Our Member of the Week this week is Elizabeth Foley. Everyone say hi to Elizabeth! I hope you will enjoy getting to know her a little better!
What is your favorite project you’ve ever made and why?: I have made quilts for all of our 11 grandchildren and am starting over as some of them were baby quilts. Babies are now mostly adults. My favorite quilt was one that was all the same block but each looked like a different block because of the color placement. I loved choosing 5 different colors for each block. Unfortunately I lost the pattern but would love to make it again. I thought I might post a photo of the quilt to our group and maybe someone might still have it
What color seems to always make its way into your quilts?: I guess the color blue always makes it into my quilts. It seems to depend on the season of the year, and even my mood. Light has a lot to do with my choice of colors also. I have used colors together that I didn’t think would work but were beautiful together because of the arrangement and setting. Colors can surprise!
Do you do other types of sewing besides quilting? : I have done other types of sewing before. I started quilting, and still do. With 5 daughters close together I made a lot of school clothes. Our one son escaped having clothes made for him! I also did a lot of alterations! Just a few months ago I altered a party dress for a friend of my granddaughters. I have made curtains and drapes for our house and one of my daughters. Once I started quilting though I pretty much abandoned all other types of sewing unless I have to!
Do you have other creative hobbies?: I find that other hobbies take too much time away from quilting. I have done macrame, knitting, crocheting, furniture refinishing, painting scenes – (found out I’m terrible at that!). I also do a lot of cooking, and gardening. I took a Master Gardener course a while ago because I had too many questions about everything gardening. I especially love roses!
What’s your oldest UFO? Any tips on how you keep them from piling up?: Oh good grief! My oldest UFO is a king size double wedding ring quilt in blue and white that I started 21 years ago for our youngest daughter’s wedding. I had only been quilting sporadically for a few years and told her to pick out a quilt for her wedding gift. I panicked but started it anyway. I got a lot done but then lost my confidence and put it away to get more experience. Well now I have plenty of experience! Right after Christmas I am determined to finish it!! I only have 2 other unfinished little things. If I let things pile up I can’t work on anything! My brain freezes! I can’t work in clutter either!
What’s your favorite creative outlet?: I love choosing colors for a quilt! Since I’m terrible at painting and drawing, fabric is what I can “paint” with. Cooking something new is also an outlet for me. Everyone thinks I’m creative because I quilt but I’m really not! I’m good at following directions and copying a pattern that someone else has created. That’s fine with me. I’ll gladly use someone else’s talent. I just finished a quilt to send to Ukraine. It’s called Jelly Roll Weave. I picked it because not only did I like the pattern, but the jelly roll pictured was one that I had purchased in the past. There it was! Pattern and fabric all done for me. I loved it.
Tell us about your family! : Love my family! I am so blessed. We have 6 children and 11 grandchildren. 5 daughters and 1 son. Our son calls every Sunday, which is so wonderful. They are somewhat scattered but all on the East coast. We live with one of our daughters and her 3 children. We get together as much as possible. A tradition that we have is to go apple picking in late September or early October then have a cookout for my birthday. It was so much fun that we kept it up. We’ve been doing it now for over 15 years! Quite often my twin sister from Colorado visits this time of year just so she can join in and see everyone.
What’s your favorite food? : Apple pie! Made by me!
What’s your favorite TV Show or Movie?: NCIS
Who’s your favorite fabric designer?: I don’t really have a favorite, although I really like batiks, whoever makes them.
Do you have a favorite collection from The Art of Home Club?: Not yet as I haven’t been a member for long. So far, I’ve liked everything I see!
Is there anything else you’d like to share??: I think this site is the most helpful and interesting one I’ve seen! Thank you Jacquelynne!
