About
Hello,
I am Pokey Bolton, founder of Quilting Arts and Cloth Paper Scissors magazines, and Founding Host of Quilting Arts TV on PBS. More recently, I was the Chief Creative Officer at Quilts, Inc., in Houston, the parent company of the International Quilt Festivals and Quilt Markets.
In 2014, I resigned from both Quilts, Inc. and resigned as TV Host of Quilting Arts to 1) take a breather and travel, and 2) make room in my mind to mull over a new creative endeavor to launch.
With my experience in publishing, media, events, and craft adventures (by land and sea), I am happy to announce Crafting a Life, LLC, a media and events company based in Napa, CA. Our first event called CRAFT NAPA launched this past January, and the next edition takes place January 12-15, 2017. We also have some other ventures in media we will be announcing very shortly.
Address & Contact info:
Crafting a Life, LLC
PO Box 10368
Napa, CA
94581
Pokey Bolton
Founder of Crafting a Life, LLC
pokey's ponderings 
All the best on your new adventures!
Thanks Stitches!
Congrats, will miss you on my local pbs station!
The new hosts are doing too muchchatting and not enough doing. You kept things moving, they do too much chatting
Happy to see you resurface in social medias. I’ve been with QArts magazine since the beginning and owe you (and your ex-colleagues of course) a lot for introducing me to the wonderful world of art quits.
I wish you all the best in this new venture. Quilts Inc is very lucky to have such a dynamic CCO!
Line from Montreal
Thank you for the kind words, Line. I am still very close with my QA peeps so I will be sure to pass along your kind words to them, too.
it is interesting to me that my inasntt associations with Modern are open, clean, simple, can be boring which describes parts of yours, but not really. Yours look simple until the moment I stare at them, and there are layers and layers of depth and meaning. And yet, what I love about your quilts is that looking at them makes me happy. Contemporary feels like a reasonable descriptor, since they are made right now, but I think it won’t be terribly useful term to describe them in 20 or 25 years. Although Modern has some of the same time-line issues, doesn’t it?
I have seen you on tv a couple of times. My local PBS station is not very faithful in airing quilting/sewing shows (and yes I have contacted them) Hope they air some more of you! My favorite thing is watching a quilt develope from the first block to the end! Good luck in Houston. One of my favorite cities – I visit my sister there several times a year and have attended seversl quilt shows there.
Thanks, Kay. If you come to the Quilt festival this fall I hope you’ll introduce yourself to me!
I was thinking about you yesterday. I rode my bike to the quilt shop, and listened to “Born To Run” there and back. I have an iPod case that has a built in speaker and I throw it in the basket on my bike. So I can listen to music and still hear traffic. And sing along when there is no chance anyone else will hear me.
I don’t have a dog to put in the basket, so I have the iPod case, and my iPhone for emergencies and a little bag that holds some money for my fabric and will then hold the fabric, and a lock for my bike.
Someday we will have to go bike riding together. 😉
Boom-crash! There went my comment off into the thunderstorm ether. Try again. So glad to find your blog again. It’s gonna get hot in Houston, be prepared!(Lived in Austin area nearly 20 years.) I like your furniture/house pictures, Louie, of course, and now Clarence! Kitty pic? With no TV on purpose here in NW Arkansas, I’m collecting QATV DVDs for my fix. Love seeing you with all the great guests and ideas. IQF is so lucky to have your creative spark and energetic curiosity. Have a wonderful time in Houston!
Thanks for the sweet comments about QA TV! And I am looking forward to the hot weather in Houston! 😉
Pokey! I’m so excited that you are here in Houston! I love my city! I’m curious about the hotel furniture. Are you able to share where you got the chairs from? They are so cute!!!
I’ve finished UFO’s this year–I didn’t think I would have any new ones to start off the year, but may have one–a quilt I just srtetad! But……I have not only finished UFO’s this year I’ve finished (up to now) everything else that I’ve srtetad, so in that way, I’ve become more efficient and learning to enjoy the ‘finishing’ process. Not worried about those which are not finished; they await their turn and I’m looking forward to a good, quilty year next year!Brenda
Mary, I am so sorry for just seeing this question! I got them at Southwest Surplus off of I45. Here is the website:http://swsurplus.com/
No worries! I just now saw your response!!! Wow! I’m ashamed to say that I’ve lived in Houston 45 years and I didn’t have a clue about this place. You’ve been here maybe 6 months and you taught me something about my city!!! A big Texas thanks!
I have never felt the need to be finished. My UFO’s are just works in poergrss. I love picking up something days,months, years later and re-interperting the direction I want it to go. I too, pick up orphan projects to add to my TO DO someday list.For me I just don’t write my ‘waiting pile’ down. I started a top eariler this year, just dug it back out last week and worked on it for a bit, and now I have another distraction that is getting more attention.I am just now quilting my Celtic Knot from last year. btw- I have 4 friends that want to do this as a group project after the holidays. Looks like I am going to have two beautiful quilts from your pattern!!- be good cheryl
Hi, Congratulations on your new job! Several of us at Stashbusters Yahoo group are disappointed that McCalls web site no logner shows the Spring Splash quilt pattern. Will it be returned to the site? Thanks,Betty M.
Is it me or are half the comments in this thread out of context?
Yes, I see that! I will contact WordPress…
I just learned that you are living in Houston. Are you and your husband no longer in charge of Quilting Arts? I have enjoyed and learned so much from your publishings and shows.
Nancy
Pokey – we met last night in front of Tailgaters – have family for dog call me – Kimber 832-893-0726
just passing through..can you tell me the color of paint on your living room wall? I love quilts!
Hi Pokey, I’ll be attending the festival this year. It’s my first time at a big quilt show. I have ATC’s to trade. Will there be a booth to do that?
Pokey,
I am a lover of Quilting Arts! I get so much inspration and knowledge from your show! Thank you.
When I read your Bio and learned you love thick juicy novels, I knew I had to share one of my fave authors with you. Diana Gabaldon, and her Jamie and Claire Fraser series. Diana’s books are usually 3-4″ thick! She keeps you turning the pages, book after book. I hope you look her up. She has a website. Dianagabaldon.com.
Pokey, I just had to tell you { and you probably know already!} that QATV is finally on the Create
channel Tuesday and Thursday in the Boston area! Finally finally! Boston misses you and
wishes you well!
No, I did not know! Thank you for telling me!
Pokey I watch your show all the time. Could you please comment on the show 1106 and the presser feet shown by Libby Lehman. I would like info on the quilting roller foot that was shown. Where this foot can be purchased and other details. Thank you hedrick1093@comcast.net
Hi Edna. I just saw show 1106 today and went online to get info on those feet as well. I saw your post and was wondering if you found them. Thanks,
Celia Burkel
Hi Pokey! Hope all is well with you. I just pieced my first quilt and couldn’t help but think of you.
Warmly,
Dena
Pokey,I never would of guessed you were a Soprano’s girl! You have good taste!
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do you have instructions for making the pet post cards?
Hi Linda, yes, I do. Visit this blog entry and you will find some basic instructions: http://pokeysponderings.com/2013/09/30/how-to-make-pet-postcards/
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Hi I really enjoy the magazines and tv segments, I am only off work 2 Saturdays a month and really look forward to my morning shows. I’ve enjoyed the international quilt festival and the class opportunities.too bad it won’t be in Cincinnati this year and hope it will return in the future. Best of luck in your future endeavors.
Sandi collins
I am so sorry to see you leave Quilting arts TV. I watch it on Create TV and just noticed that the 1400 series you aren’t there. good luck and I will miss seeing you on TV
Hi Sue, I’m sorry for the very belated response! I have been traveling a lot over the last 8 weeks. Yes, I will miss hosting QATV but it was the right time. Thank you for your kind comment!
Hi Ms. Bolton,
I noticed the Freelance Graphic Designer job posting on LinkedIn. I’m an experienced Graphic Designer that is currently looking for work. Please feel free to view my profile: Aasha Byers If you’re interested in discussing my qualifications in person, I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for your time and consideration in advance.
Good luck in your future endeavor. I will miss you, I will miss you. Did I say I will miss you on Quilting Arts!
OMG Pokey, I really miss your easy going way on QATV. The new person speaks like a preschool teacher…
when I heard about the earthquake my 1st thought was of your new endeavor. hope all is well. I miss you on my saturday mornings when I am off work
Really miss you and your style on the show. I look forward to seeing your next “gig” brings us. Much luck and success.
Sincerely.
I also miss watching you and your shows. I had the pleasure of meeting you once at PIQF and was impressed with how kind you were to everyone. You really inspired me to start art quilting.
I am excited you have moved to Napa. I live in Santa Rosa so I can’t wait to see the events you plan. Napa is a great place to live, ‘cept for those occasional “shakers”. Lol
I am so sad I that I finally found why you you have not been on QATv. Hope you were on a long vacation. I miss your easy, calm & pleasant voice & prestation of the programs. I enjoy watching your programs. I will diffently miss you. Good luck & will be wanting for your next “gig”. Just air wave it to Kentucky!!!!! Many Thanks in appreciation, Mary
I miss you as well. Will you be airing anything on PBS? I miss your creativity! The show isn’t the same without you! Nothing against the new gal, but everyone has their own way! 🙂
I miss you, the show is not the same without you and I feel it’s not worth watching anymore.
Will you ever be on TV again?
Thanks, Diane
Welcome to the neighborhood Pokey! I’m a long time Quilting Arts reader and dreamer – and I’m just over the hill from Napa in Lake County.
As I do not find a mailing address….I am sending a few of my Dragonflys to you in care of the Napa River Inn….let me know what you think!
I watched your show one morning. I learned of your dream and how you are achieving it. Thank you for the inspiration! You are a very brave young woman. Keep following your dream!
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Wishing you all the the best with your new quest. I enjoyed you very much on Quilting Arts.
Meryl
Miss you so much. I was happy to see they reran the segments you did before. Need a little Pokey on Thursdays PBS NC
I don’t watch it any more. Boring without u!
Wheeling Ruffles (Sevillanas)”, Rachael Arnold, July
2015, 47″x47″ (excluding ruffle).
It was very inspiring and informative before you left. Not watching it any more!
I quit watching it, as well.
From tomorrow i’m gonna lose weight. Summer is comming guys!
Who starts with me? I found a good method in google and
want to give it a try, simply search in g0ogle: fitMarikka advices
Hello. My name is David. I am interested in learning more about quilting. And since I have zero training in this field, l was wondering what would be a good place to start in trying to learn quilting. My girlfriends mom was an avid quilter who usually hand stitched all of her quilts.She did own a Bernina which she used for other projects.Quite a bit of dedication I’d have to say. And since her passing in March of this year, I wanted to honor her by learning what truly made her happy and that was quilting. She also liked stained glass and pottery which I will be trying as well. So any help would be appreciated. Thanks again