A Quilter's Life

It was so fun to get to know Robyn Capps. Her daughter had posted a picture of one of Robyn’s quilts on her Facebook page and my sister happened to see it. I’m so glad this led to an interview. So, thanks Sadie and Ruth for helping this connection to happen. Here's pictures from Robyn's Chicken Quilt We also talked about Jerriann Massey and the Christian Quilt Guild. Listen to Jerriann's episode: Jerriann Massey Connect with Jerriann: Website: Annie McHugs Instagram: anniemchugs Facebook: Annie Mc Hugs Website: Christian Quilt Guild Facebook: Christian Quilt Guild Facebook: We are called to PRAY

Lisa Shepard Stewart encourages others to express themselves creatively through culturally relevant techniques and materials. Although she loves African fabrics with every fiber of her being, she also loves to learn and share about other cultures from around the world. The intro on this episode is going to be a bit longer than normal because during the interview Lisa experienced an earthquake. I didn’t want to leave that part in the middle of her interview, but I do want to share it. I’ve edited it so you aren’t hearing Lisa repeat, “Paula hold on.” and time between statements as she was figuring it out. Then after she called back we had a little conversation about it. Also, I wanted Lisa to have this recording of a major event in her life. So glad that she was safe during this! When you listen to the interview you will hear a soft hum when I ask the question What message would you want to leave with them? I believe that hum was the beginning of the earthquake. Here are some of Lisa's quilts: Korhogo Antelope and Citron Moon Corded Cabin and Makola On My Mind wall hangings I'm so glad I had the priviledge of meeting Lisa at QuiltCon 24 Connect with Lisa Website: Cultured Expressions Instagram: culturedexpressions Facebook: Cultured Expressions

Teri Henderson Tope is an internationally recognized teacher and lecturer who loves all types of applique. She is creative and full of life which shows up as she’s up early and gets more done before noon than most others accomplish all day. I meant to ask Teri about her motto “Well behaved women seldom make history, so let’s make a little history”. But I think a bit of that shows through in this interview. I love that she always finds something good about each day. I found the following paragraph on Teri's website. She has accomplished so much! Her quilts have been exhibited in shows across the United States and in Japan, winning an award or two. Her quilts and patterns have been published in Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine, Quilter’s Quarterly, The American Quilter, Keepsake Quilting and Clotilde. Teri is the Author of “Applique in Reverse” published by the American Quilter’s Society. And has designed over 35 patterns for her company, Material Girl Designs. She has been a member of the Applique Society since 1998 and served 6 years on the TAS board as Marketing Chair. She is a member of The National Quilter’s Society and its Columbus Ohio chapter, The Quintessential Quilting of which she served as Vice President and President, and the American Quilters Society. Teri loves to travel, teach, lecture and share her joy of applique. We talked about these two quilts during the interview. He Loves Me This is the way Teri appliques feathers Connect with Teri. Website: Teri Tope Facebook: Teri Tope Instagram: teritope

I had such a wonderful time at QuiltCon 2024 in Raleigh, NC, this past February. While there I had the opportunity to meet several people that I have interviewed on A Quilter’s Life and also many others became new friends. Carrie Dell, the executive director of American Quilt Study Group,was in their booth when I walked in and introduced myself. I was so excited that she logged onto my website and signed up to be interviewed while I stood there chatting with her. Although Carrie hasn’t made a quilt, she is surrounded by quilters and loves quilts. She is doing a great job keeping quilting stories alive. Thanks Carrie and everyone involved with the American Quilt Study Group for working so hard. Here's Carrie and the other volunteers that were at QuiltCon 24. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to meet Carrie at QuiltCon also. Find out more about American Quilt Study Group on their website: AQSG Also check them out on these links: Facebook: American Quilt Study Group Instagram: americanquiltstudygroup YouTube: American Quilt Study Group

At my eye doctor appointment I was able to ask about getting glasses so that I could see the TV and also see the close work when working on a binding. It is so wonderful that my eye doctor, Holly Sprout, is a quilter and knew exactly what I was wanting. She even named the new combination Quilting in her software. The day that I returned to interview Holly, those new glasses were ready and they are wonderful. And I wanted to mention again that it’s so enjoyable to walk into Holly’s business and see a quilt on the wall. She does such a wonderful job on her quilts! Here's the quilt that was hanging by the reception desk when I was there.

Jan Lockhart hasn’t been quilting all that long, but she has fallen in love with our craft! I am awestruck by the stunning Feathers quilt she made using a pattern from Alison Glass. Jan sent a picture of this quilt to be used as the feature picture for this episode. You may also find it on her episode page on A Quilter’s Life website. Here's the Alison Glass Feathers pattern that Jan made.

Jackie Perry started quilting as a hand quilter and loved teaching hand piecing and hand quilting. As she continued to learn more techniques, she added to her classes. She recently retired from teaching, but she loves the fellowship with other quilters. Jackie also enjoys designing original work and participating in challenges. Many of her quilts have been in major quilt shows. You may have seen her quilts as she is a multiple International Quilt Show award-winning quilter, including many Best of Show. We talk about several quilts that are shown below. Look at the detail of this whole cloth quilt. The colors are from the thread where Jackie quilted. Except the mouse in the center which she painted first. This is Mouse Pad. Diamonds Galore Amish Country Circ Touché Feline la Fleur Joy of Spring Slash and Curve

I’ve always been amazed by whole cloth quilting, but Karlee Porter has taken it to a whole new level! She has developed graffiti quilting which is a very unique technique that encompasses a copious amount of quilting designs. Ten years ago Karlee wrote a book to share this technique with others and quilters fell in love with it. Graffiti Quilting has grown so much that Karlee updated her bookand her class to offer her students to not only to make quilts be more beautiful with each traditional rule that is broken, but with each new design combination they learn skills that will sky-rocket as they build the muscle memory to execute all the free-motion quilting visions. Here's an example of Graffiti Quilting that Karlee made. Here's the links Karlee talked about in her episode: The royal huntress video: https://youtu.be/Wqd5dHahfDk The Ira Glass Creative Process Video: https://youtu.be/PbC4gqZGPSY If you're interested in Karlee's class she has given me an affiliate link so that you can save $25. Use AQL25 when you sign up at https://www.karleeporter.com/product-category/education/ Connect with Karlee Website: Karlee Porter Instagram: karleeporterdesign Facebook: Karlee Porter Design Pinterest: Karlee Porter YouTube: Karlee Porter

Erin Grogan was able to leave a job that she didn’t care for to start her own quilting businessLove Sew Modern. Her goal with the patterns she designs is to create the beauty she wishes to see in the world and to help others find their creative voices too. Erin has a unique style that everyone is falling in love with. Erin and I recorded this episode before QuiltCon 2024 in Raleigh, NC, so we talked about attending. But by the time this is released QuiltCon will have come and gone. Erin and I did get to connect at QuiltCon. I'm posting the picture of us together down below. Here's Erin's Apparotlly It's a Party Quilt that she taught on the Caribbean Cruise. Connect with Erin - Website: Love Sew Modern Instagram: lovesewmodern Facebook: Love Sew Modern Pinterest: Erin Grogan - Love Sew Modern Here's Erin and me at QuiltCon2024 Also, Thanks again to Carolina Moore for the connection with Erin Grogan. Here’s where you can find Carolina: Website: Always Expect Moore.com YouTube: Carolina Moore Pinterest: Carolina Moore Instagram: craftmoore Facebook: Always Expect Moore Podcast: I Love Notions

“I’m just an old fashioned lady. Been around a long time.” That’s how Elsie Coleman introduced herself to me. I had the privilege of going to Elsie’s home to interview this centenarian and seeing her beautiful quilts. She continues to make amazing quilts. Newspaper articles about Elsie in 1995 and 1999 Quilt that was raffled in 2012 and info on it Some of her quilts Quilt that her Aunt Ella made. Elsie is pointing out the flower that was made from her childhood clothing. Cross Stitch that she needs to quilt yet The first quilt she used fabric paint and then quilted around. The second quilt shows her amazing hand quilting. The tag is on her quilt with nine patches. Elsie embroidered the angles and then put them in a quilt. I was amazed that this quilt was pieced! This Cross Stitched and Hand Quilted quilt Elsie made for her sister.

Jen Frost of Faith and Fabric finds inspiration from the everyday things around us. Her faith is central to her family’s life, and is often reflected in her full Scripture Quilts™ patterns and the smaller Scripture Quilts™ blocks. She also values the skill of sewing, and thinks it’s one that we need to continue to teach each generation. If you’re new to sewing, Jen invites you to try out some of her beginner-friendly sewing projects. Here's a couple of Jen's quilts. Connect with Jen Website: Faith and Fabric Facebook: Faith and Fabric Instagram: Faith and Fabric Pinterest: Jen Frost / Faith and Fabric YouTube: Faith and Fabric Also check out Jen's 2024 Scripture Quilts Awards!

So many of the quilt shop owners I’ve talked to share that they don’t get to make the quilts themselves much anymore, but I am so impressed with Sheila Squires that she makes it a priority to take time to quilt. She is very involved with the community and you’ll be amazed how many quilts these quilters in Seward, Alaska, are making! Connect with Sheila on Facebook: Sew 'n Bee Cozy Short video of Sew 'n Bee Cozy on A Quilter's Life YouTube Channel

Andi Sanfield realized that her style of quilting and teaching can encourage others to express their creativity in a tangible way. She decided to create fabulous designs with easy-to-follow patterns for the adventurous quilt makers in the world. People are excited about the designs and eager to enroll in her online quilting classes. As I mentioned last week, Andi and Tori McElwain have come together to bring us another wonderful quilting podcast calledQuilting on the Side. So I reached out to them to bring you these updates of what’s been happening in their lives since we last spoke. It was fun to be updated on what they’ve been up to and this episode is my chat with Andi. Andi and I talked about her A Little Bit Different quilt. And here's Andi with her 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" ruler to help make the A Little Bit Different blocks. Connect with Andi – Website: True Blue Quilts Facebook: True Blue Quilts Instagram: truebluequilts Pinterest: True Blue Quilts YouTube: True Blue Quilts And check out Quilting on the Side with Andi and Tori!

Back in May of 2021 I had the privilege of sharing Tori McElwain’s story. Tori and Andi Stanfield have come together to bring us another wonderful quilting podcast called Quilting on the Side. So I reached out to them to bring you these updates of what’s been happening in their lives since we last spoke, you’ll get to hear Andi’s next week. Tori has a passion for helping others develop their skills and knowledge. As a coach, author, and teacher she is dedicated to helping Quilters and Crafters design and promote engaging and impactful workshops and courses. Here's Tori's pattern Target the Stars Connect with Tori Website: The Quilt Patch by Tori FaceBook Group: The Quilt Patch by Tori Instagram: quilt_patch And Tori’s YouTube – Coffee Chats with Quilters And check out Quilting on the Side with Tori and Andi!

With patience and using her God given talents, Audra Rasnake has created amazing quilts! Her first show quilt came home with 16 ribbons…many of them were blue, a couple of them were for Best Hand Quilting, and it was her first of 3 AQS ribbons she has received over the years. Audra has a passion to share needle turn applique and hand quilting as she wants this incredible art form to have a revival. Thank you to Sheila Drevna for letting Audra know to contact me. Here's Audra's first show quilt, Hadassah! Connect with Audra on her Etsy Shop In The Sanctuary And again Thanks to Sheila Drevna for connecting me with Audra. If you missed Sheila's episode on A Quilter's Life you can find it here. Connect with Sheila Longarm Love

A millennial and serial entrepreneur with a million ideas floating around, Ashelyn Downs began her quilting journey while running yet another business and realized her love for design and married the two passions to bring more fun and modern quilts to the ever-expanding quilting world. Her mission is to create a community for other modern quilters to find the confidence and inspiration to make beautiful quilts that fit their lifestyle. I love how Ashelyn jumps in with both feet to reach her ideals. Even as a young girl she made a unique way to sell lemonade. Imagine a little girl coming up to your door to offer you to buy her lemonade instead of just having a lemonade stand in front of her house. Here's Ashelyn's first quilt pattern that she talked about. And here's her 9th&9th quilt Connect with Ashelyn Website: Urban Dwell Studio Also find Ashelyn and Lacie on The Grateful Thread Podcast A podcast and community where cool quilting newbies and experienced quilters unite! You Can Sit With Us!

It’s been exciting to see the quilting community grow so much in the last few years. Along with that we are seeing more quilting podcasts being made. A few weeks ago I had the privilege of interviewing Amanda Oros of Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show. And while chatting with her she told me about Lacie and Ashelyn of The Grateful Thread Podcast. Of course, I’m thrilled to get to share these quilting podcasts with you. On this episode I get to chat with Lacy Messerly, one of the co-hosts of The Grateful Thread Podcast and owner of Messy Quilts. She strives to have open and honest communication with her clients to create a quilt to be loved forever. Lacie mentions sending me pictures of the wonderful quilts we talked about and here they are: Connect with Lacie Website: Messy Quilts Follow Lacie's Quilty Adventures on All The Socials Also find Lacie and Ashelyn on The Grateful Thread Podcast A podcast and community where cool quilting newbies and experienced quilters unite! You Can Sit With Us!

Hard to believe that I’m publishing this episode of A Quilter’s Life on the first day of 2024. I had a wonderful 2023 and I hope you did also. Of course, one of the blessings I had over the past year was getting to visit with so many of you wonderful quilters. And I’m heading into 2024 with great expectations of visiting with more of you. In each episode of A Quilter’s Life I always ask, “What is your favorite quilting tool?” Sometimes I phrase it like, “What quilting tool are you so happy that you have or couldn’t do without?” Many of us love our tools so much that it’s hard to choose just one. So here’s the top 23 tools that quilters have listed on A Quilter’s Life in 2023. Do you remember hearing some of these tools? The first 16 items were mentioned once during the year. Then I’ll move on to the items that more people mentioned until I get to tell you the tool that was the most favorite in 2023. Needle and threadDiagnaly seam tapeSoftware to design quilt#2 mechanical pencil - doesn't get widerCustom thimbleFreezer PaperSandpaper work board - YouTube videosIronQuilting Frame1/4 inch footGlueNeedle Nose Pliers - especially when changing blades on rotary cutterSeam roller - can use at machine so don’t have to get up to the ironing board with each seamLint roller to clean around sewing spaceAccuquilt - saves so much time and is more accurateMeasuring TapeMarking tools Hera marker Bohin Retractable chalk marker StilettoByAnnie Stiletto - the tip is a little rough to keep your place, but not too rough to hurt the materialPurple Thang ScissorsKai ScissorsKaren Kay Buckley ScissorsFiskar Spring Action ScissorsSnippers

Merry Christmas! This episode of A Quilter's Life is being published on Christmas Day, 2023! I hope you’ve enjoyed the stories of the wonderful people behind the beautiful quilts in 2023. I’ve gathered their tips for this episode of A Quilter’s Life. This year we’ve heard some great tips that will help us along the way in our quilting journeys. We start with Just make it. There’s never an ugly quilt. This was a great tip for me as I tend to dream about what I want to make instead of getting in my sewing room and just getting to it. Just try it. No matter what it is, know it won't be perfect, but try it. Have you wanted to try a pattern or technique, but didn’t think you would be able to make it look right? Well, it really can’t hurt to try and more than likely we realize we can do it and we enjoy it. Never pass up an opportunity to learn something new. I’m also finding that when we learn something new it’s not always learning something more difficult, but many times we learn a new way that is actually simpler. Why wouldn’t we want to make our lives simpler?When you get frustrated with a step in your quilting project, keep failing. Because it helps you to figure it out, get better and learn. Your quilts don’t need to be perfect. And don’t compare. Remember finished is better than perfect. If it works for you don't worry about what others say. Enjoy the process! Yes, enjoy the process that you’ve figured out works for you. There’s always going to be the person that has found what works for them and they think that is the way it should be done. It never hurts to listen to what they have to say because we can pick up tidbits of information that may work for us. But we can just thank them and enjoy the process that works for us. Which leads us into the next tip of Don’t be afraid to experiment and adapt. Try a technique if you don't like it there's usually another way to achieve the same outcome. Do what works for you. Also, don’t be afraid to make a mistake. You’re in charge of that. You get to decide if you’re going to rip it out or leave it in. Don't take shortcuts. This is especially true when we’re working on a project and we’re tired. We know ourselves and we know when we need to do that extra step, but we just want to get it done. Before you know it we have a date with Jack. Taking out all the stitches with the seam ripper because we just took a shortcut and it ends up not being a short cut at all.

I interviewed Sarah Fulks almost two years ago and I wanted to chat with her again to update us on what she’s been doing. She has gone from having SnuggleBugStitching as a side business to having it as her main business. Sarah keeps busy with making quilts, quilt patterns, providing quilt alongs, and becoming a 2024 Benartex Ambassador besides being a busy mother of two. Connect with Sarah: Website: SnuggleBugStitching Instagram: snugglebugstitching Facebook: Snugglebugstitching Etsy: SnuggleBugStitching