I started quilting in 2000 and started this blog focused on my quilting in 2005. It quickly became apparent that people were interested in the quilts I was making and donating, most of them not from patterns. I’ve always loved looking at antique quilts and traditional blocks and coming up with my own versions so I created a website with brief instructions for my quilts. You can find that website at this link – https://maryquilts.com/

In December 2006 as we readied for a move to Minneapolis from Marietta GA, I started the HeartStrings Quilt Project along with a small group of other quilters interested making and donating string quilts. We expected it to be a short term project but we’re still going strong and we make and donate many quilts including, but not only string quilts.

The last few years have been very hard on me from a health standpoint and I’m still on oral chemo for breast cancer – fingers crossed it won’t come back – and I’m dealing with a number of health issues due to the treatment of 3 different cancers. 

I’m trying to accept that I will NEVER get back to the same level of health I had before this all started, that I need more rest, more time to run to appointments, and with Keith retired, more family time – which is not a bad thing at all unlike the others but it does mean less time in the sewing room.

So, what does that all mean? It means that I’m still a quilter but only part of my time is spent making quilts for donation. You will also see knitting – hats and scarves, and crochet projects – blankets, for donation. These I can do when I need to rest and take it easy.

I’m happy to have made many friends through blogging over the years and I’m grateful for their encouragement and support as I learn to adapt to my new circumstances and as the blog becomes more focused on family, knitting, and crochet, in addition to quilting.

I can be contacted via the comments under each blog post or you may email me directly at mmcjohnson@gmail.com