Kelly Meanix

My quilting interest started about 36 years ago when I was pregnant with my first son. Quilter's Newsletter had just come out and it intrigued me. I had always been interested in sewing and, being a child of the 60's, made a lot of my own clothes growing up...think halter tops, mini skirts and culottes. I remember seeing a quilt on the cover of a magazine and falling in love, it was a colorful Lone Star. When I looked up the price it was a stunning $150 -- a little too pricey for our young family. At this time there were not a lot of new books on quilting, so I learned how to piece by hand and using templates. It was time consuming yet satisfying at the same time.

As our family grew my quilting went on the back burner, but things were made here and there, and I was always looking at quilting magazines. I took some classes but am mostly self-taught. My early quilts were very much traditional and pieced. In the 1990s, I took an applique class and was hooked; it opened so many more possibilites in the quilt world. My color pallette also started to change from the primitive/country look to much clearer colors and more contemporary designs.

I think we are living in such an exciting time in the quilt world! I love how the younger generation is taking it to a new and different level with different patterns and gorgeous new fabrics. Quilting without rulers and rules is where I feel I am going; it is a much more free and exciting way to quilt for me with many possibilities.

I am married to my high school sweetheart, Bob. We have 4 grown children (3 sons and 1 daughter) and 4 grandchildren. I think there are many more quilts to be made!

Links:

Kelly's Blog

Projects and Tutorials on FaveQuilts:

Hollyhocks Applique Mini Quilt

Quilted Jersey Girl Tomato Postcard

Round Scrappy Potholders

Selvedge Pin Cushion Tutorial

Colorful Summer Wall Hanging

Snow Flowers Applique Wall Hanging

Quilted Valentine's Day Note Pattern