MJ likes to tell people that she makes the biggest diamonds in the world. The adventure started over 20 years ago when an image of a gem captured her imagination. As a new quiltmaker, she knew there had to be a way to transform that image into a quilt, but she didn’t know where to begin. After seven years of research, she made her first gem quilt. MJ’s current series is based on the National Gem Collection at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Her previous series entitled “Bourbon Diamonds” celebrates Kentucky’s favorite spirit and most popular export. Her work has been exhibited in international shows, galleries, and museums, including The National Quilt Museum (Paducah, KY) which is planning an exhibit of her work in 2020. Quiltmakers have read about her work in Quilting Arts Magazine, Quiltfolk, France Patchwork, McCall’s Quilting, Make Modern Magazine, Online Quilting Magazine, and World Diamond Magazine. Viewers of Quilting Arts TV and The Quilt Show.com with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims have learned about MJ’s practice and process. Her gem quilts are included in private collections, including Maker’s Mark Distillery (Loretto, Kentucky). MJ released her first pattern series in 2018. The Birthstone Series is a collection of 12 blocks representing the traditional birthstones, The Diamond Divas Series features larger quilt patterns inspired by fancy-cut diamonds. MJ and Northcott Fabrics have collaborated on several collections, including “Facets by MJ Kinman” and “Jewel Box by MJ Kinman” featuring her unique gemstone designs. MJ loves to teach others how to use freezer-paper piecing techniques in order to bring their own inspiration to life. She launched a teacher certification program in 2018. Gem Affiliates are independent teachers around the world who are certified to teach her patterns.