Christine Porter hosted a workshop from my new book, Quick Diamond Quilts. I flew from California to London, rode in a bus from London to Bristol. Following a few brief hours of sleep, we gathered with terrific quilters who sewed Stone Mosaic quilts.

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We had a wonderful week together at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, CA. The Empty Spools Seminars hosts several sessions each year, and 8-10 quilt workshops each session. Please enjoy the quilts made during our workshop!

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We lost a dear friend this week. I met Jacqueline at Paradise Sewing Pfaff store in Poway, CA. She was the funniest person I had met in a long time! Jacqueline was creative in a free and exuberant way, sharing herself and her art with those who showed an interest. Jacqueline created and submitted projects for two of my books, Quick Star Quilts and Quick Diamond Quilts.

Jacqueline, Nancy O, Jan and Anna Mae

From Naomi: “Jacqueline had been in ill health the past couple of months. On Thursday she was admitted to the ICU with pneumonia. Unfortunately, her weakened body couldn’t fight the infection, and she passed away on Friday, March 5, surrounded by her calligraphic and artistic  family.

You are invited to share memories and celebrate Jacqueline’s life with her sons, Steven and Gregory Lacey, and their families this coming Saturday, March 13th, from 3-8 p.m. at 858 Summersong Court,  Encinitas CA 92024. Condolences may also be sent there. If you wish, please send or bring a tribute to Jacqueline for her sons to have as a remembrance. It should be on 8 ½ x 11 paper. You can write or draw or glue (fabric?).”

  

 

 

We had a great workshop in early November – the Variable Hunter Star design. The quilters joined me for a 1-day workshop following their successful weekend Quilt Show! Good job, ladies!

From Ellen Nadeau in Maine:  

“Friends and Needles Quilters Guild from Houlton, Maine, is holding its 25th annual quilt show this weekend (Aug. 21-23). As part of the special anniversary events, The Fabric Garden from Madison, Maine, donated 25 fabric kits containing 1/2 yd of a focus fabric and 1/4 yd each of 4 coordinating fabrics.

Participants could eliminate one fabric and/or add up to 3 of their own fabrics (I added the pale teal/white background for the rocket blocks and the pale lilac background for the compass corners and lone star diamonds). I worked on this 31-1/2 inch square wallhanging from July 2-August 19 every minute I could find outside of my paying job, even taking my sewing machine on vacation with me so I could finish on time!

The quilt show is called “Stitching Through Time: 25 Years of Quilting in ‘The County'” so I named my wallhanging “Stitching Through Time & Beyond”.
 
I’m sure there will be photos of the show very soon if you would like to check out all of the “challenge” quilts or this special silver anniversary show. The website is www.friendsandneedles.org. Also, the website for The Fabric Garden is www.fabricgarden.com.
 
Again, thanks so much for coming to Maine. You have inspired me twice so far! And I still want to make a spiral lone star…”    Ellen Nadeau

We had a great workshop in Harlingen! Take a look!

I love hearing success stories from former students!

Lauren’s Star by Deb Lockwood

Jan, here it is! This is my first ribbon for a quilt (I’ve won 2 for blocks)…I was so excited! I was also very pleased with how it turned out since in class I liked most everyone’s colors better than my own! Thanks for a great class!   Deb Lockwood

Safari Salsa Star by Marlys Cordes

Hi Jan, I am very excited to show you a picture of the top finished of the Lone Star Quilt I started in Boca Raton with you. I had e-mailed you about how to put it together, and I want to thank you for getting back to me.  I found the information I needed and finished it, but decided that it needed a border. 

It was difficult working with the octagonal shape, but I finally got it.  The border made all the difference.  I’m enclosing a picture for you to see.  I’m going to have Linda Wilson who was at the workshop and is a long arm quilter quilt it as I really don’t know what to do with the quilting part. Thanks a million.  I’ve committed to my daughter that I’ll make her a star quilt also.  I’m hooked!   Blessings, and thanks again,  Marlys Hasey Cordes

Whoo-hoo! Just look at the progress of the Apple Valley quilters during a 6-hour workshop! They did do some advance cutting and sewing in preparation for class. Diamonds were cut, marked and partially constructed in class. The small scale mock up designs show the finished design – just beautiful, ladies!

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The new Open Star workshop – from my Quick Star Quilts book. Here are some photos of quilts in progress during the one-day workshop. Click on any image to see a larger view.

The Pine Tree Quilters are a state-wide guild, founded in 1978. They hire a national teacher once or twice annually. The meeting presentation and workshops are offered in different communities to allow members statewide the opportunity to attend.

I arrived in Portland, stayed in Waterville, and traveled to the surrounding communities of Augusta, Gardnerville and Bangor for workshops & presentation. My hostess, Mary Coombs was a delight! A highlight – one night we had dinner at the Lobster Trap in Winslow. Have you ever eaten Lobster Pie? WHOA! This delicious dish was lobster pieces, butter, bread crumbs & seasoning, all broiled in a little casserole dish – I wonder how many calories in that dinner!???