I began quilting when a dear friend Gwen, from my church, offered to teach me. Her work was inspiring! For many weeks, during the winter of 1996, I went to her home where she taught me the basics: hand piecing, curves, appliqué, and quilting. Since my children were young and I was working, I was only able to make a quilt or so a year. Finally in 2003 I retired from my corporate job, bought a Bernina and taught myself to machine piece and quilt. The show Simply Quilts was my companion and inspiration. In the Fall of 2004 I signed up for some classes, to hone my skills, learn new techniques and get connected to local quilters. I took a class from a renowned quilt artist Judy House. She took my work in a new direction and introduced me to a community of quilt artists.

The Alliance for American Quilts interviewed me for Quilters' S.O.S.- Save Our Stories for the Sacred Threads Project. Pictured here is my Miriam's Dance quilt at Sacred Threads in 2007. Click HERE to read my interview.

I am co-owner of Giving Back Technology, LCC. Our product, Art Call, provides a simple on-line registration, jurying and quilt exhibit system. To see a demo of the system, contact me at lisa@ellisquilts.com

I am the webmaster for these non-profit sites:

• Imagine Hope

Imagine Hope is an exhibit that strives to touch its viewers, inspiring them to get involved and make a change in the world. The exhibit is comprised of twelve monochromatic textile pieces by artist Hollis Chatelain, each addressing key social and environmental issues facing our world today.

 

• Healing Quilts In Medicine

  A special group of artists that donated quilts to Walter Reed Army Medical Center

   

• Fiber Artists @ Loose Ends

  My group of fiber artists that meet regularly to encourage, stretch and inspire one another

   

• Sacred Threads

  An exhibition of quilts exploring the subject themes of spirituality, joy, inspiration, peace/brotherhood, grief and healing. This biennial exhibition was established to provide a safe venue for quilters of all faiths who see their work as a connection to the sacred and/or as an expression of their spiritual journey

   

• Beyond the Barrier

  A special exhibit within 2009 Sacred Threads of quilts made by inmates of the Ohio Reformatory for Women

   

• Epiphany Preschool

  My church recently launched a brand new preschool which opened in the 2009-2010 school year.