About
Willow Creek Quilts
My name is Nadine Gilpin Hogrefe and I began quilting in 1976 in California when the current quilting revival started with Jenny Beyer. It was the era of scissors and cardboard templates, hand piecing was still happening and, “Of course I hand quilted it!” Our twins, Scott and Allison, were 5 years old and I made them each a twin size quilt. Allison’s was a precut kit from “Family Circle” that I machine pieced and hand quilted. Scott’s was one I cut myself, a blue log cabin “quilt as you go” using Georgia Bonesteel’s method.
In 1984 I discovered Decorative Tole Painting and threw my heart and soul into the craft, teaching, designing, and passing my CDA in 1988. By 1994 I was feeling a strong pull back to my quilting roots and my tiny stash. It was now the era of rotary cutters, cutting mats and rulers. Quilting Heaven had arrived! I jumped back in by making a King Size quilt that took a Members Choice Award at the Folsom Quilt & Fiber Guild’s show. My passion was fueled. At last I’d found my perfect “hobby!” I love all types of designs from primitive/folk art to traditional to whimsical to contemporary styles. I’m a little schizoid in what appeals to me so I never know what design will pop into my brain next. I love it all!
In 2004 my husband Steve, aka Papa Toad, and I moved to Central Oregon after a 7-year stint in Ohio and Florida. We wanted to get back to the West and closer to our family. Allison and Grant have 2 children, Miss Jordan & Sir Jake, and live in Alberta Canada. Scott and Alison have 1+ girls, Miss Callie & Miss ? (arriving 7/17), and live in California. Which all adds up to mean that our grandkids are too far away! Fortunately we love to travel and we find ourselves heading North and South a lot to play Grammy and Papa. Road trips are the perfect opportunity for designing and stitching…our car’s the one with straight pins in the sun visor!
I started Willow Creek Quilts in May 2006. Together Steve and I run the business. I take care of playing and designing and he deals with the marketing and shipping—what a team! Our son Scott joined us in 2009 when we needed make the website live and breathe. He manages the site and our online business.
Someone asked me where my designs come from. Great question with no one answer. It just happens! They just kind of pop into my head! I must get a glazed-over-trance-like look on my face because Papa Toad will comment, “Working?” No, to me it’s totally “Playing.” I find that when we’re on Road Trips my mind starts wandering and I’ll start writing ideas down in my journal…word associations, sketches, color combinations. They’re pretty random thoughts at this time and often I’ll have different groups of thoughts on several pages… not all relating to any one quilt in particular. Sometimes the name of the quilt will be the 1st step and then the design wiggles its way onto the paper. I have a few “names” of quilts still waiting for the rest of the design to wiggle its way forth! I sometimes play with EQ6 which is very helpful for color placement and block combinations. I still draw all my appliqué designs by hand, erasing and redrawing a lot! I haven’t quite mastered Adobe’s InDesign yet! Once I’m pleased with the design then I start playing with my stash. Sometimes a fabric line will call my name and I’ll see something happening with it. Finally it’s time to cut and sew, writing notes as I go. (Makes writing pattern directions ever so much easier that way!)
I’m passionate about my quilting whether it’s designing, sewing on my Bernina or doing some hand stitching. I’ve chosen to make it a daily requirement for my soul along with some early morning quiet time. I also love to cook, read and play in my garden. Now, if I could only get the grandkids to move closer!
I’m so glad you stopped by for a visit. I hope you enjoy playing with my patterns and remember to save some time for “stichin’ for the soul!” Enjoy the process… it’s too late to enjoy once you’ve reached your goal.
