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AAQI quilts hoarded for Houston IQF | Process to buy streamlined

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I admire the work of the The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI), so when Ami Simms, the Founder & Executive Director of AAQI, asked bloggers to get the word out on some latest happenings with the organization, I jumped on it. Read on!

1. AAQI Starts Hoarding Quilts For Houston

The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative hopes to bring 2,000 quilts to sell in its booth at IQF Houston. (Exhibit area, number and row as yet unknown.) They’ve already started moving quilts from the Quilts For Sale page (http://www.alzquilts.org/quiltsforsale.html)  over to the Hoarding For Houston page (http://www.alzquilts.org/houston2012.html) They will continue to move quilts, starting with the lower numbers first. So if you’re not going to Houston, it’s time to shop now!

And, if you’ve got a quilt in the works: GER ‘ER DONE!

We are working really hard to shorten the time it takes to get your quilt from registration to sale.

2. AAQI Gets Inventory System Up and Running

The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative continues to make improvements on its web page. They now have an inventory system on their Quilts For Sale page (http://www.alzquilts.org/quiltsforsale.html)

Gone are the SALE PENDING notifications on the Quilts For Sale page. Instead, the web page just won’t let you put the quilt in your basket if somebody ordered it before you did.

You can still place quilts in your shopping cart temporarily as you decide which ones you really, really, really want. Just know that putting them in there doesn’t make it impossible for another shopper to buy them out from under you.

Once an order is placed, however, those quilts are off the market.

You’ll notice an error message telling you a particular quilt is “unavailable” should you desire a quilt someone else has already ordered. But, you can always email an AAQI volunteer just to be sure.

When quilts are processed, they will be marked as SOLD and the buy button will be removed. After a few days they will be removed from the web page and sorted into the Sold Quilts pages.

Visit The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) website to get all the latest news and learn about upcoming events.

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In the Garden Layer Cake – A Bloom-Filled Fabric Collection for Spring Sewing

Some fabric collections feel pretty, some feel useful, and then there are those rare ones that instantly spark a dozen ideas the moment you see them. The In the Garden Layer Cake from Fat Quarter Shop falls firmly into that last category. From the moment I opened the pack, it felt like stepping into a watercolor garden—soft, romantic, full of movement, and brimming with detail that invites you to slow down and really look.

This collection brings together an elegant mix of florals, garden motifs, and soothing color palettes that feel like they were created for spring quilting. Instead of loud novelty prints, the designer chose a gentle balance of botanical sketches, scattered blossoms, tiny seed patterns, and larger feature florals that work beautifully in both traditional and modern layouts.

What struck me most is how thoughtfully the color stories are arranged. Each print blends seamlessly into the next, giving you a spectrum that includes soft rose pinks, leafy greens, lavender tones, fresh sky blues, rich corals, and delicate neutrals. It’s the kind of palette that instantly feels “quilty” in the best way—inviting, calm, and incredibly easy to mix and match. You can tell the designer planned this for maximum versatility.

Layer cakes are one of the most beginner-friendly precuts, but this collection elevates them with a sense of sophistication. The prints are strong enough to shine in simple patterns, but subtle enough to support more complex designs. Whether you prefer classic half-square triangles, framed squares, modern grid quilts, or something scrappier, this fabric adapts beautifully. It’s also a wonderful choice for table runners, spring wall hangings, and even quilted bags or home décor projects.

One of the nicest surprises with this layer cake is how it manages to feel seasonal without becoming locked into one particular holiday or theme. While the palette is undeniably perfect for spring, the prints themselves are timeless enough to work year-round. A floral quilt made from this collection would look just as lovely on a summer sunroom sofa as it would draped over a guest bed in winter.

The fabric quality is exactly what you’d expect from Fat Quarter Shop—crisp, clean cuts, vibrant printing, and a smooth hand that makes piecing feel effortless. Nothing is too thin or too stiff, and the colors are even more beautiful in person than they appear online.

If you enjoy sewing projects that feel light, fresh, and inspired by nature, In the Garden is a collection worth adding to your stash. It has all the qualities quilters look for: balance, versatility, gentle movement, and that spark of creativity that makes you want to start a project immediately. Whether you’re planning a gift quilt, treating yourself to a new spring project, or simply building your fabric library with a set of prints that will play nicely with others, this layer cake is a thoughtful and inspiring choice.