Hello fellow KQG members and quilters everywhere! I am here to introduce myself and share my quilting journey. Two of my five sisters had been quilting for several years when our mother decided to try making one. My sister chose a pattern for Mum to try called Blackfords Beauty, since Blackford was her maiden name.
This was the only quilt Mum made before she passed away. My three non quilting sisters were not interested in Mum’s quilting tools, so I decided to give it a try. I began with a small cutting mat, a very small rotary cutter, one ruler and a book! My younger sister showed me the basics, and my first project was a table runner. It no longer exists as I used it on a window ledge under some plants; sun faded and stained from the plants, it had its day. But the flame was lit, and there was no putting it out!
My first quilt was for my queen size bed. The fabrics were chosen mostly by price, and I used muslin on the back to save money. I picked what I thought was a stunning pattern from my Mum’s book. If I knew then what I know now, I might have changed my mind. So below are the photos of that first quilt, a feathered star.
I quilted the feathered star on my domestic machine. I had no idea what I was doing. That machine is still going strong and is being used at my son and daughter-in-laws trailer!
My next quilt was a hand appliqué that I did with my sisters. We each made six identical blocks, kept one for ourselves, and shared the rest. The next photo is the result, each block made by a different sister, depicting our individual families. It was also my first hand quilting. The bottom left block is my family.
My quilting slowed down as I had a busy life being a working mum with two boys in competitive hockey, a husband who was often away while in the army. My quilting flame never went out! Here are a few of my favourite projects over the years.
One Block Wonder 
Wedding quilt for my son and daughter in law-my favourite! 
A quilt for my second son, who doesn’t like traditional patterns. My most difficult quilt! 
A Christmas quilt for my daughter in law. I really enjoy hand embroidery and redwork, no matter the colour!
A baby quilt for my nephew’s daughter.
The rest, as they say, is history. I’m still making quilts, and still loving it!