Turn On The News!

Cruisin' the British Isles In August

2012-01-28T11:32:00.000-08:00

Does this sound fun or what???? I immediately said yes to this teaching cruise. I have 2 fresh/new classes I'll be offering aboard ship on at sea days. Classes are included in cruise fare.

Click Here to go to http:www.worldofquiltstravel.com

A Caribbean DEAL March 2012

2011-08-22T13:06:00.000-07:00

World of Quilts Travel has contracted me to teach next March 18 - 28 on a 10 day cruise of the Caribbean. Beginning in Miami... cruising to 6 ports, 3 days at sea classes... all that for $999.00 Egads...

Click here to check it out!

Upcoming honor from IQA

2011-07-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled. The International Quilt Association (hosts of international shows at Houston, Long Beach, etc.) have asked to honor my work in their upcoming quarterly Journal/Newsletter. Who would say no to that? I don't know the publish date but I'm looking forward to. Sadly for you... my picture will show up in addition to quilt pics and some background info and interview .

EXCITING ROUTE 66 EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITY for YOU

2011-06-22T16:52:00.000-07:00

Hang on to your Hat... cause this should be GREAT FUN!
I am co curating a traveling exhibit with Kelly Gallagher-Abbott of jukeboxquilts.com.

Here's a yet to be quilted look from the beginning in Chicago.

All information identifying rules/intent to enter/ entry forms/ approved for use photos, etc are available through the link below.
Please click here to go to http://www.route66quilts.blogspot.com where you will find info about our 2012+ traveling exhibit honoring the "Mother Road" of the U.S.A. You hopefully are looking to particpate. Check it out!

North To Alaska Cruise

2011-02-17T07:43:00.000-08:00

What are you doing late July/early August???? I've just been asked to co-teach a Fiber Arts Adventure Cruise to Alaska. (Cruise Begins/ends in Seattle) 7 nights aboard ship includes meals etc, 3 days at sea of classes with myself , Ricki Bremer, all taxes and port fees included. Dates: July 29 - August 5. Pre March 28th deposits are refundable and secure a private classroom. If you think you'd like to go... get signed up! Unlike other cruises ,fee includes all port charges and taxes) $1349 double occupancy ....$1479 ocean view.. Bringing a non sewing spouse or friend???? Ask John ( contact info below) about the reduced price.
Web site : connectiontocruise.com for details... Click on Special Group Tours, then click on Alaskan Fiber Arts Tour in DARK BLUE HIGHLIGHTED LIST:
http://connectiontocruise.com/cruises/default.asp?sid=11239&pid=46799

I plan to offer 3 classes:

Fun Faces in Ink... caricature portrait class where I bring sample heads, noses, mouths, etc that you can mix and match into a fun wacky portrait of whomever you like for inclusion in a quilt, wall hanging, placemat, etc.
Big Cats at Sea... Closeup images of tigers and lions... or frankly, you can paint anything you really want.
"The Art Of Quilting" .. Whether a quilter or a top maker, you'll learn how to plan the quilt line and thread choices.
NO machines required for my classes. Yeah!

Contact John at Connection To Cruise 714 692-2210 or email john@connectiontocruise.com
Double click on photo for enlargement

Teaching April 3 - 8, 2012 at Asilomar

2011-02-09T05:57:00.001-08:00

Some months ago, I was asked to teach at Asilomar in 2012. I am thrilled to finally say the contract is signed and back in my possession. It's a go! I'm excited for at least 3 reasons...
1) Heck.... It's Asilomar... How great is that?!... on the beach in Monterey,
California territory. Sweet!
2) It's 5 days of dedication to Painting AND Quilting the Arts. Heaven!
3) It's 5 days of time with quilters of like interest. That's always thrilling!
The date is April 3 - 8, 2012. I hope to see some of you there!!!
http://www.emptyspoolsseminars.com

2 Wins at Road To Ca 2011

2011-01-19T16:59:00.001-08:00

The judging is done and I've received great news!!!. Both pieces entered at this years Road To Ca have ribboned! Lucky/grateful me! First...A pictorial piece that had never been in competition and turned 2 years old this month.... was to be seen now or never as 2 years is the age limit on this event. I did this piece to assure students afraid of tracing and drawing, that if all else failed, there were plenty of royalty free clip art images ( example this one) that could be researched and painted. I fould these guys in a 'grown up coloring book of animals. I did quilt these fellows, but seem to have posted the original painted only version. Oh well!

The important piece for me is this tug at my heart image from my 2009 trip to Ecuador. This little girl was playing in a box amongst filth in an open dirt market in Ecuador's capital. The painted/quilted version of my photo is titled "In Quito's Market" and won "Best Painted Surface Quilt" at the 2011 Road To California Show which officially opens tomorrow.

2010 International Festival - 2nd Place

2010-11-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

In some competitive circles, 2nd place might be a disappointment... but not at IQA-Houston, easily recognized as the prominent International Competition for contemporary quilters creating both art and traditional work. This competition category is sponsored by Ricky Tims. "Thank you", Mr. Tims! IQA further honored this piece with a full page photo in the annual festival magazine called "QUILT SCENE!" (available at festival and magazine counters)

Patt's newest art piece: "In Quito's Market" features a young Ecuadorian child in the dirt plaza market in the country's capital. There, some children play surrounded by filth and thievery as their parents work to support their children. Little Maria had 2 toys... an empty box and a twisted piece of paper.

Oct 5th.. Featured on Thequiltshow.com

2010-09-28T22:33:00.001-07:00

Windsong is one of my favorite pieces (this was a beautiful horse)... and I'm told it will be featured on TheQuiltShow.com website on October 5th. Very nice honor.

Sept 2010 Setting Sail

2010-09-28T22:30:00.001-07:00

Sept 29 Setting sail from Los Angeles for a round trip quilting cruise to Hawaii with Deb Roberts worldofquiltstravel.com. I have 4 at sea teaching days and supplies are packed and ready! Can't wait!

Planning for 2012 at Asilomar

2010-09-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

Out of the blue... Empty Spools called me this weekend to book/teach for them in April 2012. Sounds cool to me. I'm thrilled with the idea of taking my painted quilt art class across 5 days to include quilting art!

" In Quito's Market" will ribbon at Houston.

2010-09-15T12:33:00.001-07:00

A great call came today telling me my 2010 entry at Houston IQA will get some sort of cash prize in November. It could be anywhere from judges choice to first place and no one ( but IQA) will know til the awards night November 2nd.
I am thrilled as this piece means alot to me. I photographed this young girl last year in Ecuador's capital. WE are soooo lucky to be living in this country.

2010 Houston IQA Silent Auction Donation

2010-08-25T11:36:00.001-07:00

'Going to Houston International Quilt Festival this November??? The following donated small quilt has been shipped for their scholarship fundraiser silent auction held during the festival. This very painting was featured on my November '09 510episode of thequiltshow.com with Ricky Tims. There are 79 spectacular buys available from many national/international artists. Stevii Graves of IQA made this happen. Way to go Stevii.

On The Cover- Machine Quilting Unlimited !!!

2010-08-24T08:56:00.001-07:00

The premiere magazine for those that complete the quilt process has honored me with both a cover photo and cover story. The September 2010 issue is now in the mail to subscribers. Thank You to this wonderful magazine that offers so much information for domestic and longarm quilters. The several page article inside includes quilt pics and stories of their and my quilting origin. There's a great article too by friend Laura Peterson describing the creation of her incredible quilt.. THE QUILT SHOW!!!
Check out www.MQUMAG.COM for more info about the magazine.

Patt featured in new "Mixed Media and Color Book"

2010-02-02T16:34:00.000-08:00

This is one cool book, written by Acrylic Artist Chris Cozen. I have 5 completed quilts in this book and lots of input from me thru Chris. While Chris was already an accomplished Acrylic artist, she was looking for input/inspiration from quilters on how the newer acrylics might complement the art quilters toolbelt. Last July, several art quilter types visited Chris' lovely and fun studio in Pasadena Ca. We 'played' and experimented for 2 days straight. That play weekend launched Chris into a frenzy of added experimentation resulting in this great book. I confess, I historically bad mouthed acrylics as creating a miserable 'hand' on the fabric. Not so anymore. Golden's new Airbrush, Fluid, and Open (tradenames) offer lots of possibilities on fabric. YEAH!
This book is published by Design Originals out of Texas. I've seen other books by this publisher at Michaels so it may ultimately be found there, but is also presently available on Design Originals ordering site:

http://www.d-originals.com/New-2010_c17.htm

Check it Out!!! Sorry... I can't show you more.You'll need to buy one as Chris has loaded this book with tons of ideas/information.

2 Big Wins at Road To California :-)

2010-01-12T16:55:00.000-08:00

2010 Road opens at preview tomorrow night. I'm thrilled to have been notified that 2 of my entries took important prizes.
WINTER HUNT - Best Pictorial Quilt

PROUD HERTIAGE - Best Painted Surface

Free viewing of my edisode on The Quilt Show.com

2009-11-16T08:44:00.000-08:00

Hello all....
A free viewing link for my Episode 510 of "The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims" is now up and available for your viewing between November 16 - 22, 2009.
Instructions for access follow between the horizontal lines below. .
The Episode titled "Quilts Through Two Artists' Eyes" presents different perspectives from two quilt artists - myself and Tammy Finkler. Tammy, a traditional quilter and long arm quilting expert, guides you step by step through the process of designing intricate wholecloth quilting designs. Then I run through 'DRAWING FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T DRAW...AND PAINTING FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T PAINT." I think you might find it fun... at least most of it was fun for me! We had NO rehearsal so I responded to questions as they came. I wasn't thrilled with all my answers... but it went well overall, and you might find it fun to see me work so fast... like cooking on a morning TV news hour.
___________________________________________

So here is the link to allow you to watch my episode 510 for FREE from November 16th through November 22nd.
To watch the show go to: http://www.thequiltshow.com/season5/510/homeEnt.php?coupon_number=108490263410

________________________________________
For my QUILTING FRIENDS... not a TQS member, TheQuiltShow.com (Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims) has also offered anyone reading this message $10 off a 1 year membership to http://www.thequiltshow.com. Look for the "Redeem Gift Certificate" button at the top of the page when you go to watch your show. This is your call... just a nice promo offer on their part.

To receive $10 off the price of a 1 year TQS Membership, you must use Coupon Number #108490263410 when redeeming this gift certificate.
By entering this code you would be purchasing the 1 year membership for a reduced $32.95. All your call.
Once your purchase has been completed you can move freely about the entire quiltshow.com site! You could pre check out the site www.thequiltshow.com as much info is accessible without membership but the episodes, etc. come with membership.

Thanks for being a supporter and friend of my work!

Cruisin' to Hawaii!

2009-11-09T10:59:00.000-08:00

Okay... how bad could life be?.... quilting and cruising to Hawaii at the same time. www.worldofquiltstravel.com (Deb Roberts) and I are getting contracts exchanged for my teaching for the Quilts Travel Hawaii Cruise Sept 29th 2010 thru Oct. 13, 2010. Sounds mighty fine to me. She is just starting to publicize now so you might check out her web. She shared this cruise is usually well attended and tons of fun. ALOHA!!!!

EPISODE 510 on TheQuiltShow.com NOV 9th

2009-11-07T09:46:00.000-08:00

Episode 510 featuring MUAH... will begin view on demand airing starting November 9th, 2009. What a great time filming with Ricky and Alex. They are true pros.... no rehearsal.... and they know how to make it run smooth no matter what.

"Winter Hunt" takes 3rd at Houston International

2009-10-24T16:16:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled! The competition this year at Houston International was spectacular. "Thank You" to Ricky Tims Studio for sponsoring the Painted Surface Category. "NO ONE puts on an award ceremony the likes of Houston International. I hope everyone gets a chance to witness the awards celebration sometime... It's the Oscars of Quilting and everyone is invited whether you have entered or not. It's beautiful.

Heading Out For Houston Festival

2009-10-12T06:50:00.000-07:00

Finishing packing for a middle of the night flight to the IQA festival in Houston.
I'll be:
Teaching all week
Picking up a cash award tomorrow night ( I don't know any details)
Hanging out in Hollis Chatelains Imagine Hope Booth #814 Thursday night 5-7pm
Hosting in The Quilt Show.com booth Saturday afternoon 4 - 5 pm
Demoing in the Meet The Teacher area Saturday 2-2:30p
Hope to see you there! Patt

Up for Auction at Houston International

2009-09-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

Quilts, Inc which hosts the International Quilt Festival will hold a silent auction on Fri, Sat, and Sun of the October Festival. Donated pieces from numerous artists will be available for bid including this one by me. Hope you are there to bid and hopefully win. Update : The bidding is over... some quilter I hope to meet and learn about picked this piece up for $495.00.

Winter Hunt will place at Houston

2009-08-31T11:55:00.000-07:00

Nice call from Houston International Today. I've been notified my Mountain Lion hunting in Snow will place for a cash award in Octobers Festival. Quilts Inc.... informs cash prize winners but doesn't tell them about what prize... until the awards ceremony. Bottom line, they are hopeing you come so they give you some notice. Needless to say, I am THRILLED! Ofcourse I will be there. I'm arriving early enough to go to market before my teaching engagement starts. Last year, of the 4 awards in my category, three were international entries from outside the U.S. I placed 3rd last year and was thrilled beyond belief to have been the only American in the bunch.
I strongly suspect there is at least one other American in the mix this year. I can't wait to see Hollis Chatelains entry. It should be large powerful imagery, and beautifully executed.

One Great Temecula, Ca. 2009 Retreat!

2009-05-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

18 people, wine and horse country, beautiful quiet surroundings, lovely dining, fun students, bottom line WONDERFUL! The 2009 Retreat is done.... see Patt's teaching Blog link for detailed examples of student work. Planning for 2010 is underway. Watch for details in July via Patt's Retreats link on the right side of this page.
Janmarie Halliday incredible work in progress.

Painted Quilt Art Retreat in Wine and Horse Country

2009-05-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

Four gloriously fun days starting tomorrow May 22 of creating quilt art with 17 friends / students. Click on the upper right Patt's Teaching Blog for photos of a spectacular campus/classroom. I can hardly wait. 2010 dates are posted on Patt's Retreat's link above right.

May/June Fons and Porter Love of Quilting

2009-05-08T09:44:00.000-07:00

Their current issue features an extensive article on equine quilts, including my equine piece called Windsong. Very nice .. Thanks Fons and Porter!

Newest Article in Print in Machine Quilting Unlimited

2009-04-06T14:05:00.000-07:00

I love this magazine designed specifically for those quilting those quilt tops. Machine Quilting Unlimited is a subscription only magazine you might find interesting : http://www.mqumag.com
The magazine has just published my article on making thread color choices...Thread: The Linear Paint! This topic could easily be a book, tho this article focuses mostly on how complementary (to fabric) thread colors in differing values might be used for impact. Shown here is a snippet of the article. Contact mqumag.com for past issues and subscriptions.

June 09 Fabric Trends will showcase "Spring Break"

2009-03-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

What a nice surprise! Fabric Trends got a kick out of my traveling exhibit piece called SPRING BREAK! It will appear in the June 2009 issue.

Headed for Paducah

2009-03-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

Well I'll be danged!! Just got word that my African Bull piece "Endangered" is going to Paducah for the late April show. Heck... I haven't even been there! Anyway.. pretty exciting! This was my first entry to Paducah and I was somewhat surprised to learn their wall entries have a fairly large minimum size.... I think 41" wide which Endangered just makes.
We all must get there someday.... not to 41" wide.... to Paducah! :-) Patt

Teaching at Houston Oct 09

2009-03-03T10:01:00.000-08:00

It's official, I'll be there. Contract signed.... so here's the schedule.
Signup notification awaits us all.
Oct. 14-17, 2009
Houston International Quilt Festival
Wed. Oct 14 Painting With Inks
Thurs. Oct 15 Quilting Art, Mixed Media Sampler
Fri. Oct.16 Portraits on Fabric
Sat. Oct 17 Mixed Media Sampler, Meet The Teachers Forum
www.Quilts.com

Los Angeles Area "Avenue 50 Studio" EXHIBIT and Sale - SAQA

2009-03-02T17:34:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I NEED to do something abstract just to focus on fun quilting techniques/ patterns. Strings 1 is one such quilt. (There is also a strings 2 and 3). I dropped Strings 1 in the mail today for an upcoming Surface Art Associates juried exhibit/sale at Avenue 50 Studio Gallery, 131 No. Avenue 50, Highland Park, Ca. 90042. This should be interesting in that there were some 134 juried entries including international entries from Spain, Netherlands, Australia, Japan, Canada, among others. The exhibit and sale will run from March 14, 2009 to April 5, 2009. I think I need to go there myself!
Their web site... www.avenue50studio.com.

I showed up on The Quilt Show.com Blog.

2009-02-19T20:49:00.000-08:00

What a nice surprise!
Staff from The Quilt Show.com were at the January Road to California Show and have posted snapshots of my "Road" exhibit on their daily blog. Very cool of them!

Go to thequiltshow.com and click on the tab labeled Daily Blog or paste this URL link in your browser.

http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php

New CD Patterns and Followalong Guides

2009-02-17T08:03:00.000-08:00

For some time, students have been asking I make patterns that I bring to class available in commercial form. Before I did that, I felt (I'm a teacher at heart) that I needed to create a step by step, color by color photo follow along guide.... which ofcourse meant repainting and photographing/documenting as I went. That's now done for four patterns and are now available from JukeboxQuilts.com (though they aren't on the website as of yesterday). You can email customerservice@jukeboxquilts.com though and they can fill your order til the web site is made current. These are economic! $10 retail (Jukebox may offer some specials... their call) They include printable pdf drawings in 2 sizes...8 1/2 x 11 so you can enlarge to any size you want and one preformatted to print at 18"x24"..plus the step by step photo/text guide. Click on Products/Resources link to move to Jukebox website.
CD drawings and guides include:
Tiger Eyes
King (the lion)
Santa's Secret
Southern Grace (Magnolia)
The back cover of each disk identifies the specific ink colors/markers I used tho I love it when people change to their "own ideas." Jukeboxquilts.com distributes both these CDs and the used products so I'm certain they would pull and ship a personal kit.

Taping the QUILTSHOW.COM in Mar 2009

2009-02-15T13:48:00.000-08:00

How cool is this?? On Mar 12, I will take flight to Colorado Springs, drive to Ricky Timms studio in LaVeta Colorado for a Mar 13 segment tapeing of "Drawing and Painting for People Who Don't!" This should be tons of fun (yes I'm a bit nervous). Check out the quilt gallery at http://www.thequiltshow.com ..... Only members view the resulting show ('will post here when I know the date it will be released) but everyone can see a sample show for free, and see quilts posted by members. Check it out. News update on this later. :-) ...... Patt Blair

FONS and PORTERS Love Of Quilting

2009-02-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

A forthcoming issue of FONs and PORTERs Love of Quilting Magazine will feature my piece shown and ribboned at the International Quilt Festival (Nov 08) ... "Windsong"

Winter 2008/2009 MQU Magazine Photo

2009-02-15T13:36:00.000-08:00

The last page of each MQU magazine is reserved for a quilt the editors thought to be an interesting quilt. My piece "Endangered" was shown as the Winter issue '"jawdropper" choice.

SPRING 2009 Thread- The Linear Paint Article in MQUmagazine

2009-02-15T13:27:00.000-08:00

The Spring Issue of Machine Quilting Unlimited (due out end of Mar 2009) contains my article titled "Thread- The Linear Paint"... touching on selecting thread colors atop your quilt. I think you might find the info and photos interesting!

If you machine quilt (be it long arm or domestic) Machine Quilting Unlimited is a pretty nice 4 times a year subscription magazine by Meander Publishing ( cool name).
There are NO quilt top patterns in this magazine... It's about the quilting of finished tops. Check it out at www.mqumag.com.