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2016 Academy of Applique

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This is a view of the James River from the side of the Kingsmill resort that backs up to the river view. The classrooms and lunch ballrooms have this view as well it is seriously beautiful. There was a lite dusting of snow the night before but it warmed slightly and it melted before we could snap a photo for posting.

Everything is going great the students are having a wonderful time learning the latest applique techniques from the fabulous array of teaching on staff this year.

This is a photo of Quilting Hall of Fame inductee Mimi Dietrich providing instruction. She is the best representative of the kind of people involved in quilting.  Everyone is having a great time the food is fabulous and I write this late Thursday night while we receive a lite dusting of snow.

If you didn’t make it to this years Academy of Applique you’re missing out on a great quilting experience.  Phillis we miss you this year, and hope everything is ok your humor kept us smiling for a week last year.

Cori Blunt is new to us this year and creates stunning embellishment like nothing I have ever seen. From her students to teaching staff we are all just stunned at the quality of her projects.

Blessed Memorial Day

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Blessed Memorial Day to our extended Appliqué family who served, are serving, or have family members that served or are serving our great country.  Regardless of your political views currently or previously; regardless of your views on the current war or previous wars – I respect and am grateful for those that were called or felt the calling to serve and protect our freedoms.  It is true that “Freedom isn’t free.”  Thank you for your service!

As you can see below, I use any and every excuse to hang the bunting.  I love the house all decorated up.

Having (3) days off of work, I forged forward with the Lily Rosenberry quilt by Sue Garman.  I will show pictures in a couple of weeks when I hope to have the top complete.  I even took an EPP (English Paper Piecing) class from my good friend Lee Wallingford during my time off.  She is definitely a pro and had lots of tips and tricks.  Inspired by Judy Severson’s quilts, I can’t wait to combine EPP with appliqué.

Just a couple of thoughts on the Academy:  I hope you are as excited as I about the 2016 Academy of Appliqué!  I hope we are able to offer MANY styles of appliqué, as well as many techniques.  We cater to the absolute beginner, the skill builder student, as well as the advanced student.  We have projects from Baltimore, to whimsical, to wool.  The class “schedule” will be posted on August 1, 2015 and registration will begin at noon (Eastern time) on Labor Day, September 7^th.  If you are receiving this blast via your personal email account, then we have you registered to receive updates and a countdown to registration.  If you are reading this blast via a social media (Facebook, etc.), please go to the website www.academyofapplique.com at your earliest convenience and register to receive personal updates (if you have not already done so).  You will not want to miss out on our 4^th of July discount special!  For those that have not had a chance to attend the Academy – when registration opens, some classes WILL fill within an hour.  MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Enjoy the beautiful Spring weather!

Keep stitchin’

First Academy Of Applique A Success

By Barbara|Uncategorized|Be the first to comment!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!  I have NEVER had so much fun in my life – and all because of you.  The first Academy of Applique went off, relatively, without a hitch.  I have now had a chance to read, and re-read, the evaluation forms. You were all so gracious with your comments.  By far the most well received changes were: 1) including breakfast and lunch with the registration fees; 2) the relaxed atmosphere; and 3) the Taste of Williamsburg for a dinner option.  The short lunch programs and evening programs were also a hit! I have always said that the two things appliquers love to do is eat, and stitch.

So, hands down, we will keep this daily schedule for next year.  All evening events will be scheduled from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. as this then allows plenty of evening socializing and stitching.  Lunches will be “tweaked” a bit next year (per your suggestions) to offer (2) food choices each day.  Wasn’t Chef and staff WONDERFUL?  And that breakfast buffet – Yummy!

Reviewing your teacher suggestions, Rick and I are busy contacting and contracting the teachers for the Academy of Applique 2016.  Thank you again for the beautiful flowers (which are still in full bloom), and the exquisite chatelaine.  What great gifts simply for doing what I love.  WOW!

Stay tuned, and again . . . THANK YOU for being such a wonderful group of ladies.  I am confident that I will see you all again next year.  Don’t forget, keep those suggestions coming.  After all, this Academy is for YOU!

Keep Stitchin’

Barbara

Merry Christmas

By Barbara|Uncategorized|Be the first to comment!

Sometimes it seems that life just gets in the way of my stitching plans.  Has that ever happened to you?  You have your day, or week, or month planned with ample stitching time allotted, and BAM!  Along comes a “time sucker.”  So it was with me during the later part of October and November.  My best laid plans were interrupted by life.  I believe that I am now back on the straight and narrow finishing up Sarah’s Revival interspersed with a fun Christmas throw for next year.

Academy tasks are in full swing as several classes are full, with registration closing January 31^st.  PS – if you haven’t had a chance to register for this WONDERFUL event yet, or have a friend that would like to join you, now is the time to reserve your seats!

About 15 years ago, my New Year’s resolution was to love the dreaded “A” word (appliqué).  I had been quilting for MANY years at that point, and had successfully avoided ANY patterns that introduced appliqué.   I took a class from a wonderful teacher in California, but just didn’t “get it.”  Then I treated myself to attend the Academy and took a class from Nancy Kerns.  It was like a light bulb went off!  She was able to break each task and movement down to “bite sized” pieces that made sense to me.  Her Eagle block was the first appliqué block that I completed.  And the rest, as they say, is history.  We are SO fortunate that Nancy will be teaching at the Academy this year – her last year before retirement.  I love both of her blocks, the Albion Sailing Ship and Baltimore Harbor View – both very traditional Baltimore blocks.  I’m sure that anyone that takes these classes will come out with a thorough understanding of appliqué and two beautiful blocks well on their way to completion.  Nancy’s calm and encouraging demeanor as well as her vast knowledge of appliqué is sure to empower the student to a successful appliqué journey.  Why not register today for these classes?

I truly love to appliqué, and look forward to my time each evening to stitch, relax, and unwind.  As I finish each appliqué top (I try to finish 3 a year), there is almost a sense of being lost, until I chose the next pattern and get started.

I have (2) more borders to add to this quilt, and then it is going into my floor frame for quilting.

I would like to blog about everyone’s “studios.”  First, I guess the definition of a “studio,” for me, is anywhere that you can work and be inspired – from the dining room table, to a spare closet, to the guest bedroom, to your seat on a commuter train, to a full blown studio.  Send me your pictures, with a brief description of  the “space” and let’s enjoy each other’s work areas, and maybe get a few ideas.  Here are some “teaser” pictures of mine – more to follow.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Barbara