Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Nina-Marie! Quilter's Meet & Greet

My Studio in the former front parlor of my house
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Hi!!  Benita was gracious enough to invite me to her Quilter's Meet  & Greet!!  I thought it a brilliant idea as a way to meet some new quilters and introduce them to my blog.

Sooooo, I'm Nina-Marie and I live in a small town outside of Erie, Pennsylvania where its gorgeous three seasons a year.  The other season only snow mobilers and ice fisherman enjoy.  My husband Paul is an artisan woodworker when he's not baking and my college age daughter, Tessa has minors in Creative Writing and Drama.  So needless to say, we're a creative household.

My First Art Quilt made in a Joan Colvin's Class



I started quilting 25 years ago by mistake when I received a quilt book in the mail.  Since I love quilts, I decided to make one of them thinking, "How hard can it be??"  That  was the beginning of a life long passion.  Over the years, I've explored  pretty much every aspect of quilting there is and love  them all equally.  Each new project I did, taught me something new...and I'm still learning. 






This was made from my own hand dyed and hand painted fabrics


This was a Do-Over Piece from the original



This blog acts not only as my on-going creative journal, but also as a way that I can pass on what I've learned.  Seven years into my quilting journey, I made the leap into art quilting.  Since my degree is in Engineering, I had NO idea what I was doing.  In fact, I thought that you needed to be VERY artsy to make such amazing art quilts I saw in magazines and online.  What I learned  was that although you do need some artistic knowledge,those quilts were the products of years of learning and a lot of hard work.  It wasn't magic.  This blog is here to document that journey.






This was a block of the month quilt from Quilter's Newsletter I learned so much!!


Quilting is very personal to me. To me, its not just another fad craft.    Although of late, I’ve been doing mostly art quilting, I still love to traditional quilt.  I’ve made mega-projects completely by hand before (I have one in the works still!) and I love, love, love hand quilting.  I was a 20,30 something quilter before it was fashionable to be one.  People would say “Why do you spend all your time and money cutting up perfectly good fabric and hanging out with old ladies?”  I’d laughed at them  – point to a creations that was uniquely mine and say, “Why not?  Now that I'm finally aging into the quilting crowd , quilting seems second nature.
This is my favorite pattern quilt because I love the use of gradations

My favorite art quilt because its reminds me of summer
Because I'm working full time now (I'm a sales representative for ladies catalogs - so I help ladies shop over the phone) I don't have time to blog as much as I'd like.  I do however host a blog link up that is mostly aimed at art quilters (but any quilter is welcome) every Friday called -
 Off the Wall Fridays.  We're a pretty informal lot and anybody is welcome to link a creative post any week.  The Link up starts every Friday morning - midnight EStime and ends at the end of the day on Monday.

I'm so glad to take this time to introduce myself and show off some of my work.  I encourage you to visit Benita's Meet & Greet to get know more quilters!!  
My favorite  abstract quilt so far....I love the colors of it

https://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/fabric/
https://benitaskinner.blogspot.com/2018/09/2018-online-quilters-meet-greet.html

39 comments:

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Your quilts are just amazing. Love that you are an engineer and taking that to quilting!

Denise :) said...

I just commented on someone else's blog how much I enjoy quilts by engineers! Yours are no exception to that. I love the variety in the styles of your pieces -- all so fun!! :)

Susan said...

Such lovely quilts - you certainly have a gift for the pictorials!

Jennifer said...

The teal/red one at the end is amazing! thanks for sharing!

Jennifer said...

I'm married to an engineer and I can't tell you the number of times he's come to my rescue on a quilt.. The engineering brain does have a creative side. Thanks for sharing.

grussick said...

I love your quilts. So inspirational!

Benita Skinner said...

You've designed and made some amazing quilts, Nina-Marie.
Thanks for being part of the Quilters Meet & Greet and sharing them with us! <3

Julie said...

I love the colours you have used in your new favourite quilt. An art quilt is on my one day list.

Meloney said...

Beautiful quilts. Your color combination is great. Your pressing table is fabulous! My family is near Erie, PA.

Carol Swift said...

You really have a gift for your art quilts...I love the ladies in swimsuits! Thanks for sharing!

Diane H said...

Your quilts are stunning and it has been a pleasure to meet you.

The Joyful Quilter said...

I've visited your blog in the past. LOVE your art quilts!! Must remember you Friday link-up (for when I finish my next art quilt.)

Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

I am in awe of artists like you who can make art quilts. So amazing!! Thanks for sharing!

Nann said...

I've visited your blog before but, as with so many in the M&G, it's great to get to know people better. Your art quilts are splendid, especially the red/turquoise that was your M&G "cover" photo. My husband and I spend half a day at Presque Isle State Park at the end of July. We'd never been to Erie before, but it was en route home from New England to Chicago.
The park is beautiful!

Patty said...

Beautiful quilts!

LJ said...

Art quilting has definitely become huge. You have a real knack with that art form and I find it difficult to think you were an engineer. I'm very glad to meet you.

wendy said...

You have done some wonderful art quilts. One of these days I am going to have to try to make one. Thanks for sharing!

Anita Jackson @ Domestic Felicity said...

Lovely quilts! I like women silhouettes in art so your "summer" quilt is probably my favorite in the post. Thank you for sharing your work!

Mindy Sebastian said...

I have been quilting for almost two years now, and I after looking at your blog I really want to try my hand at an art quilt. I just have to remind myself that I have very little experience and the first one I do will not be my best! How did you start?

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

So nice to meet you! Your quilts are beautiful, and I'm now a follower ;) I may join you on your linky party too!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Beautiful quilts and how neat that you started quilting after receiving a quilt book by mistake!

Tammy said...

Nice to meet you. Your quilts are amazing and very creative.

Ruth said...

Gorgeous. I really like your boat and sunset. it evokes a lovely feeling.

Calicojoan said...

Oh my goodness, what fabulous art quilts. I agree that quilting is not a fad. It's my happy place and where I can completely relax and clear my head. I love your work!

Carli The Quilter said...

thanks Marie for sharing your expertise!

Nina Marie said...

Thanks everyone for the lovely comments. For some reason, blogger isn't giving me notification of them so I'm working out a solution and will catch up on replying this weekend. You all are the best!

Sandi1100 said...

Your quilts are wonderful! I have not tried art quilting yet but I love the looks.

Suze said...

I grew up in WV and my first job out of college was in Meadville, PA. I loved it there. The father of my children is currently in the hospital and wanted me to come visit. We were recalling old times. I just told him this week how much I loved living there. That was before I knew him. I'm sure that it has changed greatly. I don't have artistic ability and being a math major, I love the math challenge of quilting. I adore your work and just starting following you on Bloglovin'. Thanks for participating in the hop.

Needled Mom said...

I love your art quilts. There is so much detail to them.

OhioLori said...

Wow!! Your Quilts are behond Amazing!! Gorgeous for sure!! Thank you for sharing... :)

karenbbsnow said...

Beautiful work, you're so creative! We stop in Erie often, on our way from London Ontario to visit my sister in Ohio. Are there any special quilt shops in the area you would recommend?

Melva said...

Your art quilts are very nice! You certainly do have an artistic family. Nice to meet you. Blessings!

quiltingbydawn said...

Amazing work! My jaw drops when I see art quilt especially like your abstract piece. It is hard to get my head around the construction. Thanks for sharing!

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I loved seeing your art quilts - thank you! I'm just starting into making landscapes (with a focus on old barns). Enjoyed my visit!

Nancy J said...

Graduated colours, what a showcase for the fabrics, and the bird houses, that is special.Thank you so much for sharing all this with us.

Kris said...

Your abstract quilt is so wonderful!

BarefootThunder said...

The do over piece is my favorite, nice to meet you, thanks for joining in.

MissPat said...

Very inspiring work. I'll probably never do an art quilt, but appreciate the skill it takes to create one.

Raewyn said...

HI Nina-Marie; it's lovely to meet you and see what yu get up to - you've made some very beautiful quilt :-)