Americana's Shore

May 15

Jim Shore's grandmother was a master quilter, who taught Jim an appreciation for the patience and skill required to bring intricate designs to life. Jim drew inspiration from these roots as he now creates his intricate folk art pieces. To Jim a Santa Claus isn’t just a Santa Claus; it’s a canvas to be painted. He supported his young family as an engineer, honing his skills as a sculptor and painter in his spare time. But his passion was always his art, and after several false starts he founded his own company, Designs Americana, to market his sculpture. In 2000, his success led to an agreement with Enesco, creating popular seasonal decorative pieces.

Do What Thou Quilt

May 1

Are you good with a sewing machine? Consider kicking up your holiday decorating by making a Christmas quilt for your bedspread. Begin the project early in the year. Many holiday fabrics go on sale in January, which is a great opportunity to pick up some great bargains. There are numerous patterns available on the Internet.