Where Quilted Garden Designs began ~ 2000
Where Quilted Garden Designs began ~ 2000
“A Stitch in Time Saves Nine”
I grew up amidst the corn fields of Iowa riding horses, ice skating, riding bikes - barefoot of course, climbing through barns, wading in the cool summer waters of creeks and streams and sewing*sewing*sewing. My mom taught me to sew. Being an artist herself, she instilled in me the drive to be successful and the forgiveness to fail. She never questioned my messes, or disasters because she knew that each was a step in fertilizing an artful mind. When I was sixteen she surprised me with a big box full of fabric purchased at an auction. Ohhhh-heaven-on-earth! Knowing what I know today, that tattered box was filled with yardage from the late 1800's to early 1900's. I spent countless hours measuring, cataloging and planning projects. I am glad to say that I proceeded to use all of it in clothing and crafts. Today I am honored to own the treadle sewing machine that both my mom and grandmother used. I also have the pretty green Husqvarna-Viking machine I learned to sew on that my mom purchased in the 1950's! What treasures I have bestowed to me!
My art career officially began at the University of Iowa. Like many, I fell in love, moved and got married in the early '80s. I completed my education at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a degree in nursing. After almost 20 great years in the home health care arena, I retired and returned to my comfortable world of fabric, design, sewing and quilting. Being back in my creative space full-time felt like I had put on an old pair of cozy slippers - soft, squishy and so familiar!
In 2000 I retired from nursing to open 'The Quilted Garden', my ‘dream come true’ quilt shop. Those years on Main Street in Edwardsville, IL were simply joyful! I loved teaching, creating, visiting, and becoming friends with so many wonderful customers from all over the world. I miss the stories, the spontaneous 'show and tells' and all the fun times we had over those thirteen successful years. Those years were sweet and full, but there came that day when it was ‘just time’ to close. My design company 'Quilted Garden Designs' was flourishing, presenting the opportunity to pursue my current adventure. Today I am so thankful for technology to keep us connected 🤗
Now my days allow for some travel. Italy, Sweden, London, Scotland, Hawaii along with bits and pieces in and around the US have captured my heart. Sweden - my paternal heritage - taught me to slow down and enjoy "fika" - a time set-aside for a delicious cup of coffee, a sweet treat with good company, or just personal quiet time. I try to follow this tradition every day. Each travel adventure reawakens my love for creativity, new designs, color palettes, mediums, concepts, perspectives and cultures.
As I design and create all the 'stuff' that bubbles around in my head, I will share and give YOU first dibs on purchasing patterns and kits. So, if you are a Facebook or Instagram fan, please follow Quilted Garden and sign up for my newsletter too. I promise not to flood your inbox or share your email!
I could not have become who I am today without the love and encouragement from my family, my wonderful husband who has always believed in me and YOU, my sweet customers! We now live in a South Carolina, nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Smoky Mountains. Life is slow and sweet. Our 3 daughters have blessed us with 6 💞 of the most beautiful grandchildren, for whom I love to sew for. 🤗
My daily goal is to keep us all in stitches and have fun doing so.
Life is delightful, delicate and oh-sew-good!
💖 Jenice 💖
#sewingmakesmehappy
1) I am very honored and fortunate to be consistently invited to work closely with the following companies designing projects using NEW pre-market collections: Hoffman California Fabrics, FreeSpirit Fabrics (includes collections from Mary Engelbreit, William Morris, Cori Dantini, Lilac Bee Designs, Martha Negley, Hannah West) Blank Fabrics, Henry Glass Fabrics, Northcott Fabrics, Clothworks.
2) My quilts have been juried into a number of local, national and international shows, including The Cherrywood Challenges (Poppy, Abyss, Storytime), AQS-Paducah, International Quilt Festival-Houston, The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show, various guilds and art shows.
3) I have been published in Australian Quilting, Meg Cox’s NL (contributor for Quiltfolk Magazine) as well as the featured quilt on several covers of Hoffman California Fabrics marketing catalogs.
4) Quilted Garden Designs patterns are carried all over the world in quilt shops, Etsy sites, my website, Hancocks of Paducah, America Quilters Society, Missouri Star Quilting, Keepsake Quilting, Nancy’s Notions, Annies Catalog and through distributors - Checker and EE Schenck.
5) Memberships include: American Quilters Society, Modern Quilt Guild, KK Art Connection (current VP), Blue Ridge Art Center (fibers).
6) I speak and teach at shops, guilds, quilt shows, quilt interest groups, organize/teach and run retreats - contact me for more info.
💗 And all of this is simply because I love what I do and do what I love 💗