The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of frenzied activities with family, friends and acquaintances! It is almost a relief that things are slowly getting back to "normal," no matter what "normal" is in your life! Now that Winter is officially here, we can hunker down and (almost) hibernate for a while.

It is truly hard to believe that it is now 2012! It wasn't too long ago that we were all worried about the Millennium. Look at what has changed in the last 10 years and yet how many things have stayed the same!

This is also the time of resolutions, setting goals and getting motivated for a brand New Year. I try not to make too many resolutions - they always seem to get broken way too easily - but I do have several goals for this year. Some of my goals are personal, some are professional and some are business related.

One of my business goals is to have this newsletter online EVERY month and have a PRINTED version of it that I can put in the mail.  (I got a smart phone for Christmas and I am learning about QR codes. Maybe there will be some in the printed newsletter!) This is my first newsletter of the new year, so let's see how long I can continue to do it for every month!

This is also a time to look back and see what you have learned in the past year. I have had some personal challenges in 2011 and what I have learned is -

Be grateful for the little things in life. Sometimes the smallest act of kindness from someone unexpected can be an uplifting experience.

Readily give small - and large - acts of kindness to others and don't expect anything in return.

Things will work out in their own time. Sometimes patience is required no matter how impatient you or your plans may be!

I can do more detailed quilting machine maintenance on my machine than I thought I could. And fix things on my machine I didn't think I could fix!

If you have some resolutions or goals you would like to share with others, or thoughts about what you have learned in 2011 please send them to me at longarmu@aol.com and I will compile them and post them in the next newsletter. (Note: I will only publish first names) 

Longarm University is in The Quilter Magazine
An article about Longarm University is featured in the most recent issue of the The Quilter magazine. It is exciting to be written about in such a great magazine.

To learn more about this issue Click Here  Longarm University is mentioned at the very bottom of the page.

If some of your New Year's resolutions or goals are to learn how to use your quilting machine or to learn some new machine quilting techniques, check out the on demand, online classes at Longarm Classroom

There are online classes of all types from the basics such as - (to view details of these classes simply click on the titles)

How to Quilt A Pantograph
Borders Corners & More
Easy, Breezy Free Hand Quilting Designs
Binding Your Quilt on Your Home Sewing Machine

to template classes such as - 

Rings Around the Quilt (template)
Baptist Fan Quilting (template)
Quilting in Circles (template)

and other free hand quilting classes such as -

Not Quite Traditional Quilt
Fancy Motifs Quilt
Feather Plume Quilt

Remember, all the online classes on Longarm Classroom include 60 days unlimited, 24/7 access for 60 days AND, at not additional cost, a DVD and printed instructions (if needed) will be sent to you you!

Machine Quilting Business Blog - If you have a machine quilting business or are thinking of starting one, you NEED to check out this Blog and feel free to leave comments and suggestions for topics to discuss. Feel free to subscribe to this blog and you will receive an email every time something new is posted.

To view the Machine Quilting Business Blog Click Here

Cindy Roth has started her own personal blog. To check out what is happening in Cindy's world Click Here

Black Batting - If you are working on dark quilts, you really need a black batting. Black battings are almost impossible to find, but my batting supplier has a limited amount of BLACK, Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 batting. Longarm U has this batting for sale for as long as the supply lasts.

For prices and details on this batting, including 30 yard rolls, King and Queen pre cut battings Click Here

Now that the holiday rush is over, if you have some time, please consider making, or quilting, a quilt for the American Hero Quilt Project www.AmericanHeroQuilts.com This project makes and distributes quilts to wounded service men and women. I have machine quilted many quilts for this great organization and over the last few weeks I have pieced two quilt tops which I hope to quilt very, very soon. American Hero Quilts are always looking for machine quilters - this is a great way to practice your quilting skills AND contribute to a worthy cause. If you don't have the time to piece or quilt for them, they could use your financial support.

Longarm U Workshop
Schedule for early 2012
Here is a list of the upcoming workshops/classes. For more information just click on the date. 

Longarm Classroom Online Classes
Special Offers

Several different Special Offers for multiple classes are available on the Longarm Classroom website.

For a complete listing of these Special Offers Click Here

Many of these amazing offers are for a limited time only! Check them out today!!

FREE Small Cables Online Class Posted!
A little while ago I designed a NEW template to make small cables. These cables are 1 inch wide and 1½ inches wide and make fabulous sashings! I have posted a NEW, FREE online Mini Class on how to use this template with my No Measure, No Math Method of pattern placement.

To view this Free Online Video Class Click Here