Taping for Quilting Arts TV Series 3200

 

It's been a busy few weeks of getting ready to tape segments with Quilting Arts TV Series 3200 and 3300 hosted by Susan Brubaker Knapp. It's an honor to be invited back as the last time I taped with Quilting Arts was Fall 2019--which feels like a lifetime ago! And while Susan is still fabulously hosting, a lot has changed since 2019. They are now taping near Denver, CO and there are many new faces to the QATV crew. 

One thing that has not changed is the preparations that go into each segment. Susan and the crew do a fantastic job of working with each artist to choose techniques and craft segments that will appeal to their art quilting audience. Of course this requires lots of step outs along with back up step outs just in case there is a glitch during taping. Here are a few studio snapshots from the week before taping which included:

• Attaching quilt sleeves...Elmer's School Glue and safety pins to the rescue! (top left)
• Honing my carving gouges (top right)
• Preparing my step outs and samples (bottom left and right)

Not shown is my black binder which included all the information and notes related to travel, lodging, taping, and each of my segments. Guest artists are encouraged to arrive the day before to get familiar with the studio space and to set up for our segments. It was a super early morning departure from San Jose, CA but thankfully I had a bit of hand stitching to quiet my hands and mind during my flight into Denver, Colorado! Not only did I score one of the emergency exit rows but as a bonus, there was no one sitting in the middle seat making for a very comfortable flight! Once we touched down, I was amused by several gates signage indicating that "Gate is Resting." 

While I would have loved to rest as well, I had to go find my luggage and catch a Lyft ride to the studio. Upon arrival, I met with many of the QATV crew before Consulting Editor of Quilting Arts Magazine, Brandy Maslowski (aka Quilter on Fire) gave me a tour of the studio. Check out all that equipment: lights, camera...all ready for action! 

For this round of taping, I prepared to teach four segments which made for an ambitious morning schedule!

Thankfully, I had plenty of time to check out the ski scene! Just kidding--these photos were taken with the hotel's murals as my backdrop!

Back in the studio, taping day started with professional hair and make up which included my first time getting false eye lashes to help my eyes pop! My compliments to the make up specialists as they even concealed a small scrape on my elbow to have me totally camera ready! 

Each segment is only 12 minutes in duration which flies by super quick. To help keep each segment tight, we were asked to practice. This was reinforced as the day before I ran through my talking points with Brandy. Then again, before each segment, I ran through my outline with Host Susan, Vanessa the Executive Producer, and the crew. Thankfully, once the camera started filming, I only had to focus on Susan and my teaching demonstration. Vanessa and Susan monitored the timer with Vanessa relaying messages to Susan via an ear set so we could speed up or slow down to cover all the important information before wrapping up each segment. Here are a few behind the scenes sneak peeks from each of my segments. Many thanks to Susan and the crew for snapping most of these photos in between each segment.

Block Print & Play!

Fabric Printing FUN in the SUN!

Stamped Texture with Household Objects

Exploring Evolon

One of my fears became reality pretty quickly into taping the first segment: hot flashes! Ahh another joy of being a woman of a certain age. Yes--while setting up for my first segment, beads of sweat started to form on my forehead and down the back of my neck. Of course, I became I became more self-conscious which caused my body temperature to rise! It was pretty motifying as Susan and I were dabbing my face and neck taking care not to ruin my professionally applied make up. The crew were incredibly understanding as they cranked up the air conditioner (which caused a few audio issues as the fans turned on and off) and between each segment, they brought out fresh new ice packs to tuck under my clothes to stay cool for each taping. All humility went out the window but I am so glad that I was able to focus on completing all four tapings while packing in lots of helpful tips and tricks!

Here I am feeling a huge sense of relief once all four tapings were complete...minus a bit of make up that may have melted away from the hot flashes, but wow did those false eye lashes hold up!

My segments are tentatively scheduled to air in the fall on Episodes 3204, 3208, 3213, and one final demo to follow in the following series on episode 3310. I'll be sure to share more information closer to air time but there are two ways you can watch:

• Visit your local PBS Public Television station’s website to see if the show is available in your area! 
• Access to Watch ALL Quilting Arts TV Seasons: Video Downloads or Stream All Episodes on Quilting Daily

Plus there will be a free downloadable e-booklet that will highlight the supplies, tools, and process for each segment. 

Many thanks to Susan Brubaker Knapp for inviting me to join this round of tapings. Special thanks to Vanessa and her incredible crew for their hard work behind the cameras. A big thank you to Brandy and other members of Quilting Arts for helping me to prepare and set up my supplies. Of course, special thanks to Jeanne (bottom left) from Bernina who introduced me to the Bernina sewing machines that were on set and allowing me to practice for a bit to get comfortable using the various settings. I was especially impressed by some of the new features which included a laser to indicate the needle placement on your project, as well as a new hovering free-motion quilting foot! Tempting...very tempting!

My friend Sondrasa of Art Quilt by Design (above middle photo) lives locally and taped her segments on Monday. This was our first time meeting in person as we've only met via Zoom during our weekly accountability working calls. So what a treat to catch up and celebrate over a yummy meal consisting of a charcuterie board, spread of bruschetta bites, and two decadent desserts! I even got to meet Bart, Sondrasa's travel companion!

I planned my return ride back to the Denver airport to arrive with plenty of time to account for potential traffic due to stormy weather and rush hour. Alas, just as I arrived to the airport, I received notice that my flight was delayed another two hours! I kept busy  by catching up on email, reading, and exploring the terminal. There was a bit of excitement in our terminal which filled with smoke as part of a maintenance test for the exhaustion fans. While the airport made multiple announcements that the workers were using theatrical gas, it was still a sight to see. It provided a bit of entertainment to help pass the time until our boarding time. 

Thankfully our delayed plane only had 40 passengers so we were encouraged to spread out. As a result there was no one sitting in my row nor in front or behind me, making for a very spacious and quiet return flight. I got home around 1:30 AM just in time to remove my false eye lashes and drift off for some much-needed sleep!