Quilters Calendar & Guild Network

resources for quilt guild volunteers

Colorado

Dana Jones

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Home: Gilpin County, Colorado

After too many years of dreaming about making quilts, I decided it was time to live into that dream in 2003. I began taking classes and attending quilt shows whenever possible.In 2007, I began teaching.

In 2009, I moved to Colorado where I landed a job as an editor with Quilters Newsletter magazine, and less than a year later, I was running the magazine. I also had the opportunity to do a two-year stint as editor of the SAQA Journal (Studio Art Quilt Associates) before stepping down from that position to research and write my book, Pagtinabangay: The Quilts and Quiltmakers of Caohagan Island. I spent several years on the road telling the amazing story of the more than 100 women and men on this tiny, 13-acre Philippine island.

I was honored to assist in mounting exhibitions of the island quilts at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky; the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles in San Jose, California; and Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden, Colorado.

I now live at 9,200 feet in Colorado in the Rocky Mountains where I watch the wild critters from my quilt studio that faces Mount Thorodin. I enjoy designing and making quilts and teaching others to do so. And I enjoy speaking and writing about quiltmaking and quiltmakers.

I have a special passion for foundation piecing so many of my quilts and classes incorporate that technique. I’m also addicted to insetting circles and find great joy when I help others see how easy it is to do.

I’m a regular teacher at multiple quilt shops in Colorado and have taught at Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum.

Most popular booking is my lecture: Pagtinabangay: The Quilts and Quiltmakers of Caohagan Island. You’ll be transported to a tiny island — just 13 acres — in the central Philippines as you enjoy images and stories of the colorful quilts and quiltmakers of Caohagan Island. You’ll see photos of more than 50 of these handmade, one-of-a-kind quilts plus be introduced to the unique techniques developed by these quiltmakers whose tools are simply fabric and scissors, needle and thread. I spent more than a month on the island, quilted with the women and men, went fabric shopping with them on nearby Cebu Island, and snorkled the reef that surrounds Caohagan. Those who view the quilts come away smiling, inspired by the creativity of these islanders. (Flexible/Under $400)

My most popular workshop is Peace Cranes Over Hiroshima. You’ll learn a lot about color value, which is key to creating this quilt’s three-dimensional look. The pattern and foundations for the quilt are included in the class fee. I designed and made “Peace Cranes Over Hiroshima” after a visit to the peace park that is at the epicenter of the World War II atomic bombing site in Hiroshima, Japan. This foundation-pieced quilt is based on an Origami folded peace-crane image from the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin. 

Find out more about Dana on her website: https://www.danajonesquilts.com/ and be sure to tell Dana that you found her on The Quilters Calendar!

Cindy Brick

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Home: Castle Rock, Colorado

Cindy Brick is an editor, designer and writer who travels the world teaching about quilting and quilt history. A former editor for Quilter’s Newsletter, she is also an AQS-certified and USPAP-trained personal property appraiser who specializes in textiles. She also judges quilt competitions, with venues as varied as the international Quilt Festival, the Pacific International Quilt Festival and the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival. She has written hundreds of articles and seven books, including Hanky Panky, the Stitcher’s Language of Flowers, Quilts of the Great Depression, the Fabric Dating Kit,Crazy Quilts and Quilts from the Golden West. 

Nearly all of Encyclopaedia Britannica’s quilt-related entries are her writing; she also consulted for three television specials on quilting (appeared in person on one), and was on Simply Quilts to explain her Hanky Panky quilt method. She has been on an episode of The Quilt Show to talk about Crazy quilts, and on the Quilter’s Newsletter channel to discuss Friendship Quilts.

Cindy is a frequent contributor to various magazines, and continues to write and design for her company, Brickworks. She also frequently writes for frugal living and personal finance blogs. For more on her books and products, including color photos, visit the Brickworks website at www.cindybrick.com. 

Marci Baker

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Home: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Recognized internationally for her expertise in quilting, Marci enjoys sharing ideas that simplify the process of quilting.

A native of Dallas, Texas, Marci has loved sewing for years, making her first quilt at age 9 and sewing her own clothes in high school and college. She began teaching quilting in 1989 for her local quilt guild. Marci has applied her love of math (she has a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in applied mathematics) to her love of quilting to develop easier ways for quilting success. Through her excellent teaching skills, her students learn new and exciting methods that simplify and improve their quilting.

Teaching quilting is Marci’s true passion and will travel to anywhere there are quilters. Across the US and Canada, from Brazil to Dubai, she has shared her expertise. Online you can see her in action on The Quilt Show, Creative Spark, and videos on her website.

Collaborating with Sara Nephew, they have written 3-D Magic, Stack and Cut Hexagon Quilts, Wonderful One Patch, and Not Your Grandmother’s Log Cabin. Solo, she has written ABC 3-D, Tumbling Blocks and More and The Quilters Binding Bible, and developed Sewing Edge and The Ultimate Value Tool in partnership with C&T Publishing. Marci’s simplifying methods can be seen at QuiltwithMarciBaker.com, where quilters enjoy their quilting even more!

Marci and her husband, Clint, live in Fort Collins, Colorado, where they enjoy the beauty of nature. Of course, she makes it back to Texas, for family and longtime quilting friends.

Her lectures always have a learning component with demonstrations and quilts. Workshops are intended to be focused on the topic/project with an overall inclusion of valuable quilting tips. Her most popular topic is 3-D designs followed closely by binding, fabric value selection, tips on all things quilting, and quilt designs (hand, machine, and long arm).

My goal for quilters:

When I teach my techniques, my mantra is ”Enjoy your quilting even more!”

Quotes from customers:

“Thank you greatly! I have never experienced such accuracy and it is incredibly easy. I don’t have to think. The fabric glides through the machine and I find my sewing relaxing.” – Joanne, shop owner and quilter for over 50 years.

“You are the best teacher we have ever had for our guild!” – Laurie, guild programs person

“Thank you so much for all your info and patience. All the hints are greatly appreciated!!” – Sheila, workshop student

“Thank you for your visit to [our guild]! We always enjoy your approach to quilting!” – Joan and Sandi, workshop students

Check out Marci’s website and video page.

Please let Marci know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar!

Jenny Kae Parks

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Home: Littleton, Colorado

Jenny Kae Parks contracted an incurable case of Quilt-pox in 2001 with her first project making quilted place mats. Several years and many projects later, she began working and teaching at local quilt shops. In 2013, she started filming demos for Fons & Porter, Quiltmaker and Craft U and designing quilts for fabric companies. She is currently working on her own pattern line and hosting live videos and Facebook and YouTube. “My objectives, whether teaching, filming or designing, are to entertain, educate and encourage quilters of all skill levels.”

For more about Jenny Kae, visit her website www.jennykaequilts.com. Look for Jenny Kae’s classes at her LQS Rocky Mountain Sewing and Vacuum in Littleton, Colorado, and Wooden Spools in Englewood, Colorado and she is now offering all of her presentations virtually!

Please let Jenny Kae know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar!