I am Gina Halladay and I am a crafty girl. I have the need to create. I quilt, I knit, I embroider, and I have great skills with the hot glue gun, band saw and an 8” belt sander. I like glitter. I can wallpaper, design t-shirts for a high school rock band and conduct an interview with a mayor. You can find me organizing a school fundraiser and ordering groceries online. I give blood. Pretty much, I am a “do-er”.
But mostly, I like to quilt. I like to design them and sew them. I have a passion for quilting. I love fabric. (This is me in the photo with Amy Butler, textile designer...she is the tall one!)
I stay busy merchandising and promoting the quilting craft at Cozy Cottage Fabrics in Brea, Ca. where I currently manage the staff, take care of customers and the daily activities of the shop. I also teach classes in both knitting and quilting at the shop. Recently, I started writing an online column on the Quilters Buzz.
In my column, I write about patterns, people, products and projects in the quilting industry. I enjoy seeing and exploring what is new and exciting in quilting and I like to interview interesting people, like textile artists (i.e. Amy Butler, Denyse Schmidt, Robyn Pandolph, Kaffe Fassett ...see photo at right), pattern designers,
and representatives from fabric and notions companies. Recently, I had the chance to conduct some interviews at the Pacific International Quilt Festival and while I was at Quilt Market in Houston this fall. I will be attending quilt market in the spring to check out and write about all the new and exciting things happening in the quilting industry.I enjoy writing “in a lively and down-to-earth style” about the things and people in the quilting industry that I love.
I seek to inspire a younger generation of quilters as well as the seasoned quilter.
I have recently signed the lease on some studio space where I hope to design, sew, write and long arm quilt. I have eight original quilt patterns, which I am working to get distributed nationally. I am excited about the possibilities.
I have a degree in Communications/Journalism from Brigham Young University. For me, writing about quilting is about as good as it gets!
I am married with four kids who keep my husband, Hal, (also a blogger...check out Leader Notes and Lyrical Wisdom) and me busy… with the PTA, Boy Scouts, church, school activities, sporting events and many kid-generated projects. Our daughter is in college at BYU, one son is in First Grade and we have a couple of sons in between!
We have lived an adventurous life and have made homes in and around the great cities of …Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Salt Lake City.
Through my life’s experiences, I have met wonderful people who have inspired me to: be a better person; to strive to make the world a better place; and to always use my “crafty” talents.
Email me at: gina@quiltersbuzz.com
Author Update Sept.2006: I have since quit the manager job at Cozy Cottage Fabrics and opened up the Threaded Pear Studio , a long- arm and quilt designing studio, with my business partner and fellow quilter Stephanie Goudzwaard. Our doors opened in March and we have been going full steam ahead ever since. We long-arm quilt on a Gammill Staler Stitcher and have quilted 200 quilts in about 6
months. We are designing quilt patterns and have a quilt pattern book in the plans.
I continue to write on www.QuiltersBuzz.com 3 to 5 times a few times a week and have had my blog featured in Quilter's Home magazine in August 2006 and Country Living Magazine in October 2006.
And Our Website www.ThreadedPear.com is Coming Soon…
The Threaded Pear Studio, creators of quilted comforts and long arm quilting (rough draft of logo)
comments
Listen up quilters. I personally know Gina and I can attest that she is everything and more that she describes of herself above. The woman exudes talent. Not only is she talented, but she gives 100% of herself in everthing that she does. You would be wise to take an interest in her blog and to take advantage of her knowledge and skills. You will become a better quilter having done so.
Posted by: Roberta Masterson | January 14, 2006 10:43 AM
Your blog is great! I'm very excited about your bright future! You have been such a blessing to Cozy Cottage Fabrics and I wish you much success with "The Threaded Pear Studio". Even though we'll see you less, I expect that you'll continue to be a big part of the shop, teaching and selling your patterns.
Best Wishes,
Kris
Posted by: Cozy Kris | January 14, 2006 3:49 PM
Gina - great job on Quilter's Buzz! I'm amazed how you keep up with the industry.
Posted by: Heather Bailey | August 19, 2006 1:49 AM
Gina, What a great web-site, it's fun just like you. Keep up the good work.
Linda
Posted by: Linda | October 11, 2006 2:26 PM
Gina, This is one of the most exciting things in quilting I've seen in a long, long time. I love your enthusiasm for the next generation in quilting. Barbara Brandeburg
Cabbage Rose
Posted by: Barbara Brandeburg | November 17, 2006 8:13 AM
Gina--
I'm an amateur quilter looking for a project. My 10 year old son is a huge BYU fan. I'd like to make him a BYU themed quilt. Any ideas? Patterns?
Paige
Posted by: Paige | December 15, 2006 1:04 PM
Gina,
As an Acquisitions Editor for a book publishing company, I find your Web site extremely informative.
Thank you! for believing in the industry and for creating a network of talented people. I know I will visit this Web site on a regular basis to keep up with the latest news and to look for new talent.
Candy Wiza
Posted by: Candy Wiza | January 2, 2007 5:05 AM
I just love your web site. It has so much information on it. I enjoy stopping in and reading it. You have kept up with all the newest things going on in the quilt world.
Thanks, Kim
Posted by: Kim Calhoun | March 23, 2007 8:26 AM
Hello,
The Purl Patchwork girls sent me your way--I'm looking for a custom duvet cover from one of their fabrics and I was wondering if you do that sort of work and what the cost might be (90 x 98)?
I hope to hear from you soon,
John
Posted by: John Bobey | May 2, 2007 1:56 PM
Gina!!! I was at your schoolhouse class on blogging.. at Quilt Market.I want to start something
here at Country Treasures but... The boss, Sue threw away the handout you gave. Our luggage was overweight! She is not into computers so it is up to me to bring us out of the dark
ages. Please please can you email me the
stuff on how to start? Thanks Mary Jane
Posted by: MJ Palumbo | May 16, 2007 12:49 PM
Where can I get a yo-yo "maker" ( the little plastic form)?
Posted by: marlene | May 19, 2007 8:58 AM
Where can I get a yo-yo "maker" ( the little plastic form)?
Posted by: marlene | May 19, 2007 8:59 AM
Gina, Do you have the actual formula for the color removal and over-dyeing of fabric to get a distressed look that you referred to that Barb Adams and Alma Allen were doing in your July post? I've been all over the internet and haven't been able to find anything with specific directions. Thanks for any info.
Posted by: Rahna | August 18, 2007 7:12 AM
Hola Gina: Te escribo desde Uruguay, porque en tus datos dices que eres hija de un uruguayo. Me gustarìa saber mas de tì. Yo tambièn hago patchwork y quilting. Cariños,
Graciela
Posted by: Graciela Aznarez | September 21, 2007 4:20 PM
Hi!
My name is Helen Curnutt and I'm looking for someone to quilt my Friendship Knot quilt it size is 81x83 think it's a queen size and I'd like to get it quilted before November 24 for my daughter's 50th birthday.
Do you know of someone? Please reply.
sincerly,
Helen Curnutt
My phone number is:714-893-4300
Posted by: Helen Curnutt | November 3, 2007 12:14 PM
:)I love you Gina. Your art work is very nice and stylish. Keep up the good work. I hope to get into BYU like your oldest. Say hi to the fam for me!
Posted by: Lexi T. | January 19, 2008 5:16 PM
Gina wow! your so full of talent and you make everything fun and now I want get my sewing out my fabric and go work. Keep up the go work and making it fun.
Posted by: Stacey | January 24, 2008 12:30 AM
I would like to introduce you to my new website for quilters: SelvageQuilts.com. On this website you can learn how to make many different kinds of selvage quilts. There are free workshop ideas with printable supply lists, directions and photos. If you make a selvage item, please send us a photo and we will exhibit it on the Gallery page. I invite you to take a look and tell your quilting friends about it. Thank you.
Posted by: Karen Griska | February 5, 2008 10:10 AM
Let me just say that I am happy for all the quilters that have made it to the big times (fabric lines, books published, etc.). I would just like to know how to sell my quilts and quilting services so that I can pay my bills at the end of the month or in my case during the month.
I charge 1 cent per square month for most of my work including custom pantographs and quilting designs.
Good luck to all you quilters and God Bless.
Sandra
Posted by: Sandra Banks | February 12, 2008 5:03 PM