You have an outstanding opportunity to spend a week with three extraordinary teachers aboard Holland America Line's ms Nieuw Amsterdam. This fantastic group was chosen because they are all exceptional instructors who are friendly, fun-loving and warm. All are internationally/nationally known for their excellent teaching skills and the books they have published.

Karen is an internationally known quilter, teacher, author and designer who has been nominated by students for Quilt Teacher of the Year in 1995, 2000 & 2005. Teaching since 1989, she is in high demand as a teacher who encourages her students, makes learning fun and makes the complex easy to understand! Karen is fascinated with optical illusions and quilts; this is the subject of many of her workshops. She is the author of 6 books, among them, Optical Illusions for Quilters and Combing Through Your Scraps. Her newest book is Celtic Patchwork Illusions published Fall 2006. She began designing fabrics with Blank Quilting in 2002 and is known for her innovative fabric designs. In 2009, Karen formed a new partnership with Avlyn, Inc. Her fabrics can be seen at www.avlyn.com. Karen lives in the rolling hills of middle Tennessee with her husband, Rick and a cute Shih Tzu Named Cocoa. Visit her web site at: www.karencombs.com.

Kimberly Einmo is an author, international quilting instructor and quilt judge. She has written three books, Quilt A Travel Souvenir and the #1 best-selling book in 2010, Jelly Roll Quilts & More, published by the American Quilter's Society. Her third book, Jelly Roll Quilt Magic was just released in September, 2011. She has written many articles and designed original patterns which have appeared in numerous publications including McCall's Quilting and Quick Quilts Magazines, American Quilter Magazine, Quilters' Home Magazine, Japanese Patchwork Tsushin Magazine, and Irish Quilting Magazine. Kimberly has also developed a signature line of innovative tools including the Easy Star and Geese Ruler, the EZ Hearts Cut Tool, the EZ Pineapple Ruler, and the EZ Jelly Roll Ruler which are manufactured and distributed by the Simplicity Creative Group. She has traveled the world extensively to lecture and teach and she represented the United States at the 2nd and 4th Annual Prague Patchwork Meetings in 2008 and 2010, and has been invited to return to Prague to teach at the 6th PPM in 2012. Kimberly represents VSM, Inc. as a Pfaff Sewing Star and is part of the prestigious group of Bernina Sewing Professionals of America. Most of all, Kimberly loves to meet quilters from around the world and share the joy and passion of patchwork with everyone! Please visit her website at www.kimberlyeinmo.com.

Kathy is a quilt artist, teacher, judge and designer who is passionate about the health benefits of creativity. A registered nurse for 35 years, events from her life inspire her pictorial quilted paintings. Kathy loves traveling and teaching nationally about the creative process. Her quilts have been featured in museums, magazines, calendars and the AQS website. Four of the country's top Quilt Museum's have exhibited her work in solo shows. Many of her quilts are in private collections. Kathy feels that Quilts have been the medium for many centuries and in many cultures for women to express their own artistic vision, to give their life color, to make political or social statements, and to preserve family stories. Her work is energized and inspired by this rich tradition. She combines the elements of painting with the tactile and emotional response we all have to fabric. Visit her website at: www.kathymcneilquilts.com.

Mary began quilting in the 1970's. Part of the quilting "boom" spawned by the Bicentennial, she found quilt making to be a logical creative extension of her career as a textile professional working in the U.S. garment industry. Specializing in traditional fine hand appliqué done from original patterns, Mary's distinctive design style is characterized by elegant, formal lines, complex layering of small pieces, and an emphasis on using a myriad of fabrics to create visual texture and excitement. Her flawless appliqué technique, and humorous, hands-on approach to teaching have motivated students to return to handwork with enthusiasm. Mary designs and markets a full line of appliqué patterns sold in quilt shops across the country. Visit Mary's website at: www.MaryAppliques.com.