I had the opportunity to hear Ami Simms present her "How Not To Make A Prize-Winning Quilt" lecture last evening. My sides still ache from laughing! She is a gifted speaker with a wicked sense of humor as well as being an incredibly talented quilt maker/teacher and an amazing humanitarian, having raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Alzheimer's research through her Art Quilt Initiative. OK, let's be honest, those of you who know me already understand that I am one of her biggest fans! Her lecture was illustrated by a slide show containing photos of her own early quilting attempts. She pointed out all the mistakes she had made along her quiltmaking "journey" and what we should avoid. That's the part that made me laugh out loud, I had made every single one of those mistakes (and then some)! She included close-ups of her mangled miters and her non-matching thread choices... yep, done that (but I never would have the courage to show them off in a crowd)! Judging by the laughter all around me, I'm guessing I wasn't alone in my admission of guilt. The underlying theme of her presentation was two-fold; don't take yourself too seriously (what fun is that?) and make quilts that you love (why wouldn't you?). If you have the chance to hear Ami speak; or better yet, take a class from her... run, don't walk, to sign up! Check her website for the class/lecture schedule and get yourself enrolled, you'll thank me later. But, a cautionary warning (for your well being): you might want to strap up your sides first... it's always good to be prepared!Life is Good!
10 comments:
I love her invisible applique stitch too!
Loved her presentation too and the fact that she is not afraid to show us all her "early" quilting mistakes too. We have all been there (and some of us still visit often)
My favorite was the "Martyred Miter"
Just from reading her blog and monthly newsletter I've always suspected she would give an awesome presentation.
BTW, I LOVE your quote from Steve Jobs -- it's especially relevant since my husband just got laid off from Boeing and took a job with a contractor and the job is turning out to be NOTHING like they said it would be and we've been having this discussion about loving what you do. Or, at the very least, liking it.
Last summer when my grandmother died, we had donations go to the Art Quilt Initiative. I sent them to AAQI all at one time with a note about my grandmother. Ami called me herself to thank us and send her condolences. She is a wonderful lady.
Now exciting. I was able to meet Ami when she was guest speaker at our TAQG annual meeting in Denton, TX a few years ago. And you're right, she is awesome!
I would love to hear her speak. Maybe our guild will bring her to Rock Hill.
Are you going to show us some pictures of the graduates' quilts? I had never heard of this type of presentation before, sounds wonderful.
I would love to hear her speak. Maybe our guild will bring her to Rock Hill.
Are you going to show us some pictures of the graduates' quilts? I had never heard of this type of presentation before, sounds wonderful.
Ami sure does have a sense of humor. It was a fun presentation.
Fun is part of making a quilt I agree, anything that makes you happy and then giving the quilt to someone is very enjoyable , especially when some ccorners are mangled I agree.
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