2009 Faculty - Jean Brown

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5050983638243608863.post-49775731486297904502008-06-12T10:58:00.000-07:002008-06-19T10:02:58.020-07:002009 Faculty - Jean BrownJean Brown, Newcastle, CA Vendor: Jeans Impressions <a href="http://www.JeansImpressions.com">www.JeansImpressions.com</a> Jean will be teaching a class in hand quilting. More about Jean: Carolyn: How many years have you been quilting? Jean: I learned to pick up pieces of colors by my Grandmother’s rocking chair next to a window near Amarillo, TX. She would sew them together with her needle. She lived in a tiny old wooden house with no electricity or water. We carried water from a neighbor’s house. She then put a needle in my hand letting me sew two pieces together and she would add to her larger piece. My other Grandmother in Oklahoma had a treadle machine and made quilts. I used to take naps and work the cotton seeds out of the cotton batting, making little holes in the quilts. I have quilts from both those wonderful ladies. Later, after High School in Van Nuys, CA and while in college, my friends were having babies and I made them quilts. Carolyn: What motivated you to start quilting? Jean: I saw my first show at the YWCA in Riverside, CA and was thrilled with what ladies were doing. I made several Sampler Quilts, as that taught me many methods. Then I started teaching those to others. Carolyn: Where have you traveled in your quilting teaching career? Jean: I have taught all over Southern California and also Oregon after moving there. I am a charter member of the Appliqué Society and have taught for that group for nine years. Other travels have taken me to Hawaii, Washington, Texas, Ohio and Colorado. Carolyn: What is the most, unusual, frightening, funny, frustrating experience you have had in your quilting career? Jean: Perhaps trying to get back to Portland in just three days from the Columbus, Ohio show. We drove through ice, snow and hard blowing side winds, Very scary. Carolyn: Does anyone else in your family quilt? Jean: Both of my Grandmothers, my daughter, a daughter in law and our granddaughter who made her first quilt at age 12. I told her I would help her and she said, “Grandma, I have watched you so much, I can do it myself” AND she did!! Carolyn: What is your birth order, only child, first, second, third, or ?? Jean: I am the oldest of two girls. My sister, Wanda, seven years younger lives in Washington. Carolyn: Where did you grow up? Jean: I was born in Floydada, TX. I grew up along the Mexican Border. My Dad was the Railroad Agent at several locations on the old (now non existent) Southern Pacific Railroad, from LA to El Paso. I helped him run the trains thru, I held up the messages to the engineers on a hoop pole as the were ‘deadheading’ (no stops) thru our little town, all the while Mother was afraid I would get swept under the fast engines. But, I survived, as dad had hold of the tail of my dress. I was given great art classes from a retired Walt Disney artist in Bisbee, AZ. Dad was an artist also. Many of my friends were the Mexican girls from below the border. We would ride our horses down to spend the day with them. I lived in Columbus, NM, which is steeped in history of the Pancho Villa raids. Our home had bullet holes from those raids. Carolyn: Do you have children – grandchildren? Jean: Our family is our daughter, our son, and one granddaughter and their spouses. Carolyn: Do you have any pets? Jean: No pets, as we travel too much. Dave is my pet dear – (deer)! Carolyn: What is your favorite food? Jean: Mexican food. I grew up on it. Carolyn: What would be on your “bucket list” (like the movie) if you could do anything and money was no object? Jean: Be President of the US and straighten out.. No, No, only kidding. Probably try to do something in the Educational Field, in the US and the world to increase the level of better education everywhere. There is nothing more valuable than education before a person steps out into the world. Mine was somewhat limited, I appreciated what I could learn. Our nephew was nominated for a Noble Prize a few years ago. I am very proud of him. Carolyn: Do you have any other hobbies besides quilting? Jean: Art. I have painted for many years, and taught it everywhere I have lived. Such a lovely thing to do. I have been so disappointed in some of the sick art we have seen during times in our history. But, it can be better!Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15426749417591960434noreply@blogger.com