Meet Me in Des Moines, Myrna

OK, "Meet Me in Des Moines, Myrna" doesn't have quite the ring to it Judy Garland gave to "Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis" in the almost-eponymous movie, but this really is an open invitation to come see me during our show this October 6 - 9 at the Iowa Convention Center.

I'll be in an office in the hallway outside the exhibits, hoping to talk with prospective authors about their book ideas (look for the easel sign that says, "Andi Reynolds, Executive Book Editor"). If you'd like to talk about a book idea, you can prepare in advance by reviewing our proposal guidelines. Go to www.americanquilter.com and click on "Authors."

You can also attend my lecture, Publishing 101, which will be Wednesday, October 6 from 11 am to 12 pm in the Iowa Hall of Pride Theater. Register for Lecture # 32801.

I'll also be moderating the Author's Roundtable on Thursday, October 7 from 5 pm to 6 pm. This, too will be in the Iowa Hall of Pride Theater; it is Special Event # 32201. Come hear what four AQS authors have to say about being AQS authors: Joe Cunningham (Men and the Art of Quiltmaking), Jean Biddick (Masterful Machine Pieced Quilts), Zena Thorpe (Beautiful Alphabet Applique), and Kimberly Einmo (Jelly Roll Quilts & More).

Both events should help explain the process of becoming an AQS author, but you don't need to attend them to talk with me. Walk-ins are welcome, or you may make an appointment before October 1 by emailing me at andi@aqsquilt.com. You can always ask for me at the Workshop Desk, too.

Being at each AQS quilt show is always exciting for me because I do get to meet so many creative people with such interesting ideas. If you have given some thought to writing a quilt book, come to the quilt show and see me! Bring just an idea or a full-blown proposal or anything in between. I look forward to meeting you.

A Star (or Two) is Born!

Today, April 27, is the day our own Bonnie Browning and upcoming AQS author Judy Woodworth appear on The Quilt Show! Be sure to tune in and watch both quilting experts. Judy will show how to stitch freeform feathers, and Bonnie shows all kinds of ideas for finishing a quilt's edge.

Then, when Judy's first book, Freemotion Quilting Handbook, comes out early this Fall, you'll know something about her.
Her book includes all kinds of tips and techniques she uses to longarm amazing, award-winning quilts.

Click here to enjoy the show!

Keeping Secrets and Great Gift Ideas

If this is the season for sharing, as noted in the most recent post, it's also a doozy for keeping secrets -- or trying to! Just as you can be thrilled to have finished a quilted gift and can't wait to see someone receive it, we are delighted about what's ahead for AQS book releases.

But I can't give the details!! Except to say that in January and February (and through the Spring) we will have wonderful new books available you are sure to love. And we're working now on books for next Fall. This is such an exciting time of year -- if you can stand the wait!

Throughout the year we are happy to receive book proposals (and American Quilter and The Quilt Life, respectively, are happy to receive article proposals). Look under the "Authors" tab at www.americanquilter.com for proposal guidelines. If you have any questions, as always, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Now is absolutely the best time to give or request a book from AQS. Our list of titles contains a wonderful array from hand work and history to machine work and contemporary. AQS merchandise is perfect for showing off how you really feel about quilting. And what about giving someone a multi-day admission to an AQS show! Not sure what the quilter on your list would like? You can purchase a gift certificate in any amount online or by calling Karen at 1-800-626-5420.

Whatever you do, enjoy the sharing of the season, try to keep your secrets (!), and give a gift from AQS to a quilter you love.

Congratulations AQS Authors - Houston Winners!

Congratulations to Paducah's own Caryl Bryer Fallert for winning Best of Show at the IQA 2009 show in Houston! She is shown above left with a corner of "On the Wings of a Dream," a self-portrait that garnered Caryl the $10,000 top prize, sponsored by Handi-Quilter.

In addition, Caryl won first place in the Digital Imagery Category sponsored by C&T Publishing for "Watch Master," a tribute to her father. Her book, Caryl Bryer Fallert: A Spectrum of Quilts 1983-1995, is out of print, but Fallert's Guide to Images on Fabric in the AQS Quilt Savvy series is still available (item# 6413). Way to go, Caryl!

Susan Stewart of Pittsburgh, Kansas, is pictured next to her mother, above right. Mom is calling the folks back home to announce that Susan and Gloria Meyer won 1st place in the Computer-aided Machine Embroidery category sponsored by Oklahoma Embroidery Supply & Design for "Gloria's Garden." Susan's book, Heirloom Machine Sewing for Quilters, came out in 2008 (item#7495). Congratulations, Susan!

Thanks to Chris Brown, editor of American Quilter for those on-the-scene photos from Houston.

Another AQS author who won at Houston was Sarah Ann Smith of Camden, Maine. Her Thread Work Unraveled just came out (#8029) and she taught a Schoolhouse session and signed books at the AQS booth during market. Her "Fields of Gold" took 2nd place in the Art-Miniature category sponsored by Quilting Arts magazine. We had this beautiful piece in our offices while we edited Sarah's book; now wonder it won an award!

Zena Thorpe's AQS book, Beautiful Alphabet Applique, is due out in January (#8148). It is based on her "Illuminated Alphabet", which won 3rd place in the Innovative Applique category sponsored by EZ Quilting by Simplicity Creative Group. This quilt is stunning and the workmanship impeccable; we never got over it while it was with us. Congratulations, Zena (who is from Chatsworth, California)!

Due out next Spring is 100 Sweet Treats by and for Quilters (#8156) by Ann Hazelwood of St. Charles, Missouri. Two of the contributors to her book were winners in Houston: Annette Hendricks of Grayslake, Illinois, won the Judge's Choice award from Sue Nickels -- also an AQS author -- for "Hide N Seek (Now where did that mousie go?)." This award was sponsored by Jackie's Animas Quilts. Annette's recipe is for Lemon Poppy Seed Cake. Sue's books include Stitched Raw Edge Applique (#6897), Machine Applique: A Sampler of Techniques (#5855) and Machine Quilting: A Primer of Techniques (#6299). Another 'Sweet Treats' winning contributor was Nancy Brown of Oakland, California. Her recipe is Mother's Cocoa Delight, which should pair perfectly with her 3rd place winning quilt, "Pup Art," in the Art-Whimsical category sponsored by Quiltmaker.

If we missed anyone, let us know! We are so excited for these AQS authors and contributors and all the winners at every quilt show. And we're grateful to the sponsors who make these awards possible.

Congratulations Sue and Pat!

AQS authors Pat Holly and Sue Nickels have won a major prize for their Tea at Tenby quilt. Exhibited at the Festival of Quilts Show in Birmingham, England, this beauty won First Place in the Group Quilts category. (Photo courtesy of the Festivals web site: http://skyequilters.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/festival-of-quilts-2009/ )

These sisters teamed up to co-author Stitched Raw Edge Applique (AQS #6897), and Sue wrote Machine Applique: A Sampler of Techniques (out of print) and Machine Quilting: A Primer of Techniques (AQS #6299).

We are delighted to have these talented, creative quilters as authors and teachers. Congratulations, Pat and Sue!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

We are updating our web site and plan to add a weekly or bi-weekly newsletter very soon. Current authors and soon-to-be authors (under contract) are invited to email whatever is latest and greatest about your quiltmaking career to appear in the newsletter.

Have you won a teaching award? Landed a great lecture gig? Had your work accepted in an exhibit or gallery? Revamped your web site? Have a book signing or TV stint planned? Let me know and we'll help you promote yourself by putting your news in our newsletter.

Send your tidbits to editor@aqsquilt.com. And congratulations on whatever nifty something has happened!

AQS Author is HMQS Teacher of the Year!

Congratulations to Pam Clarke, author of Quilting Inside the Lines: Machine & Frame Quilting! She has been named the 2009 Teacher of the Year by the Home Machine Quilting Show. Pam was honored for the marvelous level of professionalism, talent, and expertise she has offered her students.

Pam is a dynamo in the quilting world – in her professional longarm quilting business she has quilted over 7,000 quilts! A quilter since 1970, and a longarm quilter since 1988, she continues to teach machine quilting, piecing, and appliqué classes at venues and shows across the country.

Pam is teaching at the AQS Quilt Expo in Knoxville, TN, July 22-25. To sign up for a class call AQS at 270-898-7903.

Margie Engel, also an AQS author, won the PQA Teacher of the Year Award! Her post is dated March 25, 2009. Congratulations to both!