Tuesday 4 September 2018

2018 Quilters Meet and Greet...



Hi!!

Today I'm taking part in the Quilters Meet and Greet hosted by Benita at Victoriana Quilt Designs. 
Thanks so much for inviting me to be a part of it.


I'm Janeen van Niekerk and I design patterns mostly for the Foundation Paper Piecing technique.







 I do have other Applique patterns too but the paper piecing has really taken over most of my business.


I live in Pretoria, South Africa with my Hubby, 2 sons and my dog Pepsi. My daughter and her cat have recently moved out and will be married by the end of September. Wedding preparations have kept me so busy this last 6 months - it's been crazy!!!






I started my business
Quilt Art Designs in 2013 and after designing a few patterns or blocks, I was hooked and it has grown and improved since then.

I love art and drawing and I love sewing too, so the two seemed to be a marriage made in heaven.

 Before quilting I was making mosaics but my fingers were permanently sore from the glass cuts. Now, I'm basically doing the same thing only with fabrics.


I started a quarterly Paper Piecing Magazine in 2014 so that foundation paper piecing could get more recognition or exposure and that people interested could also see that the designs didn't have to be cartoonish or really ugly.  I had such a hard time finding anything I wanted to sew, so I made my own patterns and others seemed to like them too. Using this technique we could also make some amazing quilts.





I was asked to participate in a Art with Fabric Hop with Alida from Tweloquilting in 2015 and that's when I discovered that I love making a larger more 'arty' quilt. I've made a few myself too but after getting Frozen Shoulder in both arms I've had to be content to just sit and do a bit of design work and not too much sewing. I think only after I rigged up my sewing machine to a higher position where I can stand and sew.... it has made my life easier and I can also get a few things sewn.




Each year I have a Block of the Month where I give away a free block (for the month it's released) and we've had loads of fun producing great paper pieced quilts.



I was asked which quilt or design was my favourite and that was really hard to choose. I love each one of them, but I chose this Farmhouse String quilt. 


It really was loads of fun to make and if I can use up all my scraps then I'm even happier. So many people joined in this quilt a long and there were so many different and amazing quilts that came out of this. 

This was a take on 'string quilts' that also had an arty look instead of it being the usual sewing a few scrappy strips together.



Well, that's me in a nutshell. Thanks for visiting.
You can hop over and visit a few more bloggers and quilters too. 






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I've started a QA Designs Group  on Facebook where you are welcome to join and add any of your finished blocks made with the QADesigns patterns. I really love to see them all.
              
                          
 Quick link to my full Craftsy Shop <<<<<


(when you open the shop.... click on the right side 'sort by tab' and press NEWEST.... then everything will show up)









45 comments:

SusanG said...

New to paper piecing. Your beautiful work is inspiring!

Anonymous said...

inspirational - may need to learn how to paper piece.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Wow - those are amazing! and you can definitely see your passion!

Mari said...

I love all of your patterns. They're so creative and easier to make than they look. My favorite so far has been the Christ the Redeemer statue, but I also loved the animal babies. Have a great day!

Denise :) said...

Wow -- you're very talented!! Do you do your designing in EQ? Or some other software? I'm so impressed! :)

Susan said...

Janeen, you are a beautiful designer - you're creations are always a delight! I'm sorry to hear of your shoulder issues, but glad that you have found a way that work for you so that you can sew again. Take care.

Jennifer said...

LOVE your string farmhouse quilt! It is so pastoral and relaxing. Thanks for sharing and nice to meet you in the meet and greet.

Benita Skinner said...

Your paper piecing designs are so wonderful, Janeen.
I too love your Farmhouse String design!
Thanks for being part of the Quilters Meet & Greet! <3

DebbieM said...

I love paper piecing and have just purchased a book to teach me. I hope what I design is half as nice as yours. Thanks for sharing.

Meloney said...

What an amazing job you do with your paper piecing.

Carol Swift said...

I always enjoy seeing your designs and how creative you make paper piecing projects. You are amazing!

Diane H said...

Love all your work and it is a great pleasure to follow your blog.

The Joyful Quilter said...

Wow! Two quilters couldn't be more different than you and I. I respect the work you do, but I not fond of foundation piecing, myself. LOVE your mosaic quilt!!!

Needled Mom said...

I have followed you for awhile and your work and patterns are just amazing.

Nicki said...

I've never been able to wrap my head around paper piecing. Everything about is seems backwards to me. Your work is beautiful. Some day I want to master it as I love paper piecing work.

Carol Andrews said...

I have been following you for a while so was glad to see you are part of the Meet n Greet. I really like the Farmhouse String quilt and have been enjoying paper piecing more since I have been picking up tips and reading your blog. Very inspiring!

sketchrs said...

After following you for some time it is wonderful to get to know you a little better. Thank you for sharing. Your work is exquisite and I can't wait to see what you do each month.
Ronelle

Verov94 said...

Merci pour toutes vos créations. C'est avec plaisir, je vois votre blog.
J'ai réalisé le reanardeau de la serie des bébé animaux.
J'attends une serie sur le Japon ( eventail, kimono, lampionsetc....)
Bonne journée de France

Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

Your paper piecing patterns are spectacular! I am happy to have found you!

rebecca huff said...

love your quilts and patterns!

Nann said...

WOW. I can see how your stained glass work would be a good training for designing paper pieced quilt designs. They are beautiful! It's nice to meet you and your quilts.

beaquilter said...

You are so talented! Let me know if you need more testers for your magazine!?

Calicojoan said...

You truly are the "Queen" of paper piecing. Everything is just stunning!

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

So great to know you better Janeen! I love your paper piecing patterns, as I love this technique too. Your patterns are so fun, and lovely!

Susan said...

Such fun to read more about you and your business. That string quilt is one of my favorites of yours, too.

Patty said...

Your patterns look wonderful!

LJ said...

I follow you with Feedly and think you are the best paper-piecer around and to think you come up with the designs is amazing. Farmhouse String Quilt is my favorite, too.

wendy said...

What a wonderful nutshell! Your paper pieced quilts are amazing as are your mosaics. Thanks so much for the visit!

Anita Jackson @ Domestic Felicity said...

Truly amazing art! Such hard work in your designs!

Elizabeth V Kelbaugh said...

Awesome paper-pieced quilts! I enjoy PP and will definitely check out more info on your patterns. Thanks for sharing.

Tammy said...

It's nice to meet you . I have never done this type of paper piecing. It looks very hard and intricate.

RosieGma said...

Beautiful work and I love that string barn quilt....i keep adding photos to my landscape quilt board on pinterest but have yet to take the plunge...

Jayne said...

I am so glad to have met you through this meet and greet and will definitely be back again. I really enjoy your work

Andree G. Faubert said...

Hi Janeen, your foundation paper pieced quilts are really amazing. I especially like your farmhouse string quilt. It's really effective.

Carli The Quilter said...

Beautiful designs, wow! I agree String Farm is my favorite too.

thea said...

your quilts are amazing .. I haven't done any paper piecing but have been wanting to.

Sandi1100 said...

Your paper piecing is beautiful! I did save the baby animals but have not tried to make them yet.

OhioLori said...

I have never tried paper-piecing.. Your Quilts are AMAZING!! You are so creative! Thank you for sharing... :)

Anonymous said...

Awesome! I have dabbled in paper piecing but nothing stands up to your talent! I love them all!

Melva said...

I love your farmhouse quilt! Nice to meet you. :)

Georgi said...

I'm amazed at your paper piecing ~ I haven't done much of that, but your designs really inspire me! Your Farmhouse string quilt is just gorgeous ~ what a great take on a string quilt. So nice to meet you!

quiltingbydawn said...

I love paper piecing! Your farmhouse string quilt is pretty amazing! I think I would like to join in on a paper pieced quilt along.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Oh wow! Your quilts are amazing! I especially love the animal designs - wish I had known about that one while it was happening. Enjoyed my visit!!

Nancy J said...

Beauty paper piecing, and the farmhouse one would be my favourite. What fun to start a new group, and then to share your talent and more.

Unknown said...

I also love the Farmhouse string quilt. You do such beautiful work. Thanks for sharing.