It’s bustling here at Quilts Inc. headquarters as we pack up loads of quilts, catalogues, name badges, totes, irons, and other quilt show goodies, and get ready to make the trek to International Quilt Festival/Long Beach!

I absolutely adore this show and have had the best time in years past.

International Quilt Festival/ Long Beach in 2009
From left to right: Jamie Fingal, Judy Coates Perez, Leslie Jenison, Pokey Bolton, Melly Testa, Jane LaFazio

A lot has changed since this photograph was taken in 2009, including that I am now working at the quilt show as part of the Quilts Inc. staff. This summer I am helping out as acting co-manager along with Belén Timmins while Ruth Polanco gets some rest at home in preparation for her twin girls. (If you didn’t hear about Ruth’s exciting news, check out this blog post.)

There will be another change this year in that Make It University! is morphing into Create on the Spot, an on-the-floor, hands-on area facilitated by our Education Department. Here you can take just an hour (or less) to learn a quick new skill and make a fun project. No pre-enrollment; just pay $10 at the door (first-come, first-served). Tickets available all day (for that day’s sessions only) until the class space is sold out.

The Create on the Spot schedule of events:

Thursday, July 26

5:30-6:30 p.m.                        Traci Bautista             Collage Pauge Techniques

From image transfers to painting, explore creative ways to use Collage Pauge in your Mixed-Media creations. Doodles Unleashed, F&W Media; www.treicdesigns.com

6:30-7:30 p.m.                        Traci Bautista             Collage Pauge Techniques (repeated)

From image transfers to painting, explore creative ways to use Collage Pauge in your Mixed-Media creations. Doodles Unleashed, F&W Media; www.treicdesigns.com

7:45-8:45 p.m.                        Heather Thomas         Mini Art Quilt Assemblage

Use several unusual products and embellishments to create a “no-sew,” layered miniature art “quilt.”

Friday, July 27

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.           Pam Damour               Easy Metal Embossing

Metal Embossing is a great accent as an insert on your art quilt or as covered buttons embossed to match your fabric patterns.

12:30-1:30 p.m.                      Patti Medaris Culea    Baubles & Dangles

Create beautiful embellishments for quilts, wearables, dolls, etc. from a simple circle of fabric, glitzy threads, and a few beads.

1:45-2:45 p.m.                        Lois T. Smith              Color Tricks—Transparency

When two shapes slightly overlap, the illusion of transparency can be achieved. The resulting blended image is unbelievable and dynamic. Learn how!

3:00-4:00 p.m.                        Lois T. Smith              Dynamic Doodles Become Extraordinary Quilting Designs     

Start with a line or circle and keep adding feathers, more curves, peaks, or echoes, until you have created a one-of-a-kind montage.

4:15-5:15 p.m.                        Lois T. Smith              Color—The Power of Value

Discussion of the term VALUE as used in designing quilt blocks. Colored pencils will add color and value to two identical traditional blocks. Fabric scraps will create block #3.

5:30-6:30 p.m.                        Jill Benge                     Embellished Name Badge Holder

Use your imagination and the mountain of embellishments to create your own one-of-a-kind name badge holder to wear throughout Quilt Festival and then take it home as a souvenir.

Saturday, July 28

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.           Jane LaFazio               Felt Like Stitching

Sitting & Stitching. Learn to make a small improvisational piece from an assortment of colored felt. Jane

will show you embroidery stitches to complete your tiny masterpiece. You’ll find you enjoy the

meditative quality of hand stitching.

12:30-1:30 p.m.                      Patti Medaris Culea    Baubles & Dangles (repeated)

Create beautiful embellishments for quilts, wearables, dolls, etc. from a simple circle of fabric, glitzy threads, and a few beads.

1:45-2:45 p.m.                        Marilyn Petersen         Pentagon Fabric Bowl—English Paper Piecing

Create a really cute bowl by basting fabric to paper pentagons (5-sides) and then joining the pentagons. Two sets makes the inside and outside of the bowl. Great handwork project and the result is sew charming!

3:00-4:00 p.m.                        Pam Damour               Easy Metal Embossing (repeated)

Metal Embossing is a great accent as an insert on your art quilt or as covered buttons embossed to match your fabric patterns.

4:15-5:15 p.m.                        Embellishment Village     Design Your Own Fabric

Design your own fabric using stencils, texture, stamps, inks, and paints.

5:30-6:30 p.m.                        Embellishment Village     Scrumptious Surface Design

Make a mess and a beautiful piece of paper fabric with paint, stencils, Smooch, glitter, and fibers.

Sunday, July 29

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.           Heather Thomas         Mini Art Quilts Assemblage (repeated)

Use several unusual products and embellishments to create a “no-sew,” layered miniature art “quilt.”

12:30-1:30 p.m.                      Leora Raikin                How Long Is a Giraffe’s Tongue? (African Folklore Embroidery)

Learn the answer to this title as you experience a hands-on safari through African Folklore Embroidery, learning stitches, embellishment techniques, and how to apply beads.

1:45-2:45 p.m.                        Kim DeCoste               Padded Fabric Picture Frame

Make a fun picture frame using Pellon batting, WonderUnder, and Fabri-Tac glue. Later, you can make these by the dozen for gift-giving and personalize each one with your fabric choice and embellishments.

**Names in regular font are on the Quilt Festival faculty. Names in italics are exhibitors or staff.

Want to take a half- or full-day class? You still can!

Speaking of educational opportunities, if you are coming to Long Beach and would like to take half-day or full-day classes, we still have some room! Check out our class catalogue, and when you come to the show, head over to the availability board in the enrollment area to see what spaces in what classes are available.

For those coming to Long Beach, we are really looking forward to seeing you next week!