August 19-26, 2011

Experience the beauty of Alaska on this 7 Night
Alaska Sawyer
Glacier Cruise.

Ahoy, Quilters! Get ready to have
the time of your life as we
cruise the seas and quilt in style
abord the Royal Caribbean's
Rhapsody of the Seas.

Please note:
To attend quilt classes and participate in the activities, you must book the quilting cruise.

Join us for a 7-Day Cruise featuring Trish Stuart and Toni Whitney. We will depart from Seattle, Washington on Auguest 19, 2011, then travel to Alaska Inside Passage; Juneau; Skagway; Tracy Arm Fjord; and Victoria, British Columbia. During your days at sea, you'll be 'entertained' with quilting classes, sewing, and the many fun activities aboard the ship. We'll also have a HandiQuilter machine on hand to play with,
compliments of Quilt Corner in Baton Rouge, LA!

The Ship & The Cruise

We will sail out of Seattle, Washington on August 19, 2011, for a 7-day, roundtrip cruise through Alaska on board the Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas. We'll visit the Alaska Inside Passage; Juneau; Skagway; Tracy Arm Fjord; and Victoria, British Columbia, with two exciting days cruising at sea. Classes will be held during the two days at sea, but you are free to roam about the ship as you please, and take advantage of all the ship's wonderful amenities.

The Rhapsody of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's Vision class ships. It's a breathtaking experience! You will enter Rhapsody of the Seas through the Centrum to a soaring, seven-deck atrium, stunningly decorated, with floors of stately white marble softened by living plants, soft leathers, muted wood tones and kinetic water sculptures. Described as an "Astro-Nautical" theme, the Rhapsody is decorated with a blend of images from the heavens and the seas, and features an amazing collection of art.

You'll enjoy Royal Caribbean's energetic, friendly, and accessible staff, whose infectious vitality creates a casual fun counterpoint to the artistic refinement of the ship.

Classes & Sewing Time

Classes will be held during our two "at sea" days. Everyone will get to participate in all the classes taught by the very popular teachers, Trish Stuart and Toni Whittney. But that's not all... There will also be a mystery guest teacher teaching a mystery quilt  designed exclusively for our trip by Debbie Caffrey  “Mystery of the Sawyer Glacier”.

Sail 'n Sew Fabric Packs for each class and the mystery quilt.  We have selected the perfect fabrics for these projects.  If you would like one, just let us know!  We will be sure to get it to you in plenty of time so you can have your cutting done prior to class.  Prior to departure, we will contact you regarding the specific fabric selections available for your kit.

But wait... There's More!
We will also have onboard the Rhapsody of the Seas:

• A state of the art conference center dedicated to our group the entire cruise
• A cocktail party exclusively for our group
• An evening lecture and trunk show by each teacher
• A beautiful quilt will be given away each evening – that’s 7 finished quilts in all!

PLUS a $50 per stateroom onboard credit for you to spend
any way you want while on the ship.

AND ... You'll be sewing on a new Bernina machine!

Texas Quiltworks, in Rockwall, Texas, has generously agreed to furnish everyone with a new Bernina sewing machine during the cruise! There's no need to bring your sewing machine all the way from home, and you may even take home a great deal on your brand new Bernina! So, travel light, and sew in style while you're there. Stop in at Texas Quiltworks' website at www.texasquiltworks.com, and check out Bernina's latest machines, then get yourself geared up and ready, because you're going to have some happy quilting days ahead!

The Teachers

Trish Stuart was brought to Alaska as an infant when it was still a territory.  Raised in Fairbanks and Juneau Trish raised her two boys in Anchorage where she resided until her recent move to Texas.  A graduate from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks with a degree in accounting, Trish changed careers after the birth of her boys to teach quilting.  This led to creating patterns portraying the majestic beauty of that great state.  Spending those long winter nights in the dark inspired bright, passionate quilts which have carried over into the books and patterns Trish is authoring today.  With a large variety of styles from which to choose her art has run the gamut from traditional piecing, applique, stained glass quilts, art quilts, embellishing and more.  Being a featured artist in national quilting magazines, a guest on national television shows, teaching internationally and authoring 8 books plus numerous patterns has not changed Trish's down home Alaskan attitude.

Trish’s project:
Basket Weave 52” x 62” From the book “Undercover Strips”  Trish says “The first thing I did when I opened my package of Bali Pops was arrange them in order of value to see what design “popped” into my head.  I liked the gradation of colors so much I wanted to emphasize the beautiful way they flowed together.”

For as long as she can remember, there was not a time that Toni Whitney was not creating. Simply put, art is her passion. It is a passion that has led her through a wonderfully creative self taught career, consisting of twenty five years as both in-house and freelance designer in the sportswear industry, fine art painting in acrylic and pastel, fabric and wire sculpture and art quilt design. While successfully working in both paint and textile mediums, Toni’s passion for the quilt world grew as rapidly as a stash of fabrics.  Teaching art quit classes was added to the list and there was no turning back. The added benefit of working with a community of the most creative and kind hearted people while being able to combine both mediums for a never ending wealth of creativity… what more could a girl want. Toni Whitney lives and works from her home studio in Bigfork Montana. Her backyard is nestled up against hundreds of miles of wilderness where a never ending abundance of inspiration walks right outside her studio.

Toni’s project:
Backdoor Bear - Learn how to create your very own fusible appliqué art quilt along with the tips and techniques needed to make it fast, fun and easy with Toni Whitney.  Backdoor Bear is an 8”x 10” art quilt designed to be mounted on canvas, or to be made as a wall hanging using the background fabric with thread play as your borders.

?? Mystery of the Sawyer Glacier ??
Debbie Caffrey of Debbie's Creative Moments has designed another one of her beautiful mystery quilt designs exclusively for our trip!  Debbie lived in Alaska for many years before relocating to her current location in New Mexico.  We have hosted mystery quilt events using Debbie's patterns many times in the past and have never been disappointed.  Her designs are creative, accurate, and intriguing.  Our mystery teacher will be on hand to guide you through the process.

Activities - Entertainment & Exercise!

Rhapsody of the Seas features some beautiful public rooms where you can sit and enjoy the ship while visiting or just relaxing. The Viking Crown Lounge sits atop the Centrum, and is a great place to watch the ship come in to port. There is also the whimsical Schooner Bar, with actual teak decking, a library, and internet lounge, just to name a few.

There is a "Ship Shape" selection list each night from the regular menu. Breakfast and lunch buffets are served in the Windjammer Cafe, and also an alternate, casual dinner venue, for which no reservations are necessary. There's a hot dog and hamburger grill in the Solarium. Then, there's the round-the-clock room service, which is free from 5am to midnight!

Rhapsody's Broadway Melodies Show Lounge is one of the both functional and beautiful with excellent sight lines from the floor and balcony. Seating is on fixed banquettes and has adequate space to enter and exit rows. You can expect one show featuring a known entertainer, three evenings of variety acts, and a farewell show. You can also enjoy the casino, with slots, dice, and card tables.

Spa & Fitness
The Rhapsody has two large pools and six hot tubs that can be covered by a retractable glass dome for bad weather. There is a sunning area, and a gym with exercise equipment, and an aerobics room. Steiner's of London has the usual spa installation aboard for all your pampering needs after a long day of quilting.

General Information

Cabins
Cabins aboard the Rhapsody are comfortable and practical, and even the smallest feature a small sitting area and generous storage space. Cabins are quiet, and feature televisions, phones, safes, toiletries, and hair dryers.

Dress
Expect two formal nights each cruise. Most men opt for dark suit instead of tuxedo, and women choose cocktail dresses rather than lavish gowns. The remaining nights are casual, with sport shirts and slacks recommended for men, and sundresses and khakis for women.

Gratuities
Royal Caribbean recommends $3.50 per person, per day to the dining room waiter; $3.50 per person, per day to the cabin steward; $2 per person, per day to the assistant waiter. Royal Caribbean also recommends $0.75 per person, per day to the headwaiter, but we don't necessarily unless the service was special. A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to bar tabs.

Costs
Cruise prices includes the  Royal Caribbean Cruise, cabin, fine dining, exciting on-board entertainment, all quilting classes, group activities, use of Bernina sewing machines, parties, and fabulous door prizes. Does not include port charges of $365.08.

There is a $350 per person pre-paid deposit due now that can be paid via our website.
The price and availability are secured by the deposit.

For a price sheet and registration form, please click here.
The form is in .pdf form, and you will need Adobe to view.
If you need the free download, please visit www.adobe.com

Travel to and from Seattle, Washington
You will be responsible for getting to and from the ship in Seattle.

Contact Information

Please contact Stitchin' Heaven with general questions
or questions concerning classes and kits at:

Pricing & Registration

Click here to download the pricing and registration sheet.
This is a .pdf file, so will you need the free Adobe Reader download if you do not already have it.

Pay your Registration Fee online now!

A Cruise is always better with friends, so feel free to print the info sheet and distribute it to your friends!