In March, I joined a group for new quilt bloggers. We had a few weeks of critiquing a few blogs and receiving critiques as well. Thanks to Kara @ Sunshine Kwilts, Jen @ Dizzy Quilter, and Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts for their feedback. It’s from their suggestions and encouragement that you now see bigger pictures and a few other changes.
The group (called a hive) I’m in decided on a “Name” and a “Logo”: “Lets Bee Quilt’n.” I think the logo that was created is super cute! I joined a talented bunch of people, right?
This week, it’s my turn to participate in the blog hop. Be sure to visit the various blogs and enter the giveaways!
My Introduction
First, I’m to tell you about myself and my quilting journey. (Yes, I know that some of you may have heard, or been part of, my story – but this is for the benefit of those that don’t know and are visiting my blog for the first time.)
Initial Quilting Inspiration I grew up knowing that my grandma, who lived way far away from me quilted. When I was in my last year of high school, I drafted my own pattern, made square and rectangle templates from cereal boxes and cut out my fabric. I only used scrap fabric that my mom had from making clothes. The quilt got tied because I didn’t know how to do anything. I was just going by guess. I used the quilt during my 3 years in nursing school. Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture. The quilt later became the dog’s blanket and I’m not sure if it was buried with her or burned.
Fast Forward a Few Years I belonged to a church that made queen sized quilts for couples getting married. With helping to make these quilts, I learned to rip strip sets (before the days of rotary cutters), sew quilts together, put them on a frame and hand quilt them. At this time, I made a quilt for each of my husband’s siblings and my sister. Again, I don’t have pictures.
Then life changed We moved, had lots of neat adventures and quilting became a thing of the past. I went back to school and finally graduated in 2005. The day after I finished my final paper, I went sewing machine shopping and within a few weeks, I bought my Janome 6500. A machine I still love. I have made a many many quilts since 2005.
Not sure how many quilts I’ve made since I finished school. But as soon as I retired (beginning of 2016), I had enough quilts to do a trunk show … and I know I have given away more than I have kept. Here’s a picture of a few quilts I gifted in 2007 & 2008.
And these are a few that were gifted in 2010 & 2011.
2017 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop
This week’s Blog Hop in “Lets Bee Quilt’n” include these great blogs!
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting Nancy is a Long-Arm quilter and shares many of her customer’s quilts as well as her own. There is lots of eye candy in the form of beautiful quilts with wonderful quilting.
Kathy @ Kathy Kwilts and More Kathy is a new ambassador for Island Batiks and is currently working on an appliqué project. She sees many exciting challenges in the months ahead as she continues on this new journey.
April @ JANDA Bend Quilts April has designed a few small quilts for a challenge. And, it looks like she attended and Eleanor Burns :Quilt in A Day Teacher Certification” in Paducah, Kentucky, How cool is that? I need to find out more from her.
This Blog Hop is hosted by 3 awesome bloggers:
- Leanne @ shecanquilt
- Beth @ cookingupquilts
- Yvonne @ quiltingjetgirl
Go to their blogs to enter to win giveaways (prizes)!!
1. One of my favourite mottos, when it comes to quilting is “Done is better than perfect!” I know that we are our own worst critiques! What good is a quilt top that languishes in the closet waiting for “some day”? A few weeks ago, I listened to a pod-cast by a famous long-arm quilter and she said that she has yet to meet a perfect quilter. Even the best of the best know that there are mistakes in their quilts.
2. Ignore the fear. Many quilters are afraid to try new techniques because they fear they are not good enough. Each of us started out in life without being able to walk … eventually, for most of us, we were able to walk without fear of falling. We just kept getting up and trying again.
A Question for you to Answer?
Sew … what are you afraid of with your quilting? Is is curved seams? appliqué? free motion quilting? sewing half-square triangles? paper-piecing? or something totally different?
In the comments section of this blog post – tell me what your greatest quilting fear is.
I did finish 2 table runners this week. This picture shows the backs and I promise, I’ll post a picture of the fronts after one of them has been given away at the retreat. I’m not sure which one I’ll keep and which I’ll give away. I like them both. Each of the backs took about 1 yard, binding about 1/4 of a yard and the fronts took about 0.75 of a yard each. For a total of 4 yards used!
Do you see the mistakes? I have no idea how the green squares on the left and right borders got there. And there is a blue and white half-square triangles on each side that needs to be re-oriented (again!). The sides should look exactly like the top and bottom … sigh …
This picture shows a little of the back and part of the top. I have most of the big squares done. Just need to finish 2 large blocks work on all the little squares, little stars and triangles that make up the border. At this rate, I’m hoping to be finished by 
It will be a fun, fast project. (Once I get them started …)
I’ve started quilting this beast. And a beast it is!
Quilting Gail 