MQResource

This week's quilter in the spotlight is Janet Murdock, our very own Little Miss Sunshine.  Janet has got some beautiful work to share with us, we need to convince her to post quilt pictures more often! 

MQResource: First, tell us about your family!
 My DH Chad and I have been married 9 years this month.  I can honestly say he is my best friend.  I have two grown children, Chad has 3 of his own plus two adopted step children from his first marriage and together we foster any teen that shows up needing a home.  We joke that we are a yours, mine, hers and theirs family.   We have also been known to take in a few families.  I can’t say no.  Our fur babies are Princess the cat and Abby the dog.

MQR: Where do you call home?

We live in the Portland Oregon area where it is nice and rainy.  There is nothing better than a cold overcast day in my book.

Quilting seems to be in my family’s blood.  We go back at least 6 generations that we know of.  My 5 sisters, my brother and I all learned to sew by 6.  In my first sewing class in Jr. high we were told to sew a simple square pillow.  I turned in a skirt with a zipper and snaps, and a vest with buttons and received an F for not being able to follow directions.  I think that’s why I like quilting.  There are no quilting police!  My first quilting memory is lying under a quilt that was being hand quilted for my soon to be married sister.  The younger kids took turns pushing grandma’s needle back up to her.  The ladies got to giggling and giving my other newly married sister sex advice, forgetting we were under the quilt……we didn’t know whether to laugh or throw up.  I’d never seen this side to these normally dignified ladies.  Ahhhh memories.  Sorry back on track…. I’ve been LAing about 7 years.

I’ve recently started piecing again.  But I tend to do simple get’er done tops.  I’ve pieced around 6 quilts this year which is more than the last 3 years combined.   (Truth be told, 3 were very small)

If so, what is your favorite part of quilting for other people?  Yes I do have a quilting business and my favorite part would be seeing all the different tops coming in.  I love being inspired by their quilts.  I’ve been blessed with great customers.

MQR: What is the most challenging part of quilting for you?

I can get stuck in my box.  I know I can get it done fast and the next one loaded.  To keep it fun I need to take the time to think outside the box and get creative.

MQR: What are your favorite quilting tools?

Rulers and loud music.  For some reason a song with a good bass beat pounding through the floor clears my head and lets the creative juices flow.  I used to listen to DVD’s but I’d end up watching all the good parts and made very little money quilting.  Then I read a thread here about listening to music.  Now I’m hooked.  AnnMarie gave me some Bobbin Genies to try this week and I have to add those to my list!

Hmmm, I think I’m boring; I like to hang out with family and friends.  I’d say we are pretty social.  I enjoy beading or trying any new artsy thing.   I started a book club 5 years ago but usually listen to audio books rather than read.  I live for Halloween so we can go to corn mazes and haunted houses, the scarier the better.  If you are ever in a corn maze and find your self being followed by the grim reaper or a clown……that would be us.  I’m obsessed with Belly Dancing DVD’s.  I try to follow along, but what I’m doing and what they’re doing is not even remotely similar.  I get a good workout from trying and my DH gets a work out from laughing.  

MQR: Anything else to add?

 Um, just that I feel lucky to come from a family of quilter’s.  We are all close and love going to quilt shops together when ever we see each other.  Almost all my sisters are in the business in one way or another, either designing fabric lines, patterns, writing books or teaching/lecturing.

 MQR: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

 I’m not a big ice cream eater, but if I do I LOVE Coffee Haagen-Dazs.  YUM.

 MQR: Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks?

Sweet all the way.

MQR: What is your favorite beverage?

Water because it’s good for me and then diet Coke because it is the nectar of the Gods.

 MQR: What is your least favorite food?

Any seafood.  Double yuck.

 MQR: What are your favorite books/authors?

I was on a Dan Brown kick.  Right now it’s Jane Austen, J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer.  I think I am drawn to YA books because they don’t have heaving bosoms and bulging manhood’s…..oh, can I say that here?  I don’t like smut……just a light hint at it, tee hee.   My book club gets me to branch out, but these are my favorites.

 MQR: What are your favorite movies?

I love a huge variety of movies, Sense and Sensibility, Anne of Green Gables,  all the Harry Potter’s, Ponette (French), Hell Boy,  North and South (The cotton mill one, not the war one), Pride and Prejudice, The Others…...It’s hard to narrow it down.   We go to the movies just about every week.

To despair is to turn your back on God. 

MQR: What is one of your goals for 2008?

Finish all my UFO’s started prior to this year or toss them and step out on a limb and try new things when opportunity knocks.  (Like inchies, noodles and postcard swaps…and answering Suzanne’s questions when she asks me to)

Don't forget, you can visit the forum here if you would like to comment.

Thanks for playing along, Janet! Tune in next week to see who will be the next Quilter In the Spotlight!