In May of 2016 I started a blog. It was something I had thought about for years. Finally when I found a name for my blog I decided I had to do it. If not now, then when? I barely had more than one post under my belt when I found out about Linky parties, more specifically "Let's Bee Social" over at Sew Fresh Quilts. I mentioned that I was new and Lorna kindly got in touch with Yvonne for me and introduced me to the New Quilt Bloggers group.
I was so excited by the invitation to join the group and I signed up right away.
So, a little about me. I have been quilting for a few years now. I couldn't tell you what made me decide to start,but one day I dusted off my old Brother machine and made this:
I was so excited by the invitation to join the group and I signed up right away.
This group has been so amazing. I have always found that the quilting community are among the most generous, kind, and friendly people around. They will always welcome a new member to their tribe, instantly recognizing a common passion. So, a huge, huge THANK YOU to our hosts: Yvonne, at Quilting Jetgirl, Cheryl at MeadowMist Designs, and my hive leader Stephanie at Late Night Quilter for giving us all this opportunity to learn more about the things we love (quilting and blogging) and to make some really wonderful friends.
They separated us into hives and I was placed in The Hive Sewciety.
Make sure you check out the other posts on this week's blog hop:
Sharla @ Thistle Thicket Studio
Stephanie@ Quilt'n Party
Katrin@ Puppilalla
Check out the bloggers from the other hives too! You can find them, and the past week's bloggers on each host site linked at the top of my post. All of the posts are pretty great and most of them have great quilting and blogging tips.
Sharla @ Thistle Thicket Studio
Stephanie@ Quilt'n Party
Katrin@ Puppilalla
Check out the bloggers from the other hives too! You can find them, and the past week's bloggers on each host site linked at the top of my post. All of the posts are pretty great and most of them have great quilting and blogging tips.
So, a little about me. I have been quilting for a few years now. I couldn't tell you what made me decide to start,but one day I dusted off my old Brother machine and made this:
I was totally hooked. I had so much fun that I knew this was going to be my lifelong creative outlet. This particular quilt was a gift to my mom. Giving quilts as gifts has been a big part of my passion. I think that there is nothing like seeing a child laying on a quilt you made them while watching TV, or knowing that when a loved one gets a cold they reach for their quilt to curl up with, or having your gift be a much needed comfort during naptime. It warms my heart to know that these creations of mine are loved like that. And that is why I quilt. :) Also, because fabric is pretty. :P
I have only recently started taking decent photos of my quilts (I have yet to take them on a photo field trip), but I'll share a few of my favorite quilts anyway.
My very favorite thing to do is use scraps. I love, love, love making scrap quilts. The green and blue was a gift for my niece's 16th birthday.
Another scrappy one for a cousin that matches her wild and crazy personality. :)
After quilting for a few years, I finally decided it was time to make one for my son. This one needs a better photo for sure. I love this quilt. :)
My blogging tip: Don't worry so much about what everyone else will like. If you share what you love, then your personality and passion will show in your writing and photos and THAT is what makes a great blog.
My quilting tip: Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. Not all quilting is perfection. The learning and the mistakes are sometimes more fun than a super fancy, precise quilt. And sometimes those "mistakes" will surprise you and make a lovely piece.
Question: How many quilts do you save for yourself? Quilting is a gift giving craft. Do you make things for yourself?
Fun fact about me: I have a bit of a scrap/junk addiction. I love using material that other people would toss away. I save (and use) upholstery sample books, 2" pieces of fabric, cardboard and Styrofoam pieces. It's fun, I like to reuse these things and make something useful or beautiful from them.
Thanks for joining me on this wonderful quilting and blogging journey!
Hi Jen, lovely post and it's very nice to get to know more about you...Your quilts are so beautiful I love them all especially that first one (maybe because i'm addicted to purple) Thanks for the tips! I am just contemplating making myself an actual quilt, besides 2 wall hangings and an appliqued T-shirt, most of the things I make go to other people and it's always fun to see the excitement when they receive them. OK I am a bit of a scrap junkie myself even though I haven't made lots of stuffs with them...it's so bad they call me the "rag tailor" in my house because of all the scraps of fabric I collect
ReplyDeleteMy mom picked out most of the colors in that first quilt. Purple is her favorite too. I love it as well. :) One of the first quilts I made for myself was a scrap quilt with all of the bits from the quilts that I gave to others. Happy memories!
DeleteJen,
ReplyDeleteI sure love reading your blog. It is fun getting to know you a bit more. I love the quilts you shared. I need to do more scrappy.
Congratulations on your new blog! Way to jump in with both feet & join the New Bloggers Group. I love your bright log cabin quilt, it's perfect for someone with a wild & crazy personality. Great to get to know you a little better.
ReplyDeleteYEAH! Here is a cheer for the quilting community, because, as Jen says, they rock! Well and a cheer for pretty fabrics. Hi Jen, how wonderful to get to know you better. Thanks for sharing some of your work with us too. I am especially smitten with the quilt you made for your son. I agree with you, quilting is a giving craft and most of what I sew, I give away as a present. Therefore, I might never end up with one of these show-off pictures of a beautiful stack of quilts folded onto a vintage chair as my quilts are everywhere but with me. =) I have been good though and managed to make one quilt for myself. Have you got one to call your own yet or do you put off sewing for yourself?
ReplyDeletei do make things for myself, but mostly for family and friends and i love to re-purpose things others might throw away.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you connected with Lorna and she pointed you to the new quilter's blog hop! This community really is full of warm and welcoming people. And way to jump in with both feet. :) As far as quilts I keep, I do tend to make for others, but as I am making more and more of my own designs, the quilt count at home is adding up!
ReplyDeleteJen great post, Love your Wonderful colorful quilts. I have kept a few quilts, and make most of them for gifts. TFS. Have a great week. Hugs, Heide
ReplyDeleteGreat quilts! The purple, blue, and black is stunning - the colors really pop against such a dark background.
ReplyDeleteI love making quilts with dark backgrounds. Or white backgrounds. :) I love when the pieced shapes pop, although I didn't know it then.
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DeleteGreat post! It's nice to hear about you. Glad you're on the blogging train!
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right about not worrying about what everyone else likes, you have to quilt what makes you happy. I love the red and blue quilt you made for your son. I've been more experimental with my quilts lately so I've been keeping more of them. But I have given myself permission to start donating some to local charities.
ReplyDeleteThat's always a good idea too. There are so many great quilting charities out there. Not to mention any local hospitals or foster homes that could use them.
ReplyDeleteI give most of my quilts away but I have kept a couple for myself.
ReplyDeleteIt was great getting to know more about you and to see your wonderful quilts. My favourite it the red and blue one I think.
DeleteGreat quilts, Jen. I particularly liked your log cabin quilt and have pinned it for future reference. I'll give it a go myself one day (note to self: add to list of quilts to make :-) ). I have made quilts for all my immediate family and one for my niece's baby, number of quilts for me: two. Luckily that means I have room for more in my house!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post Jen! Your quilts are amazing, so bright and colorful. I love that black and white animal print sashing in your rainbow log cabin quilt. I have a terrible habit of making quilts for myself. I can only give away a quilt if I intend to give it away right from the get go, if that makes sense. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteThat does make sense. I usually have a plan at the beginning for who is going to receive the quilts I make. That zebra print did turn out so well, and it was practically an accident. the plan was for a grey or black solid and as I was digging through my stash I piled the fabric on top of the quilt and saw the zebra print. Thank goodness I had enough of it. :)
DeleteThanks for stopping in.
Jen
Your post hit home with me because I also most enjoy giving quilts to people who I love. Some quilts I can't part with because they are special for sentimental reasons. I know they'll be passed on eventually. I'd like to make more charity quilts but I have a long list of friends and family who I promised a quilt. I tell them that they're "on my list." The first quilt that you made is a keeper in my view and it would have gotten me hooked as well. My early quilts are not ones that I would gift. But, your right, we learn a lot from our mistakes. I love the quilt with the Safari smashing. Thanks for sharing your talents. Best, Mary Maloney
ReplyDeleteI meant sashing not smashing, dats that auto correct! My favorite story about auto correct was when a women emailed her boss to tell him that she is "around" and it was sent to him in her message that she is "aroused."
ReplyDeleteHahaha. :) I knew what you meant. And that particular "sashing" is indeed "smashing"!
DeleteI think over half of my quilts have some sentimental value to them, either because they hold a certain memory or are given to a loved one. I like to keep a bit from each quilt and make myself scrap quilts with them, that way I am holding onto the memory of each one.
Thanks for the comments.
Jen
Jen, I just love the bright colors you use in your quilts! They are mahvelous dahling! Especially the crazy one you made for your cousin. Love it! I have yet to keep any of the quilts I've made for myself. I've really been wanting to make some mini quilts to brighten up my office walls at work. And of COURSE I'll need some for my new sewing room too. Haven't managed to make any yet. :( But I will! It has really been fun getting to know you.
ReplyDeleteHi Jen, I find the quilting community to be the best people ever! It's so lovely to meet like minded people who share passions. Your sons quilt is gorgeous! 😍Hope you are enjoying your turn on the blog hop! 😉
ReplyDeleteThe hop was so much fun. It was a great way to learn about other quilters. And also to realize how much I have in common with so many people. It is hard to find that sometimes.
DeleteHI Jen, great to learn more about you this week, fellow hive member! Love that log cabin! I have given away a number of quilts, but I also find that the pile of quilts is piling up at home. I often keep the ones that had a problem, but each family member has their own special ones that they pile on their beds on cold winter nights. Thinking to the future, I know I'd love to keep most of the quilts on my want-to-make list, but I shall try to part with most of them!
ReplyDeleteGood post Jen. It was very adventurous of you to make that pattern for your first quilt, you nailed it too. Like most quilters I have given most of the quilt I have made away, although I have kept a couple of lap size ones this year to replace the old ones I put in the cars to protect the seats from the dogs.
ReplyDeleteSmiles
Kate
Great post! It's been fun getting to know you. I keep; I give. I just love making quilts!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed getting to know you better in your intro post and seeing all of your lovely quilts. I especially liked your colorful log cabin with the black and white sashing and your son's HST quilt. I make lots of quilts to give away to friends, family and charities, and. I make quilts to sell, but I always know when there are ones that I just can't part with, yet, and those I keep.
ReplyDeleteJen, I didn't know you loved scrap quilts so much! I didn't catch on to than in the blogger critique group. All of your quilts are beautiful! Great blogging and quilting advice, thank you!
ReplyDeletelove the blues and greens together and the zebralike sashing in the next one.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love your quilts!! And seeing a scrappy version of the Lava Meets Sea quilt is so amazing! (You must have a LOT of scraps!) :D To answer your question about giving or keeping quilts, I'm trying to keep more now. I realized that I made almost all of them for other people. My daughters haven't wanted quilts (aside from one graduation gift) and I hated to think that if anything happened to me, they wouldn't have a quilt made by their Mom. So I'm making more to just stay at home with me, and someday (while I'm still here or after), they'll be there for them.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have to admit, I did buy a lot of that fabric. Just not much of each. :) I wanted it scrappy looking, but still wanted it to blend well. It is a beautiful pattern. That's a good idea to make some that stay at your house that aren't necessarily "yours".
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