HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's finally here, the Year 2012. I have been writing 2012 on documents since the planning for the Centennial Celebration began nearly four years ago. All those wonderful plans will be implemented this year and Arizona Quilts and Quiltmakers are going to be in the spot light. The "100 Quilts for 100 Years" exhibit will open at the Arizona Historical Society Museum in Tucson in mid February. Friendships to the Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame include tickets to the museum so you can see the quilts and read about how Arizona has inspired the quiltmakers. I have had the opportunity to see several of the quilts that will be on display and they are wonderful. The quilts will feature a cross section of quiltmakers from throughout Arizona. All ages and skill levels are represented and each quilt will be accompanied by a legacy statement telling how the people, places or events of Arizona inspired its maker.

The Arizona Historical Society will have several events throughout the year related to the exhibit and we will keep you posted on the dates and activities. The Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame will have its induction event in Tucson this year as well. Mark September 22 and 23 on your calendar and join us in welcoming the 2012 Inductees into the Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame.

The Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame Booth has a busy schedule this year. It will be at the Vulture Peak Patchers/North Ranch Quilters Show in Wickenburg and the Tucson Quilt Fiesta both in January. Stop by and say Hello to us and get a close up look at our 2012 Opportunity Quilt "Desert Rose". You can purchase tickets to win it or start your own version by purchasing the Block of the Month pattern subscription.

Have a wonderful New Year and make sure you put Quilts and Quiltmaking at the top of your to do list for 2012.

Gail Van Horsen

"Desert Rose" was designed and made by Lynn Kough, quilted by Judy Taylor. This applique and piecework pattern celebrates Arizona's Sonoran Desert. The central block is the state flower the Saguaro cactus blossom. Surrounding the 9 floral applique blocks are pieced Delectable Mountain blocks. Click here to order from our shopping cart.

The Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame exists because of your generosity. Our Friendship year runs from October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012. This year as you renew your friendship you will have the opportunity to donate to and receive benefits from the Arizona Historical Society as they celebrate Arizona's Statehood with the "100 Quilts for 100 Years" exhibit.

Are you on facebook? This fun, social networking site is a great way to say in touch with family, friends and business associates...and keep up with Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame!

It’s easy. If you don’t already have a facebook profile, visit www.facebook.com and register. It’s easy, intuitive and free. Once you’re in your profile, use the search box to look for “Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame, Inc.” Just click “like” and our posts will appear on your wall.

Sign up for your FREE Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame e-newsletter! This monthly newsletter will contain the latest news “Heard ‘round the Hall,” quilting tips, and more of interest to Arizona quilters. It’s easy! On our contact page, just give us your name and e-mail address. Put the word “newsletter” on the subject line and hit send.

The Hall of Fame does not share e-mail addresses with any individual, group, or organization. We only use e-mail addresses for our own communications... and you’ll always have the opportunity to opt out, although we don’t know why you would!

This is the third block in our B.O.M. series. This block is top row center of the applique blocks. This ten month B.O.M. subscription includes the nine applique blocks and the Delectable Mountain border patterns.

Ken Bennett, Arizona’s Secretary of State, has agreed to serve as the Honorary Sponsor of the “100 Years, 100 Quilts” exhibition. Secretary Bennett will be an honored guest and speaker at the grand opening of the exhibition, Saturday, February 18, 2012. Be sure to mark your calendars and attend this historic event!

Marsha Childers with WRITER"S BLOCK, the Hall of Fame Winner at the 2011 High Desert Piecemakers Quilt Show, Winslow, AZ. The quilt was machine quilted by Carol Ann Patton.

Pictured is "The Hunt" by Linda Whitney. Linda won the Hall of Fame Award in November at the Arizona Longarm Quilters Show.

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Toni Quintana - Yuma, AZ

I worked for 37 years as a systems analyst in a large corporation in the Seattle area and for 15 of those years I owned, operated and taught art and ceramic at my studio which I really loved, this also included teaching the art of fabric painting. Then one day with the push of a few friends I was introduced to sewing and quilting and now I can't think of doing anything else. I lived in Japan for 6 months, traveled to Australia and the Mediterranean and have learned that the good old USA is a great place for quilting and we have the best fabrics selections..

I am a new quilter, comparatively, as I never sewed until the late 1990’s then started quilting in 1999. In 2008 I retired and moved to Yuma, Arizona and I really found the love of using the desert colors and plant life here as the bases for my art in the quilt projects I develop.

Since my moving to Yuma, I served 2 years as the founding President of the Roadrunner Quilters of Yuma, a new chapter of Arizona Quilters Guild and this is in my second year of belonging to Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame and I hope to be able to help it grow and support it with the knowledge I have.