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APRIL 2014 CAROL DOAK NEWSLETTER
Spring is on the way. In NH, we are in what is commonly called "mud season".
However the temperatures are warming up and there are signs of life in the soil.
For me, I look forward to the healing sunshine and watching the colors come to life. The blocks at the left are from the April Scrap Scramble Mystery I am giving the Carol Doak Quilting Group members. These were made by Nansi!
My first trip of the year will be teaching on the Carol Doak & Friends Cruise to the Caribbean. I can't wait to get back into the swing of things and enjoy quilting friends. Cruises are so much fun and I highly recommend them.
My cruise for next year will be amazing on the brand new Quantum of the Seas.
My project will be the Blue Diamond Quilt.
The Caribbean is known for its beautiful blue waters and fabulous diamond jewelry. Both have inspired this brand new paper-pieced mystery quilt. It offers you the opportunity to make those perfect units with ease and combine them in so many different ways. Here comes the fun...there is not just one solution, but several!!! I will show you several solutions, but you and other class members will love moving the pieces to play with the possibilities to come up with even more solutions to make your special Blue Diamond Quilt. The kit will be for a 54" x 66" throw size. I can't wait to see your quilts sparkle! If you want to know all about it, just click on the postcard.
The Web Store
Book of the Month
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I decided to make the Simply Sensational 9-Patch Stars book the April Book of the month for a several reasons. It is a great book for beginners! It is so unbelieveably versatile! You can create over 2500 star blocks and much more. There are some great blocks and quilts inside this book. It comes with the Foundation Factory program to print the foundations in any size.
And everyone should have this in their library before my stock has been exhausted because this book is now out of print.
And, it is a fabulous price this month, only $19.99
Notion of the Month
If you have not discovered how fabulous it is to snip threads on the top and bottom at the same time, then you are definitely wasting lots of time!
This technique is covered in all my latest books, DVD and online course. It is such a valuable tip!
So, to encourage you all to give it a go, I am slashing the price of this wonderful tool to just $10 for the month of April. I have never done this before! They are typically $15.50
Don't hesitate because they will go up to the regular price in May.
My Craftsy Class, Mastering Foundation Paper Piecing!
Pretty amazing! There are nearly 12,000 people who have taken this course. I love to go in to answer the couple of questions that are asked each day and see the pictures of the projects posted. I have to tell you that I am often blown away by what the students are able to accomplish after viewing this course of 8 Lessons. I think it is just right for both beginners and experienced paper piecers because I cover the basics and also lots of tips and tricks.
Students are not only making the projects offered in the class, they are branching out and making creative items. The items on the right were made by Ktiette. If you want to join in the fun, just click on the banner above and you will receive the class for half off ($14.99) the regular price. That is an amazing value.
The Carol Doak Quilting Group
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The group has been busy working on the monthly Scrap Scramble Block of the Month blocks.
I typically come up with one ongoing project each year. Last year was the Block of the Mystery quilt. Many members have completed their tops and shared them on the group site. Others continue to work on theirs and share them later. That is the case with the finished top on the left made by Anael. It turned out pretty spectacular and almost gives the appearance of glowing. Well done! That is what is so fun about this group...no pressure.
If you would like to join in the fun, just click on the quilt. We will welcome you.
Until next time, keep smiling,
Carol