Where were you born?  New Jersey born, bred, and raised. Right here at the shore… Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch

How Long have I been quilting? I made my first quilt 41 years ago when my first child was born… however I had been sewing for many years before that. I’ve had a foot pedal beneath my right foot for over 57 years.

Who/What inspired you to start quilting? The birth of my daughter. With a baby in the house napping, I was looking for something I could do ‘quietly’, so took a class at a local fabric shop on hand quilting. I was HOOKED. One pillow later and I moved quickly on to machine sewing a full quilt. Not the prettiest thing… but serviceable. My daughter still uses it… and has returned it to me for much repair and updating. It’s still ugly, but is so special!

Who/what inspires me now? Everyone and everything! I want to do it ALL!!! I ‘think’ in fabric. When I look at the sand and ocean, I want to make a quilt with those colors. When I see a wild piece of art, I want to recreate it in fabric. Instead of real houseplants, I would love to create a green leafy wall quilt!

When talking about quilts – what is MODERN in YOUR view? OOOF! That’s a tough one. To me modern is crisp and clean colors, with lots of negative space. Think of modern architecture… clean, simple, minimalistic, and lots of glass (negative space). However that really doesn’t hold true in the quilt world any longer. I think in the beginning of the movement MODERN was more of a concept… a way to differentiate from the old fashion Sun Bonnet Sue and grayed out calicos. Today I see it more of making something ‘fresher’ from the old tried and true patterns and design concepts from days past.

Do you follow any specific quilter or designer? If so, who? No, I don’t follow anyone in particular. I like it ALL! I get excited when Kaffe Fassett designs a new line; the bright bold colors really speak to me. But then I turn around and simple, cute designs by Kate Spain will call to me. I know a lot of quilters LOVE Tula Pink, but hard as I try she just doesn’t appeal to me. I have no clue why. Currently I find myself reaching for solids and ‘textures’ like Grunge.

What type of quilting do you prefer – piecing, paper piecing, applique, hand stitching? Do you longarm?  I prefer to piece by machine and get giddy when my points and corners line up. Even though I own a mid-arm… I prefer to quilt on a domestic machine. Using Lori Kennedy’s examples of freehand doodling and Jacquie Gering’s techniques with a walking foot can usually get me through just about any project.

Is there a type of quilt/project that you like to do? Wall hanging, bed quilt, pocketbooks, totes, table runners? Wall hangings are my favorite, with bed/lap quilts a close second. Everyone loves receiving them… so I keep on sewing them.

Do you participate in any challenges, Quilt-a-longs, or Charity sewing? If so, which. I have participated in challenges in the past, but no longer am interested. Eileen is an enabler and so I join in on some Quilt-A-Longs… but really need to stop and catch up with what I’ve started. I sew for Charity every chance I get. And once in a while I participate in BOMs. Last year I did The Quilt Show’s BOM, but need to finish it up this year. Life gets in the way sometimes and what my brain thinks it can accomplish in a particular timeframe isn’t what my body agrees to.

Have you taken any classes in the past two years? Nope. I helped Victoria Findlay Wolfe with her retreats and was able to participate when I wasn’t ‘working’. I find classes to be INVALUABLE!!! The little tidbits, tips, and tricks in addition to the actual pattern are fabulous… not to mention the friendships that form. Taking a class is MUCH MORE than just ‘taking a class’.

Is there something that you would like JSMQG to develop a workshop on? Nothing in particular.

Are there any speakers you would like to see visit JSMQG? I can’t think of anyone off the top of my head.

What are your favorite colors? Beach colors! Aqua, teal, sand, sun bleached grays.

What other interests do you have? Reading, watercolors, knitting, needlepoint, traveling… how much more room do I have to type???

Anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked? Yes, How important are quilt guilds??? VERY important!!! Guilds create a ‘family’ where we all gather with like-minded souls. We inspire and instruct each other, offering advice when asked, and praise every accomplishment no matter how big or small. Those are just a few of the many great things about participating in a guild. Can you think of more??

Do you have access to email? Yes

Do you check it periodically? LOL… I check it way more often than I should!!

Date: Jan 13, 2022

Where were you born?  New Jersey born, bred, and raised. Right here at the shore… Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch

How Long have I been quilting? I made my first quilt 41 years ago when my first child was born… however I had been sewing for many years before that. I’ve had a foot pedal beneath my right foot for over 57 years.

Who/What inspired you to start quilting? The birth of my daughter. With a baby in the house napping, I was looking for something I could do ‘quietly’, so took a class at a local fabric shop on hand quilting. I was HOOKED. One pillow later and I moved quickly on to machine sewing a full quilt. Not the prettiest thing… but serviceable. My daughter still uses it… and has returned it to me for much repair and updating. It’s still ugly, but is so special!

Who/what inspires me now? Everyone and everything! I want to do it ALL!!! I ‘think’ in fabric. When I look at the sand and ocean, I want to make a quilt with those colors. When I see a wild piece of art, I want to recreate it in fabric. Instead of real houseplants, I would love to create a green leafy wall quilt!

When talking about quilts – what is MODERN in YOUR view? OOOF! That’s a tough one. To me modern is crisp and clean colors, with lots of negative space. Think of modern architecture… clean, simple, minimalistic, and lots of glass (negative space). However that really doesn’t hold true in the quilt world any longer. I think in the beginning of the movement MODERN was more of a concept… a way to differentiate from the old fashion Sun Bonnet Sue and grayed out calicos. Today I see it more of making something ‘fresher’ from the old tried and true patterns and design concepts from days past.

Do you follow any specific quilter or designer? If so, who? No, I don’t follow anyone in particular. I like it ALL! I get excited when Kaffe Fassett designs a new line; the bright bold colors really speak to me. But then I turn around and simple, cute designs by Kate Spain will call to me. I know a lot of quilters LOVE Tula Pink, but hard as I try she just doesn’t appeal to me. I have no clue why. Currently I find myself reaching for solids and ‘textures’ like Grunge.

What type of quilting do you prefer – piecing, paper piecing, applique, hand stitching? Do you longarm?  I prefer to piece by machine and get giddy when my points and corners line up. Even though I own a mid-arm… I prefer to quilt on a domestic machine. Using Lori Kennedy’s examples of freehand doodling and Jacquie Gering’s techniques with a walking foot can usually get me through just about any project.

Is there a type of quilt/project that you like to do? Wall hanging, bed quilt, pocketbooks, totes, table runners? Wall hangings are my favorite, with bed/lap quilts a close second. Everyone loves receiving them… so I keep on sewing them.

Do you participate in any challenges, Quilt-a-longs, or Charity sewing? If so, which. I have participated in challenges in the past, but no longer am interested. Eileen is an enabler and so I join in on some Quilt-A-Longs… but really need to stop and catch up with what I’ve started. I sew for Charity every chance I get. And once in a while I participate in BOMs. Last year I did The Quilt Show’s BOM, but need to finish it up this year. Life gets in the way sometimes and what my brain thinks it can accomplish in a particular timeframe isn’t what my body agrees to.

Have you taken any classes in the past two years? Nope. I helped Victoria Findlay Wolfe with her retreats and was able to participate when I wasn’t ‘working’. I find classes to be INVALUABLE!!! The little tidbits, tips, and tricks in addition to the actual pattern are fabulous… not to mention the friendships that form. Taking a class is MUCH MORE than just ‘taking a class’.

Is there something that you would like JSMQG to develop a workshop on? Nothing in particular.

Are there any speakers you would like to see visit JSMQG? I can’t think of anyone off the top of my head.

What are your favorite colors? Beach colors! Aqua, teal, sand, sun bleached grays.

What other interests do you have? Reading, watercolors, knitting, needlepoint, traveling… how much more room do I have to type???

Anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked? Yes, How important are quilt guilds??? VERY important!!! Guilds create a ‘family’ where we all gather with like-minded souls. We inspire and instruct each other, offering advice when asked, and praise every accomplishment no matter how big or small. Those are just a few of the many great things about participating in a guild. Can you think of more??

Do you have access to email? Yes

Do you check it periodically? LOL… I check it way more often than I should!!

Date: Jan 13, 2022