Featuring Jackie -- A Blogger's Quilt Festival Quilter!

Today's featured quilter is Jackie!  Many of you probably know her from her sweet comments and helpful insights - I hope you enjoy getting to know her more and seeing her beautiful quilts here!

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Hello Everyone, my name is Jackie and I am so glad to meet you!  

1. When did you begin quilting?

Technically, I first started quilting in my 6th grade Home Economics class when I made a patchwork pillow.  I actually still have it too!!  But I am not going to tell you how many years ago that was. So, I guess I became serious about quilting about 17 years ago. That is the short answer. There is a much longer one, but I won't bore you.

2. Why do you quilt?  

That is an easy one, because I absolutely love it. I love every aspect from picking fabrics, to designing, piecing, quilting, binding, all of it. It is also a big stress reliever for me too. Whenever I just need to "get away" this is my favorite outlet.

3.  What is your favorite quilting tip?

My favorite quilting tip is to never stop learning. Try new techniques even if you think it may be too difficult.  I take classes whenever I can.  Sometimes it may be just a quilt that I have wanted to do for a long time and I already know the technique. But all teachers teach differently and offer up their own tips. I think this is one of the best things that you can walk away with, just one new thing you didn't know before.

4.  What was your inspiration for your Quilt Festival quilt?

My inspiration for Quilt Festival was my favorite quilt that I made in 2009. It is a paper pieced pattern, which I love to do and it a special gift for my mother's birthday later this year. The fabric colors were inspired by my Mom's favorite candy Chocolate Raspberry Truffles. That is what I decided to name the quilt.

5.  Do you sew other things?

On occasion, I sew totes/bags. I also make pillowcases for charity.  And of course, I quilt my customers quilts on my long arm.

6.  Anything else you would like us to know about you?

Because quilting is such a passion of mine, I turned it into a business in 2000 and it is called Canton Village Quilt Works. I have been a Professional Long Arm quilter since then and own a Gammill Statler Stitcher.  The majority of my customers are local, but I have quite a few that mail to me from all over the country.  One of my dreams, since I began quilting, was to open a quilt shop someday. Well, timing has never been right and with the internet really taking off, it has enabled me to recently open my own online quilt shop!! I opened it's virtual doors in November of 2009 and am seeing a steady growth. Choosing fabrics for the shop is always inspiring. Come check the shop out here:  http://www.cvquiltworks.com/shop.  The shop recently underwent a facelift and I really love it, much more user friendly.

I would love to hear from you!! Come visit me at my blog (which is constantly being updated with lots of creative quilty things) or my website. Send me an e-mail, I would love it if you would say Hi!!  Thank you so much Amy for this wonderful opportunity to meet your readers.

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Thanks so much for sharing Jackie!  I love your quilts, and use of color in them - always striking and beautiful!

Have a great weekend everyone,
Amy
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