I'm Just Sayin

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Explore the Emerald Isle!

July 30 - August 6, 2018

or possibly
August 13 - 20, 2018
(a 2nd tour if there is sufficient interest)

$2700*

I'm excited about leading a potential photography and sightseeing tour in Ireland. The tour details are outlined below. The final itinerary is not 100% set, but the general outline is listed. Our driver/guide is Con O'Leary. I have worked with Con on four previous tours. He is simply the best there is. He loves Ireland and it's history. He has tremendous experience as driver/guide and leads high-quality tours. He is a favorite with National Geographic tours. Con's tour company is Scotia Ireland - VISIT HIS SITE

I am seeking 30 individuals for the tour. An international group would be fabulous. We will rendezvous in Dublin. I’m not looking for a commitment at this time. I'm compiling a list of those who are seriously interested in the tour to determine the viability of moving forward. If your interest is "very strong and likely", please reply via the link at left and let me know. If you would be touring with a spouse, friend, or group of friends, let me know that too. If the interest is sufficient, I will pursue finalizing the tour with Con.

I have been to Ireland seven times. I love it. It is magical, affordable, and unforgettable.

DESTINATIONS (subject to change)

DO YOU WANT A QUILT LUMINARIUM IN YOUR REGION OF THE US?

I want to go where you want me to come! You can nominate your region. If we get several request for Quilt Luminarium in a particular region of the US, we will start an online petition.

Once the petition is live, the more signatures we get, the more likely it will be that we will schedule an event in your region. Remember, these are regional events, not guild-specific or city-specific events. Nominate your REGION by COMMENTING BELOW. You can list your city, but please know we will evaluate based on regions.

Due to all that we bring (driving with a loaded trailer), we can only present Quilt Luminarium in the lower 48 of the US states. There are other options for international appearances.

Announcing 2018 DatesLa Veta Quilt Retreats

SIGN UP FOR A LA VETA QUILT RETREAT TODAY! CARPE DIEM!

photo by Gregory Case

Remembering Sue Garman

It is a sad time for quilters. Designer and quilter Sue Garman passed away on January 8, 2017. Sue's career with NASA was remarkable. Her passion for quilting was equally so. She was not defined by any particular style. During her 40-year career she made over 300 quilts using a variety of techniques and designs.

Sue was generous with her knowledge. She gave gifts of time and talent. She created several Block of the Month quilts for TheQuiltShow.com and flatly refused compensation for the BOM patterns or for her time spent creating video tutorials stating it was her gift.

I will remember her for her giving spirit and the life lessons she taught me. Sue's final blog post on January 1st was filled with hope and expectation.

A treasure in the quilting industry is gone. Her passion, quilts, and generosity will live on.

The “Thankful” List - And You're On It!
While family, friends, health, and well-being remain on the top of my “thankful” list, I owe a great debt (and will always be eternally grateful) to those of you who have supported, embraced, and shared my passions over the years. I do not take your participation in my life for granted. You mean more to me than you know. You inspire me.

A Short Story about a Journey - Into the Unknown
When I was a college music student, I didn’t want to follow the music education path. I enjoyed performing, composing, and conducting. I enjoyed teaching private piano lessons as that was the career that put me though college and even supported me several years following my university days. It’s odd – I didn’t want to teach, but I was teaching — just in a different way.

When quilting popped into my life in 1991, the passion for it was overwhelmingly strong. It wasn’t long before I was teaching at local quilt shops. As I started winning a few major awards, my quilts were being published and shows, shops, and guilds began sending invitations to teach and lecture.  By 1998 I resigned my musical career and jumped off the cliff with the hope that the quilting net would catch me before I crashed.

That net was a miracle and my life has never been the same. Over the years I have come to learn that teaching may be my biggest gift. Yes, I perform, make quilts, take photos, co-host an online television show — the list goes on — but teaching and encouraging seems to rise to the top. I strive to do it in a way that gives you courage, confidence, and inspiration.

In my quilt retreats we often discuss various attributes to help identify who we are. We explore the obstacles that prohibit one’s full potential and discuss what to do to overcome creative adversity. Those lessons keep me sharp and keep doing my own soul searching.

What I Want? It's Good To Have a Goal
There is nothing I want more than to inspire you — to encourage you. I want to teach and share my passions for creativity in ways that allow you to bring the best you can into your world. Quilting for me is far more than the stitching and making. It’s about the journey. It is telling your story. Music and photography for me do the same. All of our creative efforts are part of a body of work that becomes a biography that will tell our stories when our final chapter has come to an end. Time spent being creative is always time well spent. In addition, I want my creative passions to sustain me — and that’s being honest. I can’t pursue my dreams/visions if I don’t have the sustenance to do so. 

What Do I Fear? Shiver Me Timbers
I have always had self-confidence and I pray that my confidence has never been perceived as arrogance. Still, as I age, I’m starting to experience fears that I never knew would arise. In the quilt world, I’m no longer the new kid on the block. I’m not a novelty.  Still, I want to share my passions for as long as I am able. I fear that because change is inevitable that the change will leave me behind. But I know me, I am the guy who will face those fears and pursue the options to overcome and I believe that all things are possible. “Believe in the impossible and reach for the stars.”

What Do You Want and What Do You Fear? Fess Up!
Coming to the end of a year is like coming to an end. But nothing ends without something else beginning. Take time during this season to evaluate for yourself the things you want, the things you fear. List ways to achieve those goals and ways to overcome any fear or obstacle.  Pursue your passions and realize you are a gift to those around you. Be the light that shines and the smile that brings comfort when others seem lost.

Share the Love - Because Love is Love is Love is Love
No matter what lies ahead, let’s go forward with love in the lead. Embrace our differences and work for a more peaceful world. When I get down in the dumps, I've learned that the quickest way out is to care for others and give to those in need. May you and yours experience love in the most wonderful way during this holiday season. Thank you for your continued support of my passions and my career.

Sending Christmas cheer and holiday blessings to you and yours,

	QUILT LUMINARIUM I would love for you to experience my brand new Quilt Luminarium. I'm be presenting more passion, teaching, and encouragement than ever before. Treat yourself and come to one in 2017. Bring a friend! The early bird deadline for Houston is just around the corner. Coming to: Houston, Dallas, Tulsa, and La Veta.
	CHRISTMAS SALE I am extending the Christmas Sale for two more days. We have some great items at my best prices ever. We have new fabric bundles and my Christmas CDs, which will make wonderful gifts. Sale runs through December 13th.
	52-WEEK PHOTO CHALLENGE Enrollment only happens once a year for my 52-Week Photo Challenge online class. The early bird deadline for enrollment is December 15th.

 Watch Ricky's Christmas Music Videos

Here We Come a Wassailing

Silent Night

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Christmas in a Small Town

February 2017

• Duluth, GA - Branum's Sewing - February 1-2, More Info
• Ridgeland, MS - BERNINA Sewing Etc - February 4, More Info
• Tampa, FL - Bernina Sewing Center, - February 6, More Info
• Houston, TX - Quilt Luminarium - February 10-11, More Info

March 2017

• Dimmitt, TX - Ogalla Quilt Show - March 31, More Info

April 2017

• Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada - Stitches from the Heart Quilt Guild - April 7-8. More Info
• Victoria, B.C, Canada - Victoria Quilters' Guild - April 11. More Info
• Sequim, WA - Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Club - April 13. More Info
• Paducah, KY - AQS - April 26-29. More Info

May 2017

• Dallas, TX - Quilt Luminarium - May 12-13. More Info

June 2017

• Fürth, Germany  - June 8-11. More Info
• Shipshewana, IN - Shipshewana Quilt Festival - June 21-24. More Info

July 2017

• Romsey, England - Romsey Quilt Festival 2017- July 7-8, More Info
• Pershall, England - Master Class Lectures with P and Q Tours  - July 13. More Info 
• Oldham, England - Master Classes with Patchwork Parade - July 15. More Info

August 2017

• Anchorage, Alaska - August 4-5. More Info
• Jackson, WY - August 18-20. More Info

September 2017

• Madison, WI - Wisconsin Quilt Expo - September 7-9 More Info
• Tulsa, OK Quilt Luminarium - September15-16 More Info

 October 2017

• La Veta, CO Quilt Luminarium - October 13-14 More Info
• Houston, TX - International Quilt Festival,  More Info

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