How long I've been quilting... I have been quilting since 2003 when I retired as a bank officer and manager.

I began quilting because... My daughter had been quilting for several years, and when I found myself with time on my hands, I decided to try quilting. I have always loved playing with beautiful fabrics.

My quilting style is...  I seem to prefer traditional, but have been through phases when I tried some innovative techniques. One in particular is the Bethany Reynolds “Stack and Whack”.

Other quilt design contests I've entered...  I have never entered any previous quilt design contests. I have won several ribbons in local quilt shows.

People who inspired me...  I cannot select any one person, I have two wonderful sisters who quilt, my mother quilted, and my daughter quilts. Must be a family thing. I do enjoy watching Eleanor Burns and Alex Anderson videos.

I draw my inspiration from... My inspiration comes from different things:  Bluegrass music – I made one quilt using music themed fabrics – Oriental fabrics are a favorite because of time I spent in Japan as a child.  And all the wonderful fabric collections I see in the quilt magazines I subscribe to.

My Favorite techniques... I enjoy the traditional patchworks the most.  I am also making a quilt with paper-pieced stars and another with raw-edge appliqué.

Colors or fabrics I'm attracted to... I am attracted to purples, reds, and golds on one end of the color spectrum and then to the wonderful 30’s reproduction fabrics.

My fabric stash...  My stash consists of only 100% cotton fabric and the colors are mostly bright, happy, intense colors.  I have very little pastels, so when a baby quilt is called for I must go shopping.  I do have a collection of 30’s reproduction fabrics in pastels.

My quilting community... We live in a very small town, with no bees or guilds. I do, however, join my daughter whenever I am visiting her. She attends a weekly “quilt group” at a church where they have a short devotional, sometimes great food and desserts, and a wonderful variety of ladies – some quilting, some crocheting, some knitting, some doing embroidery, and others just enjoying the fellowship.

My other hobbies and interests... I am an avid bluegrass music enthusiast and volunteer at the Blue Ridge Music Center during the summer. I also enjoy gardening, and spend many hours tending the flower beds and vegetable garden. Another hobby is photography: I take pictures of all the quilts I make, of my flowers, scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and at the Blue Ridge Music center.

I entered Quilt Design Star™ 2012 because...  I had just completed the Ladies of the Orient, the very first quilt I had designed completely and was so excited when I saw the Quilt Design Star from McCalls’ Quilting. I just knew I had to enter. It is so exciting.

What you should know about me… I have been married to the same wonderful man for almost 54 years. It is through the grace of God that we have come this far together.

I would also like to share... I have one daughter, 3 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. My mother, 92 years of age, is still living.  I am enjoying my retirement immensely.

Ladies of the Orient (below) is Lola's Quilt Design Star™ 2012 Amateur Category entry quilt.

On the Barn Quilt Trail (below) is Lola's Quilt Design Star™ 2012 Amateur Category Challenge 1 quilt top.