We are proud to feature Mary Ellen Robison & Paula Barnes (formerly of Bonnie Blue Quilts) on the Jolly Jabber. As of April 1st Bonnie Blue Quilts changed their name to Red Crinoline Quilts. Today they are here to talk about their wonderful Freedom Rings Block of the Month featuring fabric from Marcus Brothers Fabrics.
Q: What
was
the
inspiration
to
the
BOM?
A: The
inspiration
was
Paula’s
new fabric collection
with
Marcus
Fabrics named Freedom Rings.
The
eagle
stripe
in a previous
patriotic
collection
was
so
popular
that
Marcus Fabrics decided
to
bring
it
back
along
with
new
fabrics
in
cranberry,
navy,
brown,
and
khaki
with
cream
and
gold
highlights
to
complement
the
eagle
stripe.
With
a
resurgence
of
the
patriotic
spirit
and
the
popularity
of
the
Quilts
of
Valor
program,
the
Freedom
Rings
BOM program
and
fabric
collection
are
just
perfect.
Q: What
are
the
blocks
based on?
A: This
year’s
BOM
features
twelve --
12”
finished
blocks
and
thirty-six –
4”
star
blocks
(yes
we
do
love
those
little
blocks!!).
Each 12”
block features
an
8”
center
block
that
is
surrounded
by
half-square
triangles.
The
4”
star
blocks
are
very
scrappy
and
are
used
in
the
sashing.
Q: What were your
separate
contributions when
creating this BOM?
A: The
partnership
is
perfect.
Paula
designs
the
fabric
and
the
quilt
and
Mary
Ellen
pieces
the
quilt
top.
We
are
now
in two different
states,
but
we
were
together
for
the
actual
designing
of
this
quilt.
Q: If time travel became possible, what year would you want to be in?
A:
Mary Ellen - Wow, that’s a hard one. I could handle just about any time, but I would have to know that I
would have air conditioning and the basic creature comforts. I've always said I wouldn’t have
been a good pioneer woman. I could not have handled walking across the prairie knowing I was
still going to have to cook a meal over an open campfire and get up the next day and start all
over!!!
Paula- Being a “Mad Men” addict I love the fashion of the late 50’s. I would love to visit just to
wear some of those styles.
Q: If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?
A:
Mary Ellen - That’s easy, Annette (after Annette Funicello). I begged my parents to let me change
my name, but as you can see I’m still Mary Ellen.
Paula - I always wanted to be a Candace. I also wanted blond hair. Oh and a little more height.
One can always wish….
Q: What was your favorite childhood TV show?
A:
Mary Ellen - "The Mickey Mouse Club", but particularly the movies they did: “Corky and White
Shadow”, “Spin and Marty”, and anything with Annette Funicello in it.
Paula - Oddly enough, it was "Raw Hide". Just for the theme song. A close second was "Mr. Ed." followed by "My Favorite Martian" and "Lost in Space."
Labels: Designer Tidbits, Guest Quilting Writers, Marcus Fabrics