Betty's Blog

Elections!

2010-11-01T17:49:00.000-07:00

OK, elections are here and we are inundated with signs and ads. Am I the only one who is put off by the campaign ads that DO NOT tell you why you SHOULD vote for this person or that, but that attempt to tell you why you SHOULD NOT vote for someone.

As a responsible voter, I want to know what each candidate stands for, from THEM, not from their detractors!

And am I expected to vote for a name on a sign beside the street? Why would I vote for a name without knowing ANYTHING about that person?

We receive information on all candidates, we are able to listen to their platforms, their goals and ideas for making our society, city, state or country better. Shouldn't we USE that information to make an informed choice and not be swayed by negative ads and mindless name signs?

What good are the campaign ads that are highly negative remarks about someone's opponent, that does not say anything positive about that someone?

Makes you hate voting, doesn't it?

Just my take on the current situation!

Color of the Month from Maria Peagler

2010-09-14T07:19:00.001-07:00

As you know, my pet colors range from the blue/aqua/purple cool side. I NEVER buy orange! Take a look at Maria's web page and see for yourself!
http://www.slideshare.net/category/howto-diy

Celebrate San Diego

2010-08-15T05:57:00.000-07:00

The "Celebrate San Diego" quilt is coming out of retirement! I created this quilt in 1999, completed and presented in 2000. With all the new quilters out there, I decided it was time to revive it and present it as a Block of the Month class at Cozy Quilt Shop in Rancho San Diego.

The quilt consists of 13 blocks including some of the most recognizable landmarks in the area, and the grand finale is the Hotel Del Coronado block, right in the center of the quilt.

Check out the class schedule at www.cozyquilt.com and see the schedule and a photo of the quilt.

Celebrate San Diego

2010-07-26T10:40:00.000-07:00

Good news! A new block of the month class is starting at Cozy Quilt Shop on August 29th, from 12 - 4 to create a San Diego quilt! Each month you will create one or maybe two blocks for the quilt. We are starting with some of the simpler blocks, and will go through all 13 blocks, ending with the beautiful Hotel Del Coronado.

I will be giving you lots of hints and tips to produce a block that is visually realistic looking. It is not as hard as it may look. Remember, one step at a time and you will be the proud owner of your own San Diego Quilt. Call Cozy to register or drop by and see the quilt close up. Hope to see you in class!

Quilting Cruise!

2010-07-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

Great News! I am scheduled to teach on a Quilting Cruise to Alaska! Watch for my flyer with further information on the cruise in July 2011!

New Job!

2010-06-04T07:49:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd let you know that I am now a bona fide employee of a great little quilt shop in El Cajon, CA. I have been trudging along trying to get my life together after losing my husband, and trudging hasn't gotten me anywhere. I needed something structured, a reason to have to get up, get ready and go to work.

Luckily one of my favorite quilt shops near me was advertising for a position, and I jumped at the chance. I was hired and started last week, doing a variety of jobs. The other employees, most of whom I have known for a long time, are a delightful bunch to work with. It is a happy atmosphere, and time goes by quickly.

So if you have a minute to spare, visit Cozy Quilt Shop, Jamacha Road in Rancho San Diego (south end of El Cajon), or visit www.cozyquilt.com and see what they have to offer from fine fabrics, great machines, patterns, books, gadgets, tools, you name it. All that and friendly faces with happy smiles just for you. Don't forget the Strip Club, Fat Quarters Anonymous (book coming out this month), Layer 'em Up 3 from Sharyn Craig, Thimbleberries Club, Applique Club, and more.

Stop by and say hi!

Quilt University

2010-05-27T04:36:00.001-07:00

For those of you who want to take a class in quilting, but are not able to physically attend a local shop, check out Quilt University at www.quiltuniversity.com

Here you will find a wide range of quilt classes from simple to complex, you will find piecing, applique, pictorials, paper piecing, etc.

My class on Quilt Your Favorite Photos from my book is starting soon, called Home Building. We are taking a photo of your home or another location that you want to memorialize, make a pattern from it and create a realistic looking pictorial block from that photo. I have lots of hints and tips on how to make your wall hanging look just like the photo, with depth, perspective, and little touches that personalize your quilt. Join me at Quilt University and learn at your own time in your own home! Start early in the morning in your pj's! Quilt through the night, no time like the present to start!

Old Friend Phones

2010-04-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

I had an amazing phone call today, from one of my late husband's old friends from Virginia. He now lives in France, and was talking to another friend wondering about their friend Chet. He went on the internet and googled Chet Alofs and up popped my blog!

He went on to say that he thought maybe this was actually his friend Chet, and when he read more of the blog he realized it had to be, there were many hints in the things I had in my blog.

He was saddened to hear of Chet's passing, but wanted to talk to me. Anyway he found my phone number and called. What a surprise! And he was glad he was calling the right person. We reminisced about Chet and other friends from the Navy Dept. He told me how glad he was that Chet was happy because he thought Chet was such a good guy and he liked him very much.

It warmed my heart to talk to someone who obviously knew Chet well, although I had never met him, they were friends before Chet and I got together. I hope he calls again, it was lovely talking with him and I am so glad he called.

After we ended the conversation, my first thought was "Oh I wish I could tell Chet his old friend Ernie had been looking for him and called me. He would have been so pleased and would have loved to talk to him too."

That's one of the hard things I am going through, when something happens like this, or something else that reminds me of my relationship with Chet, my first thought is always to share it with him. Then, of course, I cried for a while, remembering my sweet Chet.

Memory Walk

2009-09-30T06:14:00.000-07:00

I am pleased that I have raised almost $800 for the Alzheimers foundation, although I will not be participating in the walk this year. I have another committment that I must honor, however I will be walking for them next year. I appreciate the donations in memory of my late husband Chet.

Memory Walk

2009-09-23T07:32:00.001-07:00

http://memorywalk09.kintera.org/sandiego/bettyboopgroup
The above link will take you to my personal page for the Alzheimers Memory Walk in October. I am committed to help the Alzheimers Foundation raise money for Alzheimers research by participating in the Memory Walk on October 24, Saturday at Balboa Park.
I would appreciate your support in this endeavor, and would like to gather a team to walk with me. It is a 5 mile course around Balboa Park. If you would like to join my team to walk with me (the Betty Boop Group) and/or donate to the cause, visit my personal page at the link shown above to join the team and to donate. I am hoping to raise $1000.00 towards this effort.
As most of you know, my beloved husband Chet was afflicted with this dreaded disease and passed away in November 2008. He was a wonderful husband and a great man, generous, kind, loving, unselfish and loyal. I am joining this effort in his memory.
I invite you to participate by donating any amount you can to this effort, and hopefully join me in the walk as a member of my Betty Boop Group team.
I thank all of you for your friendship through the years which was especially helpful to me as I went through this crisis with Chet. I hope to hear from you and see many of you on my team in October. Fondly, Betty Alofs

Home Building

2009-09-08T06:44:00.001-07:00

Hey, check out Quilt University online (www.quiltuniversity.com) for my Home Building class, coming up September 18. In this class you will start with a photo of your home (or any building you wish to recreate) and go from there to build your home in fabric, with realistic results. Its a nice addition to your foyer, a wall hanging of the size you decide upon, a welcome to your home.

Its fun to see your homes taking shape, and to watch you add those little extra touches to make your quilt a realistic version of your photo. And just think, you can landscape your front yard in any way you want, plant flowers, bushes and trees, add a little bird bath or birdhouse, how about a nice slate walkway leading to your front door. You can be your own landscaper!

Come join us in the class! Sign up at www.quiltuniversity.com for Home Building with me, Betty Alofs. Looking forward to meeting you!

San Diego Quilt

2009-08-25T09:04:00.000-07:00

My "Celebrate San Diego" is featured on a new web site at http://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/celebrate-san-diego.html

This site has many great features, including the place for individuals to post their quilts with their stories.

I am preparing for my annual visit to the Empty Spools Seminar at Asilomar Resort and Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, CA. This location is ideal for relaxing, learning, meeting new friends and refreshing your mind. In honor of this great place, I have designed an "Asilomar" quilt, which you can see on my web site under the gallery at http://www.bettyalofs.com
Hope you will stop by for a visit!

King's English?

2009-07-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

Soapbox time. I get so tired of hearing big shot news reporters, who, by the way, are getting paid waaay too much money to sit and talk, butchering the English language.

Many, many of them can be heard saying over and over, "Where are they at?" or "Where is the meeting being held at?" or "Where is he at?" Where did this "at" come from? What happened to simply "Where is he?"

How about this one; "This is what it is called, sorta speak." That's supposed to be "...so to speak..." Here's your sign!

Then there is the cute phrase "Look what I done." To which I reply "Yes, I see what you DID!" And they still do not get it!

Here's a frequently heard sentence: "I seen him the other day."

Overheard at a restaurant, a patron eating clams remarked "MMM, them are good!"

My granddaughter's report card (this written by her TEACHER!): She talk too much and she late to class." Hey, she'll learn a lot from THAT teacher!

And one more, by a green card carrier: "That'll be fi dolla!" or when getting change back "Fitteen dolla change." And how about: "Is that credit or devit?"

I rest my case.

The English Language

2009-05-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

Did you ever wonder about the reading ability of the "celebrities" on TV? These people supposedly attended college, earned degrees, and make the big bucks. Yet they still want to "ax" you a question. Or the chefs on foodtv cannot pronounce Worcestershire Sauce, or mascarpone cheese (they call it MARS capone!). They want to know "Where are you at?".

Many of them cut words short so you have to guess what they really said. I have heard someone say "This costs fi dolla." I have also heard "Neh ples." (This from a post office clerk asking for the next customer. Translation "Next please.")

I don't know why this bothers me so much. Maybe its the teacher in me, or the editor. Maybe people just irritate me. Take the pitch man on TV, Billy Mays. He doesn't tell you about the products he talks about, he shouts at you. You can hear the loud voice, and you can also see the veins standing out on the side of his neck! Why is he shouting? I can hear other ads OK without the speaker yelling at me. So now when I hear his voice coming on, I hit "mute" so I don't have to listen to it. And I do not buy any of the products he is pitching!

I also agree with Ami Simms, who complained about waiters and waitresses who are there to "take care of me". They constantly come back and ask if everything is OK, most of the time when I have a mouth full of food. I'd like to tell them, "Believe me if everything was NOT ok, you'd hear from me!"

Oh well, just a little soap boxing today. There, I feel better to get that out! Now back to the studio!

New Kitchen!

2009-05-08T06:38:00.001-07:00

Well it is finally happening! My son and his friend Oliver are re-facing my kitchen cabinets. It's long overdue.

I had to empty cabinets, and in the process I found lots of stuff I didn't know I had, never used, and can't imagine when or where I got it!

This will be a good chance to weed out all those "Why did I get this in the first place?" things.

Right now the cabinet doors and drawer fronts are off and gone. New doors and drawer fronts have been delivered. They are whitewashed maple wood and are lovely. The guys have painted the base cabinets the basic warm maple color, and today are whitewashing them with glaze so they will look like the doors.

Meanwhile, all over the great room on tables, couches, the hearth, the floor, the piano and piano bench lie dishes, pots and pans, bowls, glassware, mugs, kitchen tools, even the contents of the junk drawer! All have sheets laying over them to keep the dust at bay.

Later I will post photos of before, during and after! Can't wait to get this over with. No cooking since Tuesday. Take out Mexican, burgers and roasted chicken are all we have had to eat. Last night's roasted chicken was picked at, so today I will make chicken salad for sandwiches and maybe creamed chicken on toast (if I can find the toaster)!

Wish me luck!

Big Book Signing Event

2009-03-09T09:33:00.000-07:00

Whew! Yesterday was a whirlwind of activity at Quilter's Paradise in Escondido. Jan Krentz's latest book, Quick Star Quilts and Beyond has been released, and on Sunday Jan and many friends who have quilt(s) featured in the book were busy for about 4 hours signing their quilt pages in the book.

We weren't sure the last signatures were legible, but we signed for each other in our own and their books, and for customers at the store during Cruising Quilters Shop Hop! What a busy day for QP and us.

The store was decorated with quilts everywhere, those from the book were hanging on the east wall, and on the chairs around the signing table. Hope you didn't miss seeing the spectacular quilts made by some very creative people.

And a little commercial for myself - I will be teaching classes at QP, look for my 3 panel quilt called Ocean Paradise on display in the shop. To see the schedule for all classes there, visit their web site at www.quiltersparadiseesc.com. We are also setting up a new McKenna Ryan Club, and Sue is preparing kits with all McKenna's recommended fabrics, with pieces pre-cut including the fusible web backing! No more cutting those tiny pieces and around all the creases and crevices McKenna draws!

End of commercial. See you soon at Quilter's Paradise.

Continuing education

2009-02-24T13:26:00.000-08:00

Just a little news about the soon-to-close Visions exhibit at the Oceanside Museum of Art.

First the exhibit is wonderful, so many gorgeous quilts by the talented art quilters around the world, and some even in our own back yard! I am part of a class with Karen Cunigen through Palamar College in San Diego's north county area. Karen took the class on a personal docent tour of the exhibition and had lots of information about the artists and their thoughts and inspirations.

Anyone in the San Diego area should make the effort to go see this show. Unfortunately it closes in early March, which I cannot believe is so near!

Some saddening news, 2 quilt shops in our area are closing, Sowing Sisters in Carlsbad will close by March 15, and Quilter's Connection in El Cajon will close by the end of April. Beckie and Dave at Sowing Sisters is having a 40% off sale until the 15th, and Darlene at Quilter's Connection is starting her sale on March 2nd, various discounts.

Visit my web site to see what I have to offer and where I will be teaching/speaking next! www.bettyalofs.com

Update

2009-02-13T15:21:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been struggling with tons of confusing and confounding paperwork, changing bank accounts, changing insurance accounts, etc. Luckily the good old Navy (where Chet spent a lot of his life in the active Navy and at the Navy Department in DC), they have a Retired Officer Activities office that has people who are more than happy to help you with the required forms.

I went down to 32nd Street station, and all those nasty forms were completed in a few hours, some of them faxed to the appropriate office, and some I had to attach other papers before mailing them off. I think it (the paperwork) is about over!

I am now back to the quilting world, the community that welcomes me back. I have some classes scheduled, and am re-joining my favorite guilds. My whole life has drastically changed, but with the help and support from my friends in quilting I am making it work.

My New Year's resolution (late, I know) is to post on my blog more frequently.

Wednesday our class with Karen Cunigan at Quilter's Paradise in Escondido met at the Oceanside Museum of Art to view the Visions Exhibit. The tour was led by Karen and she had a wealth of information about the artists. It was a real in depth tour, and it was wonderful. The talented exhibitors rather overwhelm you with their excellent design work and make you resolve to upgrade your own work. A great exhibit to see.

Condolences

2008-12-08T15:53:00.001-08:00

I wanted to thank all the wonderful, caring people who helped me through this past few weeks. I received sympathy cards from many friends all over the place, even about a dozen from old high school alumni, some of whom I had not seen in 50 years! And thanks to my closest friends who are standing by and helping me cope.

My quilting community came through too, and I am anxious to get back to my quilting life of teaching, creating and designing, lecturing, and learning

My deep appreciation to everyone who expressed their thoughts with me. I am thankful that God let me have Chet's heart for so long.

Chet

2008-12-02T06:52:00.000-08:00

As many of you now know, my dear husband Chet lost his battle with Alzheimers disease on November 13, 2008. He was a sweet, loving, caring man, a true gentle man who had been struck with this dreaded disease many years ago. His Celebration of Life tribute was lovely and the memories of time with him were shared by friends and family. He will be missed so much.

Orphan Works

2008-10-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

I just heard some good news. Check out this web site:

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/09/orphan-works-co.html

Seems the bill died, did not pass. See, we can make a difference!

The Show

2008-10-02T06:34:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have never been in a live audience, let me tell you it was an uplifting experience. After hours of waiting, checking in, waiting some more, checking in and receiving a seating number, and more waiting, we finally got into the studio.

An energetic young man coached us on what to do when, and got us all in an upbeat mood with music, dancing, cheering and hollering!

Ellen's guests were Susanne Sommers who is a breast cancer survivor, Demi Lavato (spelling?) a young singer and her band of 4 young men, 2 reps from American Airlines telling about painting pink ribbons on some of their aircraft, and last but not least, a little 7 or 8 yr. old redhead who sells lemonade in front of her home for $1 and sends the profits to the Komen Foundation.

Ellen was very professional, funny, and fun to watch. Bonus: the audience received a DVD from the singer, her latest book Break Through from Susanne Sommers, and finally round trip air fare to any continental US city from American Airlines! What a day!

We had left the San Diego area about 10:00am, got to Burbank around 12:40, had lunch, then began the waiting. We got into the studio about 5:00 and taping began at 5:30 and lasted a little over an hour. After that we left Burbank and headed down the road. About 8:00 we stopped for dinner, finally getting home around 11:00. Long day, but lots of fun!

I haven't seen the show that aired yesterday, but a friend taped it so I will get to see it soon. Hope you all watched, you can see me when the cameraman shot a woman in the row behind us because she had some pink underwear on her head! Funny story!

Ellen DeGeneris Show

2008-09-26T10:21:00.000-07:00

Ellen is taping a special show on Tuesday, Sept 30. It is all about the Komen Foundation and fighting breast cancer. She would like to have an audience full of breast cancer survivors, what a statement that would make!

If you are a breast cancer survivor, you can sign up to get a spot in the audience at http://ellen.warnerbros.com/show/respond/?PlugID=106

I am a 1 year survivor and a friend Marcia Binkert is a 14 year survivor, we are both going to be in the audience. Maybe we will see you there!

Corrected link for POLST

2008-09-24T09:30:00.000-07:00

My apologies, the correct web site for the Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) for CA is:

www.finalchoices.org/

Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

2008-09-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

For everyone who has a spouse or parent in a nursing home with dimentia and alzheimers, there is something new on the horizon. A new order, just approved and signed into law for California by Gov. Swartzenegger, is something we need to look into for our loved ones. It provides a document that specifies level of treatment for patients to ensure proper care when the patient is unable to make decisions in life or death situations. The family, care facility, and doctor specify what treatment the patient and family decide on for them.

The POLST does not REQUIRE everyone to use it, but once it is properly filled in and appropriately signed, it becomes a legal document for Californians.

Please go to their website at www.finaldecisions.org to learn more about this document. My brother-in-law Dr. Mark Apfel of Anderson Valley, CA was instrumental in getting this document written and approved by the CA govt.

For several years my elderly mother lived with Mark and my sister Deanna. She had respiratory difficulties along with arthritis and other elderly problems, and Dr. Mark was there for her until the last day of her life at age 96. His work with mother and other older patients he saw in his practice gave him a world of experience on caring for the elderly without prolonging a life no longer desired by patient and family.

My husband is suffering from dimentia/alz and I plan on having this document on file with the care facility. The document will follow the patient when transported to hospital or in emergency situations, helping the EMTs and doctors treat him in accordance with the family's wishes.

Remember the web site, www.finaldecisions.org where you can download the information and the form for your own use.

Alzheimer's Day Sept 21

2008-09-17T07:02:00.000-07:00

Alzheimers Day is September 21. Remember those who cannot remember. My husband is suffering from this dreaded disease. I pray that a cure will be found so that no one has to watch a loved one go through this fight. I can only thank God that I had Chet in my life for so long.

New Book Just Out

2008-09-16T10:34:00.000-07:00

There is a new book just out called Blue Ribbon Quilts by Linda Causee and Rita Weiss. It contains 14 prize winning quilts with directions by the authors. My Ocean Paradise Quilt and the You've Got Mail Quilt are featured in the book.

There are a few corrections and additions to the instructions that I would like to point out to my past and future students just so you know beforehand that I did not write the instructions.

On the Ocean Paradise Quilt, Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 should have been on the supply list although it was mentioned in the directions. Also I used felt as a design board, marked with lines to make it easier to place the diamonds and to keep rows in order for sewing.

My crystals were the pre-glued Swarovski crystals put on using a special tool to melt the glue to affix the crystals.

On the You've Got Mail Quilt I printed out the sky lettering from my computer then traced them onto the fusible web. I used free motion sewing to add the grass to the bottom of the boxes. All sewing on this quilt was done by machine.

I realize these are minor differences, but I just wanted to make my own techniques clear.

Spamming and Pfishing

2008-09-09T08:39:00.000-07:00

Some of you quilt teachers (and other teachers, beading, scrapbooking, etc.) have been receiving email that is very suspicious. It says that the writer is looking for a teacher to teach his or her child to quilt (or whatever you teach) while that child is in the US (or wherever you live). Most are from Africa, but other places too. The english is very poor.

They want you to email back with the particulars, where you live, how much do you charge, info about your studio or shop. I would advise not to answer but to delete. Before you delete this, here is an email address to the FBI spam group that will investigate: spam@uce.gov

Just forward the email to that address, then delete. Thought I'd pass along the info to everyone.

Blast from the Past

2008-09-03T06:30:00.000-07:00

I am sure a lot of you remember Martie Huston (now Winkleman) of Santee, CA and a long time participant in the Fairfield/Bernina Fashion Show. She designed and created some wonderful garments and ensembles, and in conjunction with Patti Brown created some innovative garment patterns and hand dyed fabric.

She is back! We met for lunch yesterday and she looks great and is very happy. She had been away from the quilting community for a while, but is now raring to get back to designing, creating, and teaching.

She will be teaching a jacket class at Memory Lane Quilt Shop in Santee, (I believe in September) so be sure to sign up. You will love her designs and her personality, which is enthusiastic, encouraging, giving and loving.

Welcome back, Martie!

A Day at the Races

2008-09-02T01:35:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you about what an interesting and different day my daughter and I had today. She (Heidi) lives in NJ and came for a visit this week. I had saved some mail that had been sent here for her, and when she opened it, there were 2 tickets to get into the races at Del Mar! We decided to go!

Big time gamblers we were, knowing nothing about betting at all. We found a good place to sit, and began to look at our programs. Race one was about to begin. It was an interesting thing to watch, all the preparations, getting the gate situated, warming up the horses.

We went to the betting windows and made our bets. We scientifically chose the horse with the name we liked best. We placed our $2.00 on this horse, race 1, to show. We were smug and confident!

They started the race, we kept our eyes on our horse numbers and the color of the hat of the jockeys. Around the track they went, and I hate to say it, but they were jockeying for position. Then after the last turn..... they turned on the gas and were FLYING toward the finish line. That few seconds were heart stopping! Adrenalin was flowing in our veins and we waited tensly for the results.

Heidi's horse came in last, but mine came in third. I had won!!! What a feeling that was. I went and collected my $2.20!

Heidi and I discussed some strategy for the next race. We couldn't figure out what the definitions were for trifecta, exacta, any of that technical stuff. But I was on a roll, so we marched to the window to place our bets again. This time we selected 2 horses each, again scientifically based on the horse's name. Neither one of our horses won, placed or showed (or is that shown?). Oh well, try again, that's what the game is all about, isn't it?

After several races, we were good at cheering our horses on, even though they were also rans!! So we again discussed a new strategy, and confidently went to place our bets.

It was the 6th race, our last one, and we had it figured out. Heidi picked 3 horses, and I picked 3 horses. All to win! We thought our chances were very good now. One of the horses bucked off his jockey and turned and ran the other direction!! The announcer said "Scratch number 6". Luckily we had not selected that horse.

One of Heidi's selections did win, and we breathlessly collected her winnings of $26.80. We had not lost money at the races after all, due to our excellent assessment of the situation and courage to make a plan for that last race. We were on a high!

Heidi said if I get any more mail for her from the Del Mar Track to let her know and she will plan a visit so we can hit the track together again. After all, even clever novices can be winners!

News about shows

2008-08-28T06:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while attending a class taught by Karen Cunagin in Escondido, CA I learned some very interesting facts that I did not know.

Some quilt shows will not allow entries of quilts or other fiber art that has been previously published. This means published on the web, your web site or blog. They intend to have new, unpublished work for their shows.

Now I do not know if they could possibly research every entry to see if it has been published or not, but they will have a statement on their entry form for you to sign, guaranteeing that your entry is new and unpublished.

Interesting, this world wide web and all its entities!

What's going on in August 08

2008-08-23T07:56:00.000-07:00

This month is almost gone and I didn't even realize it was already here!

I have been busy making new samples for classes. I will be teaching at Sowing Sisters in Carlsbad, Cozy Quilt Shop in Rancho San Diego, and hopefully Crazy 9 Patch in Ramona, Quilter's Connection in El Cajon, and wherever I can teach.

Jan Krentz's brand new Lone Star DVD is out, and it is great. You can get it from Jan, C&T Publishers (sponsor of the DVD), and Checker Distributors. The video runs for an hour and a half, and is like having Jan in your living room helping you every step of the way with hints and tips to share. I plan to carry it on my own web site in the near future.