The Quilt Skipper

quilting makes me skip for joy

Jenny K Lyon

Quilting makes me skip for joy

Taping for The Quilt Show!!

I had no idea how much fun it would be to tape for The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims. I had a blast! TQS is a well-oiled machine, with 20 professionals dedicated to making the presenting artist look good. I’m pretty sure I ended up on TQS through Barbara Black‘s referral-thank you Barbara! It is an opportunity that I never expected to happen and I was grateful for the opportunity.

My favorite photo of the day

I don’t know when my segments will air, but I will be sure to let you know when I find out! Many of these photos were taken by Adele from TQS-thank you!

Before I left, I laid out some of my quilts in an order that I thought might be pleasing. After viewing the photos of others before me, I saw that there was opportunity for many more quilts than this. I am soooo happy that I threw in almost all my quilts at the last-minute. Having lots of quilt to choose from made for an excellent gallery.

It’s always scary to pack all my quilts and hope for a safe and timely arrival. The TQS taping, it would have been disastrous if my quilts did not arrive on time. They tape all day for 6 days straight and each artist is given one time slot. I’m not sure what they would have done if my quilts weren’t there for taping. Fortunately, they arrived safely.

Susan Cleveland (in green above) was taping the afternoon I arrived. She is a hoot and had the audience and crew in stitches.

Heidi Proffety taped right before me on Tues morning. I am dazzled by her mosaic textile art and it makes me want to run out right now and buy a digital cutter!

One of the wonderful thing about big teaching gigs or tapings is that you get to hang out with other artists. Libby Williamson taped a few days before and stayed to help. It was so much fun to hang with Libby and Heidi!

I can be easily amused. This was some sort of control room with lots of people, machines, lights, sliding switches, monitors and other stuff I don’t understand. It made me feel like I was a Star or something, giggle.

Before any taping can begin, your quilts need to be hung and properly lighted. The crew was so good at this-Adele created a layout that I loved and the lighting crew knew how to light them for maximum effect. This is the lull before the storm. Justin is on the monitor to the right, taping the lead-in to my segment.

There were about 60 audience members and Alex Anderson’s husband John kept them well entertained and passed out prizes and goodies too. In the background are the fabulous quilts of Ricky and Alex. If you ever get a chance to attend a taping, do it!

I know, not a great photo, but my sister who lives in the Denver area was able to attend the taping. That was very special to me to have her there!

Lots of prep work for the crew to make sure everything is right. It was nice to have BERNINA’s on the set.

During taping…

There are 3 segments and this is the “Getting to know Jenny” segment. Shelly, the Producer, is reviewing with me what to do and not do. Really, they made it easy. Glad I opted for short sleeves. It was a trade-off because my arms do look beefy but I run hot, so I was happy to be comfortable.

Ricky was a delight to work with! For some reason I don’t have photos of Alex. Did you know that both she and Ricky match their outfit to yours so that you stand out? Cool beans!

Funny Ricky story. I use a “Boogie Board” when I teach. A Boogie Board is an inexpensive little gadget that is kind of like an Etch-a-Sketch, but uses a stylus instead. It doesn’t save the image, it’s just kind of like a blackboard. I learned about this from Johanna in Tucson when I taught there. It’s nifty because sometimes if a student is confused about a particular motif, I’ll sketch it right in front of them on the Boogie Board and they will get it.

Ricky was smitten by it and I think he wanted to take it home. He had so much fun playing with it that the crew was a little bit like, ahem, can we please move on Ricky?

I really liked this vignette. Adele is a pro at display.

Taping took about 3 hours or so. I loved every minute. They directed me and cued me and just generally took care of me. They say when you arrive, “You’re part of the TQS family now” and I really felt that. I was embraced and encouraged. Above is the studio after we wrapped, audience gone. I almost hated to leave!

Oh yeah, there were mountains there too! I flew in Mon afternoon, went directly to TQS to get the lay-of-the-land, arrived Tues AM for taping and flew out on Wed AM. Not much time for sightseeing. I was glad to get this view after taping.

John Anderson enjoying one of my quilts after the taping-an unscripted high moment for me.

The TQS staff tapes 12 shows in 6 straight days. I cannot imagine how exhausting that must be! They give it their all. If you’re not already a member of TQS, consider joining. When I look at their programs over the years, I am in awe of the tremendous knowledge base there on every quilting subject imaginable. It’s a very good investment and a lasting contribution to the quilting community. I hope you’ll consider joining.

What a dream to be on TQS-pinch me! Funny, as always, when you hit a high, it doesn’t last long. Once I hit the ground here at home, normal life beckoned and no one cared that I was on TQS. But I’ve still got a glow in my heart from this adventure. It is my hope that I begin to get more far-flung opportunities to teach and that I will start teaching 3-5 day gigs. Oh, I would love to have my students for that long!

I’ll be hooking up with Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday where all the good links hang out.

P.S. – The Quilt Show–TQS. The Quiltskipper–TQS. See, it was meant to be:-)

Comments

  6. Looked like a party! I’m so glad you enjoyed the experience and TQS people were so accommodating. Makes for fun watching for us members. I’m in an Internet art quilt exchange group with Libby Williamson, so I’ve enjoyed vicariously experiencing the taping with two of you!

  8. Oh that sounds just so much fun and wonderful! I can hardly wait to see your show. I am a charter member and have learned so very much over the years from them.

    • Charter member Betty Jo?! That is impressive. Just imagine all you’ve learned over the years. It’s a huge contribution to the quilting community.

  9. So happy for you! This is a huge thing that could just push your business into the stratosphere and us folks that take classes at little local shops (Meisners for me) we may never see you again once you hit the big time. You deserve all of this. Keep basking in that pre-show glow! Have to look into joining this program if my budget can do it! Congrats!!!

  10. You summed up the experience very well. Amazing, thrilling, sort of an “I have arrived” moment–then home to real life. Next big moment–when the show airs!

  11. We should have given you a standing O at guild Tuesday! All in our own little worlds. I’m very happy about your success and can’t wait to see this show. I’m going to subscribe to The Quilt Show.

  14. Can’t wait to see your show, Jennie! I have been a member of The Quilt Show (aka The Quiltskipper) since the beginning. So proud to know you!! Looking forward to the coming season, as I know so many of those that were taping with you.

  15. LOL, I always say I am TQS’s number one fan. I look forward to their shows and always watch them on Sunday night with popcorn and M&M’s.

  16. What a whirlwind! I’m SO looking forward to the episode, as I’ve been a TQS subscriber for years, and to see one of my friends there… wow!!

    You looked great — “beefy arms” and all. Congratulations!

  17. Thanks for giving us the ‘behind the scenes’ view of TQS. I am a star member of TQS. I will be waiting to watch your interview. I have been following your blog since taking your class last year at the Houston Festival, where I learned so much from you. You are a great teacher!!