I’m going to start a study group using the book, The Artist’s Way

beginning on Monday, November 14th.

Details:

It’s a 13 week course in discovering your personal creativity.

I will lead it by online chat via uStream, so regardless of where you live, you can join.

You will need: your own copy of the book (used ones on Amazon are as little as $3.67 plus shipping), a spiral notebook, a pen and a calendar, and a desire to discover your creativity and what might be holding you back.

This is a day-time study group — 8:30 a.m. pacific, and we’ll go for one hour (strictly). I will do an evening group after the day-time group is finished in January.

Why start now when we’re so close to the ‘holidays’? I have been in a personal dearth of creativity for 9+ months and I need to break out of it. I have wanted to do The Artist’s Way and have had my copy of the book for nearly 10 years. By creating a group, I will be committed to completing it. Since we’ll do the group on Mondays, we’ll avoid bumping into Thanksgiving Day — and we’ll take two weeks off around Christmas and continue after New Year’s Day.

Why would you want to join? Well, it’s free, an opportunity to meet up with other quilters who desire more creativity, a thoughtful process to help you realize that your passion is important…

So — if you want to join me, send me an email at annie@simplearts.com. Tell me if you have a uStream account or if you need the information on how to get one. It’s just that simple.

It’s a little hard to see, but I am getting smaller.

This is my favorite “little black dress”.

It’s a classic Jones New York dress that is made with impeccable quality and fit me perfectly when I bought it 7 years ago. But I weighed more then than I do now.

I wore this dress to church a couple weeks ago, and my good friend pulled me aside and told me that that was the last day I could wear this dress — my favorite dress. (It looks like a gunny sack on me now — and because of the way the dress is constructed — completely lined with top-stitched princess seams — it would cost more than it’s worth to have it altered)

So I had to memorialize my dress and have this picture taken.

I know I’m still tubby, but officially, I have gone from a size 22 to a size 16.

Not bad, eh?

Well, it would be better if I had some size 16 clothes… but I currently have one pair of jeans that actually fit correctly. I also have a pair of size 14 black jeans that my friend, Gwen, passed on to me after she lost weight — as an incentive for the future.

That future is now closer than before. Woo hoo!

Thanks to all who commented — all 9 of you  (See, I said the odds are in your favor, didn’t I? ; )

Since there were just 9 of you, I decided to make you all winners!

So guess what — you’ve all won!

Lori is the winner of the books and pattern.

Debbie, Kathleen, Aniza, Anne, Rhonda, Virginia, Paule-Marie, and Nancy all get to pick your prize. Either a copy of the Ultimate Applique Guidebook or a handmade Quilt Journal made by me for you.

If you’d like to give the Applique Guidebook as a gift to a friend, just let me know what their name and address is and I’ll send it along to them.

Don’t forget to email me, so I know that you’ve seen that you’re a winner, and let me know what you’d like your prize to be — k?

Back in May, when we all converged on Salt Lake City for Quilt Market, my quilty pals Gina Halladay, Beth and Liz Hawkins (you know, the LizzieB girls) and I got together to do a podcast a little different than we have normally done…

We did a podcast for the Mormon Channel and the Everything Creative podcast. Here is the link to our podcast, # 49 — Professional Quilting.

Did we talk about quilts?

We sure did. We also talked about what it’s like to be busy moms in the industry and where we get our inspiration.

L- R: Gina, Annie, Beth and host, Nancy Hanson. Liz joined us from her home in PA.

The microphone was on the other side of the table that it usually is for me…

(and those were pretty cool microphones.. and headphones too!)

It was so cool to tape the show in a real professional studio.

Gina’s Quilt Market reveal

Beth’s Quilt Market reveal

We had so much fun — Nancy is a great host and we loved talking with her and Producer, Tamilisa Miner (who took all of the photos).

When you click on the link above, it will take you to the page for our podcast and show you more pictures. To listen to the podcast, you will need to click on the link that says Listen Now or you can download it to your computer/iPad to transfer to your iPod. You can also subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

We hope you enjoy hearing from us in a different format !

And, there IS a Giveaway with this podcast –

a personalized copy of my book

a copy of “Quiltin’ Happy”, Liz and Beth’s Market book with 7 hip quilts

Gina’s Daisy Dew Drop pattern (the little daisy floorcloths — ultra cool!)

The lucky winner receives all three prizes — So leave a comment by October 29th and let us know what you learned about us in the Everything Creative podcast that you didn’t know before. Remember to check back to see if you’re the lucky winner on Sunday.

©2011 Annie Smith   All Rights Reserved

Thank you — ALL OF YOU — for commenting on this podcast!! There were 409 comments in all, and 26 lucky winners, whose names are announced below.

Sorry to take so long to get the list up — it took me 3 hours to separate everyone from the list of books, then to create the blog post. Phew!

If you didn’t win, don’t be disappointed — please trust me that there is much more to come!

One last note before you check to see if you’re a lucky winner — all Winners must email me with their mailing addresses within 48 hours of this posting, so by 4;45 on Saturday, October 22nd, or another lucky winner will be chosen in your place. (Sorry ’bout that — I just have too many prizes that go unclaimed, believe it or not! And I don’t want them here — that’s the idea behind the lovely giveaways!)

Drum roll please…

#212 Book winners are:

45 animal blocks/45 flower blocks – Linda Stokes

Hi Annie, I’d like to win these books because I love making baby quilts and the Animals would be perfect for that. The Flowers quilt book is interesting -I could see using my scraps in a quilt with these designs. I love taking quilt blocks and putting them together in my own design of a quilt layout. I may not be “arty” enough to design blocks, but I do pretty good combining blocks to make one of a kind quilts.

The Art of Elegant Hand Embroidery – Susan Brady

I would like to be entered in the drawing for The Art of Elegant Hand Embroidery Embellishment and Applique.
I came into quilting from sewing heirloom dresses for my two daughters. I love embellishment and applique, especially because I can use it on garments and sewing. I do more quilting now than anything since my girls are grown. I much prefer a book that is all about technique and eye candy so that I can put it into what ever project I like. I also like that there are so many textures that can be created with these techniques. I rarely make anything without surface embellishment. I especially love handwork because i can sit with my family and stitch away.

Big-Ass Book of Home Décor – Paule-Marie

Then there is the Big Ass Book of Home Decor. I heard the author on a Mark Lipinski podcast, liked what I heard. And I just love the brashness (for lack of a better word) of the title. It makes me laugh.

Big Book of Patchwook, Judy Hopkins – Genie

Big Book of Patchwork 50 Fabulous Quilts-I love the quilt on the cover. The bright colors and traditional design makes the quilt look like fun to make. Having 49 more quilts to dream about making seems totally inspiring.

Bloom Creek – Lori

Next on the dream list….Bloom Creek Quilts. This book just grabs me. It’s a combination of the yummy colors and the awesome cat on the cover. My cat, Emmie, is always around when I’m sewing and this cover made me smile.

Candy Cane Lane – Ashley D

I’d love to win the Candy Cane Lane (Christmas quilt) book! I’ve got a Christmas baby on the way, so I think I could find “the special project” in this one!

 Charm School/Country Threads – Virlinda Day

I like that the book Country Threads Goes to Charm school has small quilts in it. Sometimes you just want to complete a quilt in a short amount of time. Also, small quilts are great for practicing or perfecting your free motion quilting. They are easier to manipulate when you are quilting using home sewing machine.

Flower Show Quilts – Jeanie Crosthwait

I Love the Flower Show Quilts Book. The flowers look real and I love the pieced backgrounds, really dimensional.

Fresh Quilting – Anne Jacobsen

The other book I could really use would be “Fresh Quilting”. I enjoy the whimsical style and the fun and unusual colors. This is like a giant super creative quilt library! HEAVEN!

Hop to It! – Jane Vereen

I would surely enjoy Hop to It. I love Edyth Sitar’s style – she combines applique and piecing so beautifully. I have read some interesting articles about her and I think I heard you interview her on your podcast as well? When I thumb through her books I sigh, wishing I had time to make them all. 

House Party – Jane Stamper

I had initially heard the podcast while driving in my car. When I heard you describe the book, “House Party Coordinated Quilts and Pillows” by Sue Hunt, I couldn’t get home quick enough to see what fabrics I had left over to make matching pillowcases or shams. What a great way to use up the fabrics left over from a finished quilt.

 Penny Haren – More Blocks –Quilt Nut

Pieced Applique – more blocks & projects book 2…the tan sashing set off with the navy corner stones just hit me…..I want it!

Penny Haren – Intricate Blocks – Cherry Guidry

And any one of “Penny Haren’s Applique” Books – especially the “Intricate Blocks” one – I’m trying to challenge myself to improve my skills and I just love, love, love anything applique, whether raw edge, turned or a combination pieced/applique.

 Penny Haren—Pieced Applique, book #1 – Patricia @loghome

Love, love, LOVE to applique….
Penny Haren’s Pieced Applique is sure to have patterns that I must try!

 Penny Haren – Weekend projects – Margaret G

Penny Haren’s Pieced Applique Weekend projects – These sound like they have really good gift-giving ideas, and I like that they are quick!

Piece in the Hoop – Sandi Cain

Hi again – I have a HV D1 so I’m really excited to put my name in the drawing for Piece in the Hoop. I’ve done something like this before (I assume since I’m going off of your description) and want to do more. Thanks for doing this for us.
p.s. I think the picture on the front would draw me to pick up the book at a store also.

 Quilting on the Go – Diane Kennedy

I would love to win Quilting on the Go by Carolyn Forster. I always try to have a portable project going as well as the larger “can only work on at home” project.

 Quilting Line and Color – Teresa Pyron

Quilting: Line and Color looks like a book that would expand my skills. I would love to experiment with a modern feel, learn new techniques, and the Japanese style would stretch my aesthetic.

 Rose of Sharon – Vivian

“The Rose of Sharon Block Book”. After learning to do hand applique last year, I am all over anything about the subject. I also have plans to design a couple of Baltimore Album style projects so am interested in anything with examples of that style as well.

Another Bite of Schnibbles – Karen DePalma

I would be delighted to add Another Bite of Schnibbles to my collection. I’m a newer quilter and love getting to work with precuts. It’s especially nice to use a little bit of an entire fabric line in a project.

Simple Graces – Jill Nelson

I am in love with Kim Diehl. Her quilts inspire me to try new things. They also make aplique something that I can do and non intimidating. I recently participated in an online bid for her signed book and one of her quilts. Unfortunately the bid got too high and I had to stop bidding. I would love to have her book Simple Graces to add to my quilting library.

Stash with Splash – Steffi

I would like to win the book “Stash with Splash Quilts”, because I love to get inspiration how to use some fabric in my stash and your review sounded as if this book would help me with this.

Sweatshirt 2 – Evelyn

And finally, Start With a Sweatshirt looks like it would be fun. I have not sewn anything wearable for myself in years. This might be a good place to start
Thanks much for all of your wisdom !

 Quilts of Thimble Creek – Gloria Mauno

Quilts of Thimble Creek
Just the name makes me love it! Though I live in California, unfortunately I’m in southern, and was not near Walnut Creek. Hearing you speak of the this book and all the designers, and knowing this book is no longer in print, makes me want to treasure it.

 Welcome Home – Kim Templin

Kaffe Fassett is not only a great designer but a wonderful writer. His books are inspirational and insightful. I would LOVE to have Welcome Home in my library (after taking a long tour of duty on my coffee table first!)

 Word Play – Debbie Wheeler

Word Play Quilts is on my list of books I would like to own. I think the idea of piecing words on quilts is wonderful and whimsical. I want to make a word quilt that describes our family’s journey (my journey in particular) which has included 10 years of health and then 21 years of illness so far.

Thanks again, quilters, listeners — my friends out there in cyberspace. More quilty goodness to come!!

©2011 Annie Smith  All Rights Reserved

Podcast 212 – The BIG Book Review and Giveaway
(Right-Click or Ctrl-Click on the icon below and select “save link as…” to download the podcast to your computer)

Running time: 01:32:07 Size: 88.4 MB

I decided that it’s finally time to empty out my “Treasure Box” to make room for the new treasures that will be sent to me with the advent of Fall Quilt Market. So, in regular style, I’m passing on the goodies and gems to you.

But before we go there, I want to remind you that the Exploring Fabric Choices online class registration has been extended to October 15th. Which means, you have until October 15th to sign up for the most important workshop you will ever take. On October 16th, registration will close and it will go into the Quilting Stash Classroom archives. Don’t delay — you will have 30 days from the day you sign up to complete the workshop, which is usually completed in 2 days.

Here are the rules before we start:

Leave me a comment for each book you desire to win. Do not leave me a comment with a list of books you desire to win — I will delete any comments that has a list of books. I want one comment for one book. You can leave as many comments as you wish. You can win more than once, if I draw your name.

In the comment field, I want to know why you like this book, what inspires you, etc. so I can give that feedback to the Publishers — who want to know!

I will draw the lucky winners on October 19th — so please comment!

Here are the books for the Giveaway:

These next two books, and only these two books, are counted as ONE Giveaway:

and last but not least…

so, good luck! And remember the rules for entering the Giveaway, located at the top of the blog!

©2011  Annie Smith   All Rights Reserved

Here is mine:

I love dried out thistles. I love to photograph dried out thistles. I don’t know why, I just think they are so beautiful, especially when shot up close with the background blurred out — using extreme depth of field. This point of view: my home is in the blurry area, so I’m looking at my home from a different point of view. Clever, huh?

taken with Olympus sp500uz using the automatic Portrait scene at close range

Here is WebGuy’s:

If I were a squirrel, I think this would be a most natural view of my life. Climbing up and down trees all day.
Olympus E-500 F3.5, 1/250″

©2011 Annie and Guy Smith   All Rights Reserved

WebGuy’s:
An HDR image I created to depict the evening’s oncoming storm clouds.

and here’s mine:

It looks like great minds think alike! Guy and I went out to shoot photos together, so we got some similar photos. When we go out to shoot, we never talk about what we’re taking pictures of, we just shoot, then share later. We didn’t even take the time to share with these! Same sky, different view. I set the camera to under-expose this scene — there was too much light happening still, and by under-exposing, I managed to make the sky look ominous. Cool!

Taken with Olympus sp500uz — my point and shoot! 1/640 f5,6 +3.00

©2011  Annie and Guy Smith  All Rights Reserved

Here is mine:

I debated among three different photos for this topic, Many. I thought this one might be the most thought-provoking. Why are there so many lanterns on one wall? Do they light up at night? Each appears to be totally unique from each other, and fixed to the wall in a random pattern or placement. The color of the wall draws you into this unlikely scene.

Taken with Olympus sp500uz on Manual mode, 1/160 F2.8 o.3 on a cloudy day

here is WebGuy’s:

Thorns and thistles, like our problems, are many. These thistles have been growing most summer and have provided much beauty along this hilly walking path with their attractive purple brush and their tall, elegant geometry. Now they are thorny, with thick, bending, crooked stocks. Much like our problems – the things that attracted us to them were beautiful. Now we let them dally and become withering obstacles in our way – many.

©2011  Annie and Guy Smith   All Rights Reserved

Here is WebGuy’s:

I couldn’t help it. I had a camera. I was outside. The light was terrific. Piper was…umm…there. It was truly spontaneous.

Taken with Olympus E-500 1/500 f3.5

Here is mine:

I just had to take the opportunity to make this my impromptu portrait. Kirsten is cutting my hair for the very first time, at her Cosmetology school. The photo seems to have the spray bottle be the actual portrait, with Kirst and I as background interest ; )

taken with my phone camera

© 2011   Annie and Guy Smith   All Rights Reserved