Blog: Merry New Year

I hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas and as we head into the New Year of 2017 I wanted to share a few of my 2016 highlights.

In 2016 I discovered new books and authors that will stay with me as long as the author is writing the series.

I discovered that short stories still capture my sense of adventure.

I discovered that binge watching movies is not a waste of time if it brings down your blood pressure.

On a different front of 2016: I became a great grandmother.
Reconnected with my daughter and her family. 
I also reconnected with my childhood friend and her family.

By way of youtube, I taught myself how to crochet. 

I learned how much my cyber friends mean to me.

On a sad note, we lost so many great authors, writers, actors, directors, singers, artist, sonwriters, musicians, comedians and people in our circle of family and friends.

The world dims a little at the thought of losing so many and a few I will miss is Zee I never met her but she was a friend in a group or two and I will always think of her as a special and a wonderful friend.

One actress stands out and that is Patty Duke. I also say there are a ton of character actors that I will miss.
Anyway enough on this topic tonight.
Now for my library moment, I was thrilled when some of the ladies from our library agreed to be interviewed. This way I could let our bloggers know that Parsons Kansas has interesting people, places,, and events. 
Stay tuned there will be more library adventures and interviews. I will space them out and I also want to interview more quilters, artists, and writers.

Until next time let love touch your heart, open your mind and a good book, then tell your own story and let the adventures begin.
Pamela

Magical Arts Fridays - An Interview with Quilter Peggy Gatewood

MM: Peggy where did you get your love of quilting?

Love of quilting -not sure-had several relatives that quilted.

MM: Have other family members followed in your footsteps?

My granddaughter made her first quilt when she was 10

MM: Tell us about the quilters guild of Parsons and what you have learned from some of the quilters?

The Quilter's Guild of Parsons is a great group of women who teach, encourage, and support anyone who loves quilting.

They always share tips they've learned, are quick to help if you're having problems or want advice, or fabric from their stash. We make and donate quilts to the local Red Cross for fire victims in about 7 SEK counties.

MM: I have seen and voted for some of your quilts. Do you have a quilt that has more meaning than the others?

.Probably the quilts I made my Mother. I made a puzzle quilt since she loved jigsaw puzzles and a Seven Sisters quilt since she had 7 sisters

MM: Do you have a favorite quilt that you have made?

. Probably my Dog Quilt. It has won several ribbons. 

MM: I know you work for the local vet clinic. Has this inspired some of your quilts? Tell us about the clinic and the animals. Do you own pets?

. I have worked at the clinic for almost 30 years  as manager and have done every job. We treat all species of animals. I like dogs the best and  I'm always on the lookout for dog print fabrics and have made several dog quilts. I have 4 rescue dogs-Monkey, Kashi, Hank and Frank. When we were challenged to make a quilt about our experience with the Parsons Tornado, I made one featuring my dogs . My Aunt, Sister and Mother were with me that night at the Guild's Guest Night and the dogs were home alone.

MM: How does this work for you? What I mean is do you see a pretty flower garden or hear a story maybe attending an event but how and where do you get your inspiration for the beautiful quilts to make?

. I'm usually inspired by the fabric first and then find a pattern. It's a personal thing for each quilter. Some people love 1800's fabrics. I find them drab looking. I usually use bright cheerful fabrics. My friend, Nancy Tiede and I are known as the "bright" girls. People usually pick out our quilts right away

MM: Is there someone you would like to thank that has inspired you?

. My Aunt Regina probably inspired me the most. She always had a quilt in the frame.

MM: Okay for some get-to know you questions. What is your favorite meal, place to vacation, dessert, song, book, holiday, magazine, quilt show/s, color, other hobbies, movie/s and shows to binge watch?

Personally-food-anything Mexican, we cruise to the Caribbean every year-attached is a photo of a T Shirt quilt from some of our cruises. Anything chocolate, old school R & B music, mysteries, no favorite holidays-they're too much work, PEOPLE mag, any of the PBS quilting shows are good. I like to knit baby hats for the Purple Campaign. Bad Santa is a guilty pleasure movie, I don't watch much TV, but I  like Project Runway and Lucifer-and try to catch the Royals games.

MM: Do you have some quilters words of wisdom?

Don't be afraid to try something new and know everyone has to rip things out-often.

MM: In closing what would you like to add to this interview as far as a quilter quote or story?

. I encourage anyone thinking of taking up quilting to jump in. Ask for help at your local quilt shop and visit a quilter's guild meeting in your area. They're very friendly people.

Magical Arts Fridays - An Interview with Quilter Dru Ann Love

MM: Dru Ann, what is the first quilt that you made? Do you still have the quilt?

The first quilt I hand-made was in 2003 and yes I still have that quilt.

MM: What advice do you have for beginner quilters?

Have fun. Everyone has an opinion of how you should do a task; pick the one that works best for you.

MM: How many quilts have you made?

I’ve made 136 quilts since I started in 2003.

MM: You interview authors, review books and attend conferences. Do the authors you meet, books you read and the conferences you attend inspire quilt related themes? If so tell us about some of them?

I did make a quilt of my Malice Domestic experience. I received Nancy Drew panels and made placemats and with the Nancy Drew fabric I made a small quilt.

MM: Do you have a favorite quilt shop/online store that you like to shop for fabric?

I go to City Quilters in New York City on West 25^th Street and a friend introduced me to fabric.com.

MM: What was the easiest and the most difficult quilt you have made?

The easiest quilts for me to make are pillow covers. I can do those in under 2 hours. The hardest quilts for me to make are the large size ones, which I just completed. It came out to be 38” x 56”.

MM: Are any of your quilts family and memory related quilts ?

No, I’m the first and only member of my family that quilts.

MM: 2016 is here so what quilt ideas do you have in mind for this year?

I create quilts on a whim. Right now I’m working on a quilt to cover the small end table I have.

MM: Do you also quilt wall hangings, table runners, lap quilts and other quilted items such as totes or handbags?

I’ve made wall hangings, table runners, lap quilts, small centerpieces and coasters.  Haven’t tried making totes yet, but it looks interesting.

MM: Are you a member of any quilt groups?

Not right now. I used to be but where they held their meeting was difficult for me to get to, so I let my membership go.

MM: Do you attend quilt shows?

I went to one and it was fun, but no, I don’t attend quilt shows.

MM: Where is your favorite place to quilt?

My living room – it has the space I need.

MM: While quilting do you binge watch television shows, movies, listen to audio books or does music spark your imagination?

The TV is on when I’m quilting. I can only quilt by natural light, so it’s mostly daytime quilting for me.

Dru Ann & Terri at Malice Domestic 2015

MM: Leave us with some quilting words of wisdom?

Just have fun with the creative process.

My quilting blog is: http://www.dallsite.com/

dru’s book musings: http://drusbookmusing.com/