About Us
We met a number of years ago after being on the same bus trip to see one of the Great American Quilt Festivals in New York City. This was back in 1989. A few days later we saw each other at the Post Office (the meeting place for folks in Tuckahoe, NJ), and Merry started quizzing Lorraine about being on the bus, how long she had been quilting and such. At first Lorraine looked a little apprehensive about all the questions, but pretty soon we were telling each other, "I'll show you my stash if you'll show me yours!" and our friendship has been going strong ever since.
One of the "dangers" of our friendship was that we lived within walking distance of one another. We went on frequent "gallivants" to quilt shops and fabric stores. Lorraine was also a participant in my button acquisition (it seemed like a good idea at the time!), and was talked into volunteering for numerous positions in both our local quilt guild, South Shore Stitchers, and the former State Quilt Guild of NJ. In fact, at one point Lorraine's husband told her (jokingly) that she wasn't allowed to go for any more rides with me (Merry).
A few years later, Lorraine's husband retired and decided he didn't want to be around people so much, and NJ in particular. So they bought a house outside of Pleasant Mount, PA, which is far, far away from pretty much anything. It was a difficult transition for pretty much everyone, but especially for our friendship, which turned from an around-the-corner neighborly visit to planned visits that came all too infrequently. But we remained friends, and still get together as often as we can. One of the excuses to get together has morphed into our BBQ Weekends. We not only have a good time with our BBQers, but we get to spend a whole 3-day weekend together, busting each others' chops and just having a wonderful time.
One of the "dangers" of our friendship was that we lived within walking distance of one another. We went on frequent "gallivants" to quilt shops and fabric stores. Lorraine was also a participant in my button acquisition (it seemed like a good idea at the time!), and was talked into volunteering for numerous positions in both our local quilt guild, South Shore Stitchers, and the former State Quilt Guild of NJ. In fact, at one point Lorraine's husband told her (jokingly) that she wasn't allowed to go for any more rides with me (Merry).
A few years later, Lorraine's husband retired and decided he didn't want to be around people so much, and NJ in particular. So they bought a house outside of Pleasant Mount, PA, which is far, far away from pretty much anything. It was a difficult transition for pretty much everyone, but especially for our friendship, which turned from an around-the-corner neighborly visit to planned visits that came all too infrequently. But we remained friends, and still get together as often as we can. One of the excuses to get together has morphed into our BBQ Weekends. We not only have a good time with our BBQers, but we get to spend a whole 3-day weekend together, busting each others' chops and just having a wonderful time.
About Merry May
Merry May of Tuckahoe, NJ, began making small quilted items for family and friends in the mid-1970s, not knowing of any quilters in her ancestry at the time. She decided that if she was ever to own a quilt, she would have to make it herself. Since her humble beginnings (which she attributes to “beginner’s luck”), Merry has developed a reputation for excellence in teaching quiltmaking, as well as in quilt history, and professional development. She has traveled throughout the East Coast of the US and Canada presenting lectures, appraisals and workshops for quilt guilds and quilt shops since 1988. Merry is a founding member and past President of the State Quilt Guild of NJ. Merry is also a past president of Tri-State Quiltmaking Teachers (later the Quilt Professionals’ Network). In 2002, 2003, 2006 & 2008 she taught at the Vermont Quilt Festival, and also for Brother International in 2003. She was nominated by one of her many students for Professional Quilter magazine’s 2003 and 2008 Teacher of the Year Award. Her work has been published in numerous magazines and books, and is in private collections worldwide. Visit Merry’s web page at merrymayhem.com
Merry is available to do Lectures, Programs and Workshops. Please contact her through her web site to inquire about scheduling. |
About Lorraine Fenstermacher
Lorraine Fenstermacher, of Pleasant Mount, PA, started quilting in 1989 and has been expanding her horizons ever since. She has been quilting professionally for almost 30 years, during which time she has won awards for machine quilting. She has taught professionally at A Stitch in Time in Honesdale, PA, Calico N Cotton in Ocean City, NJ, Strobel’s Sewing Center in Myerstown, PA, and at Jo-Ann’s Fabric in Mays Landing, NJ. She is a Founding Member of the State Quilt Guild of New Jersey, and holds memberships in the following Guilds: Pleasant Mount Quilters, South Shore Stitchers, and AQS.
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