Running time: 00:28:30 Size: 13.2MB

Sorry about the lack of audio fidelity in this show. I was using a portable digital recorder with a built-in mic and it doesn't sound as good as my home equipment.

Find out what I do when I am absolutely stuck in the driver seat of a company van... not just sleeping, I can assure you.
I tried every way I could think of to bring along a rotary cutter and mat, and a sewing machine -- but no dice! The only things that I can productively work on involve no work surfaces or electrical outlets, so I have to be creative.

This is what I have been doing this last week, as explained in my podcast:

1. Well, recording a podcast, of course!
2. Here is what fits in between the seats, which is not much:

3. Designing quilts, Baltimore Medallion (based on West of Baltimore quilt patterns):

Oh! But I need a better vase, and voila -- here it is at the next stop:

4. Designing a quilt for new fabrics, "Dotty Pickle Dish"... pretty, but you'd have to be kind-of dotty yourself to want to applique all of those little dots on, eh?

5. Designing Exploring Fabric Choices blocks on-the-go, and here is what the quilt will look like:

"Low Tide" made with Marcus Brothers' Surf and Sand fabrics, all done in low-value-contrast. This quilt will be on display at Material Girls in South Jordan, Utah very soon.

6. Designing 54/40 for Fight blocks for a different Exploring Fabric Choices sampler:

I want your feedback as to whether or not you can see the design of the block clearly, which should be a star. Comment and let me know!
As you can see in the pictures, there is precious little room to take photos, and I have to use every available source to secure the block so I can fit it in the view finder.

7. Here is the hand work project that I have been working on, my Japanese "fabric" that I am making for a new backpack pattern. I appliqued the hexagons and am now embroidering little x's to quilt the fabric to the batting to provide stability. I'm using DMC Linen embroidery floss, a little tricky to work with, but I think it has a nice effect.

8. The cover of Cindy Lammon's book that will be out in May:

The correct title is "Gathered From The Garden" -- not the title that I said... Doesn't it look like a great book?!

9. Observing the wild life...

10. Lastly, the containers that I found at Borders for my new sewing kit and floss/notion box:

Out of this world cute, isn't it? I can't wait to line it with cool fabric and start using it. If you're wondering why on earth I would choose something with that design on it: It's because those little drawings look like characters on Japanese trinkets -- you know, kind-of like Hello Kitty? Quirky, I know, but I LOVE quirk!

Wish me luck for this week, where I'll be doing a lot of the same!

Happy Quilting to you -- who can do it in the privacy of your own homes ; )

©2008 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved

I have been unable to view my email for 4 days... You know, I love technology -- most days. Some days, not so much.

It appears that every email I reply to does not appear in your email inbox - thanks to my host, Comcast... who has marked my simplearts email address as a Spammer, so therefore, even if I am replying to an email that was sent to me, they won't even try to deliver it.

So, if you're expecting a reply from me -- I will get it to you asap. I promise.

When I finally got to see my email today, thanks to another Comcast glitsch, I had over 1,000 emails in my Inbox. Ok, so don't think that it's all fan mail -- I am the lucky recipient of every watch, purse, software and sex-aid scam known on the planet.

I have a new podcast planned -- and it's a good one. I will explain all of the details in the podcast, but to give you a headline, I am helping a friend out with her maid service business and came home today so exhausted that I can't see straight enough to sew! And, the podcast has to do with my adventures of the last two days -- and how I could possibly fit quilting into that scenario, along with 5 maids who don't speak a lick of English. It's been fun, I can tell you ; )

I'll be back in two shakes of a fluffy lamb's tail!

Annie

Running time: 01:08:24 Size: 23.6MB

I hope that you will enjoy this interview with Mary Lou, the original Story Quilts quilter.

The pictures below are of the quilts that Mary Lou refers to, and you can visit her website at Mary Lou Quilt Designs to discover so much more about Mary Lou, and catch up with her via her blog Mary Lou and Cherries Too.

Mary Lou's fully beaded Christmas Quilt, a portrait of her family. This is the one that is fully beaded -- I wish you could see the detail. WOW!

"I feel like a Witch when I can't find time to Stitch" -- oh, how I can relate!

The House that Jack Built -- for Mary Lou's 6-year-old grandson. It has everyone in it, including babies that are their way, via the stork and balloon delivery. What a clever cookie!

Check out Mary Lou's shoes at the top of the picture -- her cherry Vans.

Close-up view of the window detail:

Mary Lou and me, in front her classroom at Asilomar. I love the rustic rooms and arts-and-crafts-revival architecture, right on the beach.

Don't forget to leave a comment here if you would like to be in the drawing for a cool prize from Mary Lou. The drawing will be held on April 28th! Good luck!

And, as luck would have it, I got to spend some time with Quilting Stash listener, Diane Loomis and her sister Catherine. Diane is the one referred to in Diane Gaudynski's interview, and here is a picture of Diane and her quilt:

Isn't it gorgeous?! She used Kaufman "Radiance" fabric. I just love the colors that she chose and her machine quilting work is impeccable.
It was so much fun to meet Diane, and Catherine -- I LOVE to meet listeners and get to know them, since you know so much more about me than I know about YOU! Whenever I meet a listener, I feel like I have a new friend.

I'm looking forward to meeting YOU, too!!

One last note: here are the pictures of the projects that I'm working on, like a house on fire.

Here is a picture of all 12 of my new EFC quilt blocks taken apart...

Yep, my family thinks that I am certifiable. I need to make two quilts, one twelve block and one nine block quilt. I bought the first twelve together but didn't find everything I was looking for. Then, when I was visiting the Sacramento area, I found these fat quarters for the second quilt:

So now, I will cut these up and assimilate both stacks into two quilts- much more variety! Do we ever need an excuse?

Here is the new version of "Simple Hearts and Flowers", which was one of the quilts offered in the "Granny Chic" pattern. I hope you like it!

It uses all of the Lakehouse Dry Goods Cherry Baby fabric - so sweet and pretty.

Happy Quilting!

© 2008 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go .... to the Folsom Quilt and Fiber Guild for a couple of days.

I feel like I've been running a marathon for the last week -- all for good!

I recently posted the interview with Diane, podcast #119. That podcast is being downloaded in record numbers this week, thanks to YOU. I am so happy that you're enjoying it as much as I enjoyed speaking with Diane. If you aren't sure whether to download it, read some of the comments that listeners are leaving!

I recently completed an interview with Mary Lou Weidman. Yessirree, it will post next week.

I'm also getting my taxes done (which is equal to a root canal).

Rumor has it that I will be doing an interview with Penny Halgren this week, when I return from my trip...

When I get home, I'll have lots more for you, including the Quilting Stash Birthday podcast and an all-new April newsletter. Apologies for being tardy with the newsletter, see the above reasons.

Both the newsletter and Birthday podcast will be filled with Quilty-goodness, and a great new recipe.

Until then, Happy Quilting!

© 2008 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved

Running time: 01:04:19 Size: 29.5MB

I hope that you'll enjoy this wonderful interview with Diane. She offers so much insight and inspiration to every quilter. Pay special attention to what Diane says, as there are tips and hints sprinkled throughout what she shares.

Visit Diane's website for complete information about her quilts, her schedule, and don't forget to visit Diane's Notebook.

Here's the link to Diane's Butternut Summer quilt that we talked about.

If you would like a chance to win an autographed copy of Diane's book, please leave a comment here. The winner will be chosen on April 15th!

When I went to visit Diane, I found my friend, Wendy Butler Berns was the Artist in Residence! What a nice surprise.

Here is Wendy, hard at work ; )

Can you see the similarity in these two pictures? This is a self-portrait that Wendy did as a challenge: a self-portrait portraying the artist as an animal... "Wendella B. Butterfly"

Stay tuned... more fun things around the corner this month, as we celebrate the 3rd Anniversary of Quilting Stash!!! Wow - does time FLY!!

©2008 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved

Running time: 00:42:53 Size: 19.7MB

Here are the links to the manufacturers that were covered in this podcast. Just click on their name, and the link will take you right to their website! Their websites aren't "just for Shop Owners" any longer, but have all kinds of great customer friendly links that will help you find the fabrics that you need for your quilts.

A.E. Nathan PEZ fabric!
Andover Olivia, and the girl we love to root for, Lizzy House's new fabric line will premiere at Spring Market. We can't wait to see!
Alexander Henry Love those novelty prints for clothing.
Avlyn Creations Red-hot designers, Nancy Smith and Lynda Milligan, you know, Possibilities!
Bali Fabrics/ Princess Mirah
Benartex Check out Mr. B's Preview Pack club
Blank Quilting
Camelot Cottons Make sure to look at what Stephanie Brandenburg is up to...
Clothworks Laurel Burch and our favorite funny lady of quilters, Ellen Edith
Daiwabo -- sorry, no website : (
Exclusively Quilters, Cotton Classics Quilt club membership
Henry Glass Buggy Barn, Little Quilts, Linda Lum BeBono, and Anne Sutton, to name a few...
Hoffman California Hoffman Challenge -- the best place to find out more about it!
In the Beginning "The Art of Fabric" - it's true!
Island Batiks
King’s Road
Kona Bay/Seattle Bay Asian fabrics
Lakehouse Dry Goods Home of Holly Holderman's sweet fabrics
Lecien Yoko Saito's designs, Japanese Imports
Loralie Designs
Marcus Brothers My personal favorite designers, Faye Burgos and Michele D'Amore -- I LOVE designing quilts with their fabrics... Mom's Apron Strings, Metro Summer, and Kirsten's Green Flower Street, and more to come!
Maywood studios Marti Michell
Michael Miller Don't miss Sandi Henderson's faboo "Ginger Blossom" fabrics and the samples of her work on this website.
Moda Too much to mention -- you just have to check it out
Northcott Ro Gregg and Quest for a Cure
P & B Textiles ScrapBag!
Quilting Treasures Wizard of Oz fabric
RJR and their beautiful Designer's page, complete with Designer's links.
Red Rooster Jim Shore and our favorite CaveMan quilter, Ricky Tims design for Red Rooster
Robert Kaufman/Quilt Gate Project Runway fabrics, Kona cotton solids, and oh-so-much more!
South Seas Imports and Wilmington Prints
Troy
Westminster and Free Spirit
Windham Fabrics Anna Griffin beautiful fabrics
Yuwa Shoten -- sorry, no website : (

Link to Ricky's spot on CBS Sunday

©2008 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved

Running time: 00:20:04 Size: 19.5MB

Group picture at our Quilt Retreat at Cambria.

And guess who came along...?! Podcast listener, Emily Hinkel of Truckee, CA.

It was SO nice for her to join us and get to know her and meet her family.

Check out more pictures of the retreat at this Flickr location: Cambria Quilt Retreat.
The next retreat will be September 19-22, 2008. The updated retreat page will be up shortly. Retreats are limited to 20 attendees, to keep the retreat cozy. If you think you might be interested in attending, reserve your space now.

Speaking about Passion and Purpose:

Russ Wilding, 88 years old, makes almost 700 quilts for Charity. Click on the link below to take you to the news article and a video of Russ.
Russ Wilding video.

Patti's "Quilting is my Passion" blog. You will be amazed at her sidebar list!

Find Your Passion article on "How to Find Your Passion for Anything".

©2008 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved

I've been tagged by my friend, Kay MacKenzie, from Quilt Puppy Publications. What a pleasant surprise! It was so nice to be tagged in this blog game of "Tag", especially because bloggers don't consider the format in which my podcast link can be found, a... well, Blog! Thank you, Kay, for recognizing that podcasters are also bloggers! ; )

The rules for Tag are that I mention the person who tagged me, talk about seven things that you may not know about me, and list seven other bloggers who I enjoy and let them know that they are tagged so they can continue the game. Sounds like fun, so here goes:

Seven things you may not know about me -- this is going to be difficult, since you already know so much about me.

1. I worked in a fabric store when I was in high school that was in my neighborhood, called Fabrific Fabrics. It was my first taste of the lovely excess of fabric stash and UFO's. I took Stretch-n-Sew classes at Adult Ed to learn how to use the fabrics that the store carried, and then sold what I made to my friends at school. That was the start of a custom sewing business and I eventually made clothes for adults. My sister, Judie, worked at Fabrific after I graduated.

2. My childhood friend is Kim Vestal

She has been the voice of several Bay Area radio stations, KARA, KBAY, and KRTY among them. Kim lived across the street from us and was Judie's age; her brother, Kirk was my age. Their dad was Sam Vestal, who was Pulitzer prize winning photographer for the Watsonville newspaper, the Register Pajaronian. Sam used me and my sisters, Susan and Judie, for pictures that were printed on the front page of the paper - usually announcing events like the opening of the Santa Cruz County Fair, Halloween, fashion shows, etc.
I love to hear Kim's voice on the radio, and on t.v. commercials - she has great voice talent!

3. I grew up with a mortal fear of dogs. When my husband said he wanted to get one, I thought he was nuts. We have owned three Golden Retrievers, Rusty, Sutter, and Piper.
When we decided to get a dog, I was the one who called the breeders, arranged for choosing the dog, took it to Vet appointments and training - all of it.
I love my dog(s) and still have a fear of other people's dogs.

4. I was a Girl Scout Calendar Girl.

I'm the one on the left.

5. I don't know how to swim. That didn't stop me, as a foolish young adult, from going sailing without a life vest, or water skiing.
I try to get comfortable in water but I haven't been able to conquer it yet.

Wow, this is tough! I mean, trying to find things that I haven't talked about on the podcast!

6. When I was five, I cut a red ribbon to open an (insignificant) area at Disneyland. It was my first trip there, with my family. There was Walt and a bunch of "suits" and park-goers gathered around for the ribbon cutting. Just as one of the suits was going to cut the ribbon, Walt said, "A child should do this". They turned around and asked me to come, handed me the biggest pair of scissors I had ever seen, and I cut the ribbon with two hands on the scissors. I didn't get my picture taken, or a prize, but they thanked me and patted me on the head.

7. I almost became a Nun. True!

Blogs I love to visit:

1. Kay MacKenzie's "All About Applique" Kay is a marvelous quilter. I did one of my first interviews with her.

2. Marisa Zuchek's blog QuiltOtaku. She keeps me connected to the things that I love about Japanese quilting, and she's a listener!

3. Wunderkind Lizzy House . I can't wait to see what she is going to do next.

4. My daughter, Kirsten's Funky Charming blog. Not just because she is my daughter, but it is usually a surprise as to what her topic is. Kirsten is creative and insightful.

5. Holly Holderman's Holly Blog. I loved working on the Bloggable Feast and Twelve Bears for Christmas projects for Holly's blog.

6. I have been a fan of Barbara Brandeburg for umpteen years. I love her "Cabbage Rose" quilt books and her style.

and saving the best for last...

7. My friend, Susan Branch. Susan's homepage has been her "blog" ever since she started her website. Each of her books is a window into her creativity as well, and I look forward to finding out what's new with Susan. She is the original journaling Open Book gal, and we have her to thank for leading the way with her books and her incredible style.

A new podcast is a'comin'!

©2008 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved

Listeners,
My regularly scheduled podcast will be delayed a day or two because I am wrapping-up my early-Spring retreat today and tomorrow.

We are having so much fun here at Camp Ocean Pines. The deer are walking around the property foraging, the seals are barking off in the distance, and it's been in the low 70's during the day each day we've been here. We couldn't have asked for better weather. We've got the doors open in our work area having a wonderful time.

Tonight is movie night and we're watching "Bride and Prejudice," the Bollywood musical version of Jane Austen's story. Must see material!

Oh yes, and we are getting lots and lots of quilting done. I've got pictures to prove it. I'll be sure to give you a full report in an upcoming podcast.

Happy Quilting
Annie

Optimized For BOTH Broadband and Dial Up Users

Running time: 00:54:59 Size: 25.6MB

I am pleased to bring you this interview, which I've been waiting to do since I started the podcast.

Laura and me at Asilomar

Visit Laura's website at ArtFabrik.com. Be sure to peek into Laura's Gallery so you can see the quilts that she talked about, like "Pressing Matters" and her "Blue Chair" series.

Would you like the opportunity to win an autographed copy of Laura's book?

"Fusing Fun! Fast Fearless Art Quilts"
Leave a comment now through March 15th. A lucky winner will be chosen on the 15th.

Pictures of the Works in Progress made by Laura's students:

Cat at the window

House and tree

Jan's Butterfly

Linda's quilt

Cute little punkin'

Here is a look at Laura's teaching samples:

Pattern and sample

Laura's collage - don't you love her style?

One last little treat. There is this darling little english tea house in Carmel that has been my favorite for decades and is a Carmel landmark. I haven't been there for easily ten years, so I decided to arrange my day so I could have lunch there before going to interview Laura. Here is a picture of my yummy lunch, that will hopefully tempt you to visit the Tuck Box when you go to Carmel-by-the-Sea.

A ham cold plate with scones, served with the best olalliberry jam. Heaven on a plate!

And, last but not least, as I mentioned in the podcast,
March is Kirsten's birthday month. In honor of her birthday, she will be sending donors to the podcast one of her patterns,

Box of Chocolates

--or--

Green Flower Street

For your Happy Quilting pleasure... Watch your mailbox!

©2008 Annie Smith All Rights Reserved

Dear Listeners --

Here we are -- back in working order!!!! I just about passed out when WebGuy called me into the office and there it was, on his computer screen. After almost two weeks, I need to be pinched to be sure that I'm not dreaming! It seems longer than that because every day I would lament that you couldn't get to all of the stuff on the site.

It appears that everything is back, no data is missing. Just a little tidying-up and it'll be as good as new. I am now ready to record Sunday's show.

For those of you who haven't been visiting our little make-shift site, Program #115 is available below. I hope you enjoy it!

Thank you for your support, patience, encouragement and understanding during this most trying time for SimpleArts and Quilting Stash.

from one happy, podcasting, quilter ; )

Annie

Optimized For BOTH Broadband and Dial Up Users

Running time: 00:39:19 Size: 18.4MB

Stitches West Knitting Show

Celebrity Spottings –
Vicki Howell, Knitty Gritty, DIY

The PurlPod knitting bag.

Elizabeth Garson And Her Cool Bags
Inside the PurlPod Bag
Bottom View of the PurlPod Bag
Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods - No Web Site (Old School)
Shows they'll be at soon:

2/28 - 3/2 Sewing and Stitchery Expo 2008, Puyallup WA
4/11-13 International Quilt Festival, Rosemont, IL
6/19-21 The National Quilting Association, Columbus, OH
6/26-28 Minnesota Quilters Quilt Show, Rochester, MN

Here's what the Nifty Thrifty booth looks like:

My Selections For Best Of Show

BEST OUTFIT
Wilma Peers Of The Knitter's Studio In Menlo Park, CA

BEST BUSINESS CARD - No Photo - Sorry
Adirondack Yarns, "Needles I Have" Chart

BEST DEMO KNITTER - No Photo - Sorry
Nine Rubies knitting booth, 10 year old daughter of Nine Rubies shop employee - Fascinating!

BEST BOOTH Great Yarns Of Everette, WAThe picture above is just one wall - others follow below
Sock Fabric - Yummy Colors
Yarnballs On Display At Great Yarns
Emu Bag At Great Yarns

Finding inspiration for quilts at the show.

Adela's Yarns Booth:

Is THAT Enough Color For Ya?

Meeting Listener Phyllis At The Show

Glorious Knits - The Book That Started It All. Check-Out The Sawtooth Stars On The Jacket!

Possible Quilting Stash Meet-up Locations:

Quilt Market - Portland, Oregon, this May
Teaching in Utah - Mid-June
Nauvoo Quilt Festival - July 11 and 12
NJ/NY - Late July

Terri Thayer’s book – "Wild Goose Chase" released 2/23. Signing in Lancaster, PA - Quilter’s Heritage, at end of March. Click HERE for more info.

Mystery Writers Blog "We are six mystery writers who are dying to discuss the hobbies that drove us to murder."