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Linda Carlson's educational background includes two Bachelor degrees; Elementary Education and K-12 Music Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. While teaching Second Grade, she became certified by the Library of Congress to transcribe Braille, and there resides her transcription of Shel Silverstein's A LIGHT IN THE ATTIC. These degrees and experiences prepared her for a career in quilting in that she possesses a good sense of humor, is patient, flexible yet guiding, and allows her students to follow the creative beat of their own drummer. In 2006 Linda and her twin sister Diana Henage combined their creative sides to create "Grammie & Mimi's Baby Geniuses!" fabric collection produced by Benartex. Linda conducted brain-based research regarding colors and graphics scientifically proven to stimulate brain synapse growth in infancy through the toddler stages. Its blockbuster popularity with quiltmakers has led the sisters to create another line coming in 2008 extending the "brainy" concepts!Since the early 1980s, Linda has taught all areas of quilting, specializing in hand applique,
machine piecing, serpentine vines and feather borders, and Scherenschnitte
techniques. She is an authority on the history and techniques of the large
four block quilt style. She has taught and judged shows throught the US and
in international waters for guilds, retreats, symposiums, and large
managed quilt shows. Linda believes her 12 year national judging
experience, "is one of the very best offerings I bring back to my
students in that I can help them improve all their quiltmaking
techniques in creating a visually pleasing and skillfully executed
quilt." The American Quilter's Society published her first two books in 1994 and 1997 respectively: Roots, Feathers & Blooms: Four-Block Quilts, Their History & Patterns, and Four-Blocks Continued... . In 2002, Krause Publications published her third book, Quilting to Soothe the Soul: Create Memories for Today, Tomorrow & Forever. In 2003, AQS published a partial combination of her first 2 books with new patterns added, The Best of Four Blocks . . . And More! In 1995, Carlson presented a research paper, The Roots of the Large Four Block Quilt for the symposium What's American About American Quilts? at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, sponsored by the American Quilt Defense Fund and the Smithsonian Institute. Later in 1996, she received the G. Andy Runge Ambassador Award in recognition of her representation of Mexico, MO, during her many teaching excursions. Since then, about thirty of Linda's four-block antique quilt collection were exhibited at the MAQS Museum in Paducah, KY. In 2005, her quilt "Amy's Wedding Quilt" was the "Featured Quilt of the Week" on episode #3 of "American Quilt TV Show" on the Lifetime Real Women station. She has written articles for several national magazines including Fabric Trends Spring 2007, Quilter's Home August 2006, Applique Society Newsletter 2004, Lady's Patchwork Circle, Quilter's Newsletter, American Quilter, Quilting International, Fabric Showcase Special, (supplement to Traditional Quiltworks and Quilting Today), and Quilting Today. Some of Linda's quilts, both new and antique, have been featured in books such as A Quilted Christmas, edited by Bonnie Browning at AQS, Quilts: A Living Tradition, by Robert Shaw, and Marie Salazar's book from Michael Friedman Publishing Group, Inc. Recently, Carlson's articles on fabric choices, quilts, and the emotional impact on the makers and viewers have appeared in Quilting Today's 1999 Fabric Special and the 2001 Spring issue of the American Quilter's Society Magazine. Issue #86 of Quilting Today featured her article on quilt corner treatments. Quilter's Newsletter Magazine June 2004 features a reader workshop called, The Great Frame-Up: Scherenschnitte Frames. The 2004 issue of Quilt will feature one of Carlson's patterns. In March 2001, Linda was a guest artist at the Elly Sienkiewicz Applique Academy in Williamsburg, VA. Carlson's work has also been featured in such exhibitions as:
Linda's workshops and lectures offer 27 classes
featuring mostly hand applique and/or pieced four-block quilt projects from large applique
pieces to intricate Scherenschnitte designs,
celebratory/commemorative quilts, designing specific features for quilts such as feather
borders, center and corner treatments, perfecting applique and 3-D techniques, and choosing
background and quilting motifs. Linda's philosophy is, "As I continue to teach around the country, I am always inspired by my students' undiscovered talents. I've learned so much from them and hope I have opened their eyes to their own creativity." Linda |