Myself and My Family

We are a family of four: Jenny, our daughter. Keith, my husband, a traffic engineer and my First mate in our silver/gold smithing. I am a quilter and silver/goldsmith. And Snowball, Jenny's 'baby sister"!!

Time flies! It was 8 years since the first thimble was born. As a quilter and silver/goldsmith, I designed and made my quilting thimble and subsequently improved the traditional Rocking Method to the folding method that involves NO-PRICKING the underneath finger nor upper thumb, no cramping of fingers and use big needles. I have traveled so far so widely to share with quilters within Australia and across the oceans.

Have we enjoyed it? Absolutely! In fact, I think quilting has taught me how to live. I have met countless wonderful quilters around the world. As I said in the "acknowledgement" in my book, everyone of you has been an inspiration! I enjoy sharing this new technique through my teaching. I hope all of us can enjoy perfect hand quilting without any pain! Quilting and sharing bring us together - I feel most fortunate and am truly blessed! I hope you feel the same...

Our dream is to create an Australian brand of patchwork and quilting products of excellence. I hope to create more quilting products that will make you, your quilts and your quilting more beautiful. You can browse through our website to see the new products I designed and try them out. They are designed by me (a quilter) for you (a quilter).

What did I do in the last 5 years? I have been busy.

Authored:
I have written and published 2 books and 2 DVDs (on Liuxin’s own innovative quilting technique and high needle skill appliqué) in English.  Both books were translated into Japanese.

Column Writing:
Since Jan, 2007, I am writing a regular column, "Need Advice? Ask the Thimblelady", on Quilters Companion (Click to subscribe the magazine).
TV presence and features:
1. Featured on Simply Quilts (TV program) since Nov 2002.
2. Featured on major quilting magazines in Australia and US and Japan since 2001.
3. Nominee of Teacher of the Year 2004 of American Professional Quilters magazine.


Quilt Competition Awards:
2003:
In Australia: Best Hand Quilting award for Professional Category and First place in Traditional Category and several prizes in second and third places in State Annual Shows.
In US: 1st Place, Merit Hand Quilting, in Houston International Quilt Festival.
2004:
In Australia: several 1st and 2nd prizes in miniature categories in States Annual Shows.
In US: Finalists for AQS, Paducah and Quilt Festival, Houston.
2005:
In Australia: several first places in States Annual Shows.
In Japan: Excellence Award in Tokyo International Quilt Week; Grand Prix in Yokohama International Quilt Week.
2006:
In Australia: Best of Show of Western Australia State Show; Best of Show of Victoria State Show and 3 x 1st place in miniature in NSW, Vic and WA. Best hand quilting Professional, Best in Design and Judge’s choice in Vic.  
In US: 1st place, innovative applique, Houston Quilt Festival.

Other award:
Finalist of Australian Ethnic Business Award, 2006.

Teaching and Lectures:
Have taught and lectured at all levels of quilting events. Other than regular local, state and interstate teaching, I also taught:
2 consecutive Australia National Quilt Conferences (started 2005).
4 consecutive NZ National Quilt Symposiums.
3 consecutive International Quilt Market and Festival, Houston.

Judging:
Guest Judge for Western Australia State Annual Show, 2005.

Sponsorship:
Initiated in 2001 a major award category for most prestigious Quilt Competitions in Australia and NZ and have been the sole sponsor of the award ever since.