Pen and Ink Painting Class

My Pen and Ink Class was a great success. Four Ladies from the Monterey area came to learn the Pen and Ink with rouging oils technique. This is a class from artist Mary Owens.  From left to right, Pam, Lorie, me in the middle (Joanna), Laura and Beth. I had a great time teaching and spending the day with wonderful company.  Thanks to Livia who took the picture and also joined us for the company.  If anyone is interested in a class of this type contact me for information.

(Front, left to right) Joanna and Barb G
(Back row, left to right) Melissa, Loretta, Angie, Barb L, Trisha

I am Melissa, a quilter and crafter who truly loves to create time worn treasures. I am always on the lookout for anything rusty, dusty and old; if it speaks to me it comes home with me. How do you think I found my husband of 32 years? I’m just kidding, he is the love of my life and my best friend who is willing to trek through antique shops, garage sales and oh my gosh, let us not forget the WORLDS LONGEST YARD SALE that runs right through our little town!! And people ask what brought you to TN, should I fess up?  Nah… I just say retirement. (But I am not retired!!)

Just a little about myself. I started Sew Southern Quilts a few years ago as a small “on-line" business on ETSY and have been unbelievably blessed with the success of my business. I wanted to share with others the love I have for quilts, primitive needfuls and homemade things. The feel and look of quilts and quilted items remind me of simpler times and days gone by; they are reminiscence of home and family. My hope is you will find that special something to add to your home or share with your family and friends. I am open 24 hours a day so stop in and take a look around. http://www.etsy.com/shop/Sewsouthernquilts

In addition to Sew Southern Quilts, I have expanded my business with Joanna Walker at Mountain Laurel Crafts in Loretta’s Sewin Room. Together we have a beautiful assortment of dolls, table runners, wall hangings, Christmas ornaments, ornies, purses and wallets.  Stop in and see for yourself. Joanna Walker has been teaching in the area for a number of years and is an avid quilter, crafter and beautiful artist. If you have an opportunity to take one of her classes, do so. You will be so pleased.

Since moving to Tennessee I have been so blessed to have friends who are like minded and together we enjoy each other’s company, share tips and tricks of quilting. We are very much like a family, ever growing and learning about one another. Loretta Vaughn of Loretta’s Sewin’ Room has provided us a home for this sharing of our craft through classes, helpful tips and sewing’ room to hang out; her love of quilting and generous spirit of time, talent and space give us a place to meet and enjoy each other’s company.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you come visit us. We truly appreciate your support of our craft and look forward to meeting you soon.

Home

After several days of snow and ice, most would say they have cabin fever.  But not me.....I wanted another day so I could continue my sewing, cooking and housework.  I try to divide my time between getting laundry done, sewing for an hour or two, then going into the kitchen to cook up a pot of home made soup for lunch. Then back to my studio to work on a rabbit order, some wallets,  a UFO waiting to be finished and preparing for my painting class and weekend quilt top class.  Then back to the kitchen to feed my two Yorkies and prepare dinner. Evenings during prime time shows, you will find me watching my favorite  shows with my husband and the two Yorkies. And if all that is not enough, I work a part time job 3 days a week. How do I find the time to do it all.

When the weather warms up my husband Johnny and I will start planning some trips in our RV and off we will go on some new adventures. But don't you worry.....I take my sewing machine with me and projects  to work on.

I'm putting the binding on the sample of my weekend quilt class, and will post a picture of it by the end of the week for you all to see.  Anyone interested in this class can contact Loretta's Sewin' Room.  I will also do a short show and tell on different ways to make this fun, fast and easy lap quilt.

And now it's time for my favorite Tuesday show, NCIS.  Later, Joanna

Home

Hello and welcome to our blog. We are Joanna and Melissa, 2 friends who met a year ago and share the love of sewing and crafting. Melissa has an online shop on Etsy called Sewsouthernquilts and I have a wonderful studio in my home where I create. We both share a room called Mountain Laurel Crafts in Loretta's Sewin' Room. Click on the tab and you can see Loretta's and our craft room.

Melissa and I decided to create this blog to share with you our creations, our love of cooking and some little classes for you to enjoy. We will post some recipes for you to try, some quick tricks of the quilting and crafting trade and share with you our weekly activities.

If you are interested in any of the items we share with you, you can email us and we will give you information on how to purchase. If you live in the Monterey, Tennessee area you can also stop by Lorettas' and see her cute quilt shop and our craft room. We hope to see you often and hope you enjoy our blog. Enjoy.