Quilting on the high seas!

You are warmly invited to join me on a quilters’ cruise extraordinaire!

You all know I love to travel. Besides quilting, traveling the world is one of my most favorite things to do in life. Kent and I are the perfect traveling buddies — and guides! He’s so ‘culture savvy’ no matter what country we visit, and I’ve got a built-in radar for finding fun places to scout out fabric. A match made in heaven if you ask me. We’d like to personally invite you to come join us for one (or both!) of two amazing, quilting cruise opportunities! We’ll be quilting on the high seas on a fabulous 7-night cruise to Alaska from August 29 – September 5, 2010, and a superb 10-night  Southern Caribbean cruise in February, 2011! (More information about the Caribbean cruise coming soon…)

I absolutely love to teach quilting classes on a cruise — there’s nothing like it anywhere! I adore my association with Faye Doyle and her amazing staff through Quilt Seminars at Sea; they are true professionals who really care and take good care of their customers. They pay attention to every detail. Many of the quilt cruisers are repeat guests who come back year after year because of their awesome experience with Faye. You’ll be pampered. You’ll have more fun than you can imagine. There is an abundance of laughter and creativity. The classes are outstanding; the instructors are terrific. You’ll learn tons of hot new quilting tips and techniques. And the fellowship and friendship is amazing! 

“Mr. Kim”

And these cruises aren’t just for the quilters. Bring your husbands or significant others for some great male-bonding time. Trust me: Kent and the other pseudo-quilt widowers in the group will have a grand time finding all kinds of things to do while you are having the time of your life stitching and quilting! Check out these photos from our Mexican cruise in 2008.

You’re also welcome to come by yourself; no problem! Don’t hold back because you’re timid or unsure about signing up as a single. There will be just as many unaccompanied quilters who join us and make friends on board with the other cruisers in the group. Faye will pair you with a roommate, if you like, or you can choose to have a cabin to yourself. But you’ll never have to be alone at lunch or dinner — Faye makes special arrangements with the cruise line so our group sits together and we have a wonderful time socializing at mealtimes!

The cruisin’ mystery sleuths with the “Bien Viaje” mystery quilt

I’ve already planned my projects for the Alaska 2010 cruise. Check out my class descriptions and project photos:

“North to Alaska” Cruise Mystery Quilt

 Get ready to lift anchor and set sail on a fun-filled journey by making the OFFICIAL 2010 QUILT SEMINARS AT SEA ALASKA CRUISE MYSTERY QUILT!  Designed exclusively for this cruise, this stunning quilt is a beautiful combination of blocks which relate specifically to the locales we’ll visit during our ports of call. While the blocks themselves are not difficult to piece, you’ll love the secondary pattern which emerges when they are stitched together. The overall pattern is a perfect blend of northwestern delights; and you’ll learn fast and efficient techniques for perfect piecing en route. Whether you’re a mystery quilt veteran or you’ve never made a mystery quilt before, you’ll spend a fabulous day at sea having a great time, making many new friends, and creating a glorious memory quilt from your trip to Alaska!  You’ll want to hurry and sign up — this is always one of the most popular classes!

(Wish I could show you a photo, but then it wouldn’t be a mystery! …And y’all love to do KMQ’s, right?)

Wool Alaskan Totem Pole

Spend a relaxing day at sea cutting and stitching bright, beautiful pieces of 100% felted wool while creating your own version of an Alaskan-inspired, wood totem pole. The high quality, luxurious wool is soft and drapes beautifully; is fun to work with, and is especially suited to the climate considering the chilly temperatures of the great northern frontier. Designed in the style of those ornately carved wooden artworks, your wool totem pole will feature images of a proud eagle, salmon, and brown bear; will be approximately 19” long, and can be used as a table rug or hung on the wall as a reminder of the proud heritage of the native American people and your cruise to Alaska. A complete kit of all the wool fabrics, pearl cotton, and a titanium needle needed to make this colorful totem pole will be available. This class is perfect for anyone who wants to relax, have fun, and enjoy the ease of stitching with wool!

Alaska Cruise Souvenir Wall Hanging

In this high-energy, no-stress class, you’ll create a uniquely personal, quilted keepsake of your cruise to Alaska! The first half of the day will be spent rotary cutting and piecing your 26” square quilt top. After lunch, you’ll have loads of fun personalizing and embellishing your souvenir quilt with stencils and Paint Stix! If you’ve never tried this fun and easy way to apply colorful, acrylic paints to your quilts, you’ll have a blast learning this easy technique. But this is only where the fun begins! At each port of call, you’ll have the opportunity to search for interesting items to add to your souvenir wall hanging, such as buttons, pins, charms, ticket stubs or even flattened pennies as a reminder of each destination. You’ll havefun sharing – and perhaps trading – pins and other collectibles with your fellow shipmates. The creative energy and ingenuity will flow as fellow ‘quilters-turned-souvenir-hunters’ become friends; as trinkets are gathered and friendships are forged. By the end of the cruise, your wall hanging will be a one-of-a-kind souvenir you can proudly display in your home to treasure your cruise memories for a lifetime!

Need another incentive to book your cruise? How about a very special gift from me!

Can I share a little secret with you? Well, I’d just love to show Faye that I’ve got lots of friends and fans out there who will sign up for either the Alaska or Southern Caribbean cruise just to take classes and hang out with me! So here’s the deal: If you write on your registration form that you signed up for a cruise because Mr. Kim and I are going to be there, I’ll present you with a special surprise at the welcome aboard cocktail party. But you must let the good folks at Quilt Seminars at Sea know before you board the ship! Faye will keep a list of all my special quilting buddies (should we call ourselves the K Club Members?) and I’ll have a special gift waiting just for you! Believe me — this surprise is really neat. And everyone who doesn’t get one will want one!

So, is anybody out there ready for a quilting cruise? Bring your mate, bring your friend, or bring yourself. But come! Drop me a line and let me know, even if you’re only thinking about going. No commitment is necessary right now, but I’d love to hear from you. And soon, who knows? We’ll all be sailing and quilting together having the time of our lives.  See YOU on the high seas!

Bon voyage — K