central Market.

The Lititz Area Event Calendar so you can find out more about the area and what’s happening.

A little trip to the Wilbur Chocolate Factory… the give out freebies to everyone. This is one of their signature dipped marshmallows. The castle that you see behind my little friend is ALL chocolate. Wilbur Buds, the first original “kiss” is heavenly.

John Sutter is buried in Lititz – best known for the gold that was discovered at his mill that began the Gold Rush, my state’s history. It was cool to see how he influenced Lititz as well.

My hostess, Vicki’s past Presidents quilt. Isn’t it gorgeous?

Here is my bud, Julie Broderson, Quilting Stash listener and contributor, who is responsible for bringing me out the Red Rose Quilt Guild. It’s always a pleasure to meet and hang out with listeners!

And on I go to Liz’s of Lizzie B Cre8ive:

Valley Forge Park is in Liz’s ‘backyard” — she rides bikes there with her dad.

The Log Cabin Quilt shop in Bird-in-Hand – fabulous fabrics at even more fabulous prices.

Liz and Christine looking at the detail of this wonderful quilt, that was for sale. It was a steal!

The Kling House is a great place for lunch – Liz’s favorite.

The Old Country Store, quilt shop area. They have an online store — and their prices are amazing!!

Quilts for Sale! Isn’t this one on the bed a beauty?!

Here is Liz and me, contributing to each other’s delinquency…

Guess whose shose are who’s? ; )

Here’s a link to the Dansko Outlet ONLINE — I had no idea until I did this podcast that you can get their great shoes at great prices online.

New Jersey:

Quilting Stash listener, Debbie Markowitz, from Jerusalem, Israel, was visiting family in New Jersey and stopped by Aardvark & C. to meet me!

To hear more about my New Jersey trip, listen to the podcast with Mark Lipinski.

Now — on the road with “the band” – Pacific Lights (formerly Sleepwell):

Halfway into the trip, we finally crossed the border into Texas. The boys were so happy to get out of the trailer-pulling Suburban!

I hope you liked their new release, “Move Me” on their new CD Sunnyside.

The boys also enjoyed a little impromptu street concert in Tempe, AZ on a hot summer night:

They drew a good crowd — that is, until they had men on horseback…

Who shut them down… well, it happened to the Beatles too ; )

I’m “thinking” that I had a pretty great Summer!

I’m happy to be home for a little while, as I will start traveling again in October and November and December and … you get the picture…

I hope your summer was great, too!!

©2009  Annie Smith  All Rights Reserved

Running time: 00:28:09 Size: MB

Elly and I had a brief window of time to chat at the end of session 2 of the Empty Spools Seminar last March. What strikes you most about Elly is what a gentle and gracious lady she is… then you discover that she has a great sense of humor.

Visit Elly’s website to learn all about the Elly Sienkiewicz Applique Academy, celebrating it’s 15th year in 2010!

As an Artist in Residence, I will teach “Exploring Fabric Choices for Applique” on Thursday, February 11th.

©2009  Annie Smith   All Rights Reserved

Here I go — something I thought I’d Never do. One of these days, I will learn not to say NEVER…

Mine is the one in blue.

How could a mom resist those darling faces? So, I’m meeting up with them in Denver today — to chaperone for 10 days. And I thought my Coast-to-Coast road trip was bad ; )

The boys have just released a new CD “Sunnyside”. Below is a list of places that Pacific Lights will be playing for FREE at a local mall! Come and listen, bring your teenagers and we’ll do a meet-up where the guys are performing! If you’re going to join us, comment below and I’ll be on the look-out for you. I’ll be right outside the entrance —  and we’ll be there 30 minutes before and 1 hour (or more!) after the performance.

All performances are P.M.

August 5 — DENVER, CO, Hot Topic store: Northfield at Stapleton Mall at 5:30

August  7, & 8 — DALLAS, TX

August 9 — AUSTIN, TX, Hot Topic, Barton Creek Square at 6:30

August 10 — EL PASO, TX, Hot Topic storeCielo Vista Mall at 5:30

August 11 — ALBUQUERQUE, NM, Hot Topic store, Cottonwood Mall at 3:30

August 12 — PHOENIX, AZ, Hot Topic store, Village at Desert Ridge at 6:30

August 13 — SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — location will be announced soon

HOPE TO MEET YOU THERE!

Running time: 01:12:00 Size: 33MB

My bud, Mark Lipinski, caught up with me at our favorite Morris Plains, NJ quilt shop – Aardvark & C. Actually, he surprised the heck out of me — which you can see on Mark’s blog, June entry.

Mark and me at Aardvark & C.

Mark surprised my Exploring Fabric Choices students too–

Pat, Ellen, Lisa and Claudia.

Mark’s Smurfy shoes after slogging around in the chicken coop — ew!

How cool does “Quilt Out Loud” sound?!  I can hardly wait to see it, so I have to join up now.
Ok – so did you write down the code? If not, go back and listen – and tune in.

Don’t forget to visit Mark’s website at marklipinski.com to keep up with Mark’s whereabouts.

The Pickle Road Garden class registration info is up and the introductory video is available for viewing by following the classroom link.
Class begins on August 7th – so don’t delay. You’ll want to get your fabric selections set up in time for class.

The Quilter’s Palette class is just finishing up and there are student photos in the Gallery section of the classroom. The next Quilter’s Palette class will begin on August 28th and the registration for that class will be up soon as well.
In addition, the Spring Retreat information is available by clicking on the Retreat link – I’m doing two sessions at Clear Lake in March and April in 2010.

Happy Quilting!

©2009  Annie Smith  All Rights Reserved

Hi All,

Many of you have asked for a sample video to see whether your connection has the umpf to play Quilting Stash Classroom videos. I have just released an introductory video to the Pickle Garden Road to tell you a little more about the online class and to help you test the throughput on your home systems.

I’m pretty sure if you are able to see this video, you’ll be able to watch the lesson videos and participate in the online class. Give it a try and CLICK HERE!

Annie

Running time: 01:03:18 Size: 29MB

Hi listeners!

I’m back from wandering for a couple of months, once again. And back to dispel any rumors about Quilting Stash…

In this first of several podcasts about my trip to the East Coast, I want to share with you 3 wonderful quilters that I met in the Baltimore area.

Gyleen Fitzgerald

Gyleen, in her studio

Close-up detail from Gyleens’s book, “Quilts: Unfinished Stories with New Endings”, the Sawblades quilt with orange Shoe Fly blocks. I LOVE this quilt!

The backing fabric of the Sawblades quilt — pieced with lovely fabrics. “Why use cheap and any old fabric for your quilt backs? Those quilt backs are what touches our skin — so use beautiful and quality fabrics for your quilt backs” — the most valuable information, from Gyleen.

A lovely color study quilt in Gyleen’s guest bathroom. Have you thought about using a wood yard stick as a quilt hanger? Cool, huh…

Visit Gyleen’s website Colourful Stitches where you can also find her books.

Too Quirky Quilters

Kim Fess and Rebecca Heinze — two talented ladies!

Kim’s Bee quilt

Can you tell these gals have fun and ARE fun?!

Visit the Too Quirky Quilters webiste and view their schedule to see when they’re coming to your area.

And here is the link to Jinny Beyer’s website so you can see what’s new with Jinny.

©2009  Annie Smith  All Rights Reserved

Hi All,

Just a quick update to let you know that a new set of podcasts are on their way. I finally finished my marathon tour schedule for June by teaching a two-day workshop in Antioch, California in the San Francisco Bay delta region. What a wonderful time we had this weekend. I even got to bring WebGuy with me to keep me company for this last bit of my roadtrip.

So please hang on just another short while. New podcasts are coming!

In the meantime, the Quilter’s Palette online class has been going very well. We are getting lots and lots of positive feedback. If you haven’t seen what’s been going on, read student comments by clicking HERE.

Students have been submitting pictures of their works in progress to our classroom gallery. Click HERE to see their work!

These students are keeping up with the pace of a new assignment every week for 11 weeks straight. We’re just over half-way through and their projects are looking fabulous.

Next week I’ll be announcing the upcoming projects and dates for Annie’s Classroom that are scheduled to begin later this summer. Space will be limited so come back often if you even THINK you might be interested in signing up for a class. You can tell by the comments students are leaving in theSTUDENT FEEDBACK section that these are not your ordinary online classes. You truly get my attention and feedback during the sessions and you have access to me in ways other online classes can only dream about.

Check it out!

Annie

I’m in New Jersey, my husband is in California today — the second year in a row that I have been  gone on Father’s Day…

I found a book, The Children’s Book of Heroes by William Bennett in the backseat of my nephew’s  car today. I was looking at the illustrations and seeing which heroes are listed in the book — people like George Washington, Jackie Robinson and Mother Teresa. One particularly caught my interest — Dad, and this poem by Edgar Guest.

Happy Father’s Day, BigGuy!!

Only a Dad with a tired face, coming home from the daily race,

Bringing little of gold or fame to show how well he has played the game.

But glad in his heart that his own rejoice, to see him come and to hear his voice.

Only a dad with a brood of four. One of ten million men or more.

Plodding along in the daily strife, bearing the whips and the scorns of life.

With never a whimper of pain or hate, for the sake of the those who at home await.

Only a Dad, neither rich nor proud, merely one of the surging crowd.

Toiling, striving from day to day, facing whatever may come his way.

Silent whenever the harsh condemn, and bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a Dad but he gives his all, to smooth the way for his children small.

Doing with courage and stern and grim, the deeds that his father did for him.

This is the line that for him I pen, only a Dad but the best of men!

And happy father’s day to-be, Ryan!!!