JoAnn has enjoyed the sewing machine since she began producing her own clothes at age 12. In 1965 she began quilting with heavy polyester fabrics and no formal instruction. Encouraged by a friend she enrolled in classes in 1977 and has designed numerous quilts and wall hangings. She has taught a variety of classes in United States and Japan. Her influence in quilting has been felt from coast to coast. The Belling household has hosted a number of quilt groups for lectures and tours. Her finest work has been reproduced in national publications.  

JoAnn has received Best of Show and other ribbons on her quilts at the Iowa State Fair and other competitions.  A total of 9 quilts have hung at Paducah as well as other national quilt shows.  The Quilt Room at Hotel Pattee, Perry, Iowa, is the site for "My Jacobean Garden".  

Concepts of color and composition which JoAnn uses in her photographic art are applied to the designing of quilts, borders and quilt backart. All phases of quilting are enjoyed by JoAnn but of greatest interest are the color and design portion. Planning and short cut methods are discussed. Organization in her dream sewing room gives you an insight to the reason JoAnn is able to create a number of quilt works each year.  Quilt Lectures with Trunk Shows are Educational and Entertaining.

WORKSHOPS AND LECTURES GIVEN

ALASKA:  Soldotna

ARIZONA:   Prescott Valley

ARKANSAS:  Hot Springs Village, Little Rock, Mountain Home, Russellville

CALIFORNIA:  Beach Cities, Orange Grove

FLORIDA:  Jacksonville, Pensacola

ILLINOIS:  Flossmoor, Galesburg, Moline, Northbrook, Plainfield

INDIANA:  Indianapolis (Quilt America)

IOWA:  Adel, Albia, Alleman, Altoona, Ankeny, Burlington, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Chariton, Clive, Corydon, Creston, Denison, Des Moines, Des Moines AQS, Drake University, Fort Dodge, Grinnell, Independence, Indianola, Iowa City, Keosauqua, Laurens, Marion, Missouri Valley, Monona, Montezuma, Mt. Pleasant, New Hampton, Pella, Perry,  Sioux City, Sumner,  Washington, Waukee, West Des Moines, Winterset

KANSAS:   Liberal

KENTUCKY:  Paducah AQS

LOUISIANA:  Baton Rouge (Gulf States Quilt Association), Lafayette

MAINE:  Augusta

MASSACHUSETTS:   Lowell

MICHIGAN:  Ironwood

MINNESOTA:  Duluth (MN Quilt Conference), Fairmont, Fergus Falls, Minneapolis, Rochester, St Cloud

MISSOURI:  Marshall

NEBRASKA:  Lincoln, Omaha

NEW HAMPSHIRE:  Nashua (Quilters Gathering)

NEW MEXICO:  Albuquerque

NORTH DAKOTA:  Fargo

OREGON:  Eugene, Lake Oswego, Portland, Sisters, Tualatin

SOUTH DAKOTA:   Black Hills, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Vermillion

TENNESSEE:   Pigeon Forge (Quiltfest)

TEXAS:  Amarillo, Baytown, Beaumont, Carrollton, Castroville, Crosby, Dallas, Dilley, El Paso, Follett, Fort Worth, Fredericksburg, Huntsville, Kerrville, Kingwood, Longview, Lubbock, McKinney, Midland, Mineola, New Braunfels, Olton, Perryton, Rockport, San Antonio, Springtown, Stonewall, Tyler, Uvalde, Van Alstyne, Victoria, West Houston, Woodlands

VERMONT:  Burlington

WASHINGTON:  Kelso

WISCONSIN:  Kenosha

JAPAN:  Yokohama Intl. Quilt Festival

The Photography Side of JoAnn

While working in the photography studio with her husband, Thomas, JoAnn became adept at retouching negatives and oil coloring photographs.  During the years she also assisted in sales, bookkeeping and helping with wedding photography.  JoAnn earned her Master of Photography degree in 1992 from the Professional Photographers of America and her Craftsmen degree for public speaking in 1995.  She was awarded the National Service Award from the national organization for the state of Iowa in 1987,  the Distinguished Service Award for her contributions to the four-state regional association in 1997 and the National Service Award for the four-state regional in 2008.. She received the Excellence in Imaging Award in 2009 for accredited Loan Prints.

Photography website:  Thomas & Bruce Photography        www.thomasandbruce.com

The Personal and Family Side of JoAnn

JoAnn and Thomas shown middle back in the photograph celebrated their 50th anniversary this year.  Their sons include Keith, wife LaGaya, son Dakota and daughter Elizabeth (family lower middle); Wayne, wife Shari, and children Tyler, Corbin and Brooke (family on right); Bruce, wife Randi, and sons Tad, Doug, Bryan and Matt (family on left).  Thomas and JoAnn enjoy their family, reading, golf, and flying.  JoAnn also enjoys playing the piano.  

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