Note Cards or Greeting Cards?

Which do you prefer?

I’m doing a little market research here. Let’s say there was an incredibly beautiful quilt, or part thereof, that was just begging to become a small piece of mail.

If you were going to purchase such a card, possibly in a set of 12, and in an attractive package, would you want them BLANK to write your own personal message, or would you like them to already come with a message? And what would that message be?!

To review:
Option #1: BLANK
Option #2: WITH GREETING
     a) Happy Birthday
     b) Thinking of you
     c) Get well
     d) Condolence
     e) Quilt related (give example)

Now’s your chance to change the world, or at least make your opinion known about greeting/note cards with pictures of quilts on them. Write a comment!

Thanks!
Ami :)

Get my blog delivered to you via email, or read it online.
(By the way, I Twitter too.
And I friend everyone on Facebook!)

$46,000 in 38 Hours

The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative did VERY well at International Quilt Festival in Houston! We’re getting close to confirming all the sales and updating the web page.

You can see photographs of the show as it unfolded along with the numbers of the quilts that sold at: http://twitter.com/AAQIUpdate.

AAQI board member Nanette Zeller also blogged about our success in Houston as did Lynn Koolish from C & T Publishing.

Special thanks to Bonnie McCaffery for creating this YourTube video at the show!

Please don’t forget to tell your friends that the World Quilt Federation Smackdown Challenge Auction starts November 1 in honor of National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Please bid generously as all profits fund Alzheimer’s research. 

Get my blog delivered to you via email, or read it online.

(By the way, I Twitter too.
And I friend everyone on Facebook!)

Redneck Tape Measure

My friend and fellow quilting instructor Kathy Kansier showed me her “Redneck Tape Measure” when we recently taught at the same quilting conference this summer.

Apologies to Jeff Foxworthy.

She takes a few inches of 1/4″-wide masking tape and wraps it around the thumb of her dominant hand.  Instant measuring tool and literally stuck to you so you can’t misplace it.

As you pick up a piece of fabric to confirm a 1/4″ seam allowance you no longer have to hunt for a ruler or measuring tape. Just line it up with your thumb!

Is this not the slickest trick!? Just pinch and go!

Kathy Kansier is a quilting instructor from Ozark, Missouri.

Thanks, Kathy!

Get my blog delivered to you via email, or read it online.
(By the way, I Twitter too.
And I friend everyone on Facebook!)

My Favorite Adjective is a Town!

Sue R. from Novi, Michigan sent me two photographs from her travels through Ireland last year.  Imagine that!

If you live visit or live in a “quilty’ town, or one that conjures up images of patchwork, sewing, or other stitchy pursuits, send me a photo and I’ll add it to the blog. No “PhotoDhopping” allowed. Only pictures YOU take. ONE image per email. This offer is good until I get overwhelmed and need to move on to other things.

Get my blog delivered to you via email, or read it online.
(By the way, I Twitter too.
And I friend everyone on Facebook!)

WORLD QUILT FEDERATION SMACKDOWN*

A special request today! Please copy and paste this  into an email and send it to any quilters or quilt lovers you might know! Help me spread the word. Tell me how you helped in the COMMENT section below.

Thanks,
Ami :)

WORLD QUILT FEDERATION SMACKDOWN*
Four Quilting Heavyweights Face Off To Fight Alzheimer’s

In honor of National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month four small quilts by world renowned quilters Hollis Chatelain, John Flynn, Becky Goldsmith, and Sue Nickels will be auctioned to benefit the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative(AAQI). The no-holds-barred, knock-down, drag-out, head-to-head, quilt-to-the-death (not really), grudge match will be held November 1-10 in the AAQI “Smackdown Auction Arena.”

The 10-day online silent auction is all about bragging rights—and raising awareness and money to fight Alzheimer’s disease.

Chatelain, Flynn, Goldsmith, and Nickels created miniature masterpieces representative of their quilting style specifically for this head-to-head challenge. The quilts range in size from 16″ x 16″ to 18″ x 18″.

The World Quilt Federation Smackdown quilts will be shown prior to the auction, for the first time anywhere, at the International Quilt Festival (IQF), Booth #4660, in Houston, October 14-18. In a gutsy move Smackdown promoter Ami Simms (a.k.a. Founder and Executive Director of the AAQI) will allow the Smackdown quilts to be purchased at the IQF. Each quilt carries a price tag of $10,000.

 

“I’m fully expecting all four quilts to be available for the November 1st auction,” said Simms, “but I’m pretty sure the George R. Brown has a defibrillator on site just in case.”

A Viewers’ Choice component to the “Smackdown” will also be offered. Anyone wishing to support the work of the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative can make online donations to the nonprofit in amounts as little as $5 beginning immediately, assigning their donation to one of the four quilts. One dollar equals one vote. The quilt amassing the most votes will win the Viewer’s Choice Award. The Viewer’s Choice Award donations have no bearing on the sale/auction outcome whatsoever.

About the AAQI
The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative (www.AlzQuilts.org) is a national, grassroots charity whose mission is to raise awareness and fund research. The AAQI auctions and sells donated quilts, and sponsors a nationally touring exhibit of quilts about Alzheimer’s. The AAQI has raised more than $316,000 since January 2006. Ami Simms of Flint, Michigan is the founder and executive director of the AAQI, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operated entirely by volunteers. She is a quilter. Her mother had Alzheimer’s.

*The World Quilt Federation is totally fictitious. Any similarity to professional wrestling is obviously intentional and all in good fun, although the winner will receive this cute belt.

WQF Smackdown Champion Belt made by John Flynn.

###

Contact:  
Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative
1200 Creekwood Trail
Burton, MI  48509
www.alzquilts.org

I Was On The Radio

I had the honor and priviledge of being interviewed by ArtScene host and producer Erika Funke at NPR affiliate WVIA in Pittston, Pennsylvania this past June. 

I was teaching for several guilds in the area. Erika was willing to stay late at the station, and the quilters toting me around were willing to make a detour so that I could talk about taking care of Mom and the Alzheiemer’s Art Quilt Initiative.

I’ve been interviewed a couple of times over the phone where I can pace and perspire in the comfort of my own home, but actually being in a radio studio, an NPR studio, was so exciting, and thrilling! It was also just a little terrifying. 

In addition to worrying what Erika would ask, what I would say, and who would hear it, I also worried about uncontrolled coughing, sneezing, hiccupping and other embarrassing bodily noises that might be released in my nervous state.

As soon as we began talking, Erika put me at ease.  I knew she was genuinely interested and she was going to help me through this.

Yes, the microphone has to be right in front of your nose. We peered around our respective obstacles as we chatted.

Erika is part mime, part actress, and part mind reader. Without speaking (with just facial expressions, body language, and hand gestures) she let me know if I was on track, or if I needed to expand on a thought, offer clarification, or leave it and move on. 

After I returned home I sent Erika digital files I had made of Mom and I singing together. You’ll hear those at the end of the interview.  

Please listen to the podcast of our interview, made available by WVIA on their website. Here is the direct link: http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wvia/local-wvia-863892.mp3

There is information at the end of the interview about the Susquehanna Valley Chorale. They have just hosted “Alzheimer’s: Forgetting Piece by Piece” and will be performing “Alzheimer’s Stories” for the very first time on October 9 in Bucknell University’s Weis Center for the Performing Arts in Lewisburg, PA.

Composer Robert S. Cohen and librettist Herschel Garfein created a stunning 30-minute, three movement choral work with chamber orchestra accompaniment from the comments about Alzheimer’s posted gathered on the Chorale’s web site. If you are anywhere near Lewisburg, don’t miss it.

This interview was first broadcast on October 1, 2009.

Get my blog delivered to you via email, or read it online.
(By the way, I Twitter too.
And I friend everyone on Facebook!)

Ba Doy Ow (That New Taiwanese Place)

We have a new restaurant here in Flint that is absolutely fabulous. It only took me about six weeks to be able to say the name without stumbling, but you may be more linguistically agile than I am. Say it just the way it sounds: Ba (rhymes with “la”) Doy (rhymes with “boy”) Ow (like you just stubbed your toe). Translation? “I’m Hungry!”

Eat at Ba Doy Ow and you won’t be hungry for long, even if you can’t say it right. Most often we just refer to it as “That New Taiwanese Place.” It’s right here on Linden Road north of Genesee Valley Center and I am learning that Taiwanese food is not very much like Chinese food. EVERYTHING is steamed, except for the soft drinks and the 35 different kinds of tea.  No egg roll, no fried rice, and no sweet and sour pork. You won’t miss them, trust me. And it’s HEALTHY food!

If you’ve ever had dim sum, little mouthfuls in a soft noodle covering, you’re getting warmer, but again at Ba Doy Ow, nothing is fried, everything is steamed.

Yi-Lan is the young owner and chef.  Tiffany joins her behind the counter most weekday mornings through lunch. They are both happy to explain the menu (multiple times without making you feel like an idiot) and they set the tone for one of the most friendly and welcoming establishments in Flint.

What should you order? Whatever is on special is a good bet. I’ve never had anything I didn’t like, plus it includes a tea or a soft drink. I’ve tried the rice and pork, bar-b-q noodles, steamed cabbage, bok choy, broccoli and garlic sauce, and more.

On the far right of my tray you’re looking at a Red Bean Bau. A “bau” is something yummy in the middle of a soft covering. For sweet centers (red bean, taro)the outside of a bao is made of rice flour dough. Smaller baos have savory centers (mushroom, spinach, bar-b-q pork) and the outside is more noodle-like.  In the middle of my tray is steamed cabbage. On the right are shumai, open faced dumplings with meat or vegetables inside. I’m on a chicken shumai kick right now, alternating every once in a while with shrimp.

You’ll alway find steamed dumplings on the menu at Ba Doy Ow. You can get them in combination plates or 10 at a time like I do. Choices are pork and cucumber, pork and leek, pork and mushroom, pork and celery, pork and Nappa cabbage, and vegetables, or chicken.

Are you getting hungry? I am! How about lunch? Join me on Wednesday, October 7th for a quick STEAMED bite to eat. I’ll be at Ba Doy Ow at about noon. Here’s a little map.  See you there!

Get my blog delivered to you via email, or read it online.
(By the way, I Twitter too.
And I friend everyone on Facebook!)

Short Name Has Perks

In June I taught for Maine Quilts. I had a great time, met some terrific people, and bought a commemorative sweatshirt. It said MAINE QUILTS. Loved the graphic, good color, nice hand, and it fit. Plus, it was downright reasonable, which I took as a sign that I should own it. I love it when shopping decisions are so easy.

Alas, living in Michigan, I felt a little guilty wearing a shirt from another state. Michigan has had some hard times, and I didn’t feel that wearing my Maine shirt was as supportive as I could be.  Actually, I wasn’t wearing it at all because, unlike Maine, August in Michigan is not the time of year for wearing sweatshirts. So on the shelf it sat.

It was then that I noticed that the letters spelling MAINE were not embroidered onto the shirt like the word QUILTS, but rather, they were sewn on with a straight stitch. If you’re not following me, let me explain: that made the letters removable!

And why would I want to do that? Oh, players of word games, follow me now! The three letters that are my name (A-M-I) are actually contained in the name of the great state of M-A-I-N-E.  They’re just out of order!

I can operate a seam ripper and I know how to sew! Problem solved. I shall not promote a foreign state, I shall promote ME, actually AMI (they rhyme).

Get my blog delivered to you via email, or read it online.
(By the way, I Twitter too.
And I friend everyone on Facebook!)

The Farmers’ Market

Last week we re-discovered the Flint Farmers’ Market. What a blast!

It was a beautiful late summer day, the sun was out, and the parking lot was FULL!

I bought tomatoes for some authentic Italian bruschetta:  diced tomatoes, 5 cloves of garlic, salt, fresh basil, olive oil all dumped on  a hot-out-of-the-oven pizza dough. Not that I cook any more, but I just had a taste for it.  (We ate the entire thing in one sitting.)

We also picked up an avocado, and three pounds of fresh strawberries for $5. The perfume of all those ripe strawberries on the way home was almost more than I could stand, but I did wait until we got home to dive in.

I had a juicy peach every morning for breakfast all week, leaning over the sink, so the juice wouldn’t run down my arm. The “Peach Lady” picked them in various stages of ripeness for me. Small ones right away, large ones later. That’s taking care of your customers.

I haven’t had great ribs since the PX Bar-B-Q closed. Ribs used to be a New Year’s Eve tradition, and about the only time we ever ate ribs. I don’t know how that tradition got started, but half the city of Flint was at the PX picking up take-out orders on New Year’s Eve. My nose led me to the best ribs I’ve had in a decade with just the right mixture of sweet and tang. My mouth is watering again. Thank goodness they do chicken too.

I think I’m up for a repeat visit. See you later…

PS: Flint’s Farmers Market was just named “most loved” in national online contest. Way to go, Flint!

Get my blog delivered to you via email, or read it online.
(By the way, I Twitter too.
And I friend everyone on Facebook!)

“Oversized” Alzheimer’s Quilt Finds New Home

Quilt artist Nanette Zeller, from Southern Pines, NC, created “Juggling The Chances” also known as “The Juggler” ( 48.5 ” x 70″) for the traveling exhibit, “Alzheimer’s: Forgetting Piece by Piece” back in 2006. In her excitement to complete the quilt, she forgot to check the size requirements in the prospectus. The quilt was too big and wasn’t selected for the traveling exhibit. 

Her quilt is really special. It presents a visual interpretation of a Gallup Poll commissioned by the Alzheimer’s Association. The poll found that 1 in 10 Americans have a family member with Alzheimer’s (light purple ball) and 1 in 3 know someone with the disease (dark purple balls). The silhouetted juggler represents any one of us as we face the odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

The Juggler hasn’t been folded up in a closet somewhere. Nanette has been showing her extraordinary quilt at various venues to promote Alzheimer’s awareness.

It was hanging at Linderella’s Quilt Works in Pinehurst, NC when Gretchen W. of Alexandria, VA saw it and wanted it. An arrangement was made that the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative would receive a substantial donation, and Nanette would give Gretchen the quilt. It was a win, win, win for everyone involved.

Here is Nanette with her masterpiece.  (Yes, she is VERY tall and has three arms! Just kidding. Gretchen is holding the sign Nanette created to tell about the quilt.)

Get my blog delivered to you via email, or read it online.
(By the way, I Twitter too.
And I friend everyone on Facebook!)