I just got back from a week in Des Moines at the APQS Rep Rally. I took a full week of classes and two days of maintenance training. I can now field dress any APQS machine! Plus, I got to meet so many artistic, friendly folks. I had a ball talking to Pat Sloan at it wasn't until much later that I realized the Pat I met in 3-D was the same Pat I knew from her internet sites! Sue Patton was also there and incredibly knowledgeable. I wish I could do one of those Vulcan mind melds and soak up all she knows about quilting! Marilyn Badger was there with some exquisite quilted examples of how to use the Hartley Fence with the APQS machines. I got to sit beside her for lunch. She is such a classy woman. Heidi Kaisand and Dawn Cavanaugh were there sharing all they know. Heidi organized everything and brought in some fabulous speakers. Dawn taught all the reps how to teach top notch longarm classes. She also told me she grew up in a house that is directly across the street from the APQS factory. How wild is that? Plus, Bob from Superior Threads gave a keynote address that made it obvious how his company enjoys such a fabulous reputation for customer service and quality. There were so many other people who shared their talents, I wish I could name and link to them all!

One of the classes was put on by Meredith Corporation which publishes a bunch of quilting magazines including, Quilts and More. I got to meet the group editor, Jennifer Erbe Keltner. She shared some of the past issues with us including the Fall 2008 edition. Inside that magazine was a pattern for these adorable little birds. Of course, you know that as soon as BirdMan saw the pattern he HAD to make one. He dug through my stash and found two green fabrics he thought looked like feathers. Then we worked together to complete the birds.