Hi folks,

--We have sprouts peeking through!  It’s too early, I know, but I’m going to enjoy them anyway.  This has been such a cold and dreary winter everyone’s itching for Spring.

--On the other hand, we have Eliad who, at 4 ½ years keeps us in stitches.  Here’s an example.  Riding in the backseat of my Beetle:
  Gran’ma, why did that ambulance have the siren going?
  That means he has to hurry because he’s taking someone who is very sick to the hospital.
  Why is he sick, gran’ma?
  I don’t know, honey.
  (Long pause here) Maybe he didn’t wash his hands after he went to the potty.
He just cracks us up!

--Cleaning up the house these days.  After eight months of battling “colds” I finally saw a pulmonary specialist.  I have asthma.  Our younger daughter, Laura, developed asthma several years ago and has done extensive research on it.  Her comment, “Mom, this is very treatable” was reassuring and it feels good just to have a firm diagnosis.  So --- I see this as God’s little joke on me --- the very thing I hate most in my life (cleaning) is now something I must pay attention to on a regular basis! 

--Had a wonderful time at the Road to California show.  Great classes, smart students, warm weather, nice people!  And Laura, who lives in San Diego, came up for a few days to help out.  Our son-in-law, Michael, came up Sunday and spent several hours at the show.  He is quite astonished that people will spend so much time cutting up fabric, only to end up sewing it all back together again!  Laura fell in love with the longarm quilting machines and I have to tell you that when Michael tried it I definitely saw his eyes light up!

--Found several new items at the show.
  The first was a really unique way of hanging quilts on a wall.  It involves a long magnet which you can adjust easily after it’s already on the wall.  If you think a magnet will not hold your quilt, well, I’ve never seen a magnet like this!  Your quilt will stay up! Go to www.magnificentquilt.com <http://www.magnificentquilt.com/>.
-- The second item was a new starch called Mary Ellen’s Best Press.  I bought a bottle because so many of my students said it was fantastic and worth the price.  It was 3.99 for a relatively small bottle.  There’s no website on the bottle but ask for it at your local quilt shop.
--If you like stationery with a quilting theme, go to www.bbdcreations.com <http://www.bbdcreations.com/> .  I first found them at a show in Vermont and I see they’ve now expanded their line to include other things.  Look them up --- their style is very unique.

--Lori, one of my students, gave me the greatest hint.  After losing some expensive sewing items at the airport, she now carries with her a padded, self-addressed envelope with 5.00 postage on it.  That amount will cover anything they might confiscate and is a lot better than losing a pair of Gingher scissors!
--It’s amazing what you learn in a quilt class.  When teaching in Texas I could tell you where to get Siamese cats bred with good temperaments, who to call to remove a swarm of bees, which restaurants serve emu meat, etc.  Very interesting stuff!

--I didn’t get the name of the sender but thank you!  I’m going to try it.
I wanted to send along a tip a 98 yr. old MAN taught me.
Leave your pack of needles in the holder they came in, thread each, no matter how small the eye, it shows up against the background of the folder and you have a whole package to steady your hand instead of just one tiny needle.

--Donna:
I have been asked to make a quilt out of old silk sari's and thought Foldy Stuff might be the best way to go. I know if I don't use a foundation, I would have to stabilize each piece of silk which seems like a pain to me.
--My question is, since the sari's are dry clean only, would you prewash your muslin or any cottons you use with the silks? (I'm from the school of thought that you prewash cottons before you use them in quilts, except if a specific pattern tells you not to like for rag quilts.) I can't seem to think it through in my mind whether it would be best to prewash/preshink the cottons or not. I don't know if they shrink under dry cleaning solvents . . . I guess that's my real question. If cottons shrink with dry cleaning solvents then I should preshrink them . . . any thoughts?
--I was going to show my customer the Chinese Lanterns, Sunburst, Hexagon Fussy Cut, Springtime. and Peony patterns to see if she likes any of those.
--Thanks. You came to speak at my quild, County Line Quilters, several years ago and I loved your talk. I've never done Foldy Stuff, but have always wanted to try and I think this may be the project to use it on!

--Sincerely,
Susan Albaugh

--Susan,
Foldy Stuff is great with silk! And, no, because of the foundation muslin, you won't have to add a stabilizer --- which I think ruins the beauty of the silk anyway.
--As for washing the muslin, it wouldn't hurt to wash it, but I've never heard of dry cleaning shrinking cotton so it seems unnecessary to me.
One hint --- try cutting just a few pieces first. My experience with silk is that it frays something awful when cut on the straight grain. If you cut it on the bias it doesn't fray at all. However, if cut on the bias it has a mind of its own! I handle it by rotary cutting all four sides of a piece before picking it up. Then, pin it at both ends on the muslin and, if needed, "pat" it in place. Sounds like a lot of fuss & bother but you end up working out a sort of routine. Silk is my absolute favorite fabric!
Let me know how it works out for you --- I'd love a picture or two, "in process" and finished!

--Hope you’re having a good winter season.  I know it’s time for me to haul out some of those gorgeous batiks I bought at the show and start cutting up a quilt to stitch! 

--Happy quilting,
Donna