Hello! I am Charisma Horton. I am SUPER-DUPER excited to be a Michael Miller Ambassador for 2020. I am a mom to 6. Only 1 is still left at home. I am married to “The Rob” and we are avid animal lovers. Currently, we have 4 dogs. As each child left home, we replaced them with a dog. Hehe. We prefer big dogs. I often say that I identify as a Mastiff owner. We have Gracie our 11-year-old English Mastiff. We have a 2-year-old Dogue De Bordeaux named Red, Kali our black lab and Elvis, the KING of pups. He is our Pomeranian who thinks he is the boss of everyone.
I have been quilting for about 20 years. But wasn’t really dedicated while I had young kids at home. It wasn’t until they got a little older. But I have been an award-winning longarm quilter for about 10 years. I actually own 3 longarms. I have two regular machines and 1 Gammill with a Statler computer. Longarm quilting is my full time job. I love quilting. I love every quilt that comes across my frames. I have had quilts come to me from all over the world and that honestly humbles me. I am grateful for this opportunity to run my own business. In December of 2018, I decided to take the plunge and become a pattern designer. It’s been an amazing ride! My 2019 was a HUGE learning curve and a wild ride of learning everything from computer programs such as Adobe, learning how to back up & drive a trailer so I could have a booth at my first show and I am still struggling with photography. There are too many things to list. Just trust me! It’s been a doozey! There is no way to tell you how much 2019 taught me. But I am ever so grateful. I had my first design published in a magazine in January of 2019. Since then I have had 3o+ publications picked up and I have had a few smaller projects picked up in a book to be published in 2020. I released 80+ patterns in 2019 and I am running full speed ahead in 2020. Now I get to add “Ambassador” to my “street cred.” A few samples of my work:
I don’t have one style or genre of quilts. I have traditional, modern and wool applique and niche embroidery. I dabble in just about everything and I can’t just name one style that I absolutely love or hate.
I really love quotes and any quilts with meaning or that tell a story. They are truly my favorite. If that’s a “Style” I would commit to any quilt with “meaning.”
I am Scandinavian. Gnomes have captured me and I have several more ideas using gnomes. You may see some projects coming up this year. *hint*
One thing you will probably always see in my work is color. I love to play with color. I love taking regular everyday quilt blocks and transforming them with color arrangement. I love all colors! But if I have to choose it’s always pink! I love everything about pink. “It’s my signature color!” (do you know what movie that is from?)
Just like most every creative person, I have dabbled in many things. I scrapbooked while my kids were young. I am still part of a monthly handmade card club. I also go to a weekly pottery class. I have been doing that for several years. I am not an excellent potter. But it appeals to me in the same way that quilting does. I can create something beautiful that can also be useful. There is something much different about pottery. It doesn’t come as easy to me. I also never know what my end result will be. There are so many factors. I am always experimenting every step of the way. The end result is always a surprise. I actually like that I don’t have control over that.
Food always seems to taste better in hand made pottery and served on a quilt. These placemats my daughter made several years ago when she was about 7 years old. I love Mexican food and I also love soup. This is a tortilla soup with fresh avocado chunks. This is a regular staple in my diet. Haha! Jalapenos are a staple on sandwiches, soup, pizza & burgers for me. I eat them in/on everything.
I am so happy to be on the Michael Miller team! Thanks for giving me a few minutes to introduce myself. I am so honored to be here and share this time with all of you. I hope to inspire all of you with my designs while I am here. I know that I am inspired daily by the beautiful fabrics, colors, talented people that I am working with here and the kindness shared by all of you. So Thank you! I am looking forward to this journey.
Blessings,
Charisma
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