Alex Anderson named 2008 Silver Star at Houston International Quilt Festival

Alex Anderson: Photo by Gregory Case:

I received the following press release yesterday from Ruth Goodwin over at The Quilt Show. Look for an upcoming interview with Alex here in my column, once she gets back from Festival!

LA VETA, CO - Alex Anderson, one of the most recognized names in the international quilting industry, has been selected as the Silver Star Award winner for 2008.  The Silver Star Award is given annually by the International Quilt Festival to a living person “whose work and influence has made – and continues to make- a sizable and positive impact on the quilting industry and community.”   The Silver Star Salute dinner will be held Saturday, November 1 from 7:30 – 10:00 pm at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX.

“Alex has inspired countless quilters to stretch their wings and try new things with her television show.  For many, it was their first ever exposure to quilting,” says Karey Bresenhan, founder of IQF.  “As a teacher and author of many books, she is known for her remarkable ability to convey information in a way that makes it easy for others to learn.  It has made a big difference in the lives of many women just starting out in quilting.”

Quilting is a multi-billion dollar industry with over 21 million quilters in the United States.

Alex Anderson is known the world over as host of HGTV's “Simply Quilts” for 11 years and nearly 500 episodes. Her numerous best-selling quilting books have made her one of the most published authors in quilt history. Alex also hosts “Quilt Connection”, a weekly pod cast for quilters she records from her home in Northern California.  She is an award-winning quilter who loves to hand quilt. 

“My personal mission is to share my love of quilting with anyone who will listen to me.  When teaching, my goal is to educate and encourage those interested in quilting as clearly and simply as possible.  As for those who really aren’t interested in the craft itself, I enjoy enlightening them about this art that has been handed down so carefully from generation to generation.”

Alex began quilting in 1978 when she completed her Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt as part of her work toward a degree in art from San Francisco State University.  Her ultimate goal is simple - to educate and encourage those who are interested in quilting and to do it in such a way that makes it easy to comprehend and understand. 

Alex, along with world-renowned quilter, artist and composer Ricky Tims are currently the co-hosts of “The Quilt Show,” the world’s first quilting show filmed before a LIVE studio audience, and seen exclusively online at www.thequiltshow.com.  The Quilt Show is the world’s first full service interactive online video/web magazine and worldwide online community for quilters. Designed to meet the multi-faceted needs of quilters today, TQS provides instruction, inspiration, information and interaction with Blogs, forums, slideshows, classrooms, and a gallery featuring over 10,500+ quilts posted by our 31,700+ loyal members in over 94 countries.  The Quilt Show.com has become the fun-filled everyday go-to website for all things quilting.  The Quilt Show began airing in April 2007 and is now in it’s 3^rd Series.

“Alex’s championship of new media has blazed trails in the quilt world,” Bresenhan continues.  “And her willingness to try new communication tools opens doors for others to step through.  She certainly doesn’t follow anyone – but leads the pack!”

For more information on Alex Anderson, please visit her website at www.alexandersonquilts.com. 

The Quilt Show is owned and operated by ARJJ, Inc. and is headquartered in La Veta, CO.  Please visit us at www.thequiltshow.com. 

Quilts, Inc. is the producer of trade and consumer shows for the quilting industry and based in Houston, TX.  Please visit them at www.quilts.com.