In memory of Jennifer McCann, my friend and my quilter

Jennifer McCann my friend and my quilter

January 17, 1945 – July 23, 2012

I met Jennifer the summer of 2008. I had heard about long arm machines and quilters, but didn’t think I could afford their services. Then I saw a sample quilt hanging in Quilt Trends in Columbus, Ohio of a kit that I had recently made myself. I decided that I wanted to have my quilt similarly quilted. The shop put me in contact with the quilter and a friendship was started. I had seen her sample so I was comfortable with her skill level and when I talked and then met her, I was even more impressed. In my opinion she was an Artist! She did all of her quilting Free Hand!!

Because we live 3 hours from each other we talked on the phone and saw each other a couple of times a year. Whenever I called she would say ‘Hi sweetheart how’s it going!’ She was always very supportive of my piecing and color selection. She would say a quilt top was beautiful and I would say ‘You have to say that!’ she would say no not always!! When selecting threads and quilting patterns, her suggestions were to make sure they didn’t take away from the quilt itself. After all I put a lot of time into the fabric selection and piecing of the quilts.

I was able to attend the Lake Farm Parks quilt show a couple of times with Jennifer and her friends and it is always interesting to hear what others have to say about the quilts and the quilting.  I wish I had made the time to have Jennifer teach me how to machine quilt.

I’m very lucky to have had almost 30 quilts and wall hangings quilted by Jennifer. They will remain some of my favorites and will make special gifts for my family and friends.

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Hot Hot weekend in Central Ohio!!

Just returned from Columbus.  I was glad our motel had power and air conditioning!!!

Jim and his friends drove their classic cars down for the Good-Guys Show on Thursday morning.  I followed on Friday afternoon.  I visited with my quilter and friend Jennifer McCann and then met the guys for dinner. 

It was in the high 90's and over 100 degrees at times this weekend!!  The guys spend Friday and part of Saturday at the Ohio State Fairgounds walking around on the ashphalt.

I visited 4 quilt shops, picked up 4 speakers and had lunch at the Cracker Barrel.  I think I had the better weekend!!

I started off by visiting the The Glass Thimble in Clintonville, Ohio.  Fortunately they were open, because their area had been hard hit by a storm the week before.  I had seen some Daylily fabric on their website and was able to pick that up for a Fractured Flower quilt. 

I also found a great Mariner's Compass book called Reaching for the Stars by Brenda Henning.  It has a number of foundation pieced Mariner's Stars for beginners to advanced quilters.

She also has a companion disc, with some more blocks and the ability to print off the foundation papers on my printer.

I really like the quilt on the cover and this one called Let It Snow.

I will be looking for fabric on sale because this one needs 5 yards for the background!

My next stop was Quilt Beginnings in Dublin, Ohio.  I was able to add a few Gray batiks to my Scarlet and Gray batik stash.

Then it was on to Red Rooster Quilts also in Dublin, Ohio.   Where I picked up a couple Lil Twister patterns, one for this patriotic wall hanging.

I also found a couple Buckeye patterns I couldn't walk away from.  These are small wall hangings that I think I will make to hang in my cube.

I volunteered to pickup some speakers for my husband so I traveled down to London, Ohio and stopped at the Cracker Barrel on my way back for lunch.  Then back to Dublin for another set of speakers.  From there I went to Quilt Trends in Columbus, Ohio.  I found a couple Red Batiks which are hard to find and a Black batik I already had.  Then it was back to the motel room to cool off!!!

I can't wait to start laying out the Mariner's Compas quilt in EQ7.  One more of many projects to I want to complete some day!!!

Scarlet and Gray fabric shopping! My Christmas in July!!

On my way to Columbus I stopped in Ashland,Ohio at Country Charm Fabrics.  I found a great

Lakehouse Fabric LH05019B 'Saturns' to use for my Buckeye Quilts.  It's Black with a Gray Planet that has Red rings around it. 

I also stopped at Glass Thimble and picked up some great Robert Kaufman 10220 Red and Black stripes.

At Quilt Trends I found Dimples for Andover Fabrics.

While in Columbus I visted the Ohio Union on the campus of The Ohio State University, I will post a separate blog about that and Eddie George's Grill.

On my way home I dropped off 4 quilt tops to be quilted by Jennifer McCann.  I can't wait to pick them up this fall!!