The Quilt Show debuts tomorrow. This online “tv show” is the “baby” of quilters Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims.  The pair are thrilled that over 15,000 people have subscribed to watch the show…(They were hoping for 10,000 by the first episode air date tomorrow!)  Check it out. You can subscribe to have “basic access” to the shows for free or you can subscribe for a nominal fee. 

 I got this quick note from Alex the other day—you can view a bit of a show teaser on the site right now..or click on the purple screen shown below here. You can also view the guests and topics for upcoming shows.

 “Dear Gina,

Thank you for all of the coverage. Things are coming along SO WELL! Let's hear it for the Internet. I wanted to let you know that the first REAL tease is up on the site. You might want to take a look........Again thanks and see you soon..........Alex :0)”

During the filming of the shows, quilt photographer, Gregory Case, was acting as roving reporter and photo man, documenting this event and the way the internet is changing our community. (You can see his other writings here and here.) 

 Today is Gregory's final and third segment entitled:

 "When I used to live in Los Angles, I attended screenings (previews) of movies with my friend, Frances. She taught me “movie etiquette”—you do not leave your seat until the final credit scrolls by. She knew that all those names/people contributed to the success of the movie (not just the stars).

 I thought about her recently as we are having new windows put in our 50 year-old house. The contractor was concerned about changing the windows, as the walls might not have the necessary support beams to hold the weight of these new and larger windows. While the windows would not crash to the floor, they would create a sagging effect if they were not properly braced. When discussing moving walls in the house, I was introduced to the concept of weight bearing walls that literally do hold up the house.

While being the behind-the-scenes photographer for The Quilt Show, I saw the Show’s support beams and weight bearing walls in action. Ricky’s staff made sure the bathrooms were clean through out the day, the snack table full, and provided assistance when needed, the producers kept the segments focused and on time, the crew positioned the lights and cameras for each segment, and the La Veta Inn provided the meals and housing. They were the support beams to this project.

 The weight-bearing walls were the “fans” that drove from Ohio and Kansas and a bus load from Colorado Springs who woke up quite early on a cold and snowy Sunday morning. The town local fans were the weight-bearing walls who attended the tapings along with Alex’s mother and father and Ricky’s mother, father, and aunt. These fans who sat in the audience, laughed, cheered, and even cried when Ricky played a wonderful and moving piano piece. Additionally, the over 15,000 fans also have been the weight-bearing walls who have signed up for The Quilt Show on the promise and belief of a new way of communicating about quilts.

 On the last day of taping, a group photo was taken: Back Row Left to Right: Gregory Case (Photo Man), Dan Haberer (Director) Izzy Jimenez (Technical Director), Brian Day (Crew Manager, Camera/Audio), Wayne Evans (Camera), Brad Wallace (Jib Camera, Art Director), Bob Purcell (The Thread Guy), Cheryl Uribe (Gizmo Girl), Justin Shults, (Bad Bart)

Front Row: Beverly Price (Producer), Jeff Bilyeau (Videographer/Life Saver), Angel Hawthorne (Producer), Alex and Ricky

 Ryan, the film editor, could not be found in time for the photo nor did the photographer’s assistant, Elena Morera get in the shot. Ryan and she were the “stand-ins” for the countless others whose talents and efforts in making this Show a reality were not shown in the photo. Ricky and Alex, like Frances before, know it’s the unsung talent of many (not just the stars) that make it work. And, to paraphrase the Field of Dreams movie, “if you build it, they will come.” Ricky, Alex, and countless others have built it--and you came. Welcome home to a new day."