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From: lendube
Date: 06-29-2007, 09:27 PM (1 of 13)
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This afternoon I went to "The Eleanor Burns Show" in our town. She has a home/studio here and periodically gives seminars at the local camps and today and yesterday offered her "Show" at 10 and 2 each day. I'm not a quilter but I thought it would be fun to go anyway. Driving a few minutes as opposed to an hour or more for something fun was a draw as well. There were only 15 of us there. We were in a hundred year old school house that used to be our public library before we got a new one built three years ago. It was like a trunk show with her incorporating perhaps 20 quilts into her discussion on her quilting hero Nancy something or other who during the '30's had the most successful series of newspaper blocks of her day. Eleanor is a very, very nice, sweet, likeable lady but boy, oh boy, is she a cornball. She had us doing the chicken dance at one point and giving a little Jack and the Beanstalk skit the next. I played the giant's wife and got rave reviews.........thank you very much! It was fun and she had several shopping items available as well. All in all, a fun way to spend a couple of hours. Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: HHH
Date: 06-29-2007, 09:59 PM (2 of 13)
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Lennie, that sounds like a great time! Eleanor Burns is a quilting icon and a pioneer in her own right. I've never met her, but always figured that personality was the real deal since who could consistantly fake that corny delivery and that voice  . I've since talked to many people who do know her and they've all said the same thing - what you see ( & hear) is what you get.I don't know how much of a bio she gives out, but she got started as a quilt teacher after a divorce. She had kids to feed and did what she knew best and in doing so was instrumental in the revival of an entire industry. Thanks for the report, Jorja |
User: HHH
Member since: 02-10-2004 Total posts: 87 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 06-29-2007, 11:38 PM (3 of 13)
| I would have loved to meet her. I like the way she quilts plus teaches. I have a number of her books. She sure has it all together. I agree, that has to be the way she is & no act at all. She sure enjoys what she does & it shows. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: MaryW
Date: 07-01-2007, 08:25 AM (4 of 13)
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Lennie, I saw Eleanor years ago in Houston. She was in the airport ready to fly out. She had a top hat on with all these feathers and "things" attached. She was oblivious to the glances and looks going her way. I believe she is quite genuine too.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: SandyGirl
Date: 07-01-2007, 10:04 AM (5 of 13)
| I have seen her at Paducah the last two years. She is a hoot and I love her quilts. They are definately "do-able". Sandy |
User: SandyGirl
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 97 |
From: lendube
Date: 07-01-2007, 11:16 AM (6 of 13)
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Oh, she's genuine alright. Genuinely corny! She's active in our community too. I see her at various functions always smiling. The Women's Club has a quilt show this time every year. (I surprised my Mom one year during her visit by entering her handmade quilt in the show. She saw it and said, "I made one like that for you and Kevin when you two got married." I looked at her and smiled and THEN she got it.  )Anyway, every year there's a beautiful quilt that's raffled off for the benefit of the community. This year it was Eleanor's Vine quilt which was made at her house by her and 8 of the ladies in the Women's Club that quilt. Her house has a studio with several machines and she keeps a stock of supplies. I'd be more than welcome to give her a call and ask to pick up items if needed. The closest quilt shop is 35 min. away so it's nice for quilters to have that option. Her retail shop is an hour or so away. Haven't been there but there are several classes offered all the time. I should stop in. Eleanor may yet be the reason I start quilting...........  Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-01-2007, 12:17 PM (7 of 13)
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OH NO, Lennie is going to cross over to the dark side!!! Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: lendube
Date: 07-01-2007, 02:06 PM (8 of 13)
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Nah, don't worry about that! I tried and can't say I'm enamored. I'd like to try applique but that's not really quilting, is it? Guess it doesn't necessarily have to be. I have a McKenna Ryan wall hanging pattern I'd like to try. Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: Patty22
Date: 07-02-2007, 02:54 PM (9 of 13)
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Lennie, Lennie, Lennie.....what can I say except applique is the dark side for Dorothy. Eleanor is hilarious... her name was associated with the rotary cutter in the 80's. I remember cutting out templates and tracing around them with a pencil to mark my pieces and then using a 1/4" guide to make sure I cut enough for the seam allowance. Those simple blocks would take HOURS. Many old die hards that belonged to our guild were hesitant to get into any kind of technique that wasn't "pure". I don't know of many that even make templates anymore unless they are fussy cutting fabric or else have been asleep for thirty years. How can we get you quilting Lennie? Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: lendube
Date: 07-02-2007, 02:59 PM (10 of 13)
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How 'bout I fly you cross country to give me private lessons??? We'd have a blast! Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 07-02-2007, 03:04 PM (11 of 13)
Can I come down from  too!!! Can I? Can I?
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: lendube
Date: 07-02-2007, 03:12 PM (12 of 13)
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Absolutely!! Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: Patty22
Date: 07-02-2007, 08:02 PM (13 of 13)
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This sounds like another version of the "Cross Country Quilters" book in the making! Maybe Lennie....you could do a quilt about all the fires going on in your area? Ohhhhhhh........ or something tranquil for you to look at to stay calm and refreshed. Judy.....you'll have to stop at my house for the weekend before we fly to Lennie's. Ahem....wasn't it Lennie that threw the last big birthday bash around here? We'll have to be sure to pack a few lampshades so we're prepared for evening activites. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
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