Meet Knoxville Instructor Paula Reid

The excitement continues to build as we get closer to the 2011 AQS Quilt Show and Contest in Knoxville, Tennessee. We have lots of fun things in store for our quilters.There's still time for you to sign up for our wonderful lectures and workshops. One of our Knoxville teachers is Paula Reid. She began teaching workshops in Southern California back in 1993. Now, she spends weeks at a time on the road teaching others her techniques. Here's a little more about Paula and her love for quilting in her own words.

I became interested in quilting in 1990 thanks to my best friend, and life-long quilter, Mary Ponce. I made my first quilt while staying home from work one day. I enjoy every part of quilting, but especially the actual machine quilting, I kind of race through the piecing to get to the good part.

I have two rooms in my home dedicated to my quilting. Both have good lighting and lots of space. Since I travel a lot I consider it a gift to spend time on my machine. So, anytime I have a few minutes, I'm there.

In my spare time I like to cook and read. My husband works from home, so when I'm in town I cook three meals a day. I also read 15 to 20 books a month. I also enjoy traveling with my husband, eating at good restaurants, and collecting wines.

Join us for the 2011 AQS Quilt Show and Contest at the Knoxville Convention Center, Wednesday July 13 thru Saturday July 16. There's still time to sign up for Paula's lecture and workshops.

Her lecture is #22807 The 10 Commandments of Successful Machine Quilting.
Her classes are:
#28101 Intro to Machine Quilting
#28102 Borders and Binding
#28512 Trapunto by Machine
#28513 Free-Motion Quilting.
To learn more about the show in Knoxville and register just click here.

#28102 Borders and Binding

#28512 Trapunto by Machine

Special Treat for Knoxville Show

Knoxville Convention Center - Headquarters of the AQS Quilt Show

The AQS Quilt Show and Contest in Knoxville is almost here. The show runs Wednesday, July 13 thru Saturday, July 16. We have a surprise for anyone who registers for a lecture or workshop at this year’s show. How does a free lecture sound? It's our way of saying thank you.

For those who registered by June 1, your free ticket will be mailed to you along with your name badge. After June 1, you can pick up your free ticket and name badge at the Workshop Desk located inside the exhibit hall at the Knoxville Convention Center.

The free ticket has no monetary value. If you already signed up for a lecture – you cannot get a refund for that lecture, but you can attend another lecture or invite a friend. Present the ticket at the door of the Lecture Hall for admission to the lecture of your choice. To read a description of the lectures, just click on this link.

So, as our time comes to a close in the Marble City, we want to say a special thank you to the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation (Visitors Bureau), the Knoxville Convention Center, and our host quilt guilds – the Smokey Mountain Quilters of Tennessee and the Village Quilters, for helping to make our three shows in Knoxville a success. The 2012 summer AQS Quilt Show will be held in Grand Rapids, MI, to take our event to quilters in another part of the country.

To learn more about AQS, just click here.

AQS Quilt Contests - Submitting Entries

It’s already the end of August, school is back in session, and we are eagerly awaiting the cooler fall weather. 2011 will be here before we know it, and so will the deadlines for our Lancaster and Paducah 2011 quilt contests! We are receiving entries for both contests every week, and right now there is still plenty of time to submit your entry forms. November 5, 2010 is the deadline for Lancaster entries, and January 3, 2011 is the deadline for Paducah.

Erin, our contest coordinator, loves to see entry forms come in early, so get those quilts finished and send in your contest entries now! If you want to submit your quilts for Knoxville or Des Moines in 2011, she is ready for those too.

Here are links to be able to view and print the rules for 2011:
Lancaster rules
Paducah rules
Knoxville rules
Des Moines rules

If you have any questions about entering a quilt, you can e-mail Erin, erinulrich@AQSquilt.com, or call her at 270-898-7903, ext. 174.

What's Happening at the AQS Quilt Show in Knoxville

Today is Day 3 of the AQS Quilt Show at the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. Here's a glimpse of what you can see at the show. There is still time to see the more than 550 quilts on exhibit and shop in the huge merchant mall with every supply you might need to make your quilts. The hours today are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; hours for Saturday are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Parking and Shuttle Service in Knoxville

You have several choices for parking in Knoxville. The easiest is to park at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum and ride the shuttle right to the doors of the convention center. Here is a map of the route the shuttle will take to/from the Civic Coliseum..

Here are all of the options for parking during the show -
* Civic Coliseum including handicapped parking/shuttle
* Limited handicapped parking at the Poplar Street lot
* City parking garages
* Park at your downtown hotel and ride the City Trolley - check the schedule at your hotel

Downtown Show Parking - Knoxville Civic Coliseum

This year's AQS Express Shuttle makes your park and ride experience while visiting the show a breeze! Park in the garages on the north side of the Knoxville Civic Coliseum (500 Howard Baker Ave., Knoxville, TN 37915-2503 (865.215.8900, www.knoxvillecoliseum.com)); pay $5 per day for parking with complimentary same day in and out privileges and then hop on board the AQS Express Shuttle for $1 each way ($2 round trip) and go straight to the Knoxville Convention Center's front door. Return to the Knoxville Civic Coliseum garages by catching the bus right outside the front door when you are finished at the show. Shuttles will run every 15 - 20 minutes. If you are making multiple visits to the show, you can purchase a $5 event pass for the shuttle and have unlimited rides available during the show week. Shuttle service will be available: Wed. - Fri., 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sat., 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a handicapped shuttle at the coliseum to handle any visitors who need special assistance.

City Trolley Service - use this service if you are staying at the downtown hotels

Complimentary trolley service is available via the Knoxville Area Transit. A map of routes and trolley stops is available on the AQS Web site. The Orange Line and Blue Line have been extended for the duration of the show to include the following times and days. The trolleys provide service to each of the downtown hotels and the Knoxville Convention Center, as well as several downtown attraction areas.

Orange Line - pick up and drop off on the north side of Clinch (Holiday Inn side of Clinch) and on the west side of Locust (across Locust from the Hilton entrance). The Orange line services the Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Four Points Sheraton and Hilton

Wed., July 14:    7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Thurs., July 15:  7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Fri., July 16:      7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sat., July 17,     7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Blue Line - pick up and drop off on the west side of Locust (across Locust from the Hilton entrance). The Blue Line services the Hilton, Marriott and Divid Coliseum garages. Both routes service Market Square and Gay Street.

Blue Line Schedule:

Wed., July 14:   7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Thurs., July 15: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Fri., July 16:     7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sat., July 17:    7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Limited handicapped parking is available on a first-come basis in the Poplar Street lot, across from the convention Center. Persons parking in this lot will need to walk across the pedestrian walkway to the Knoxville Convention Center. 

City Parking Garages:

Parking is free at all city-owned garages after 6 p.m. on weekdays and throughout the weekend. City-owned garages include those at Locust Street, State Street, Market Square, and the Promenade.

See you at the show!

See You Soon in Knoxville, Tennessee

It's Quilt Show Time!
We have just a few short days until the AQS Quilt Show opens at the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. The show opens on Wednesday, July 14 at 9:00 a.m.; however the Workshop Desk will be open on Tuesday, July 13, from 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. so you can pick up your name badges (for those who have pre-registered and have not received it in the mail) or to purchase tickets for workshops, lectures, and special events.

Show Dates and Hours: Wed., July 14 - Fri., July 16, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, July 17, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

We have a new feature at this year's show - the U.S. Post Office will have their mobile postal van parked on Henley Street, just outside the entrance to the show. The hours for the post office are: Wed., Thurs., and Fri., 1 - 6 p.m., and Sat., 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

You will be able to get a special quilt show cancellation stamp - perfect for sending a note to your family and friends from Knoxville. You can also pack your goodies purchased at the show into your suitcase and ship those dirty clothes home. ;-) many quilters do this at our shows.
Just look for this mobile van. They can handle your mailing and shipping needs: letters, postcards, and packages.

Parking and Trolley Service

Downtown Show Parking - New Parking Area with Shuttle Service
This year's AQS Express Shuttle makes your park and ride experience while visiting the show a breeze! Park in the garages on the north side of the Knoxville Civic Coliseum (500 Howard Baker Ave., Knoxville, TN, 37915-2503, 865.215.8900, www.knoxvillecoliseum.com); pay $5 per day for parking with complimentary same day in and out privileges and then hop on board the AQS Express Shuttle for $1 each way ($2 round trip) and go straight to the Knoxville Convention Center's front door. Return to the Knoxville Civic Coliseum garages by catching the bus right outside the front door when you are finished at the show. Shuttles will run every 15-20 minutes. If you are making multiple visits to the show, you can purchase a $5 event pass for the shuttle and have unlimited rides available during the show week. Shuttle service will be available: Wed. - Fri., 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sat., 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Trolley Service to/from Hotels and Downtown Knoxville
Complimentary trolley service is available via the Knoxville Area Transit. A map of routes and trolley stops is available on the AQS Web site, www.AmericanQuilter.com. The Orange Line and Blue Line hours have been extended for the duration of the show to include the following times and days. The trolleys provide service to each of the downtown hotels and the Knoxville Convention Center, as well as several downtown attraction areas.

Orange Line - pick up and drop off on the north side of Clinch (Holiday Inn side of Clinch) and on the west side of Locust (across Locust from the Hilton entrance). The orange line services the Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Four Points Sheraton and Hilton:
Wednesday, July 14: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Thursday, July 15: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday, July 16: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday, July 17: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Blue Line - pick up and drop off is on the west side of Locust (across Locust from the Hilton entrance). The Blue Line services the Hilton, Marriott, and Civic Coliseum garages.
Wednesday, July 14: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Thursday, July 15: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday, July 16: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday, July 17: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Both routes service Market Square and Gay Street in downtown Knoxville - the location of many restaurants and shopping area.

Handicapped Parking
There will be handicapped parking and shuttle service at the Civic Coliseum garages to take you directly to the Knoxville Convention Center.

Limited handicapped parking is available on a first-come basis in the Poplar Street lot, across from the convention center. Persons parking in this lot will need to walk across the pedestrian walkway to the Knoxville Convention Center.


City Garages
Parking is free at all city-owned garages after 6 p.m. on weekdays and throughout the weekend. City-owned garages include those at Locust Street, State Street, Market Square, and the Promenade. You will be able to park free at these garages (after 6 p.m.) if you are attending the evening events at the quilt show.

We are beginning to pack for the show. Are you?
See you next week in Knoxville!

Sneak Peak at Knoxville's Special Quilt Exhibits

You won't want to miss seeing some very special quilt exhibits at the AQS Quilt Show, Knoxville Convention Center, 701 Henley Street, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37902, from July 14 - 17, 2010.

Here is a sneak peek at a few of the quilts that will be in our special exhibits at the show. They vary from antique quilts from the Nathanael Greene Museum in Greeneville, Tennessee, to prizewinning quilts from The Applique Society members, quilts from the New Quilts from an Old Favorite contest of The National Quilt Museum, Paducah, Kentucky, and Living Colour quilts by members of the American Pacific West Quilters of the Pacific Northwest region.

Antique New York Beauty quilt

from the Nathanael Greene Museum

Coeure du Vigne by Diana De LeClair - The Art of Applique 

exhibit of prizewinning quilts by members of The Applique Society

Sun Flower Duet by Geri Parker and Kathy McNeil of Coupeville, Washington - the second place winner in the New Quilts from an Old Favorite Contest - see all of the other semi-finalists in this contest.

Transitions by Diane Becka, North Bend, Washington - from the Living Colour 

exhibit by members of the American Pacific West Quilters. 

These quilters were invited to create, in fabric, their interpretation of Living Colour

using their choice of artistic expression and construction techniques.

There will be more than 550 quilts on exhibit at the AQS Quilt Show in Knoxville. Put on your most comfortable walking shoes and join us there! See you July 14 - 17.

Registration is now closed for this show, but you can pay admission at the door; check at the Workshop Desk located just inside the exhibit hall, for tickets to lectures, special events, and workshops.

The public is welcome to attend this event. Admission is $9 daily/$17 multi-day for AQS members and $11 daily/$30 multi-day for non-members. Two-day admission is $20. Show hours are: Wednesday, July 14 through Friday, July 16, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, July 17, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Great Fun & Beautiful Surroundings at the Knoxville Quilt Show

It is almost time for the AQS Quilt Show in Knoxville, July 14 - 17.

You can still call AQS at 270-898-7903 (ask for the Quilt Show office) and we can hold tickets for you to pick up and pay for at the show to hold your space in the workshops, lectures or special events. We have now closed the online registration so the staff can make final preparations for the show. ALL registration for the Knoxville show will close at 3:00 p.m. on July 2. After that date, you will need to check at the Workshop Desk at the show for ticket availability.

Speaking of special events, have you signed up for the Quilters' Fun Night with Alex Anderson and Bonnie Browning? Wait until you see the prizes we have for this event - they already total more than $1,000. Here are some hints: fabric cutter, fabric kits, note cards, books, crystals, special umbrella, fat quarter kits, and more. You won't want to miss having a fun evening with Alex and Bonnie on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.!

The Step Back in Time Progressive Dinner on Wednesday evening is now sold out.

Tickets are still available for An Evening with Alex Anderson on Thursday at 7 p.m., and for Down on the Farm with Eleanor Burns at 7 p.m. on Friday. Learn and laugh with Alex and Eleanor at these special events.

There are still some openings in some great workshops - learn how Bethany Reynolds has adapted her Magic Stack-n-Whack method to some new designs, find out how Margaret Miller puts together Strips That Sizzle, how Joan Shay makes those beautiful 3-D flowers, or see how Cynthia England makes her pieced pictures.

You can view the class descriptions and see the project photos on the AQS Web site. Once you've made a choice, you can call AQS at 270-898-7903 to have your tickets held for you. You can also just view the printed registration guide by clicking here if you need to check your supply lists.

Don't forget to sign up for the three free Janome sewing machines that will be given away. The drawing box will be located near the Admissions Desk just inside the exhibit hall. One name will be drawn at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It could be your name that AQS Vice President Rick Loyd reads to win a brand new Janome sewing machine.

Before you get busy celebrating the July 4th holiday, secure your tickets for the Knoxville show. We'll see you at the Knoxville Convention Center, July 14 - 17.

The AQS Quilt Show Staff

Have You Registered for the Knoxville AQS Quilt Show Yet?

It's time to register for the AQS Quilt Show in Knoxville, Tennessee, that will be held July 14 - 17, 2010. After June 2, we will be mailing the name badges for everyone who has registered by June 2 - your name badge is your admission to all of your confirmed events. Registering in advance (by June 2) means that you won't need to stand in line to pick up your name badge at the show.

You can still register after June 2, but those name badges will be held for pickup at the show and you will probably need to stand in line to get it. Save yourself some time, register now by clicking here.

Alex Anderson will be teaching in Knoxville - two seminars plus two evening special events - Quilters' Fun Night with Alex Anderson and Bonnie Browning on Wednesday, and An Evening with Alex Anderson on Thursday. You can go Down on the Farm with our favorite farmer's daughter, Eleanor Burns on Friday. And, you can have Brunch with Gwen Marston on Saturday morning. Don't miss out!

And the Winner is...

Everyone who had booked their hotel room for the Knoxville show through the link or phone number to World Venture Tours on the AQS Web site by May 15 was eligible for a $500 gift certificate to Gina's Bernina shop in Knoxville.

Congratulations to Brenda Russo from Atoka, Oklahoma, whose name was drawn to win the $500 gift certificate. Have a great time shopping at Gina's Bernina in Knoxville, Brenda!

There are still hotel rooms available downtown at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Knoxville, located on the Free Trolley route. You can walk to the Old City and Market Square to enjoy over 30 eateries, nightlife, and shopping. Click here to book your room online, or call 1-800-753-3823, so you can be close to all of the AQS Quilt Show activities.

NEW EVENT - Don't forget to sign up for the Quilters' Fun Night with Alex Anderson and Bonnie Browning on Wednesday, July 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at the Knoxville Convention Center. We'll have a great time with fun and games! To register online for the special events, workshops, lectures, and show admissions, click here or call the Quilt Show Office at 270-898-7903.

See you in Knoxville, July 14 - 17, 2010!

Countdown to Knoxville Quilt Show - 79 Days

Our summer show will be here before you know it...

It is now just 79 days until the AQS Quilt Show & Contest in Knoxville, TN, that will be open July 14 - 17.
The show will be held at the Knoxville Convention Center, 701 Henley Street, Knoxville, Tennessee.

The exhibit hall will be filled with contest quilts, special quilt exhibits,

and the merchant mall featuring vendors with the latest products for quiltmaking

If you haven't made your room reservations, book your room using this online link, or call 865-588-7426 or 1-800-753-3823.

We are currently offering an Early Bird Booking Contest for the Knoxville Show. Book your hotel rooms for the AQS Quilt Show & Contest - Knoxville online or by calling 800-753-3823, using the reservation system, and be entered for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate to a local Knoxville quilt store! Reservations for this early bird booking contest must be made by May 15, 2010. The winner will be announced May 18, 2010 and notified prior to the show by email/mail. Certificate provided at the Knoxville Show (details will be provided to winner on where to pick up certificate). No other promotions apply.

Registration for workshops, lectures, and special events is open online, by fax (270-898-1173), or by mail (AQS, PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290). Telephone registration will open for Knoxville on May 5.

We have some great teachers for Knoxville, including:
Alex Anderson, Eleanor Burns, Elsie M. Campbell, Susan K. Cleveland, Kathy Delaney, Cynthia England, John Flynn, Renae Haddadin, Klaudeen Hansen, Vicki L. Johnson, Gwen Marston, Margaret J. Miller, Andi Reynolds, Bethany Reynolds, Joan Shay, Sarah Ann Smith, Helen Squire, and Merikay Waldvogel.

Tickets are selling quickly for our special events - seating is limited so reserve your seat today:
Wednesday: Step Back in Time Progressive Dinner & More (3 Historic Homes)
Thursday: An Evening With Alex Anderson
Friday: Down on the Farm with Eleanor Burns
Saturday: Brunch with Gwen Marston

Any questions? Call Laura Davis or Marcelle Cashon at 270-898-7903.

Knoxville AQS Quilt Contest - Deadline is March 22

Attention quilters! While we are getting ready for the Lancaster and Paducah shows, the deadline for entries in the Knoxville AQS Quilt Contest is approaching fast. All entries for our Knoxville 2010 contest are due by March 22, 2010. That means there are still 5 weeks to go – plenty of time to get those entry forms and photos sent in! More than $44,000 in prize money is going to be awarded to quilts in five different categories. You can’t win if you don’t enter!

Categories for the 2010 Knoxville Contest are: Quilter’s Choice, On the Wall Quilts, Sew Tech, Galaxy of Stars, and of course the ever-popular Ultimate Guild Challenge. We look forward to another great year and another wonderful show in Knoxville. For details, complete rules, and contest entry forms, please visit our website at www.americanquilter.com. For any questions regarding the contest, you can contact Erin Ulrich at erinulrich@AQSquilt.com or (270) 898-7903 ext. 174. Send in those entries – we can't wait to see them!