Quilt Qwazy Queens Blog Hop
March 23
After You leave your comments at the above blogs
Stop In To Enter Only At
Seams to Be Sew
How did it all start?
Ive always loved sewing. At school there was always only one or two machines and around 30 girls all trying to get something done.... so school sewing was never a priority for me.
Only once I was married and pregnant with my daughter (who is now 23) did I buy a small machine (that I still have) and I started making small items for her baby bed, curtains for the room, stuffed toys etc. I found my love for sewing all over again....I found this pattern in a book in the library and I tried my hand at making a small quilt.
This was all hand stitched and quilted. It took me forever and I think I was just not that impressed with all of it.
Then I tried to join the quilting group in the small town I lived in, but they were having no outsiders.... and I think right there I packed it all away and never sewed another stitch until 3 years ago.
We had moved to Pretoria - a large city and it felt so good to just be away from the small minded people. I saw a wall hanging in a magazine and I just had to try it. Only thing was that I was right back to basics and not really knowing what the hell I was doing...
I found Craftsy somehow and started to watch all the videos on beginners quilts etc and a huge thanks to Amy Gibson, I started on the road to making real quilts....
That's when I found Paper Piecing - only 3 years ago. It was love at first sight and stitch...
Ive never been able to not be making something or designing something that involves paper piecing technique.
This is where I started - a Forest quilt BOM with Shape Moth and Silver Linings blocks.
I taught myself how to design blocks and have also never looked back.
I started to sell my patterns with Craftsy and now have a business with designs and art quilts.
Many of the Art Quilts Ive designed have been very popular and are also now E Books in various shops.
Girl in the Wind
Forest Quilt A Long
There are also Mystery Blocks each month for you to all try....
and there are also Bitty 4" Blocks each month for those who feel adventurous...
Last year we had an Oceans Block of the Month that went down really well
This year there is a Beginners BOM and an Intermediate BOM
Ive also started a magazine for paper piecing which comes out quarterly with loads of interesting patterns to try out.
Thanks for visiting me here today.
Visit the other blogs for more giveaways...
Today I have a Hoffmans Fabrics giveway for you to enter. It will be up for 24hrs and I will announce the winner by Friday morning.
**(this daft thing is giving everyone grey hair, so leave a comment and I'll draw a name from there.)Thanks...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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This Week's A CELEBRATION!!
It's is my BDay week!!
and now Im officially a Juniour Seniour.....
Ive sent out a Golden Ticket - so If you see one, you can grab yourself a BDay gift.....
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Hui!
ReplyDeleteThis is also a nice prize and I love your many ispirations and patterns, you have created.
Greetings, Rike
PS: Is there a problem with the Rafflecopper? I cannot enter.
Great designer and sure more to come.
ReplyDeleteI have thoroughly enjoyed your blocks of the month, and can't wait to see where Wanderlust will take us next! Are you designing a Washington DC block? Are we going to Athens? To Rome? I cannot wait to see!!!! Thank you so much. lynnstck(at)yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHow nice to read about your quilting history. I also started with quilting, but when I discovered paper piecing I never turned back. I hope you'll keep up creating all these wonderful blocks. Love, Yvonne
ReplyDeleteps. I could not enter the rafflecopper.
Rafflecopter isn't working but you have skills!Jmikebalou(at)aol dot com
ReplyDeleteWow, you have made so many gorgeous and amazing patterns in such a short time! As you know, I'm a big fan!
ReplyDeleteI get really ticked off at unfriendly people especially in the sewing or craft world. I am a huge promoter of handwork of any kind. I live near a very Amish Community and find them unwelcoming as well. Too bad it put you off. You have a HUGE talent.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter
Thank you for being a stop on the hop.
WOW, you do such gorgeous work! How small and detailed, just lovely. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love the paper piecing blocks. Great patterns.
ReplyDeleteHello. I love your pretty quilts. Rafflecopter is not working for me either.
ReplyDeleteYour paper pieced patterns are AMAZING! You are so talented; thanks for sharing your story and your work with us. And... Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteYou have some very nice patterns, Girl in the Wind is wonderful.
ReplyDeletepatsystitch@gvtc.com
I could not get the Raffle to work.
ReplyDeletepatsystitch@gvtc.com
I do love paper piecing. What gorgeous designs you have done. Sorry I missed last years ocean one!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to read about your sewing history :-)
ReplyDeleteI can't get the rafflecopter to work either (those pesky computer gremlins at work again! )
I also like to do paper piecing so thanks for sharing your wonderful projects and thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteYou do wonderful work. I've done some of your block patterns. Need to check out your magazine - how do you get one? (By the way, your Rafflecopter isn't working)
ReplyDeleteYour paper piecing is gorgeous. I am envious, I am just not very good at it.
ReplyDeleteI e never tried PPing and your work is spectacular! Wow!!
ReplyDeleteI paper pieced once with a quilt friend. Looking forward to more paper piecing in the future. Your work is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love your patterns, especially the girl, so pretty! I've been to Pretoria on an orchestra trip, it's beautiful there. Great post!
ReplyDeleteYour paper piecing is amazing.
ReplyDeleteYour paper piecing is amazing! I need to learn how to do that!
ReplyDeleteI'm sew glad that paper piecing is your passion and that you are sooo generous with your patterns. Your designs are awesome! Thanks for all you do.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your quilting history. I have enjoyed your designs, especially the bitty blogs. Kim tnjmom1 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteAll I can say about your work is WOW! So amazing, especially that you design your own. Great work!
ReplyDeleteYour work is lovely. Thank you for sharing your quilting journey.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to leave those "small minded" people behind so you could reach this point in your quilting journey. You are amazing with your paper piecing designs!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to imagine a quilting group who would exclude anyone who wants to learn. You had an interesting journey to your present interests.
ReplyDeletehappy birthday. wow, love your journey. i love your paper pieced blocks. i am looking for a paper pieced chickadee and cant seem to find one. would you know where there is one? thank you for all your work you put into all your blocks that you share so generously.
ReplyDeletequilting dash lady at comcast dot net
Happy birthday! And thanks for being a generous and open person! We love your work!
ReplyDeleteLoved your quilting journey. You are a true inspiration. Your creations are fabulous. Thank you for sharing your story and talent with us unlike your earlier experience. Thank you
ReplyDeleteLovely paper pieced projects. Rafflecopter didn't work for me either. hofstettercarol@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI don't always comment, but this is one blog I stop in and look at because you can always count on seeing something new from you.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your history, it gave me a sense of seeing you and knowing you and understanding also. I think many quilters face the same issues you have, and can really sympathize. I know I have and have faced them. I don't let things put me off tho, I just pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again.. hmmmm I am thinkin that's a lyric in a song... but.. it's so true.. Love ya!!
You are truly an artist. As far as the mentally of that small group, You many not have arrived as the artist your are without them as part of your journey. I'm going to test some patterns for a row-a-long, and haven't much experience at paper piecing. I would love to have the pattern for the snow globe. Couldn't I just enlarge it a little? I went to your pattern listing and could not find that particular snow globe, I found the one with the snow man. Do you have a pattern for the one with the house. I would like to start on it soon if so. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Tonia
Very nice paper piecing kinda intimidates me...But one day i will try it ....Ty for sharing your story....... happyness04431@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteWell Lady you sure did not start simple!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the design work you do for paper piecing
Your paper piecing is gorgeous!! awesome! Thanks for sharing!!! mumbird3atgmaildotcom
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday week! So happy you found paper piecing. I must admit it is too finicky for me but love what you have created.
ReplyDeletekrbassoc57@gmail.com
Am always in awww of your work every time I open your blog to see what you have posted. One of these days I will try this PPing. Thanks for entertaining me every morning and for a chance to enter your giveaway.
ReplyDeleteYour pictorial designs are beautiful! I can't imagine making something like that. Paper piecing has never been my forte. I'm not usually dyslexic, but I sure feel that way when I try paper piecing! My brain just doesn't get "upside down and backwards" ^.^
ReplyDeleteYour quilts are very nice. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou have done some lovely work! Thanks for a chance to win. I've loved looking at everyone's creations.
ReplyDeleteI am totally intimidated by paper piecing. I love the theory of how to do it because of the sharp points and well defined results, but in reality, my attempts always seem lopsided. I really love the Oceans Block of the Month blocks. After seeing some of your work, I may have to give it another try. Thank you for being part of the blog hop and for offering the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteWow, your paper piecing projects are amazing .
ReplyDeleteIain.ross30 at gmail dot com
Love your designs. I'm glad your school experience didn't discourage your desire to learn to sew. I taught Home Economics at the middle school level. Using the To-Sew patterns, I helped my students learn about grainline, how to cut, sew together a pillow and embroider designs on it. To this day, if I happen to meet one of my former students, they tell me they still have their pillow and remember the positive experience they had in learning to sew. It's a great feeling to have a grown man tell you this.
ReplyDeleteRosemary
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK! LOVE THE QUILT YOU DID IN PHOTO #3>SO PRETTY! THANKS FOR SHARING! msstitcher1214@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI was just downloading the patterns for Forest QAL yesterday. Your work has inspired me to try paper piecing. crystalbluern at tds dot net
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you returned to quilting as your patterns are wonderful. I have not been a lover of paper piecing but you might get me to try it again. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow 3 years and you have created some amazing pieces. I have not ventured into paper piecing as much but I do like the creations from it. Thanks for being part of this blog as it has given me a chance to visit your blog and share in the delight of your creations.
ReplyDeletetushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com
It is inspirational to read your story and learn that you are self-taught. You have beautiful projects and patterns. Thanks!
ReplyDeletePlease click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.
Thanks for sharing your journey of quilting. I hate that you were shunned from a group of quilters, but in the end perhaps it has made where you are today more poignant. They certainly didn't know who they were missing out on! lalaluu @ yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteWow...I've admired your work in the past...sew glad to find your blog, now pinned to my phone!
ReplyDeleteWhat incredible designs. I really need to try paper piecing!
ReplyDeleteI like your patterns!! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletecork@pa.rr.com
Love your designs. Thanks so much for sharing
ReplyDeleteI've tried some smaller paper piecing. It is always nice to see those who know how to do it well. I love the penguins :D Thanks for sharing your journey. Happy birthday!!
ReplyDeleteI've tried some smaller paper piecing. It is always nice to see those who know how to do it well. I love the penguins :D Thanks for sharing your journey. Happy birthday!!
ReplyDeleteI am awestruck by the art you create through paper piecing. Thank you for sharing your story with us. by telling us the unvarnished version--including the difficult parts--perhaps it will give encouragement to someone else who might be finding small town living not to be the "Mitford experience" she had hoped for, or who might need to be reminded to open up the office clique.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your paper piecing projects. i am a beginner when it comes to pp but i keep trying.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. You've certainly had fun working on progressively more difficult paper piecing projects. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI love your paper piecing...those patterns are terrific. I only learned to paper piece and it is great! At least now my blocks are all perfect, lol. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work. I enjoyed seeing them and Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteI love paper piecing and your designs are great. I enjoyed seeing your projects.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, you youngster! It made me sad to read of the closed quilting group - I do think that's just a wrong thing to do. However, I'm glad that in the long run it didn't derail your quilt life! You've done some beautiful work, and I always like to see what you are paper piecing, even if that's not one of my personal quilt things. Thanks for sharing your journey, and for the giveaway chance! dezertsuz at gmail
ReplyDeleteDearest Janeen! I've always said you were a creative genius, but now I know you are that and so....much more! Thanks for sharing your story and pooey on the group that didn't let you in! What shallow-minded ninnies they are! You are nothing short of amazing! I have many of your patterns, free and purchased, and love, love, love them all! Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteYour patterns are fabulous and very intricate. Love them, haven't done one yet, but it is on my bucket list. raydeer@memlane.com
ReplyDeleteOMG, you've only been pp for 3 years? Oh my--I'd never have guessed since you are such a dynamite designer! Wow, so impressed.
ReplyDeleteI am "SEW" enjoying your P/Ping project. Luv "The Bees"
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your work with us.
Outsiders not welcome???? That was terrible. Little did they know what they would miss. Your paper piecing patterns are gorgeous.
ReplyDelete♫♪♫ HaPPy BirthDaY!
ReplyDeleteI haven't made one of your patterns yet, but I enjoy seeing what you are creating. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteI have been in love with your designs since I first saw them on Craftsy. Such beautiful detailed works. Happy Birthday.
ReplyDeleteYou have wonderful patterns, can't believe you've only been doing FPP for such a short time.
ReplyDeleteYou are a talented and generous quilter.
ReplyDeletesyvisser@gmail(dot)com
Happy Birthday to you! You are still a young'in! Wait till you pile on more. What a great bio to share in your Birthday week. So glad you persevered to become the great paper piecing queen that you are. I love the creations you come up with.
ReplyDeleteCarole Corn
Happy birthday! Great designs - love the orcas and penguins!
ReplyDeleteYou are so very talented...just love all your designs! Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your quilting story. Your quilting projects are so beautiful! "You've come a long way, baby".
ReplyDeleteI really love your patterns, they are outstanding! I do paper piece, but not that often. Seeing your designs makes me want to try it more. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletemy email is: bestbelle2010@aol.com
Thanks!
I got excited there for a minute and thought the dancing penguins from Mary Poppins were one of our patterns too. Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeletejen dot barnard at btinternet dot com
So, you get to be the Quazy Birthday Queen. You come a long way in a short time. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI understand how time consuming the handwork can be but your quilt is gorgeous. I like experimenting with new techniques too. mtmom57@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteYour paper piecing designs are great! Thanks for sharing and Happy Birthday! sewgood414athotmaildotcom
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I love your designs and thanks so much for sharing so many patterns.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to hear your story. I began quilting in 2011 and Amy Gibson's block of the month on Craftsy helped me enormously. I also joined the local guild in my town. The first thing I had to do as a new member was to make my own name badge. The pattern was a paper pieced one. I went on the internet to learn how to do it. It took a few different method tutorials until I found one that worked the same way I did. A few months after that I found your "In the Garden" block of the month. I love the subject matter you choose for your patterns. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story and your quilts! I started quilting while I was waiting for my first baby too, and have been quilting ever since. I have a granddaughter now, and it was wonderful fun delving into baby quilting again.
ReplyDeleteYour work is breathtaking! You are SO talented! I have paper pieced a few patterns, but I'm not very good at it. I may have to give your magazine a try. It looks awesome. Glad you gave quilting another try.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful collection of quilts. 24Tangent@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Week to you! You are quite the accomplished lady! I will certainly look for your magainze on paper-piecing. I just learned this technique a few weeks ago and fell in loooove! I made 8 identical blocks and put them together in a table runner. It turned out looking very nice!
ReplyDeleteYou are a true artist. The paper-pieced designs are amazing - to say the very least. Astounding work in just 3 years. Small-minded people are the loosers.
ReplyDeleteYou are so creative. I love the paper pieced patterns. Thank you for sharing your journey.
ReplyDeleteYou are Amazing!! Soooo much Talent! Your quilts & projects are Wonderful! Thank you for sharing with us! :)
ReplyDeleteWOW, girl in the wind is so beautiful. I have been dreaming up a design that I want to use to make a honey bee and didn't even realize that this is exactly the technique that I need to make it happen. I am fairly new to sewing, so I am glad to have found you.
ReplyDeletedebbygrawn at yahoo dot com
Your quilts are awesome!
ReplyDeleteWow, your designs are amazing. I can't believe you've only been doing this for three years. I've had problems with the rafflecopter on some of the other blogs, but it showed up correctly on yours. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteI've just started doing some paper piecing. It is fun and I love the precision. Such intricate blocks can be made that are probably impossible any other way. I love the pieces you have created. Thanks for the chance to enter this fabulous giveaway! Happy quilting!
ReplyDeleteYou have so many awesome patterns! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
ReplyDeleteReally? Just 3 years ago?? My goodness you are talented!! I love your designs and am just starting to do paper piecing. Thanks for a chance. Karen
ReplyDeleteI am amazed you only began foundation piecing 3 years ago! But then, I only began quilting 6 years ago ... seems longer, and that's actually a good thing...
ReplyDeleteI love your patterns and so appreciate all the freebies you share on your blog!
What beautiful work! I hope one day I can create things as amazing as you x
ReplyDeleteAdoro PP e da quando ho conosciuto il tuo sito ti seguo sempre. Grazie per tutto quello che disegni per noi, e per questa opportunità.
ReplyDeleteSilvana
You design amazing patterns. Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful giveaway.
ReplyDelete