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Scrappy 'n Happy Quilt Cruise
Join Stitchin' Heaven and Friends on a 7-night Western Caribbean Cruise! Cruise and learn from three quilting experts: Darlene Zimmerman, Joan Ford, & Lynn Roddy Brown!
April 24 - May 1, 2016
Overview
Overview
Dear Friends,
If you have never been on a quilting cruise you have missed a real treat! Since 2010 Stitchin' Heaven Travel has offered quilt-related cruises and motor coach tours to literally hundreds of satisfied guests.
• "The Batik 2015 trip exceeded my expectations and I would definitely consider another cruise, possibly within the next two years with Stitchin' Heaven Travel! I will also want to invite a few friends to enjoy the experience with again."
• "This was my first cruise and obviously first quilt cruise, now I can't imagine doing a cruise without quilting! I loved it!"
• "If you want a fun cruise, check out Stitchin' Heaven! They are organized, think of everything, and bring in great teachers. And provide laser cut kits so we are ready to sew."
How can all this get any better? Here's how!
- • Stitchin‘ Heaven Travel communication updates
- • A Welcome Aboard Party
- • A Stitchin’ Heaven Travel souvenir tote bag
- • T-Shirt for each quilter specific to our cruise
- • A gift for each quilter
- • Optional pre-cut Sail ‘n Sew fabric kits
- • Every quilting guest can take all the classes offered
- • Classes are taken on days "at sea" so no port time is missed
- • Classroom is open 24/7 for plenty of free time sewing!
- • Bernina 330 sewing machines for each student
- • Free spool of Aurifil thread
- • One free charm per trip, charm holder sold separately
- • Demonstrations of the latest quilting and sewing products
- • Plenty of classroom support
- • Oliso Pro Smart Irons™
- • Emailed Contact List
Plus ... You'll be sewing on a Bernina 3 Series sewing machine!
That's right! Each quilter will be provided a state-of-the-art 330 Bernina machine equipped with the extended table, a quarter inch foot, and an open toe foot. There's no need to bring your sewing machine all the way from home. Visit the Bernina website to see the amazing features of this great machine!
During our sewing classes, we will be using spools of Aurifil™ thread. Each cruiser will be provided a free spool of 50wt. thread. Aurifil™ thread is perfectly suited for every quilt project. Learn more about this wonderful thread at www.aurifil.com.
Also during our sewing classes, we will only be using Oliso® Pro Steam Irons. This ain’t your momma’s steam iron! This professional-grade steam iron features award-winning technology and was designed with quilters in mind. Some of the features included are a pointed detailer tip and flat pressing area, three-way steam, the ability to perform as a dry iron, and an extended auto shut-off. We love this iron and you will too! You can view the full line of Oliso Smart Irons online at www.oliso.com
Consider bringing a friend, your spouse or your family – non-quilters are always welcome to join us and will have many activities to pursue while you are in class.
As usual, we bring you several quilt projects to work on, taught by amazing and talented instructors and designers in the world of quilting: Darlene Zimmerman, Joan Ford, & Lynn Roddy Brown!
We look forward to our next adventure together with you!
Instructors
Instructors
Darlene Zimmerman • www.feedsacklady.com
Darlene Zimmerman lives in rural Minnesota, is married and a mother of four children and a grandmother to five. Her quilt career began by designing tools for EZ Quilting (Simplicity), and she now has more than 30 quilting tools on the market.
She has published 4 books with EZ Quilting (Companions; Quilts and Miniatures, The Quilter's Kitchen, Calming the Storm and Quilts to Come Home To) and 10 books with F + W Publications (Quick Quilted Miniatures, Granny Quilts, Granny Quilts Décor!, Fat Quarter Small Quilts, The Quilter’s Edge, The Complete Guide to Quilting, Quilts from Lavender Hill Farm, Fresh from the Clothesline, Quilt Finishes and Quick Quilt Projects).
Darlene frequently publishes articles and patterns in quilt magazines, and has also been self-publishing patterns under her company name of Needlings, Inc.
Darlene has been designing 1930s reproduction fabric collections for the past 17 years and is currently designing for Robert Kaufman Fabrics.
Visit Darlene at her website: www.feedsacklady.com
Joan Ford • http://hummingbird-highway.com
On February 8, 2003, Joan Ford took her first quilting class and was hooked! Since then, Joan has completed about 3-400 quilts. But who’s counting?
In 2006, Joan established her company, Hummingbird Highway. Perhaps she is best known for patterns, books, and workshops featuring the popular ScrapTherapy® technique which helps quilters relieve the guilt of a growing scrap fabric stash, but cutting, storing, and using scrap fabrics in a variety of quilted projects.
A thorough overview of the process is detailed in the book ScrapTherapy®, Cut the Scraps! published by The Taunton Press. Her second book ScrapTherapy®, Scraps Plus One!, released by The Taunton Press in 2013, follows along with more patterns and project ideas.
As owner of Hummingbird Highway, LLC, Joan designs in her home studio and office. She also lectures and teaches workshops throughout the
United States and Canada.
Visit Joan at her website: http://hummingbird-highway.com/
Lynn Roddy Brown • http://lynnroddybrown.com/
Lynn Roddy Brown is a sixth generation Texan who has always loved to sew. She took her first sewing lessons at the age of eight at the local Singer sewing-machine shop. When she was 10, she won the Singer regional dressmaking contest and received a sewing machine as her prize.
There was one beautiful quilt in her home as Lynn was growing up, made by Lynn's great-grandmother as a wedding gift for her parents. This quilt, which now belongs to Lynn, kindled a lifelong interest in quilting. In the early 1970's she began tearing pictures of quilts from magazines and did some patchwork with templates, but it was not until 1989 when she lived in Rochester, New York, that she began to quilt seriously.
For the past fifteen years, Lynn has been a member of a bee that trades blocks for scrap quilts. She loves scrap quilts because they give her the opportunity to use many different fabrics. She has had three of her quilts hung in the IQA juried show in Houston, two of which were scrap quilts.
Lynn currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, an economics professor at Rice University. She and her husband have also lived in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. They have three mostly grown children (Kim, Wes, and Nancy) and two cherished grandchildren (Lillian and Eli). Lynn has been a seventh-grade science teacher and computer programmer. She received a kidney transplant in January of 2002, for which she is truly grateful.
Visit Lynn at her website: http://lynnroddybrown.com/
Projects
Projects
Darlene Zimmerman's Hanky Panky
There was a time when everyone carried a hanky in their pocket. Those days are gone, and today pretty hankies are quite collectible. This pattern reminds one of stacks of pretty hankies all neatly folded and pressed, just waiting to be tucked into a pocketbook or an apron pocket. This quilt was designed by my daughter, Rachel, who is an “old soul” at heart. Whether you are a beginner or an old hand at quilting, you’ll find this an easy quilt to put together. Finished Size is 52" x 62". Purchase the Hanky Panky pattern here.
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Joan Ford's Runaway Thread
Great for all skill levels, Runaway Thread is a playful, scrappy quilt that will make a nice dent in your scrap fabric stash. Wildly scrappy pieced thread spools dance across the quilt in all directions. Smaller, mischievous spools repeat the fun in a reverse-value border. You're going to love making this quilt--no spoolin' around! Finished Size is 66" x 78". Purchase the Runaway Thread pattern here.
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Lynn Roddy Brown's Texas Two Step: Wild West Shuffle
A delightfully scrappy quilt made using a wide assortment of 4" half-square triangle and four-patch units. Lynn's favorite hobby, even above quilting, is western swing dancing. One of the first patterns she learned in dance class was called the Wild West Shuffle, for which this quilt is named. This quilt is totally scrappy, with an overall pattern created by light and dark values.
Lynn wants this class to be a fun, no pressure day of sewing. She will cover scrap quilt theory, designing on a wall and her method for the precise piecing of half-square triangle and four-patch units. Tips will be given for alternate settings, machine quilting and bindings. Finished Size is 66 1/2" x 82 1/2". Purchase the Texas Two Step pattern here.
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Optional Sail 'n Sew Fabric Pack
Our incredible Sail 'n Sew fabric pack includes all of the fabrics and patterns for your projects and they are pre-cut so all you need to do is sit down and sew! The price of the Sail 'n Sew fabric pack is $350.00 and it includes all three of the projects for this cruise. Individual kits can be purchased for $125.00 per project.
If you would like a Sail 'n Sew pack, just let us know when you make your Reservation and we'll have a kit waiting for you on the ship.
If you do not wish to purchase a Sail 'n Sew Fabric Pack, remember to pack your own fabrics. We will not have fabrics available for purchase aboard the ship. A complete supply list will be sent to you 90 days prior to departure. Click here for the fabric requirements and cutting instructions.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1
Galveston, Texas
Galveston Island is Texas' top historic destination. Guests on cruises from Galveston can enjoy 32 miles of relaxing beaches, great seafood, tropical scenery, superb restaurants, marvelous downtown shopping, breathtaking Victorian architecture, numerous antique stores, incredible art galleries, plus tons of attractions, entertainment venues and world-class sportfishing. Probably the most charming way to discover this historic city is by carriage. Take a carriage ride through the Victorian-era streets and let your driver take you back through history.
Day 2
Cruising
Quilting Classes in the Conference Center!
Day 3
Cruising
Quilting Classes in the Conference Center!
Day 4
Roatan, Honduras
Roatán Island is the largest and most developed of the three Bay Islands of Honduras and lies not far off the northern coast. The majority of the population of Roatán originated from the Cayman Islands. The growth of tourism and travel awards has put Honduras squarely on the map. Today, the beautiful Caribbean island is a mecca for divers and snorkelers. Commercial fishing is one of the main economic drivers in Roatán and is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the Western Caribbean. Visit the Caribbean’s largest barrier reef, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Lying just offshore, it's a favorite spot for divers and snorkelers to see colorful corals and an amazing array of marine life.
Day 5
Belize City, Belize
With miles of lush tropical rain forest, a gorgeous Caribbean coastline and the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, it doesn't take long to realize why Belize City is known as "The Jewel." Located between Mexico and Guatemala, Belize possesses a unique combination of modernity and rustic Caribbean charm. Ancient ruins indicate that Belize was first inhabited by the Mayans in 300 B.C. This Indian heritage, combined with a rich European history, creates a destination full of charm and wonder for all to discover. When you're in Belize, don't miss the chance to climb to the top of El Castillo. This 135-foot structure is one of the tallest Mayan structures in Belize. From the top, you can see the lush rainforest of Peten, the Mayan Mountains and even across the border into Guatemala. Keep your eyes open for flocks of toucans and parrots in the trees below you.
Day 6
Cozumel, Mexico
The Conquistadors first saw Mexico from the shores of Cozumel while searching for gold. Today, visitors to the island continue to seek out gold and silver jewelry in the shops of San Miguel while having a great time in its many local bars and restaurants. Plus, the waters around Cozumel's sheltered coral reefs make this one of the best snorkeling areas in the world. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Tulúm, majestically perched above the turquoise Caribbean. The site was occupied as far back as 600 A.D. However, it was most densely populated around 1200 A.D. You will be struck by the pyramid-shaped El Castillo, which dominates the city from atop a forty-foot cliff. The nearby Temple of the Descending God provides equally excellent insight into the architecture of the Mayan people, who gained considerable achievements in the arts and sciences, only to decline and vanish for no apparent reason.
Day 7
Cruising
Quilting Classes in the Conference Center!
Day 8
Galveston, Texas
Return to Galveston, Texas.
| Day | Port | Arrive | Depart |
| Day 1 | Galveston, Texas | 4:30 PM | |
| Day 2 | Cruising | ||
| Day 3 | Cruising | ||
| Day 4 | Roatan, Honduras | 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM |
| Day 5 | Belize City, Belize | 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM |
| Day 6 | Cozumel, Mexico | 7:00 AM | 5:00 PM |
| Day 7 | Cruising | ||
| Day 8 | Galveston, Texas | 7:00 AM |
The Ship
The Ship
Liberty of the Seas
The newly renovated Liberty of the Seas® is packed with all the phenomenal onboard experiences you'd expect from our innovative Freedom class of ships, plus new offerings to stir your imagination. Share a high five with Shrek as part of The DreamWorks® Experience. Put on your boogie shoes for hit Broadway musical Saturday Night Fever. Catch a first-run movie in the 3D theater or poolside under the stars on the outdoor movie screen. And finish the evening with a selection of reds or whites at the renovated, now-more-intimate Vintages wine bar. Plus, enjoy all the revolutionary features Liberty of the Seas has always been known for – like the FlowRider® surf simulator, rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, Royal Promenade, cantilevered whirlpools, mini golf course, and much more.
Here is a video about Liberty of the Seas and all the amazing things it has to offer.
Pricing
Pricing
Cruise prices include the Royal Caribbean Cruise, stateroom, fine dining, exciting on-board entertainment, all quilting classes, group activities and parties.
Staterooms are as follows:
| Interior Stateroom | $1,195* |
| Unobstructed Ocean View Stateroom | $1,395* |
| Unobstructed Oceanview w/ Balcony Stateroom | $1,595* |
| *Non-sewing guests will receive a $250 discount. Port charges, taxes & fees of $273.98 are not included. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. | |
There is a $350 per person deposit due at registration which will secure your price and availability.
Travel Information
Travel Information
Cabins
With so much to do onboard, chances are really good that you will just use your cabin for changing and sleeping, but it's nice to know that if you want to spend more time there, you will indeed be comfortable. All standard staterooms are attractively decorated in soft tones with fine light woods and two pieces of artwork on the walls. Each stateroom has two beds that convert to queen-size, a private bath, phone, interactive flat-screen TV, mini-bar, hair dryers and air conditioning/heat controls. Bathrooms are on the small side, but functional, and showers have those wonderful, half-round sliding doors as opposed to clingy curtains. Soap and shampoo are also provided.
Travel to and from Destination
You will be responsible for getting to and from the ship in Galveston, TX.
Dress
During the day, dress is casual. Evenings are either casual, smart casual or formal. On casual nights, suggested attire is sports shirts and slacks for men and sundresses or pants for women. On smart casual evenings, men should don jackets and tie, with women wearing dresses or pantsuits. On the one or two formal nights per cruise, men can choose from tuxedos or suits and ties, while woman usually wear cocktail dresses.
Gratuities
Gratuities are not included in your reservation costs. Royal Caribbean recommends $3.75 per person, per day to the dining room waiter; $5.00 per person, per day to the cabin steward (or $7.25 if you're in a suite); and $2.15 per person, per day to the assistant waiter. Also recommended is $0.75 per person, per day to the headwaiter. Since we are classified as a group on the ship, Stitchin' Heaven Travel is required to pre-pay these gratuities for our entire group. This is equal to $12 per person per day and will be added to your cruise costs. A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to bar tabs.