Congratulations!

Congratulations to Marie Hayward, winner of the Mayflower Quilter's Retreat Raffle! Marie has been a long time supporter and attendee of the Retreat. And she served on the committee for many years. Marie was at the Mayflower meeting when the winning ticket was drawn. She was very excited, she already had her registration form ready and cheque made out. many thanks to all who bought tickets and congratulations again to Marie.

Marie at the 2009 Retreat.

Congratulations as well to Debbie Bliemel, winner of the Avonport Award For a Young Quilter. We had seven applications this year and I know the jury had a difficult time choosing just one winner.

Debbie is from Hammonds Plains, NS and she writes "I have always loved sewing. When I'm tired or grumpy, I sit down at my machine and start making something. Soon enough, I'm immersed in the serenity of fabric gliding between my fingers. As a project starts to come together, a deep sense of contentment grows inside my heart and I am happy. 

I've been sewing for about 30 years, but have been quilting for only three of those. When I was young, I made clothing for myself and my dolls. After I married and had my first child, I began making clothing and cloth diapers. I even had a small business making custom-made cloth diapers for a few years, but I closed the company once I moved from Ontario to Nova Scotia.

Debbie's "Manly Quilt"

I first began quilting when an organization called Craft Hope put out a call for children's quilts for Margaret's Hope Chest, a group that collects quilts in Michigan. I looked at all of the wonderful baby fabrics that I had lying around. Then I said, "I can do that." My two quilts were simple, wonky and slightly lop-sided. But I was hooked. 

Debbie's "Baby Quilt for Frodo"

After that, quilting became an integral part of my crafting life. Currently, I knit, sew, spin my own yarn, occasionally dye my own yarn, embroider, crochet, make wire jewelry, and of course, quilt. When I'm not doing any of that, I am a stay at home mom who likes to travel. I also write short stories and am working on my first novel. I would say that I'm mostly interested in modern quilting. Some of my favourite quilt blogs include Oh Fransson!, Film in the Fridge and Red Pepper Quilts. Bright, vibrant colours hold the most appeal for me. 

By far, the quilting project that I'm happiest with was coercing/organizing a group of my knitter friends into a year-long quilting bee. Each month, all of the members work on squares for one person's quilt. We get together at the end of the month to exchange blocks for new fabric packets, and we also enjoy tea, cake and chatting. It's been great fun, and I'm hoping that the love of quilting will remain, even after the bee is completed. 

My flickr account is filled with all of my crafty endeavors, should anyone wish to see what I'm working on (http://www.flickr.com/photos/k-townrocks2006/)."

Congratulations Debbie, we are all looking forward to meeting you in September.