I began quilting when a dear friend Gwen, from my church, offered to teach me. Her work was inspiring! For many weeks, during the winter of 1996, I went to her home where she taught me the basics: hand piecing, curves, appliqué, and quilting. Since my children were young and I was working, I was only able to make a quilt or so a year. Finally in 2003 I retired from my corporate job, bought a Bernina and taught myself to machine piece and quilt. The show Simply Quilts was my companion and inspiration. In the Fall of 2004 I signed up for some classes, to hone my skills, learn new techniques and get connected to local quilters. I took a class from a renowned quilt artist Judy House. She took my work in a new direction and introduced me to a community of quilt artists.

The Alliance for American Quilts interviewed me for Quilters' S.O.S.- Save Our Stories for the Sacred Threads Project. Pictured here is my Miriam's Dance quilt at Sacred Threads in 2007. Click here to read my interview.

I am owner of Giving Back Technology, LCC. Our product, Art Call, provides a simple on-line registration, jurying and quilt exhibit system. To see a demo of the system, contact me at lisa@ellisquilts.com

I am the webmaster for these non-profit sites:

• Imagine Hope is an exhibit that strives to touch its viewers, inspiring them to get involved and make a change in the world. The exhibit is comprised of twelve monochromatic textile pieces by artist Hollis Chatelain, each addressing key social and environmental issues facing our world today

• Healing Quilts In Medicine is a special group of artists that donated quilts to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Members of the original group have carried to do healing projects with the University of Michigan and Auburn University

• Fiber Artists @ Loose Ends is group of fiber artists that meet regularly to encourage, stretch and inspire one another

• Sacred Threads is an exhibition of quilts exploring the subject themes of spirituality, joy, inspiration, peace/brotherhood, grief and healing. This biennial exhibition was established to provide a safe venue for quilters of all faiths who see their work as a connection to the sacred and/or as an expression of their spiritual journey

• Beyond the Barrier A special exhibit within 2009 Sacred Threads of quilts made by inmates of the Ohio Reformatory for Women