Florida Quilt Network - Newsletter #171

www.FloridaQuiltNetwork.com

Dec 7, 2012

Quilting Friends,

I was thinking the other day about the history of this newsletter.  170 newsletters ago, when I decided that Florida needed a way to connect and communicate, I created  FQN Newsletter #1. At that point, I decided that I wanted this newsletter to be an open invitation to share information, without advertisements, without fees or dues, and without sponsors.  OK, I wasn’t going to make any money on this venture, but then again readers would be sure of getting all the information they were looking for without all the clutter, without wondering if there was an ulterior motive, or worry about privacy or safety of email addresses. 

All of that is still true to this day.  I have added lots of helpful pages to my website (thanks Pat!), like a listing of all Florida Quilt Shops, one of Florida Quilt Guilds, a Florida LongArm listing page, and more.  And still no ads, no sponsors, no clutter.  Just solid information.  Sometimes I think people don’t take the website seriously because its ‘missing something’.  There are no fancy graphics, but believe me, the information is as up-to-date as possible, mostly because you, my readers, send me updates and kind notes with information we can all use.

And now….here is a way to get ALL THAT, but in a WORLD-WIDE option!  In November, I talked with Paul Johnson, the author of a new website called QuiltingHub.com (which is similar to my website, but world wide).  He said has never seen a more complete and accurate website for a state's quilting resources than the Florida Quilt Network and wanted you all to know you have a great resource.  QuiltingHub's top four features are terminology, maps of quilting resources near a place, calendar of events near a place, and the ability to find guild speakers.  It is in the growth phase right now and adding listings for events, shops, guilds, associations, networks, service providers (including teachers, guild speakers, long arming and other services), museums, and manufacturers.  His goal is a complete and accurate listing of everything quilting related worldwide and have a public release date will be in the first quarter of 2013.  Guilds and most associations list for free, and all others have a nominal monthly fee.  He has put three years of his life into this for the quilting community.  I encourage you to visit and add any missing local resources by using the map of what is near me, and clicking the add or suggest a missing listing of items you do not see.

To get a complete, organized, hotlinked listing of all the Florida upcoming shows, retreats, workshops, shop hops, exhibits, etc, please visit the Calendar. 

Happy Quilting,   Mary-Jeanine

PS: I love to hear from you, so drop me a line sometime!

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 CALENDAR OF EVENTS: (Newsletter number follows)

2012

Now – Jan 6 Quilt Exhibit in Gainesville (#170)

Now -Jan 20 Quilt Exhibit in Boca Raton  www.bocamuseum.org  (#167)

2013

Jan 11-12 Quilters Marketplace in Lake Worth www.hibiscusquiltguild.org (#161)

Jan 25-26 Quilt Show in Clearwater www.QuiltersCrossing.net (#164)

Jan 25-26 Quilt Show in The Villages Showcase2013@QGOTV.org (#165)

Jan 26 Quilt Show in Dade City www.kumquatfestival.org (#167)

Feb 2-3 Quilt Show in Dade City www.pioneerfloridamuseum.org

 (#167)

Feb 1-2 Quilt Show in Sebring quiltshow2013@gmail.com (#166)

Feb. 1-2  Quilt Show in Orlando quiltfever2013@floridacabinfever.com (#168)

Feb 2 Florida Quilt Study Group in Trenton sewmuch63@hotmail.com (#171)

Feb 2-Apr 3 Quilt Exhibit in Clearwater www.surfacedesignguild.com/call-to-artists

 (#168)

Feb 8-9 Quilt Show in Vero Beach www.sbonnets1979.org  (#164)

Feb 9 Quilters Luncheon in Largo brenda@thimbletales.com  (#169)

Feb 8-10 Quilters Retreat in Delray Beach Talacam@aol.com (#169)

Feb 15-16 Quilt Show in Tampa area delilahl@verizon.net (#156)

Feb 15-16 Quilt Show in Titusville www.SpacecoastQuilters.com (#166)

Feb 15-16 Quilt Show in Panama City www.sabqg.org (#170)

Feb 16 Quilting Cruise leaving from New Orleans www.roundbobbin.com (#164)

Feb 18-20 Quilting Party in Homosassa Springs www.floridaquiltparty.com (#168)

Feb. 22-23  Quilt Show in Largo www.largocrackerquilters.org (#165)

Feb. 22-23 Quilt Show in Punta Gorda  prqpubchair12@yahoo.com (#165)

Feb 28, Mar 1,2 Quilt Show in Destin www.BeachRetreatAndShow.com (#170)

Mar 1-2 Quilt Show in Naples www.naplesquiltersguild.com/Show.html  (#165)

Mar 1-3 Quilt Show in Tampa www.FeatherPrincesses.org

Mar 7-8 Quilt Show in Mt. Dora www.LakeQuiltGuild.com (#167)

Mar 8 Evening with Eleanor Burns  in Melbourne www.seasidepiecemakers.com (#168)

Mar 8-9 Quilt Show in Palm Beach Www.palmbeachquilters.com (#154)

Mar 8-9 Quilt Show in Sarasota more info (#167)

Mar 14-16 Quilt Show  in Ft. Lauderdale http://www.browardquiltexpo.com/  (#169)

Mar 15-16 Quilt Show in Crystal River www.creativequiltersofcitruscounty.com

 (#171)

Mar 21-24  Quilt Retreat in Lake Yale http://www.BeSewCreative.com (#165)

Apr 11^th-Aug 25^th   Quilt Exhibit in Delray Beach lifenart@bellsouth.net  (#164)

Apr 15-June 3 Quilt Exhibit in Boca Raton lifenart@bellsouth.net  (#164)

Apr 23-28 Bus Trip to Paducah http://www.dots-daytonabeach.com/  (#168)

Apr 30-May 5 Quilt & Thread Painting Retreat in Orlando www.nancyprince.com  (#171)

May 3-6 Quilters Retreat in Silver Springs Talacam@aol.com (#169)

June 7-9 Trip to Quilt Festival in Ireland sewmanyplaces.com  (#167)

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FLORIDA QUILT STUDY GROUP IN TRENTON

CANCELLED as of 1/25/13

The next meeting of the Florida Quilt Study Group meeting will be on February 2^nd. 

Mary Anne Randall at sewmuch63@hotmail.com.  Hope to see you there!

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QUILT SHOW IN CRYSTAL RIVER

Creative Quilters of Citrus County will be having their 13^th biennial show, Lucky 13 on March 15^th and 16^th, 2013.

The show will be at the Crystal River National Armory
8551 Venable St.
Crystal River, FL 34429

The hours are:
Friday, March 15,9 am to 5 pm
Saturday, March 16, 9am to 3pm

Our website link is:  http://www.creativequiltersofcitruscounty.com/

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A NEW QUILT RETREAT IN ORLANDO

 Nancy Prince, an award winning quilter, published author and national thread painting teacher would like for you to join her in her inaugural, first ever quilting retreat in sunny Orlando, FL. In case you don’t know what thread painting is - well, instead of using a paint brush and paint you will use the sewing machine needle as the paintbrush, the thread as the paint color and the fabric as the canvas. My anyone-can-do-it approach will assure that you have success right from the start.

The dates are April 30-May 5, 2013.

Nancy is really excited about this retreat and she is sure you will be too when you see what is included in the Retreat fee. First of all the Retreat fee includes 4 days of instruction with Nancy and 5 nights in a first class Resort but the best part -all at an affordable price. Plus there is a huge pool in case you want to catch a few rays of Florida sun. All lunches and one dinner along with a reception and show and tell finale are included. And did I forget the goodie bags and fantastic prizes. Well, these will be the best!!

And if a fun retreat and sunny weather isn’t enough well, how about a 150+ Premier outlet mall a half mile away to shop til you drop!.

To get more information and to sign up for the retreat go to Nancy’s website, http://www.nancyprince.com  and click on the Retreat tab for upcoming Retreat dates. Nancy can be contacted by email at Retreat@nancyprince.com. If you are new to thread painting or you just want to brush up on your skills, Nancy is confident this is the Retreat for you. Not only will you have lots of fun and laughter but you will also learn a new technique – or brush up on some dusty skills - all at the same time. How cool is that!! You don’t want to be left out, so sign up and join the fun in Orlando.