As 2015 ends…
and we ring in the new year, I will take just a moment to I reflect on the experiences of the recent past and give you a glimpse of what I have planned looking forward. It is time to announce new ideas for the future. I want to express my sincere gratitude for each of you that read my blog. I work really hard to make the content valuable, so your interest is my reward.
At this stage of my life I have lived enough years to know I better do the things I love to do because it is no one’s job but mine to make myself happy. I will continue to do the things I love; keeping busy doing what others may call “work” makes me fulfilled and appreciated. I love to teach. To know that sharing my lessons for the machine quilting process has had an impact on students lives is awesome! Seeing the accomplishment of completing their projects on their faces and seeing my quilting design collections stitched on their quilts is so gratifying. I know how fortunate I am to have touched your lives in such a personal way.
Highlights of 2015
Elegance in Stitches was the title of an exhibit of all of my “best quilts” displayed for the first time ever at Quilt Expo in Madison. You can imagine my personal satisfaction in having a huge display! I had a chance to talk to so many people, introduce machine quilting on a domestic and drink in the compliments!
In October I established Joanie’s 3-day Machine Quilting Seminars! We filled the seats for three sessions of in-depth education, fellowship and great food! Read the reaction from the Fall 2015 students.
I completed a new quilt, Garden Fantasia, with my friend Pam Levenhagen. Pam transferred her amazing artwork to white fabric and I quilted many new and inventive background fillers. Look for it at shows across the country this year.
Bring on 2016
As the clock struck midnight, my new class Creative Quilting Design was launched on iquilt.com. In the hour long course, I offer my insight into planning the quilting designs that will be stitched, by hand, domestic or longarm, to hold the layers of a quilt together. I demonstrate new sources of designs, re-sizing, and altering the designs to make perfectly fitting patterns to fill all of the spaces of any quilt. Sign up form the home page of this website. Check out the trailer by clicking on the logo.
Watch me demonstrate how to make a quilting design from a rubbing at YouTube Tip 1
Watch some tips for using freezer paper for transferring quilting designs to fabric at YouTube Tip 2 Link:
I am very excited to continue to offer in-depth instruction at my 3-day Machine Quilting Seminars along with some one day and evening workshops in Madison, Wi. (or contact me to arrange this in your location). Registration opens Jan. 5 for the April 8 -10, 2016 session and then I will rent the bright and peaceful hall as sessions fill. Email me today to get notification as classes are added. In October I will add an advanced session for students who have taken the first 3-day session that will cover a review and deeper level techniques. For the following year, I am developing an advanced design studio where students plan the quilting of a whole cloth or entire quilt layout.
If you are not sure you are ready or want to get an introduction to my teaching style, you can attend a lecture. 
And keep your eye here and on my Facebook page where I will share previews of my newest quilt with a message to celebrate Peace and Love in our world, that is the key to the future.
Expect to see me at Prairie Heritage Quilt Show (in my corner in the lower level), come visit my classroom at Fox Valley Quilting Expo in Oshkosh, and at two AQS Quiltweek events, Paducah and Grand Rapids!
My Elegance in Stitches Exhibit will be displayed at the AQS Grand Rapids show August 10 to 13, 2016!
If you are planning to attend any of these events, I invite you to stop in my classroom (before and after class) to say hello. One of the greatest things about traveling for classes is that I meet new friends from all over. How fortunate I am to get to know so many wonderful people and I treasure the friendships I have made through teaching. 
So, as the holiday season ends, it is time to get back to work! Here are a few Blog topics that I will be coming this year.
• The discoveries made when a 5’2″ gal yearned to complete large quilts on a regular size machine, some of these may be quite different from what others teach.
• How could I get that big quilt under the arm of a regular machine?
• Why you should not wait for 5 years of practice before you come to class.
• How could anyone stitch so perfectly with free-motion quilting?
• What I stitch first, last and why.
My wish for you is to be well and productive in 2016! Thanks for following my blog, PLEASE spread the word about it and
