Alex’s love affair with quilt making began in 1978 when she completed her Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt as part of her work toward a degree in art at San Francisco State University. Her study of graphic design in fiber inspired in her a deep respect and admiration for Amish quilts, and they became the springboard for Alex’s quilt making. Her work has been displayed in one-woman shows and has won prizes in group shows. She currently hosts Home and Garden Television’s quilt show Simply Quilts. Alex is the author of eleven books, has a line of fabric with P & B and is currently the spokesperson for Bernina of America.

Joen began quilt making in 1974 after she left her career in the educational field to become a homemaker. Her interest in color, design, and technical exploration surfaced in the early 1980s. She is noted for being the innovator of several techniques, including strip-pieced landscapes, pictorial log cabin quilts, and organic curved designs (overall curved designs). She was the innovator of the free-form freezer paper technique, which is often used in curved and straight-line piecing. Her work is included in collections throughout the world. Joen has taught and lectured both nationally and internationally since 1984. She is the author of six books: Landscapes & Illusions; The Magical Effects of Color; The Visual Dance; Patchwork Persuasion-Fascinating Quilts from Traditional Designs; Make Any Block Any Size and Color Play. In 2002 she developed the 3-in-1 Color Tool, an innovative tool for selecting colors and fabrics. Joen has created over 200 block designs during the past three decades. Joen is the owner of JWD Publishing, a pattern company that publishes patterns designed by some of the quilt world’s leading quiltmakers, including Alex Anderson, Chris Porter, Sue Nickels, Charlotte Warr Andersen, and Ricky Tims. Joen’s newest publication, Visual Coloring –A Foolproof Approach to color-Rich Quilts is being released in May, 2007. Visit Joen’s website at www.joenwolfromdesigns.com

Paula Nadelstern, the author of Kaleidoscopes & Quilts and Snowflakes & Quilts, travels extensively teaching her unique kaleidoscopic quiltmaking techniques. Her award-winning quilts have been featured internationally in exhibits, including solo exhibits mounted at The Museum of the American Quilters Society, Houston International Quilt Festival and in Japan. Paula’s quilts have also been featured on television shows and online websites, and in books and magazines. One quilt was included in the “Twentieth Century’s 100 Best American Quilts”, a prestigious exhibit mounted for the millennium. A recipient of Artists’ Fellowships from the New York Foundation for the Arts in 2001 and 1995, and The Bronx Council on the Arts in 1996, Paula designs textile prints exclusively for Benartex, Inc. Paula’s website is: www.paulanadelstern.com

Mary began quilting in the 1970’s. Part of the quilting “boom” spawned by the Bicentennial, she found quilt making to be a logical creative extension of her career as a textile professional working in the U.S. garment industry. Specializing in traditional fine hand appliqué done from original patterns, Mary’s distinctive design style is characterized by elegant, formal lines, complex layering of small pieces, and an emphasis on using a myriad of fabrics to create visual texture and excitement. Her flawless appliqué technique, and humorous, hands-on approach to teaching have motivated students to return to handwork with enthusiasm. Mary designs and markets a full line of appliqué patterns sold in quilt shops across the country. Visit Mary’s website at: www.MaryAppliques.com

LAURA NOWNES Pleasant Hill, California
Laura graduated from St. Mary’s College with a BA in psychology, and teaches both nationally and internationally. She has written six books, including the popular Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!!. Laura has appeared on The Great American Quilt PBS series, Simply Quilts with Alex Anderson, and the Carol Duvall Show. She has also had a variety of articles and patterns featured in various quilting magazines. Laura has been the facilitator of C & T Publishing Retreat for the past seven years and was nominated Teacher of the Year by Professional Quilter Magazine. She has been a featured artist at Alden Lane Nursery Quilt Show and will be the featured artist at the 2004 Marin Quilt and Needlework Show. Laura’s website is: www.dianaandlaura.com

Christine has taught, lectured and judged, throughout Great Britain and the United States. In addition she teaches regularly in the United States in locations which include Empty Spools Seminar Asilomar California, Quilt Festival Houston, Quilters Affair Sisters Oregon, The Pacific International Quilt Festival, The World Quilt & Textile Show, Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival. She has also taught on Quilt Celebration cruises from San Diego to Mexico, Tampa to the Caribbean and from Seattle to Alaska. Christine has taught in Canada, Ireland and Norway. 2006 sees her return several times to the USA as well as teaching in Britain, New Zealand and France.

Christine has been featured on the American HGTV programme 'Simply Quilts' hosted by Alex Anderson and has won awards for her quilts in Britain and the USA.

Formerly Co-editor of Patchwork & Quilting magazine, Christine is now a freelance writer and her first book 'Quilt Designs from Decorative Floor Tiles' shows many of her quilts which are inspired by mediaeval and Victorian tile designs seen in churches and other buildings all over Europe. Her new book ‘Tessellation Quilts’ for which she made over 40 quilts was published in May 2006 by David & Charles. She has recently made a new DVD ‘From Fabric to Quilt’ following her best selling DVD ‘Let’s Get Started’. Look at her website for details of her classes and links to the venues,
www.christineporterquilts.com