2019
Size: 42″ Wide x 57.5″ High
Pattern by Ann Shaw
Quilted by: Janice Almli Newman

This quilt clearly shows my fascination with sunflowers. The pattern was introduced in a class taught in Las Cruces. It required advanced paper-piecing skills, which I have, but still, I found it quite challenging. The curved lines of each petal required my attention with every stitch. After all this tedious work, I am delighted how it turned out.

I have not counted how many sunflower patterns I worked on, but this is one of my favorites.

2007
Size: 44″ Wide x 56″ High
Pattern based on a class by Sally Atkins from the Las Colcheras Quilt Guild in Las Cruces, New Mexico
Quilted by: Janice Almli Newman

The simple block squares allowed me to combine multiple fall-inspired fabrics together. In addition, I wanted to add a Flying Geese pattern border to create more geometric diversity. In my opinion, the quilt came together very nicely, and the asymmetric border made it more interesting. While the execution and quilting were praised by a judge, during one of the quilt shows, at the same time, she thought the composition was too busy, for her.

2020
Size: 56″ Wide x 74″ High
Pattern by: Bean Counter Quilts, Laurie Franz
Quilted by: Elaine Doornbos

I found this vibrant fabric panel depicting the northern lights that inspired me to set it into the pattern by Laurie Franz. Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that can be seen on the Lake of the Woods in western Ontario. It’s a magical experience that inspired me to create this piece.

2019
Size: 45″ Wide x 56″ High
Pattern: City Blocks by Kari Nichols of Mountain Peak Creations
Quilted by: Janice Almli Newman

Mary Backhouse taught this class in Sioux Narrows, Canada, and she focused on a quilt pattern called City Blocks. This pattern allowed me to use up some fabrics from my stash, especially many of the fat quarters.
We all know that quilters have substantial fabric stashes, so working on a project that puts these fabrics in such wonderful harmony was very rewarding. The combination of browns and turquoise complement each other well, creating an overall harmony. This quilt is my lap-quilt, which I use in Las Cruces when watching TV. It is beautiful and practical at the same time offering the warmth I often need in the evening.

2010
Size: 48″ Wide x 78″ High
Pattern from a quilting magazine
Quilted by: Linda Clark www.borntoquilt.ca

At one point, three friends called Jan lived on the same street in the Las Cruces community where we live today, and they were all quilters. We made a bet that we will each make a Christmas quilt and finish it by the end of that year. This became a challenge, but when I saw this pattern in a quilting magazine, I became inspired and motivated. In retrospect, my choice of fabrics was quite bold, but the striped one pulls all others together. The quilting by Linda Clark is magnificent, and the golden thread she used to quilt within the cream-toned fabric, brought out the glamour and gave it a festive feeling.

2019
Size: 5o” Wide x 62.5″ High
Pattern by: Quilting Treasures
Quilted by: Janice Almli Newman

I was surprised to find a painted ponies fabric panel in International Falls, Minnesota, at one of my favorite fabric stores, Studio 53. I associate the painted ponies theme with the Southwest and, in particular, the public art project “Trail of Painted Ponies” that invited artists to express their creativity on the canvas of life-size resin horse sculptures. The project originated in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and continues to engage artists through thematic design competitions.

2017
Size: 65″ Wide x 82.5″ High
Pattern by Penny Rose Designs
Quilted by: Elaine Doornbos

In 2007, I took a quilting class with Marilynn Wiebe in Canada and we worked on this Penny Rose pattern. Once I finished the front of this quilt I was not happy, and so it sat in a drawer will 2016, when I decided to work on it again. Ms. Wiebe did not like borders and insisted that the pattern should edge the border. However, I thought it was too busy, and to calm it down I finished it with a border and added the Prairie Points. Even after that addition, I thought something was missing and found a garland of flowers that I dismantled it and meticulously attached to the quilt. There must be over 100 flowers that I appliquéd onto it by hand.

So it took 12 years from start to finish, but after all this time I am very happy with it and call it complete.

2012
Size: 51″ Wide x 51″ High
Pattern by Kimberly Einmo
Quilted by: Janice Almli Newman

As part of the centennial celebrations, the 100th year of New Mexico’s statehood, the Las Colcheras Quilt Guild offered a class by Kimberly Einmo.

The class was based on one of Kimberly’s patterns, and I combined many bright colors and images that depict the culture of New Mexico. The quilt is rich in imagery, as practically every block and color space represents a unique design. I started the quilt during the class but only finished it five years later.

I live in Las Cruces (literal translation from Spanish, The Crosses), but a single origin of the cities name is unknown. Today crosses with various references to history are prominently displayed throughout the town. Therefore, to link it to my hometown, I decided to embellish the quilt and add small crosses along its border.