Presentation on November 29, 2023

 I will be presenting a retrospective of my 40 years of quilt making via a slide presentation as well as a show of some quilts that the audience will be able to see "in person". This talk, "Every Quilt Has a Story," will be given at the Concord Parks and Recreation building on Canterbury Rd., Concord, New Hampshire on November 29 at 10:30 a.m. - to approximately noon (which provides for a time period for questions from the audience). The program is free and open to the public, with prior registration.

My decision to give a program about my quilts is based on a desire to spread the joy of quilt making and to demonstrate some of the reasons why quilts are made. Often, when I say that I am a "certified master craftsman in quilting," people don't know what I mean. They think I belong to the NH League of Craftsmen, a marketing group for handmade crafts of all kinds. No, I am not a member. I don't sell my work. The title I earned was through a TESTING program formerly offered by the Embroiderers' Guild of America. I started the program in 1991 and finished in April 2000.

Over 40 years, I have given away a lot of quilts and made all kinds of quilts, exploring various techniques and styles. My favorite types of quilts are small ones (miniatures and wall quilts) but I've been known to make quilts in all sizes, up to and including King size ones. I like small quilts because of the quicker turn-around time. Also, I don't need any more bed size quilts. In fact, on my own bed, I have a comforter bought at Walmart or some such place. I've given away all the larger (bed) quilts that I made over the years, save one. I prefer applique quilts and quilts that incorporate Redwork embroidery.

I think it will be an eye-opening exposure to what quilting can entail and I hope the audience enjoys it. I am happy that I've documented my work as far as taking photos and measurements, etc. over the years. A few years ago, a dear friend put together a printed book of many of my quilt projects up to the year 2012. Of course, I've made more quilts since then. Quilting is a pastime that can be enjoyed by all ages of learners. I'll admit that I have slowed down and I don't produce quilts in the great numbers I did in the 1990s. It's been a fun journey and one that I am happy to share.

O

Keepsake Quilting 2023 Gift Box

 Back a few months ago, I decided to give myself a treat by ordering a gift box of fabrics, notions and other goodies from Keepsake Quilting. I was able to pay in two installments which made the price more affordable. Yesterday the 2023 gift box arrived and it did not disappoint!

Included are fabrics in a strawberry theme, a small container of strawberry preserves, a Keepsake mug, some wonderful coasters, a pair of new scissors in a fancy protective sheath, quilt patterns, and lots of small notions like a double needle threader, a thread cutter to add to the side of a sewing machine, and a fancy new zip "un-sewer," and other things!

It was really a fun thing to do, ordering this. We often do so much for other people but rarely do we do something just for us. It is good to infuse some enthusiasm into our sewing rooms with handy new objects and colorful fabrics with a theme! I am so glad I ordered this box. I'm looking forward to next year's box!