Introducing Donna Essex! We asked Donna to share a bit about herself, so check out our interview, below. Also take a look at our Instagram account (@centralohiomqg) throughout the next few days as we share some of Donna’s projects!

What kind of crafting do you enjoy? I like knitting as well as quilting. I have been sewing and knitting since I was nine. I started hand quilting in 1980 but only started machine quilting about five years ago.

Do you have a blog/website/anything people should check out online? I used to have a travel blog but I didn’t really keep it up.  While I love to read, I’m not much of a writer.

Anything in the way of big projects or awards in your creative history that you’re particularly proud of? or looking forward to?  I love traveling, going to quilt retreats and classes and cherish time spent with my three kids and their families.  My third grandchild is due in the spring.

How long have you been with COMQG? I have been in COMQG for about two years, and in CMQ for almost four.

Below is Donna with “Man-Sewing” Rob Appel at Sisters, Oregon last summer. (She said, “sorry, but I can only sew barefooted😂” and isn’t that the truth for a lot of quilters!?)

posted 10.22.2018

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Introducing Sonia Cipiti! We asked Sonia to share a bit about herself. Her BIO is below. Also take a look at our Facebook and Instagram account (@centralohiomqg) throughout the next few days as we share some of Sonia’s projects!

My sewing journey began at the age of 8 when I made my first pair of bell bottom, button fly pants. My mother was my teacher, her mother hers. From that point on, I made most of my clothes until sewing became more expensive than purchasing clothes and specialty fabric stores closed their doors. However, my need for sewing remained. I found quilting in the 80’s and have been hooked ever since! More recently, I have started to design my own work instead of working from patterns. For me, there is something cathartic in listening to my sewing machine work as I add one piece of fabric to the next and watch the whole come together full of color and movement! Equally, I am apt to pick up needle and thread to quietly piece, hand quilt and sew binding onto my quilts. There is something wonderful about creating something that takes time and is not rushed in a world where we are bombarded with information and rushing from one thing to the next to just keep up! To create a source of comfort, namely a quilt, to wrap yourself in when you just need to be is my heartfelt joy.

_{Are there other creative things you are or have been involved in (fine art, dance, music…)?} 

I have been doing needlework since the age of 8. My Danish aunt sent me a cross stitch kit for a birthday present. I learned to count on linen and work in hand. No Aida cloth or hoop! This is a very Scandinavian approach to needlework and one I came by honestly. My mother is Swedish and my father is Danish. More recently I have taken to needlepoint art. You can find me at What’s The Point in Dublin on Thursdays stitching with my gal pals!

I am also a mixed media artist.  I have been taking art classes with Bev Goldie at the Cultural Art Center for almost two years. Last August, one of my pieces sold to a Columbus art collector by the name of Thomas Arlen Wagner who is a collector of outsider art. What a thrill!! And Then There Were Three resides in his collection.

Piecing Together History is a school project Sonia is very proud to have volunteered for.

Below are two of her blue ribbon quilts, as well as her first design (our Guild’s fundraising quilt!) that also was awarded a blue ribbon at the 2018 Ohio State Fair. 

 

Lastly, Sonia shared her sewing machines.

My grandfather was a tool and die maker for Husquvarna (manufacturer). This was also the place my mother grew up (Huskvarna, the city) before immigrating to Canada where I originate from. While I was expecting my twin boys, I worked for Husquvarna and was fortunate enough to acquire one of the last machines made in Sweden. Here I am chain piecing nine patches for a new quilt I designed that will be taught at Lazelle Woods Recreation Center beginning October 29th.

My trusted companion!

posted 10.15.2018

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Introducing Cassandra Beaver! We asked Cassandra to share a bit about herself, so check out our interview, below. Also take a look at our Instagram account (@centralohiomqg) throughout the next few days as we share some of Cassandra’s projects!

What kind of crafting do you enjoy? Quilting and painting are my favorite creative pursuits, but I have dabbled in most crafts at some point including garment sewing, knitting, crocheting, cake decorating, and cut paper. Recently, I have done a bit of block printing which I suspect is going to lead me back into some fabric painting and dying.

Do you have a blog/website/anything people should check out online? I blog at http://thenotsodramaticlife.com, but I am most active on Instagram at @cassandra.beaver

Are there other creative things you are or have been involved in (fine art, dance, music…)? I have a BFA in Painting and an MFA in Theatre: Scenic Design. As an undergraduate student, I painted with oil and acrylic, but switched mostly to watercolor and gouache in graduate school. I use the AutoCad drafting skills I developed as a scenic designer to design my quilt patterns.

Anything in the way of big projects or awards in your creative history that you’re particularly proud of? or looking forward to? I am fortunate to have had many of my quilts juried into major quilt shows including QuiltCon and American Quilter’s Society shows.  Some have even received prizes! My biggest quilting accomplishment to date is having one of my quilts, Infused Plaid (image below), accepted into the permanent collection of the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky.

How long have you been with COMQG? My first meeting was January 2016. I had been an individual member of the national Modern Quilt Guild for a couple of years, so I was very excited that a local chapter had been formed. It is wonderful to be able to connect with other modern quilters face to face!

Are you involved in other guilds or craft groups? Yes, I am also a member of the Columbus Modern Quilters, and a small group called the Magpies.

Is there anything else you’d like to share? I live fairly far out of the city, but I love the creative community in Columbus. I have been working with Dabble and Stitch this year to create a block of the month quilt that honors the institutions that are the cornerstones of the Columbus community. Each block is a major landmark of the city. This month’s block is Thurber House, and other blocks include the Art Museum, Zoo, Main Library, History Center, Franklin Park Conservatory, and State Fair.

posted 10.1.2018

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Introducing Mary Maben! We asked Mary to share a bit about herself, so check out our interview, below. Also take a look at our Instagram account (@centralohiomqg) throughout the next few days as we share some of Mary’s projects!

What kind of crafting do you enjoy? I’ve always been a creative person, since birth I like to say. Aside from sewing, I love paper crafts and I love to make cards and gift tags.

Do you have a blog/website/anything people should check out online? I am on Instagram as @marymoondesigns

Are there other creative things you are or have been involved in (fine art, dance, music…)? I also sing in the Worthington Chorus, so I’m working a different creative side.

Anything in the way of big projects or awards in your creative history that you’re particularly proud of? or looking forward to?  I used to own my own business and sold my wares for over 15 years throughout Ohio and a few other states. I now just do swaps and make stuff to give away.

How long have you been with COMQG? I’ve been with COMQG since day one!

 

 

Introducing Kate Schwartz! Kate currently serves as our 2018 Technology and Social Media chair. We asked Kate to share a bit about herself, so check out our interview, below. Also take a look at our Instagram account throughout the next few days as we share some of Kate’s makes!

Introducing Kayla Lopilato! Kayla has been with the Central Ohio Modern Quilt Guild for about two years now. She currently serves as our Guild Secretary. We asked Kayla to share a bit about herself, so check out our interview, below. Also take a look at our Instagram account throughout the next few days as we share some of Kayla’s makes!

Introducing Randa Johnson! Randa has been with the Central Ohio Modern Quilt Guild for under a year. We asked her to share a bit about herself, so check out our interview, below. Also take a look at our Instagram account throughout the next few days as we share some of Randa’s makes!

posted 6/1/2018

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Introducing Marah Light! Marah has been with the Central Ohio Modern Quilt Guild for six months, and she serves on this year’s fundraiser quilt committee. We asked Marah to share a bit about herself, so check it out, below. Also take a look at our Instagram account throughout the next few days as we share some of Marah’s makes!

I am a textile designer working for Abercrombie & Fitch in New Albany, Ohio. Every day I get to work with paintings, sweaters, garments of all types which is incredibly inspiring (not to mention all my talented team members). I love the technical and the creative and bringing the two together to work in harmony.

Outside of my job I love to sew, quilts in particular, though my start with sewing was in 4-H. I’ve sewn all types of garments, including 2 hand beaded wool gowns in high school that encouraged me to pursue sewing and textiles in college. I went to Philadelphia University (now Jefferson University) and studied print, wovens, and knits.

I picked up quilting again after college and began dabbling in designing my own quilts and that is where most of my free time goes now. Recently, I entered my quilts into QuiltCon for the first time, WINDOW and FIGURES (see them below) and they got in! I am very excited that QuiltCon 2019 will be in Nashville and I hope to enter again and attend.

My hope is to see more young people get involved with quilting or sewing, to show that the arts are vibrant, rewarding, and there is something for everyone at any skill level.

Fun Facts:
– I love quilting, sewing, and knitting. I miss screen printing and weaving which we got to do most days in college.
– I won State Fashion review at 18 with a cocktail dress, coordinating jacket, and fascinator hat
– You can find me on Instagram here and my website here.

Window

Figures

posted 4/9/2018

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Introducing Jodi Murray! She has been with the guild since it’s inception. We asked Jodi to share a bit about herself, so check it out, below. Also take a look at our Instagram account throughout the next few days as we share some of Jodi’s makes!

How would people find your makes online?

I use Instagram for sharing projects: @barefoot_stitcher

Are there other creative things you are or have been involved in (fine art, dance, music…)?

If volunteering for my boys’ creative projects count, then YES. My older son is a gifted trumpet player and singer who plays in a couple jazz bands and occasionally performs in school musicals. My young son has just started doing drama this year. I love being a stage mom and most of all, the loudest clapper in the audience. I’m very proud of them!

Anything in the way of big projects or awards in your creative history that you’re particularly proud of? or looking forward to?

While I love to admire the award-winning work of others, I really create things for the pure joy in the process. I’m not good at sticking with rules and deadlines. I recently attended the Quilt National show at the Riffe Gallery downtown. It was so inspiring to see all of the creativity in one room.  I recommend stopping by that show if you’re in the Columbus area.

How long have you been with COMQG?

I’ve been a member since the start of COMQG – so going on 3 years. While sometimes I cannot be super active in the guild due to a busy family life, I always look forward to connecting with my sewing sisters!  They inspire me each month. Thanks to one of our members, I felt brave enough to start free-motion quilting. So thankful to be around this caring, creative group.

Are you involved in other guilds or craft groups?

One of the joys of my life is when I get to meet up with a small sewing group in my neighborhood. We make each other a comforting dinner, share some wine, talk shop, have show & tell and get some hand-stitching done.

Is there anything else you’d to share?

I wanted to share that I’m so grateful that my mom taught me how to sew at young age. While I throughout my life I would go long stretches of time without making anything, today I stitch a little each day or at least cut some fabric. It helps me stay relaxed, centered and excited for that NEXT project. This photo is of my very first sewing project – a little felt cat coin purse. I remember cutting it out and sewing the sides and buttons. Thank you, Mom, for all your patience and love.

felt coin purse

little Jodi

posted 2/26/2018

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Introducing Erin Gillogly. She has been with the guild since it’s inception. We asked Erin to share about herself this week as it is her birthday week! Stay tuned as we share Erin’s makes in our Instagram account throughout the next few days!

What kind of crafting do you enjoy?

I love to make things and have since I was a kid. Presently, I knit, quilt, and sew household items and some garments. I’ve also picked cross-stitch back up, have some embroidery on deck to work on, and at some point, need to pick crochet up again. I’ve also spun yarn but that craft is on a temporary hiatus until my kids are a little bit older. And I am desperately trying not to learn how to weave. But it’s so pretty. @purlverde on Instagram will be the reason for my downfall if I do pick up weaving. Her makes are gorgeous.

Do you have a blog/website/anything people should check out online?

I do have a blog, it hasn’t been updated in a while but I have delusions of getting it going again: halfacregoods.com

Are there other creative things you are or have been involved in (fine art, dance, music…)?

When I was in middle and high school I did theatre. In fact, our high school production of “Quilters” is where I learned about “life quilts” and I’ve always wanted to make one. Speaking of which, I’ve probably hit enough milestones in my life to get started designing one. Maybe I’ll add that to the 2019 to do list.

I wasn’t onstage much in high school, mostly behind the scenes doing tech. I’m still proud of the set design I did for “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”. There were also many years of church choir and piano lessons.

Anything in the way of big projects or awards in your creative history that you’re particularly proud of? or looking forward to?

I’ve designed a quilt for myself based on the Modern Traditional Charity quilt challenge put forth by The Modern Quilt guild. I have all the fabric and a layout, all I am missing is the math for piecing each block. I’m really looking forward to seeing this project sewn up.

My other big project for this year is to tackle all my WIPs, although this is really a perennial project for me. I’ve been tidying my craft room and uploading fabric combos to my project queue on Textillia so that I can see everything I have planned out. There is plenty to keep me busy for a good while.

Alas, no quilting awards for me yet. I am hoping to submit a quilt for judging in the next year or two.

How long have you been with COMQG?

I’ve been with COMQG since the beginning! The Guild arrived in my life at just the right moment. My local knitting group wasn’t meeting much anymore and I was eager to get out and talk with other crafters. It’s been exciting to watch us grow and I’ve been really happy to find another group of crafty friends!

Are you involved in other guilds or craft groups?

I’m part of a local knitting group, the Clintonville Knit Gang, but the name is a bit of a misnomer now since only one of the members still lives in Clintonville. 😊 We don’t meet weekly anymore, but we do get together periodically, and we’ve mixed in board gaming with our knitting and quilting.

My knitting journey started with my paternal grandmother wisely telling me to find a hobby so I would be less lonely when I first moved to DC after college. She was right. Knitting is how I found friends when I was working from home in a sleepy Dayton, Ohio suburb, and then Ravelry which opened me up to so many more of my friends.

Once my husband and I moved back to the Columbus area, a family friend got several of us ladies together to make t-shirt quilts. And lo, my entry to the quilting world was really born. I also stopped sewing for a bit because I learned all the “rules of sewing” that I’d never learned as a kid. It really intimidated me, especially having to square up fabric. Until the night I found Jenny Doan’s videos on YouTube – she assured me the quilting police wouldn’t come knock down my door if everything wasn’t perfect and I started quilting up a storm after that. 😊

You can find me on Instagram and Twitter as LittleWitKnits. Mostly, I post pictures of my crafts and my family. If you want details on my projects you can find me on Ravelry and Textillia as LittleWit.

Here is a photo Erin sent us, her and her husband engaged in their respective hobbies on their wedding day. What a great photograph! We’ll share more throughout the week on our Instagram. Hope you have a great birthday, Erin!

posted 2/8/2018