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Christmas Shopping Done! Let's Quilt!

I'm so happy to say my shopping is done and I have time - finally - to get back to quilting. This week I started (and finished) a self-portrait quilt. Does it look anything like me?

And, I have turned my attentions back to the design wall and am plugging along to get this top assembled in the next couple of days. Cross your fingers and wish me luck.

Oh - and what did you put on your Santa's wish list?

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2012 Ponnie Brinkman Scholarship Winner

Under the African Sky (2012) by Peg Weschke

Congratulations to Peg Weschke from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Peg has been chosen as the Ponnie Brinkman Scholarship Recipient for 2012.

As a new quilter, Peg has quickly been recognized by her guild, the Palmetto Quilt Guild, as a 'new-bee' who is "fun, talented, energetic and always trying something new and different." Her recent works feature beaches and African themes. She is described as "an enthusiastic quilter who gives back to her guild and community."

It is always a difficult decision to select our scholarship winner. To all of our nominees, congratulations on your quilting journey and success thus far. We encourage you to continue quilting with passion and enthusiasm.

Each year Ricky Tims Inc accepts nominations from quilt guilds for new quilters showing great promise and enthusiasm. This scholarship enables Peg to attend a La Veta Quilt Retreat. Her tuition will be covered and in addition she will receive $500 toward expenses. For complete details on the Ponnie Brinkman Scholarship visit this link

Please join us in congratulation Peg on this well-deserved honor.

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Mid-week at Quilt Retreat

We are having a great time at the La Veta Quilt Retreat and have reached the half-way mark. Each student finished this sentence.
"So far this week I have learned...?"

...that two boxes of Kleenex are better than one and you can learn a lot by listening. - Marion

...that an opinion is an opinion - it's not right or wrong. - Jo

...that I have been exposed to an open, relaxing, creative atmosphere - and did I mention supportive? - Carolyn

...a great way to do blanket stitch around corners and curves! - Jill

...not to worry about how long something takes but to enjoy the process. - Myrna

...how to join fabrics in a wavy line and that I like my groove and am happy to be in it. - Karen

...to start a quilt "just putting it up there' - "Inspiration comes by doing!" - Wynn

...that while creativity is a process that can be complex, Ricky will show me the way, and my heart will guide me over the rocky parts. - Sharon

...to get rid of my fears - my inadequacy - and lack of knowledge. - Wendy

What have you learned - even if you weren't at the retreat?

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Quilt Retreat So Much Fun!

I LOVE when I get to be home teaching retreats for a week. There are usually a few returning students who I've come to know and love in addition to the new students that I get to watch blossom. Today is the first of five days and already we are seeing and exposion of creativity. The photo above only shows a bit of what's unfolding and I look forward to the end of the week when we see the projects completed or closer to completion.

We have nine students this week. If you like, I'll share more of the classes progress. If you would like to know about the La Veta Quilt Retreats tucked away in one of Coloraodo's hidden gems - check out this link.

What creative push would you want from me if you came to a retreat?

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Lifelines III Wins in Houston!

Lifelines III: Can Something Come From Nothing? approx. 60" x 60" - by Ricky Tims (2012)

Whoo-hoo! I'm flying high this morning. My quilt, Lifelines III: Can Something Come from Nothing has won first prize at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. I'm stunned really! This quilt was so much fun to make. It was total playtime! In addition to the "caveman" (improvisational) piecing, the free motion couching with the Bernina free-motion couching foot worked like a charm. The quilt basically built itself and grew out of spontaneity.

The past couple of years I began playing with inserting long, skinny, "V-shaped" wedges into my patchwork, similar to putting in a gusset only way longer and skinnier than normal. I called these inserts "lifelines" because they reminded me of the lifelines on our palms. In this case, I also wrote a poem and stitched it into the quilting. The lines of a poem can also be called "lifelines" if they have some sort of life message. Here's the poem.

Can something come from nothing?
Can we stop the hands of time?
The road of life moves forward,
And the past is left behind.

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