2002
Size: 75″ Wide x 102.5″ High
Pattern & Fabric by Thimbleberries ®
Quilted by: Janice Almli Newman

When –

2006
Size: 68″ Wide x 68″ High
Pattern by: Linda Clark www.borntoquilt.ca
Quilted by: Janice Almli Newman

Honorable Mention – Large Quilts – 2006 Las Colcheras Quilt Show, Las Cruces, New Mexico

In Canada, I participated in a 2-3 day retreat offered by Linda Clark, where she challenged us with the use of striped fabric. My choice of variegated stripes in turquoise and purple inspired this quilt.
I am very pleased with the way the fabrics and colors interact with each other.

2015
Size: 56.5″ Wide x 57″ High
Pattern from the book Streaks of Batiks by Sandra L. Holzer
Quilted by: Janice Almli Newman

2nd Place – 2016 Annual Quilt Show of the Lake of the Woods Quilters Guild, Kenora Ontario, Canada
3rd Place – Large Quilts – 2016 Las Colcheras Quilt Show, Las Cruces, New Mexico

The background of this quilt uses a beautiful batik fabric I purchased from my friend and neighbor in Canada. The blend of colors from light yellows, greens, and purple has determined the color story.
The original design included applique elements of seaweed. I, on the other hand, decided to create a 3D effect of fabric strands, eyelash yarn, shells, and buttons to make it even more impressive.
I am equally happy with the tie-dyed fabric on the back that resembles a coral formation in the ocean.

2004
Size: 57.5″ Wide x 98.5″ High
Pattern: Magic Tiles by Kathleen Bissett
Quilted by: Janice Almli Newman

1st Place – Best Hand Quilting – 2005 Annual Quilt Show of the Lake of the Woods Quilters Guild, Kenora Ontario, Canada

I took a class at the Quilter’s Quarters quilt shop in Kenora, Canada, that sadly does not exist anymore. Donna Woloschuk was the owner of the store and a good instructor, who taught me many tricks. At the time, I was not that skilled and so each fabric swatch was attached to the backing by a machine quilted flower pattern, and the quilting was done by hand. I used different colored embroidery floss and quilted the blocks with a fly stitch.
After all these years, this still remains one of my favorite quilts, and I am so happy that at the time my modest skills were awarded the 1st Place. Certainly, this encouraged me to continue.

2012
Size: 49.5″ Wide x 49.5″ High
Pattern by: Linda Clark www.borntoquilt.ca
Quilted by: Janice Almli Newman

Linda Clark, in Kenora, Canada, offered a class in the stack and whack technique that required large floral print fabrics. The florals I chose created these striking fans and gave the quilt an Asian touch. Linda’s pattern for this quilt included a wedged border with rounded corners. This detail was challenging, but I feel it enhanced the overall appeal of this quilt. Overall I am delighted in the way it turned out.

2015
Size: 34″ Wide x 38″ High
Pattern by: Andi Perejda andiperejdaquilts.com
Quilted by: Linda Clark www.borntoquilt.ca

I took a class offered by Andi Perejda on her signature bargello-style eye-popping circles. Not until I found the background fabric did this quilt come to life. The circle became a flower, and I added the scalloped edges and used the trapunto technique for the center and embellished it with beads.
The leaves in this quilt are double-faced and attached only in the middle, making them stand out and flutter.

2003
Size: 89″ Wide x 112″ High
Pattern by: Pam Bono
Hand Quilted by Adeline Johnson

When I worked on this quilt, I was still a novice and found it very challenging. Today, I am amazed at my boldness, my drive to push myself, and never to give up. I think it is a beautiful pattern. With my more advanced skills, today, I would have executed the quilting with greater precision.

This quilt was meticulously crafted, and all lines are straight. However, due to the size of this quilt, the photography was a challenge and added waves where they should not appear.

2007
Size: 89″ Wide x 112″ High
Pattern features the Lemoyne Star in a composition I saw in a quilting magazine.
Quilted by: Linda Clark www.borntoquilt.ca

3rd Place – Large Quilts – 2008 Las Colcheras Quilt Show, Las Cruces, New Mexico
1st Place – 2009 Annual Quilt Show of the Lake of the Woods Quilters Guild, Kenora Ontario, Canada

The ideas for this quilt came from many places. Initially, I was inspired by a Lemoyne Star quilt that I saw in a quilting magazine. I found wonderful fabrics for the start that gave it an antique patina look. This inspired me to combine it with a border that featured a floral stipe that one finds in antique tin tile patterns. I found the right fabric with the pattern I liked, but I had to cut section by section from four yards of fabric to arrive at enough for this quilt.
I am sure that many of you understand how laborious this was. Now, of course, I have four yards worth of “scraps” that I need to make into another quilt.

2017
Size: 84″ Wide x 92″ High
Pattern by: Michelle Watts www.jmichellewatts.com
Quilted by: Linda Clark www.borntoquilt.ca

2005
Size: 104″ Wide x 86″ High
Pattern & Fabric by Thimbleberries ®
Quilted by: Janice Almli Newman

1st Place – 2005 Annual Quilt Show of the Lake of the Woods Quilters Guild, Kenora Ontario, Canada

This quilt was created at the beginning of my quilting “career” when I focused exclusively on patterns and fabric by Thimbleberries ®. Today I look at my humble beginnings with respect and acknowledgment of the long journey I have been on since then.
I gave this bed quilt to my daughter Beth, who keeps it on her bed.

2016
Size: 47″ Wide x 64″ High
Pattern by: Block of the Month
Quilted by: Janice Almli Newman

1st Place – 2018 Las Colcheras Quilt Show, Las Cruces, New Mexico
2nd Place – 2017 Annual Quilt Show of the Lake of the Woods Quilters Guild, Kenora Ontario, Canada

Again the Bernina Shop in Las Cruces, Be Sew Creative, offered a block of the month class that was taught by Marsha Trueax, and advanced my machine embroidery skills.
Just the year prior I received the Bernina 780 from my husband Dave, and this quilt took its embroidery features to the test. I enjoyed the class, making all the blocks, and trying out the embroidery stitches.
This quilt is the second Block of the Month embroidery quilt and I can see the progress I have made since my first one in 2014, Orange Sherbert with Other Flavors.
The blocks are set on an indigo colored batik fabric, which gives the quilt a denim-casual feel. All the fabric scraps were used in the back and created a complementary modern design.

2010
Size: 75″ Wide x 102.5″ High
Pattern is my own composition
Quilted by: Janice Almli Newman

1st Place – 2011 Annual Quilt Show of the Lake of the Woods Quilters Guild, Kenora Ontario, Canada

During a quilting retreat in Canada, I developed a number of One Block Wonder blocks, which I never put together until I stumbled upon a wonderful quilt in the American Quilter magazine.
That quilt inspired me to put the blocks together and machine embroider them. I filled it with bamboo batting, making it light and warm at the same time. Within each block, the fabrics and the embroidery give the appearance as if they are spinning. This inspired the name of the quilt.
This king-sized quilt is today with Shari Wood, who used to be our neighbor in Las Cruces, and who took care of our house in the summer. I am ever so grateful to her for all she did for us, and so this quilt was a small token of appreciation for her help and friendship.