Arlene Neely

I started quilting in the 70’s by taking a beginner’s class, and I loved it.
It was the start of a wonderful new addiction, not only for me but also for my three sisters who are wonderful quilters. Many hours and years were spent quilting with family and friends while we all watched our families grow. Then, miraculously all four of us retired early to what our families had always called our second home, Mayne Island, B.C., an hour’s ferry ride from Vancouver. We live within sight of each other’s homes, next
to our Mayne Island Lighthouse, which is visited by tourists from all over the world.

I opened a gift shop in my cottage that was known as “Rabbits Haven”…
on the road to the lighthouse…where my three sisters and I made almost everything we sold. “Tea on the Veranda” was a special treat for our customers on holiday weekends. I closed the shop after five fun-filled years so I could pursue my love of painting and quilting and give my sisters, Sharon, Vicki, and Betty, time to breathe. Quilting remains a large part of our lives and I have four treasured visitor books with memories written by people from around the world who visited our shop on their way to the lighthouse.

The start of my design company, Rabbits Haven, came out of the
success of making a quilt from one of my original watercolour paintings. After many requests and encouragement from my family and friends, I was brave enough to make my very first pattern. I love combining my whimsical watercolour designs with my favourite traditional quilt designs as the backgrounds.

Rabbits Haven now has a collection of 49 quilt and stitchery patterns, and I have once again been lucky enough to have the help and support of my sisters who are always there to help with anything I need…sample making, encouragement, coffee, fresh baked goodies, and oh yes, International Quilt Market. They have come to each one with me. Going to International Quilt Market twice a year and getting to meet all our customers from around the world is thrilling.

I love quilting and I believe you can never have too many drawers of fabric or too many quilts in progress.

Please visit my website at www.rabbitshaven.com to view my collection of quilt and stitchery patterns.