Crafts - Quilts and More

My exhibit at the NordlandFest in Sioux Falls in 1995 where I displayed my crafts frequently (annually). Crafts included quilting, Hardanger stitchery, cross-stitching, latchhook, and needlepoint.

After retirement from the Navy, a neighbor lady introduced me to latchhooking--and hooked I was!!! After making about a dozen or more Shillcraft rugs, it became rather expensive and I had no way to display them properly.

When I visited in Sweden and Norway, I was fascinated by their Hardanger stitchery and needlepoint designs. I took lessons on Hardanger stitchery from Rosaaen Olson who owned and operated the Viking Heritage Shop. Again, once I started doing various patterns, it was impossible to stop, and stitch and stitch I did, almost day and night.

Then a friend of mine, Gertrude Nearman, from whom I had purchased my home at 1919 South West Avenue in Sioux Falls, showed me many of the quilts she had completed, and I thought to myself, "I can do that. It looks like something I'd enjoy." And I delved into my new hobby with renewed enthusiasm, and I couldn't quit. Most of my quilts are hand-cut, hand-pieced, and hand-quilted. I never considered myself a knowledgable quilter, but I'm usually pretty pleased with the result. I definitely am not a professional and sometimes after working on a project, I wish I had selected different colors.

Below, Anna-Lisa Simonsson and Margareta Isaksson, cousins who were visiting from Sweden, examine some of my quilts laid out on the bed.

To view more pictures of my crafts, visit

http://picasaweb.google.com/gcjohnson.sdak/CraftsQuiltsAndMore