Meet Shelley Parham of Headingley, Manitoba, another new vendor in our 2017 market –

My business name is Handmade by Shelley and I’m a quilter.  Many people think that quilts are only bed covers, but I love making wall hangings, throw quilts, baby quilts, etc.  My interests range from traditional to modern quilt styles.
I made my first quilt in 1991 when I saw an article in Canadian Living magazine called “Quilt in a Day”, and I thought that’s exactly the amount of time I have!  I’m mostly self-taught, but enjoy an occasional online course or tutorial.
I’m inspired by quilts I see at quilt shows, in magazines and on Pinterest, as well as patterns and colour combinations seen in nature.  It’s unusual for me to make a quilt exactly as shown in a pattern.  I usually use a picture or a pattern as a guide only and go from there.
My favourite quilt changes from month to month, but currently it’s an intricately appliquéd Angel of Peace.  I saw a picture of it in an old craft magazine and went from there.  But the quilt that’s currently closest to my heart is the memory quilt I made with my dad’s shirts after he passed away earlier this year.  It has a simple friendship star pattern on the front and “Dad” pieced on the back.

Welcome, Shelley!