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Friday, July 25, 2014

Hello, hoppers! … and a giveaway


Welcome to the last day of the first Quilting Arts TV Blog Hop! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading more from the amazing guests of Series 1400, which is starting to air now on more than 400 public television stations across the country. If you want to preview the guests and the taping session this spring, please see my earlier post.


With Pokey Bolton in 2008
I was so honored to be asked to host Quilting Arts TV after Pokey Bolton decided to step down as host this winter. It is not an understatement to say that I would not be where I am today without Pokey. I told her once that I had decided long ago to never say no to her, because each time she asked me to do something – whether it was writing a series of articles on thread sketching for Quilting Arts magazine in 2010, or appearing on QATV, or doing a Quilting Arts Workshop – it turned out to be such a fabulous opportunity and experience.

Someone recently asked me if it was hard to step into Pokey’s shoes as host for QATV, and I answered, “I couldn’t possibly step into her shoes. I’m just stepping onto the path that she made.”

The quilting industry, and art quilting in particular, would not be where it is today without Pokey. She is without a doubt a visionary, one of the rare people in this world who sees possibilities and imagines the “what ifs” and then finds a way to make them happen. She broke new ground by creating a magazine dedicated to art quilting, surface design and embellishment – Quilting Arts – and then went on to grow other publications and Quilting Arts Workshop videos and art quilting books. She’s touched the lives of thousands of artists, helping them to find recognition, showcase their art, and shine. 

“The Bluest Eye” (2007)by Susan Brubaker Knapp
I first met Pokey at a Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) conference in 2007. I was sitting in a lecture about getting your work into magazines, and it was announced that she was coming in, and would be available after the lecture if anyone wanted to ask her a question. I had recently submitted one of my early art quilts, “The Bluest Eye,” to the Quilting Arts Calendar competition. It didn’t make the calendar, but was picked as a “Judge's Choice,” and went in the magazine. I was simply over the moon. 

After the lecture, I went up to her and told her how excited I was to have my work appearing in Quilting Arts, and she looked at my nametag and said, “Oh, you’re Susan Brubaker Knapp; you did that piece with the eye. I love that piece!” I can’t tell you how much it meant to me. 

After that, I started entering more of the magazine’s competitions, and then Pokey asked me to write a series of articles on thread sketching for Quilting Arts that ran in every issue of 2010. A Quilting Arts Workshop video followed, then another and another and another! The visibility and validation of these things made it possible for me to start earning money by teaching nationally, and eventually internationally.

After leaving Quilting Arts to work for several years as International Quilt Association’s “Chief Creative Officer,” Pokey has now moved on to what looks to be another grand adventure. She’s purchased some land in Napa Valley, California, and is hinting that something art quilty is in the works. I’m sure that whatever it is, it will be amazing. 


With Helen Gregory (left) and Vivika Hansen DeNegre (right)
I also want to say a big thank you to Helen Gregory (Vice President of Content, Interweave + Quilt/Sew Golden, CO at FW Media, Inc.) and Vivika Hansen DeNegre (editor of Quilting Arts magazine); I couldn’t do this without you! Not to mention all the people at KS Productions studio. 



Part of what excites me so much about being the new host of QATV is that I will be able to help some of the amazing fiber artists out there get the recognition and visibility they deserve. I hope to introduce you to some newcomers on the art quilt scene, and bring back some of your favorite veterans. 

I hope you’ll tune in and watch, and let me know what you think (constructive criticism, please!). And if you know someone (or are someone) who would be great as a guest on the show, please let me know. I can’t make any promises – and I already have a list of about 100 people I’d like to have on the show! — but I will listen and consider everyone.

If you missed any stops on the Blog Hop, here they are again. 


Stops on the Blog Hop:
July 18: Vivika DeNegre – quiltingdaily.com
July 19: Luana Rubin – luanarubin.typepad.com

and Linda Friedman – lindasartquilts.blogspot.com
July 20: Sarah Ann Smith – sarahannsmith.com/weblog
and Karen Gloeggler – seminarandsew.com
July 21: Carrie Bloomston – suchitysuch.blogspot.com

and Catherine Redford – catherineredford.com
July 22: Sue Reno – suereno.blogspot.com
and Rebekah Meier – rebekahmeier.com
July 23: Lyric Kinard – lyrickinard.com/blog

and Margie Ullery – ribboncandyquilts.blogspot.com
July 24: Cheryl Sleboda – muppin.com/wordpress/index.php/blog/
and Jane Sassaman – janesassaman.com/weblog
and Julie Creus - todera.blogspot.com
July 25: Susan Brubaker Knapp – bluemoonriver.blogspot.com


GIVEAWAY!How would you like to win a copy of the entire Series 1400 on DVD?
Leave a comment after this post and tell me about a person who changed your life. This giveaway is open to U.S. and non-U.S. readers! I’ll draw one winner at 6 p.m. Eastern time on Monday, August 4. Make sure you leave me your e-mail address, or some way to reach you. And check back on August 4 to see if you’ve won. Make sure you visit the other bloggers listed above for more chances to win stuff. 

Note: If your comment does not show up right away, please don’t freak out. Please post only one comment. I now have to moderate/approve all comments, because I was getting a ton of Japanese porn spammers leaving comments on my blog! 

We have a winner! DonaleeK was chosen at random as the winner. Thanks, everyone!

81 comments:

  1. So wonderful to have such an amazing mentor! I have had three I'd put in that category -- Elaine Quehl, Mary Pal and Heather Lair. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  2. Way back in the fall of 1980, I took a night school course (10 weeks) on quilting. I was pregnant with child number 3 and I knew I would miss the last class. I ended up missing the last 2 since my daughter arrived early. The lady who taught the class was named Angela but I can't remember her last name. She was instrumental in starting me on the quilting path - before rotary cutters were popular. We learned to make templates out of cardboard - using cereal boxes or other cardboard, how to hand quilt and she made sure to tell us NOT ever to put your quilt into a plastic garbage bag for transport - she lost two at the cottage dump.

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  3. I think that a workshop that I did with Caryl Bryer Fallert was one that really moved me forward in Machine Quilting. I also learned how to be a really good teacher as she was so willing to tell us her "secrets"!!

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  4. I'd love to win. My Grandma changed my life - she and I shared a common love for a certain quilt (Chris Wolf Edmund's "Valley Forge"), but neither of us knew about the other until years later. Long story, but finding that out opened me up to so much creativity.

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  5. I love your pictures, your blog, your work!!! You are an amazing artist. Thanks so much for sharing all that you do. Dotti Timkey at jmtdmt53@outlook.com

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  6. I don't think I have every had a single mentor per se...but I am so inspired by those brave quilters that share not only their triumphs but their failures. They will never know how much that means to so many of us out there that are struggling. The internet has been the single largest contributor to my work and my sanity. There is always encouragement and inspiration at any time of the day or night. Thanks to everybody that provides of themselves to others!

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  7. The person who changed my life the most would have to be my older son. He changed me into a 'mum'!

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  8. HI Susan,
    I love the work of Monkia Kinner Whalen. She is a Canadian, living in Saskatachewan. She does alot of thead sketches of the prairies and I love her work so much! Maybe you should have her on the show. Her blog is My Sweet Prairie. Thanks for the chance to win-I don't get this show in Canada. It would be great to win the whole series.

    Ruth
    ruthq@rogers.com

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  9. HISuan,
    I am unsure if my first comment was received. I love the work of Monika Kinner Whalen. She is a Canadian who thread sketches the prairies. You should check her out at My Sweet Prairie.
    I would love to win the whole series as I do not get your show here.

    Ruth
    ruthq@rogers.com

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  10. Thanks for the chance to win!
    I met Anne at the pool where our daughters were on a swim team together, 22 years ago. She was a batik artist and since then has added quilting to her work. I loved to knit and eventually took up quilting (before Anne did). We have inspired each other over the years. It is a wonderful give and take relationship.

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  11. I have been following Jane LaFazio for some time. She has been a great influence on both my quilting and art work.

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  12. The person who had the most influence on me was my beloved late grandmother. She encouraged me in everything and was my greatest champion. When I expressed an interest in sewing at the age of 10 she gave me fabric scraps, needles, threads, and a thimble and encouraged me to make a cloth doll. It had to be my own creation and, although it wasn't much to look at, it meant the world to me because she was proud of my attempts. I miss her every day.

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  13. A person who has changed my life - a professor I had when I was a freshman in college. She inspired me to follow another route and this totally changed my career path!
    Thanks for the opportunity! I love your work!

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  14. Hi Susan,
    My quilting is influenced by a lady in my quilt guild, Judy Leslie, another Canadian quilter. She is so positive and encouraging, with constructive feedback, tips, technique instruction, and design ideas. Her wonderful quilts are also an inspiration to try my own thing. Nice to have a mentor close to home.
    Wilma
    wbrock@telus.net

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  15. My aunt Jackie Griesmer was taking art lessons from a neighbor and encouraged me to take them also. I thought I couldn't draw but I signed up. From there I eventually went to college to study art after my kids were in middle school. Now I teach middle school art. Her little push has given me a lifetime of enjoyment in the world of art.

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  16. Susan,
    It was way back in 1976 that I first saw Georgia. Bonesteel 's lap quilting show on tv. My times with her boosted my creativity and saved my sanity as 1 had 3 very young children at the time. I have made many, many traditional quilts since then.
    A few months ago I discovered Lynn Krawzyk and the excitement of surface design. This led me to connections with dozens of other fabric artists, new ideas and techniques I would not have imagined.
    As I can't view QATV here in England, I would love to have the videos for my own inspiration and to share with my quilting friends.
    Linda Hall
    Linlemar@aol.com

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  17. My dear friend Rose Marie who introduced me to my first quilt guild. I had rediscovered quilting, but had no idea guilds existed. She started me down this path where I've met the most amazing people. No more head in the sand a.k.a. scrap bin after that!

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  18. There are too many people to list who have changed my life, some in small ways, some in major ways but one definitely impacted my artistic insight and carved a path for me AND I don't even know his name. Eons ago when I was just a young girl, my mother and I attended an art show at UCLA. When we walked into the gallery, there was a huge, wall sized, white painting with a red circle--nothing more. At the time, I commented, "Anyone can paint a red circle." How shallow that remark was. It was in just the right place and the colors were perfect. I still can't explain why that was the case, but it opened my eyes to looking at everything I create with an eye toward placement, balance (or lack of it) and color.

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  19. I got myself into quilting, but soon afterward a social friend became my "Quilting Enabler", and eventually my "Quilting Wife". Ann Thomas is from Dallas, and I'm from western Washington State but we share winters in Arizona. It only takes a suggestion and we two are off to a quilt store or show even without a shopping list. Our (regular) spouses just shake their heads and smile.

    Best regards...
    Nick Olson
    Nick@NickOlson.net

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  20. My friends in Circle of friends Tuesday group. Who are always so gentle in their hints of ideas andsharing. They are experts and kindly respect a beginner. S_Hawes@comcast.net

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  21. My mother taught me to sew, she made my dresses using a newspaper she cut a pattern from, she made a lot of string quilts using a Sears catalog for the paper for the back.

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  22. I would have to say the one person who has had the most influence and has changed mynis my quilting teacher Brenda. Arrowood. Her patience and encouragement to continue to grow have helped to to find my quilting path and also bring many new friends into my life. She encouraged me to take workshops saying I would always benefit from them and she was so right. The new programs have not started here yet but I am looking foward to them.

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  23. Maybe not changed my life, but set me on the path for my life. That would be my grandmother. I spent many summers at her home. She did not drive, had no telephone, and didn't watch TV. However, she made quilts, crocheted, and was not afraid to tackle anything new (even tearing down a wall or two in her house!). Even though she is no longer with us, whenever I sew, quilt, paint or create something, she is there with me every step of the way.
    Debra Joyce
    djoyce001@carolina.rr.com

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  24. My grandmother changed my life. She didn't quilt or knit or do any needlework, but she did garden. I learned many plant names from her.
    Her tiny house where she lived with my grandfather was a very welcome respite for me in my teen years, providing me with the peace and supportive environment where I could be creative.

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  25. My mum - she was the one who encouraged me to do what made me happy !

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  26. My sister changed my life~ she was always the little sister. I didn't realize just how fantastic she really was until I almost lost her - a good wakeup call later and I can say her example of creativity in the face of death made me appreciate each day as the potential to make something beautiful to share with others (that and the fact that she borrowed my rather used left kidney...no it's okay I really don't want it back!!) sharing makes sisters forever friends!

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  27. What a great article, Susan. I enjoyed reading about your journey. I think Pokey is quite amazing myself. I'm really looking forward to the new Quilting Arts TV. Have fun with it!

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  28. My grandma was such a sweet and loving person, I grew up sleeping under her quilts and afghans and I believe that is where my love for quilts started, she always encouraged me and couldn't wait to see what I would do next with my quilting! mjmm773@yahoo.com

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  29. I love this story! I too love your work and QA Magazine. I know you're a great asset to that publication as well as the TV series and just can't wait to see you and all of the wonderful artist that you have coming up! Woot, woot!

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  30. My biggest inspiration came from my Mum, she adventured into art quilting and showed me the way, together we learned and encouraged each other sharing our new 'finds'. Sadly she passed away 18 months ago but still she remains a very strong influence in my work with every project I do.

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  31. Hopefully this doesn't appear twice, I wrote it and when I hit "preview" it disappeared. I am looking forward to the new series and my inspiration is Julie Fei-Fan Balzer.

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  32. A quilt teacher in St Louis taught me how to hand applique - she did beautiful work. Another quilter friend told me about the show in Paducah in mid 1990's. I took a 3 hr bus trip to Paducah in am and returned home that same night at midnight. I was so inspired by the beautiful quilts the next day did the same bus trip all over again. I love your work..your Mother is smiling down on you! She would be so proud.

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  33. I can't wait to see the new series. I tape them so I can watch them again since I have short term memory lately. I would say the person who changed my life in quilting would be my friend Kelley. I met her online through a rug hooking group and she was also a quilter. She started sending me fabrics and books so I could start quilting and I have been quilting and loving it, ever since.

    Debbie

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  34. Connie Burgess changed my life. She was a real forerunner of the 1970's women's movement and validated my life experience and that of thousands of other women. She was the first person I ever met who spoke publicly that women were equal in value to men. She was truly life changing for me.
    ngcook1@bellsouth.net

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  35. Looking forward to seeing you as the new host Susan! My mom has always been my inspiration, which is why I named my company Annie's Keepsakes after her! She started me sewing when I was only 5 years old, and has always encouraged and supported all my endeavors. She will always be my hero.

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  36. Well, from a sewing perspective, my sewing life has been revolutionized from Liesl Gibson's Oliver+S patterns! I thought I was a decent sewist until I started sewing clothes for my children with her patterns and now I look back at the things I used to make and they just pale in comparison.

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  37. Creatively I would have to say my mom has been my biggest influence and my best cheerleader. She is 92 years young, and still going strong!
    Since I live in the SF Bay area ( about 1 hour from Napa) I am excited to see what Pokey has up her sleeves this time!!!

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  38. Eckhart Tolle, who teaches *presence*. From reading his books to watching his videos for the last two years I feel as if I'm really *living*, and creating, at a level that is made possible by living in the present moment always. Thanks for the opportunity to win the DVD, and congratulations on your position with QA tv, how fun and exciting! >^,,^<

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  39. Thanks for sharing your great story! One person that has inspired me is my best friend who is an artist. I wouldn't put myself in that category, but she encourages me to push boundaries in sewing.

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  40. This is an awesome giveaway. For me it's people who changed my life.... Reading others blogs for inspiration and direction helps me to try new things.

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  41. I began my quilting odyssey in 2001 when I decided to ask my sister to teach me to quilt. She started it all. I knew so little about quilting that I didn’t even realize that she was an art quilter with tons of talent, not a traditional quilter, which is what I was looking to learn. We had just built a house, and in my mind all the beds needed quilts. So I became proficient as a traditional quilter. I currently teach classes and quilt for others, but somewhere, deep down, I want to get out of my box. So every once in a while I’ve taken some artsy classes, including two from you at the Vermont Quilt Festival. As a result, I am now the proud owner of more textile paints and Tyvek than I ever imagined would live in my home. I’m having fun with both and look forward to my sister’s visit next month to show her my latest projects.
    Gail Frenz
    gfrenz@gmail.com

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  42. as far as i am concerned your the best at what you do

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  43. My biggest inspiration was my dad. He would do anything with his hands. Whatever he wanted, he made. He's been gone for a long time, but I know that he would love the quilts that I cover people with love. They are not artsy, and sometimes very plain, but with every new one, I learn something new! All of those quilt artists inspire me, all those newbies inspire me as I see their work go from beginner to absolute works of art! Maybe one day, I too with be looked upon as "the artist"! Thanks for sharing your inspiring work and making me reflect on my own path!

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  44. My Uncle, he was always proud of me and he often said so. Great giveaway thank you for the chance.

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  45. Love your blog and your morning walk pics on FB
    Shirley Wiltshire

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  46. Loved your story. My mom changed my life in quilting when she took an ordinary color book and pieced the designs into a quilt. It was amazing! She is gone now but I know she is with me when I sit to quilt.

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  47. my husband changed my life…he believed in me and through that i learned to believe in myself…he saw the good in me and helped me find it…he pushes me onward and supports all my craziness in quilting

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  48. Great story! One of the most influential persons for me was my high school art teacher, who gave me the freedom to realize my abilities. My mother introduced me rather reluctantly, at the age of 10 to sewing. However, I took to it like a duck to water and many years later, merged my love of fabrics, art, textiles into a quilting lifestyle that's gone from traditional to art in the past 22 years. It's truly my medium!

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  49. The one person who changed my life irrevocably was the guy who stopped to help me one dark night as I drove home after working at a craft show and my car broke down. I tell everyone I found my husband on the side of the road..

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  50. I think of two people: my mother who taught me to sew, and my serger instructor. She taught me and encouraged me to combine garment making and quilting, and when she saw what I could do, she encouraged me to enter Fabric Fantasies at Old Town in San Diego. The first year I entered a vest and a three piece ensemble, both of which were shown--out of 88 items in the show. She encouraged me to step out and show what I could do with a needle and thread, something this small town girl thought she would never do.

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  51. I would have to say that countless artists from so many different medias are responsible for supplying inspiration and influence in my art not to mention Nature in all it's glory.I am still learning and changing daily even though the hair is silver and my body is telling me years have past, every new art piece makes feels like I am a kid with a new set of crayons and the world is at my feet.

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  52. I am self-taught sewist and quilter and I read and watch a myriad of instructors to glean all the knowledge I can. When I found Quilting Arts on PBS I thought I was in heaven; so much inspiration.

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  53. Alex Anderson had a huge influence on the creative side of my life. Her television program and many guests inspired me to begin quilting. Since then so many artists have had an influence, including you.

    vdods1@gmail.com

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  54. For several years, every time I brought a new creation into my LQS, the owner would say, "that's beautiful!" And then "You should make a pattern". And I would think, "Rats, I did it again. If it looks that easy to reproduce, it's not art." I now know that's not entirely true, and eventually went with the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" philosophy and started making patterns, but that experience and Quilting Arts remind me to continue working on developing my own creativity!

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  55. I was just about buying the 2014 issue of Quilting Arts TV, because I cannot wait watching you hosting it, Susan. But, of course, being Dutch, means getting one for free is even better ;-) !!

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  56. My son has been my biggest teacher and has taken me way outside of my comfort zone. His learning differences have been inspirational for me creatively, as a human being. The lessons have not always been easy, but they are always leading me to the edge of possibility. And, he knows how to quilt on my sewing machine!!

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  57. I read through these comments and realize so many of us are part of a network of creative and caring individuals. My first needle arts teacher was also my grandmother,who taught me, at the age of 10, to crazy quilt using the pages of an Eaton's Catalog as a foundation. That summer she taught me to embroider, tat and improvise quilting designs using common household articles to create templates. Mostly she taught me to be proud of work done by hand and think beyond the line created by others.

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  58. Joan Clovin was my inspiration! What a wonderful kind, friendly and encouraging artist she was. Nature is truly my passion, as it was hers.

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  59. My husband has changed my life in so many ways! I'm so glad to have been married to him for the past 14 years. sarah@forrussia.org

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  60. my Grandma was a big influence, she taught me how to crochet, tatting, and oil painting. Very creative and kind woman. Thanks for the give away

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  61. So many people have been great influences in my life. My husband, parents, children, that I could not get them all in this post. But one woman does stand out, when you ask about aperson who 'changed my life'. The woman who taught me to sew on her treadle machine at the foot of her bed. Her name was Mae and her husband was Ray. They took care of me when I was young. Without Mae, I would not be the seamstress and quilter that I have become.

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  62. My Mother was my biggest influence as far as a woman of the needle. She taught how to sew on her ancient Kenmore sewing machine. She endured my rants when my sewing ability was lacking. Now with every stitch I take I remember her. She has been gone for over 40 years now and I miss her everday. Susan you have been my greatest influence as far as my thread painting. I want to be like you when I grow up ;-)

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  63. Hey and HUGE congratulations, Susan ~ can't wait to see you as the new host! Your work is incredible and you'll do a fabulous job, I know! Years ago, my dear friend Joanne kept telling me that I should start quilting and make something for our new granddaughter. Well, the rest is history and I love, love, love it! Now, my granddaughter sews with me and will soon be getting her very own sewing machine. ♥ Thanks a bunch for the chance to win this series!

    my nana maree @ yahoo . com

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  64. i can't wait to see the new quilting arts series and to see it evolve under your leadership.

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  65. Hmm. Not sure my first comment went in...anyway, Susan, I love your blog and Facebook page. So inspirational! I would have to pasty Sharon Schamber was the most inspirational person in my quilting life. I took a class from her many years ago, prior to either of us having longarms. She totally changed the way I looked at machine quilting. There have been many others along the way, but Sharon was the first. Can't wait to see the new series!

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  66. Dot Krueger of Sew Crazy in Plymouth, Massachusetts. She could do anything with the sewing machine and serger. Quilting, free style embroidery, trap unto and she could work the serger like that also . I think of her every day and especially when I change my sewing machine needle (flat side to the back) she has since passed but her sewing skills and memory will always be with me.

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  67. As I read many of these comments, and seeing how so many of us feel the same about Quilting Arts TV.... it's now wonder why this medium is growing in the art world. Pokey, you and so many of the artists that have appeared on QATV make us all feel WE CAN DO IT! With informative, easy to follow guidance... I and and so many others are trying new techniques, new products (doing our job to strengthen our economy). and broadening our own personal inventory of ideas and confidence in our ART. I had the pleasure of taking a class from you in St. Cloud MN, this summer and you are as charming in person as you are on screen and social media. I am inspired daily by your "morning walk" photos and some days I even get out and do my own walk, improving my physical health as well as mental health. Thanks for all you do to make us better than yesterday. You go girl!!

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  68. I'd love to win, I always enjoy your art. I'd say my husband. He may not understand anything about art or quilting but he encourages me to do it. When I became ill and had to retire from teaching he was there every step of the way. If I feel good he does not mind if I do artwork rather than housework. I am so lucky! I love how you said you are just following the path Pokey laid out. Good luck as host. Can't wait to see the new episodes!

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  69. Hi Susan! I sorely miss having Quilting Arts broadcast on my local PBS station! Sigh...
    Ya know, my friend, Etta McFarland, changed my life when she asked me if I was interested in going to Houston with her one fall. Her 'usual' travel buddies were all unavailable that year and she just casually asked if I might be interested in going. Was I?!!! Heck yeah! I have been going to the International Quilt Festival every year since and feel like my horizons, as well as my imagination, have broadened immensely!

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  70. I love QATV! I have a reminder set on my phone so I don't miss it! Really looking forward to 1400 series! So glad to have had the opportunity to take classes from you at VQF!

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  71. Thank Susan for sharing your talent and inspiration with your many fans. I have admired your work for many years and after having the opportunity to take two of your classes recently I am and even bigger fan. The way you share your daily walks on Facebook provides endless inspiration. Thank you

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  72. I love your work and love Quilting Arts TV programs! I am always learning new things and artists like you inspire me to take my quilting in new directions! I'd love to win this, but wish good luck to everyone! juliethompson3@hotmail.com

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  73. Glad you're carrying on the Quilting Arts tradition

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  74. I have benefited greatly from taking your classes and viewing your videos. Fabulous work you do!! I never tire of seeing it! lbolek@live.com

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  75. Hi Susan - your work is such an inspiration to me! Right from the start - I also work from photographs, favoring scenes of nature, pets and wildlife as the focal points. I love your selection of color and subject, but really need help in improving my threadwork! Cheers!

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  76. I do not get quilting arts on the tv,,,,I would lov lov,,,,did I say lov to win a copy,,,,,,please please,,,I need good karma,,,,,,,,

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  77. Two ladies who've influenced me are my late Mother who taught me to believe in myself. AND Pam Holland. Taking her portrait inking class was a leap in faith. I now do portrait quilts and am having the best time of my life. Looking forward to seeing you as host - and learning from your vast knowledge and style!

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  78. My mother had a great influence in my life, teaching me to enjoy the art of sewing and quilting. I have also learned so much from you by following your updates.

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  79. I think you were the perfect pick for new host and I can't wait to see you in action! Someone who's change my life? My daughter. She has some challenges but she's resilient and she's taught me so much about how different each of us is. I admire her bravery every single day.

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  80. Such an awesome gift! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  81. I think the friends I have made since starting quilting.. they were always encouraging me.. and when I realized I could take classes from teachers I just read about I was amazed!! the thing is that you never really stop learning, and you meet amazing people all the time that will influence you a little differently and on a little different path.. which is all good.... I can't wait to see your shows!!...

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