Marti Michell
It is no wonder that Marti Michell, the 2004 Silver Star Honoree at the Houston International Quilt Festival, is often introduced as a pioneer in the current quilt revival. In fact, in 1972 when Marti and her husband Richard started Yours Truly, Inc., a patchwork kit company, there was no quilt industry. Since then, she has contributed in almost every capacity. Whether she is participating as a teacher, quilter, author, publisher, manufacturer, designer, consultant, judge or quilt collector, her enthusiasm for and love of quilting is always evident.

Since 1995 the Michells have manufactured the "From Marti Michell" line of acrylic templates and specialty rulers for rotary cutting. The 2004 Silver Star is a prestigious ìlifetime achievementî award. In 1991 she also received the first Michael Kile award given for commitment to creativity and excellence in the quilting industry.

Marti lives in Atlanta, GA, but was born and raised in Iowa. She received a B.S. in Textiles and Clothing and Home Ec Journalism from Iowa State University. Learn more about Marti at www.frommarti.com


Nancy Odom
Quilt designer, author, and teacher Nancy Odom has several books and dozens of patterns in publication, with more pattern and book ideas always in the works. Also among her creations are Quilter's Gloves for the machine quilter. Nancy is also the co-author of Elm Creek Quilts (C&T Publications).

Having completed her first quilt at the age of 17, Nancy credits her grandmother's love of quilting for inspiring her at such a young age. She has vivid memories of sneaking downstairs after "bedtime" as a child to watch her grandmother applique a quil top. Nancy was amazed and fascinated by every stich. Today, the very quilt that inspired that little girl has a proud place amon Nancy's own quilted creations.

Nancy is a featured teacher and lecturer at quilt shows, quilt guilds, and quilt shops around the country. Her teaching style is energetic and fun, but more important she is a knowledgeable quilt teacher. Students will not onl be entertained but will leave her class with new skills. Learn more about Nancy at www.nancyodom.biz


Sylvia Pippen
Sylvia Pippen grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and learned to sew at a very early age from her mother, Kitty Pippen. While raising her children in Western Massachusetts, Sylvia studied tailoring and pattern making and designed jackets made from Japanese Yukatas and Seminole patchwork. Owner of a perennial nursery, Sylvia designed and installed gardens, arranged flowers for weddings, and wrote weekly gardening columns for the local newspaper. She is an R.N. and a classical flutist.

Sylvia's quilts took on a tropical twist when she moved to Hawaii and worked as a gardener at the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai. After co-authoring Asian Elegance Quilting with Japanese Fabrics and More with her mother Kitty, Sylvia turned to teaching and designing patterns and fabric kits full-time. She teaches locally, holds retreats in her studio, on the neighboring Islands, on quilt cruises, US mainland, Canada, and next year in Australia. Learn more about Sylvia at www.sylvia-pippen.com

You will love working on this perfect quilt while you learn all about off center log cabin quilts.
Our featured project will be a breeze with Marti there to steer you through the waves. You
will need the book Log Cabin ABC's and the Log Cabin Template set

You can choose our "Hanami" fabrics using the beautiful oriental print or you might
perfer the fun "Adrifit in Paradise" fabric (both from Hoffman Fabrics). Your
Sail 'n Sew Fabric pack will have pre-cut pieces almost ready to sew.

Join Nancy for this very enjoyable class to learn a unique method for putting together this project. Unlike many designs, this is actually a row quilt! It is constructed in such a way
that makes it difficult to figure out how exactly it is done.

The quilt is made using Hawaiian prints by Hoffman Fabrics. You will enjoy this
wonderful opportunity to make a quilt that will remind you of a wonderful trip to Hawaii!

"My Honu "
by Sylvia Pippen

In this session, you will make the Hawaiian Honu (turtle) design and complete a 16"x16" block. You will also learn how to transfer a design to dark fabric, all about sashiko supplies, and how to make perfect sashiko stitches. In addition, Sylvia will demonstrate how to embellish Sashiko designs with fusible machine applique, and her favorite hand applique method: press-over heat resistant Mylar. You will fall in love with Sashiko once you have spent a day with Sylvia!

Few places on earth are as blessed as the fabled Hawaiian Islands, with their staggering natural beauty, perfect climate, and world-class vacation attractions! On September 20, we will reach our first destination: Lahaina (Maui), Hawaii. The Hawaiian phrase, "Maui No Ka Oi" means "Maui is the best." You'll agree, after a visit to the enchanting Valley Isle. Explore the old whaling town of Lahaina and the nearby West Maui Mountains. Or explore Haleakala National Park and its 10,000-foot volcano crater. Then travel the road to Hana and experience a true taste of old Hawaii. Or snorkel off the emerald island of Lanai, where you'll delight in pristine reefs and colorful marine life. Want a taste of the local flavor? Then you will enjoy a tasty part of island history during a re-creation of a Hawaiian luau tradition. The Kalua pig will cook all day on lava rocks in the Imu pit, where you will gather for the Imu ceremony. Then sit back and enjoy Hawaii's delicacies and authentic Polynesian entertainment. No Hawaiian experience is complete without this tradition!

Our next stop is Hilo, Hawaii. "The Big Island." "The Orchid Isle." "The Volcano Island." You'd expect a place that has inspired so many descriptive nicknames to be a land of rare beauty and wonder. Such is the island of Hawaii. Its 4,050 square miles are home to the snow-capped, 14,000-foot peaks of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, the fiery landscape of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, vast macadamia nut plantations, black-sand beaches, orchid-filled forests and posh resorts.

During the evening of September 22nd, we will sail through Mount Kilauea. Typically, one's instinct would be to run from a volcanic eruption. In this case, however, that would be a mistake. Romantic and mysterious, Kilauea is both one of the most spectacular and most active volcanoes in the world. Since 1998, the island has grown 560 acres, leading some to marvel at its ability to create rather than destroy. Get your camera and head out on deck before sunset so as not to miss a display of the most breathtaking scenery that you will never forget. Kilauea's landscape will fuel daydreams for a lifetime.

Then we are off to Kailua Kona, Hawaii.Located along Hawaii's western shore, where the slopes of Mauna Loa and Hualalai meet the sea, the Kona Coast is a region of endless lava fields and golden Pacific sunsets.The clear waters are perfect for diving, snorkeling, and deep-sea fishing. At the heart of the Kona Coast lies the charming resort village of Kailua. Because two other "Kailuas" exist within the state, the Big Island's Kailua is often called Kailua-Kona for clarity. What to do in Kailua-Kona? Take a walking tour of dozens of Kailua-Kona's charming and fascinating historic sites. Enjoy stories of Kona's colorful characters and the places they inhabited.

Next, we explore Kawiliwili (Kauai), Hawaii. The Garden Isle of Kauai is the tropical paradise that dreams are made of: a land of towering ocean cliffs and impossibly green valleys, pristine rain forests and cascading waterfalls, as well as some of the world's most photographed beaches. You will certainly want to take a helicopter ride over Waimea Canyon, the valleys and cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, the Valley of the Lost Tribe, the Waialeale Crater which is known as the wettest spot on earth. Along the way, keep your eyes open for familiar scenery from popular movies, including "Jurassic Park" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark". You can also explore the shores of Lumahai Beach and Bali Ha'i Mountains which was made famous in the musical "South Pacific". Looking for a taste of local flavor? Kauai grows sugarcane, papaya, pineapple, bananas and other tropical fruits. Local restaurants often feature locally grown produce, but the best way to enjoy these fruits is fresh from the tree.

And last but not least, we reach our final destination: Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii. Hawaii's capital is indeed the Jewel City of the Pacific. You simply must take a drive along Ala Moana Boulevard to view the hulking dormant volcanoes Diamond Head and Koko Head. Then, visit Hanauma Bay which was formed during Oahu's last eruption and is now a marine preserve with extensive underwater life. By far the most popular destinations in Oahu is Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial. Both are moving tributes to important historic events. Experience the serenity of the Punchbowl National Cemetery, featuring the "Courts of the Missing."

Guests of Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas® will embark on the course other cruise ships hope to someday follow. When you're not enjoying the magnificent ocean views, you'll be relaxing in the soothing Day Spa, swimming in one of the pools, taking a much-needed whirlpool or catching up with friends in one of eight lounges.  This ship is going to dry dock in March, 2012 for a complete renovation/restoration.  It will be like brand new when we sail in September!!