Running time: 01:03:10 Size: 29 MB

Jane Davila at the end of session two of Empty Spools Seminar at Asilomar. Firsts for both of us – Jane as a teacher and me as Artist in Residence. We both felt the honor of being there.

Jane’s website

Jane’s Chary Sprouts blog (This is also where you want to go to leave a comment for a chance to win Jane’s new book:

The Country Quilter website shop

Happy Quilting!

© 2009  Annie Smith   All Rights Reserved

Running time: 00:37:06 Size: 17.1 MB

Here are a few links to things that I talk about in this podcast:

Coraline Movie
And then check out the blog for Althea Crome who made the tiny real-life sweaters for the movie. There is a YouTube video on the site of how she made them that will blow your mind.

Brightly Music Robin’s “Valentine” song for Alisha. Pay close attention to the song and you’ll hear these words… “I’ll bring the needle if you’ll bring the thread and we’ll stitch these hearts together” — pretty clever kid, eh?

A book recommendation: “A Single Thread” by Marie Bostwick .

We found it at Walmart. It is a REALLY good read! Marie writes about quilting in a way that makes you feel that you’re right there. Her characters feel like you are standing in the store, observing them — it is the most intimate story with a quilt theme I have read. And guess what? She’s writing a second novel!! I hope she writes about these characters for a LONG time. I wish Cobbled Court Quilt shop really existed.

Here are the pictures of the quilt that I saw at the Santa Rosa Quilt Guild.  Pictures are never as good as the real thing, but I hope it inspires you as well.

Simple, but amazing, isn’t it? The black border really sets it off.

Little sparks of yellow fabric really shine.

The close-up shows the precision of the quilter. I think I would do this paper-pieced ; )

And some pictures from Asilomar:

Why is Freddy Moran wearing my Mom’s hat? (Stay tuned for the answer!)

My design wall and the new coat that I am doing for the Lecien fabrics Spring Market booth. More to come as the coat progresses.

The view just out the window…

The view out the other window — it rained the entire time we were there. But isn’t it beautiful?

Kathy’s red shoes — I want a pair!

Part of my quilt display was hung over the Cotton Patch store. I sat facing the store all day, looking at all of those bolts of fabric — talk about temptation staring you right in the face!!

The all-new “In Between Stitches” quilt shop in Livermore:

Shop owners Melissa and Leslie

Beautiful display cases. I love the lower cases with table tops.

Isn’t this a great display? The quilt on the wall is from this book:

by Tone Finnanger, aka Tilda

In Between Stitches store front

Cambria Quilt Retreat sneak peek:

Sittin’ around the quilt campfire

Carolyn’s quilt from Sylvia Pippen’s class at Asilomar

Pat and Jean, concentrating hard on their applique projects

Terri, showing off her Exploring Fabric Choices quilt top from the last retreat.

West of Baltimore prototype blocks. My original was pink!

Camp Ocean Pines’ view at golden hour. This is a great place for a retreat!

Teresa, Jean, me and Pat – night-owls enjoying a late-night movie. “Pride and Prejudice” I believe…

Running time: 00:05:00 Size: 2.4 MB

All this week I’ve felt like Cinderella at the ball. My experience at Asilomar has been nothing short of fantastic! But all good things, as the clock strikes midnight around the Monterey Bay, must come to an end.

This is just a short wrap-up as I get my things packed into my car and prepare for my drive back home.

…but wait!! There’s much much more coming in the next few days. Listen-in as I describe the line-up.

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Wow, it’s turning into a whirlwind week for me here in Asilomar. I enjoy rubbing elbows with all of the attendees. I’m trying to meet and talk to as many quilters as I can in the short time I have.
I mention the line-up of wonderful trainers in this session at Asilomar. I’m going to try and get some interviews with them before I run out of week. Be sure and visit their links. Leave them a comment and tell them I sent you!

Tracey Brookshier I recorded an interview with Tracey a couple of years ago. You can find it in my archives, if you have my Archive DVD by playing show number 50. You can see the blog by clicking HERE

If you didn’t get your DVD yet, click HERE and order one!

Jane Davilla

Sylvia Einstein

Diane Gaudynski You can listen to an interview I had with Diane in show 118 by clicking HERE

Gwen Marston & Freddy Moran

Ruth B. McDowell

Reynola Pakusich

Elly Sienkiewicz

Kirby C. Smith

Marcia Stein

My Artist in Resident project is coming along just fine. It’s exciting to see it take shape. Maybe I can send some pictures to WebGuy for him to post. Come back and check it out.

…in Asilomar California!

Running time: 00:09:51 Size: 4.6 MB

The last few weeks have just flown by and I must apologize for the delay in getting you a podcast. Thanks for your patience.

I’m calling this podcast in from the Empty Spools Seminar in Asilomar California. I plan to update you a few times between now and Saturday so come back often.

I gave a presentation at Sunday evening’s opening session. Here is a picture of what the stage looked like – filled with my quilts. It was a surreal experience.

In my presentation I speak of finding your inner mojo, muse, or inspiration. Often times you can find them in everyday things or things left behind from a departed loved one. One of the tools I use is a hat that my mother owned. I’m sure she bought it back in the early 60′s. She never threw anything away. So I inherited it and now use it to help me find my creative path.

No, it’s not a bouquet of flowers. It really is a hat! There’s more to it than that. I may post the talk I gave so you can better understand what I’m talking about.