Tracie Hunt, Quilter In the Spotlight

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Written by Suzanne Earley

This week's quilter in the spotlight is Tracie Hunt. We have so many wonderful members, it's been hard to know who to pick next -- some of you may have guessed that I'm working my way through our "chattiest" members -- those with the highest post counts in the forum. I have said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again, MQResource is only as good as its members, and I really do believe that it is important to celebrate and thank the members that make MQResource the fun and informative place that it is.

If you would like to leave a comment or ask a question, you can head on over to the forum (you do have to have a forum account. A post can be found here.

MQResource: First, tell us about your family!

I’ve been married to my wonderful husband Joe for nearly 29 years. He is a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer, currently working as a Union Pipefitter. We have 2 children: Matthew is 27, married to Beth and they are parents to our beautiful grandsons Jacob-3 ½ and Andrew-1 ½. They live in Tulsa, OK. Matt is an Iraq Vet and currently in the Army National Guard as well as being a Union Pipefitter apprentice. Our daughter Melissa (Missy) is 25 and lives in Erie, PA where she teaches high school math. Luckily, we get to see her quite often because she’s fairly close.

We have 4 cats to round out the family: Stitches, Mandi, Bobby and Charlie.

MQR: Where do you call home?

We currently live in Perrysburg, OH. I was born and raised in California but when Joe and I got married we moved wherever the Navy told us to go. We’ve lived in Scotland UK, Jacksonville FL, Kingsbay GA, Honolulu HI, San Diego CA, Holton MI and now in Ohio.

MQR: How long have you been quilting? How did you get into it?

I began sewing clothing at 6 years old and I’ve always wanted to make a quilt. I can’t remember exactly when the thought came to mind but it seems like it’s always been there. My mother made a quilt once when I was really small, a Grandmothers Flower Garden. It was destroyed when my dad used it under his car tires for traction when he got stuck in the snow. My mom nearly killed him (well, not really…) but she never made another.

After I got married, I went to a little dime store in Dunoon, Scotland and bought a quilt book, fabric and scissors and proceeded to try to make a quilt. It didn’t work. Anyway, I finally took a community class about 18 years later and I haven’t stopped quilting since. I no longer make clothing. Quilts are so much more fun!

MQR: Do you still do much piecing, or are you all about the quilting?

I still piece as often as I can. I’ve conquered making square blocks, now I’m working on making my seems nice and flat. The actual quilting is my favorite part but I also love doing the binding. Crazy huh?

MQR: Do you have a quilting business? If so, what is your favorite part of quilting for other people?

I have a business name, and even some business cards. Does that count? No customers yet though.

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

The biggest challenge for me is that I am so critical of my quilting. If something isn’t exactly right I feel like I have to rip it out and start again. When I show someone my work I’m always waiting for them to point out the mistakes. I’ve finally learned that quilting isn’t perfect, other people can’t see the mistakes and I need to relax a bit.

MQR: What are your favorite quilting tools?

Hmm….I don’t really have any special tools yet, only the things that came with my machine. I guess I’ll have to go with my rotary cutter and mat. Oh, I love my zippers. They are a tool aren’t they?

MQR: What hobbies do you have (beyond quilting)?

I love to read and have recently discovered audio books. I like to walk and ride bicycle. And, I’m into swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving.

MQR: Anything else?

I bought my first longarm machine about 5 years ago. It basically just sat in our basement. I did a few pantos for friends but just couldn’t get motivated so I sold it. I got my A-1 this past January and I’ve just been having a ball. I’ve done a lot more quilts in the past 4 months than I did in the entire 2 years that I had my other machine.

MQR: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Pralines and Cream or Chocolate Chip.

MQR: Do you prefer salty or sweet snacks?

Um….I’ll have both please!

MQR: What is your favorite beverage?

I love Diet Coke. Am I boring or what?

MQR: What is your least favorite food?

I’m a pretty fussy eater. If something looks ugly to me, I won’t even taste it. If I had to choose one thing though it would be mushrooms. YUK!

MQR: What are your favorite books/authors?

I tend to go mostly for gruesome mystery/thriller books. I like Patricia Cornwell, Stephen King, James Patterson and John Sandford. I can’t stand the sight of anything icky in real life but I love to read about it! I recently read Pillars of the Earth and World Without End by Ken Follet and loved them. I also like trashy novels although I can’t think of any specific authors right now.

MQR: What are your favorite movies?

I don’t think I really have any favorites but I prefer comedy, mystery or thriller. I don’t like movies that make me cry.

MQR: What is your favorite quote?

I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business. Michael J. Fox

MQR: What is one of your goals for 2008?

One word: FEATHERS. I’m going to learn to make beautiful feathers and I’m going to feather the daylights out of everything I get my hands on until I do!

All photographs were provided by Tracie.

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

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

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The "P" word

Our world is full of people wanting shortcuts. We want to have everything and we don't want to wait -- we want what we want and we want it right now. The situation with the US financial system is certainly indicative of that...but I'm not here to talk about such an unpleasant topic!!

As quilters we are no different -- we want to produce beautiful quilting and we want to do it yesterday. Now, I'll grant you that there are some prodigies in the machine quilting world, but those prodigies are pretty few and far between. The rest of us have to work at our craft, and what may look effortless is actually the result of many long years of hard work.

Practice might be spelled with 8 letters, but I'm sure many people consider it a "4-letter" word -- one that you'd rather not hear in your house and try to use as little as possible. I'm here to tell you, though, that this particular "P" word and several of its friends are not as horrible as you might think, and I'd like to give you some tips and ideas about how to effectively practice.