Around the World

I was tagged by my good friend Tsoniki over at Me Being Crafty to participate in the Around the World Blog Hop.  Tess and I met at our first Sewing Summit--we both needed a roommate, so after meeting online, we flew to Salt Lake City to share a room.  She wasn't an axe murderer, so I decided it was safe to be friends.  Since then, we've gone to another Sewing Summit together, and met up in Paris over the summer!  She's an amazing quilter; you should check her out!

1. Where do I live?

I'm originally from Eastern Washington.  Growing up between two households, I moved about 17 times before I graduated from high school, so I kind of feel like a nomad.  After college in Seattle, my husband and I moved to Boston for a little over two years.  Six years ago we moved back "home," and now we live in Tacoma, WA.  It's about 45 miles from the heart of downtown Seattle, and absolutely full of beautiful people, good schools, and amazing local businesses.  I love it.

2. What quilting/sewing project am I currently working on?

Um, all of them.  No, seriously.  I feel empty if I have less than, oh, 17 projects going.  (I know some of you will understand...)  And of course not just sewing or quilting--there's knitting, cross-stitching, painting, drawing, and general household improvement projects.  But...I've narrowed it down for the sake of not writing a novel.

This is my Nordika flying geese sampler.  I love Jeni Baker's fabrics, and I wanted to challenge myself with more precision piecing.  I started with a fat eighth pack from Westwood Acres, added some neutral, low volume prints for the background, and started working.  I've been working on this since the beginning of the year though, so I should probably get moving.

This is a complete quilt top!  It's been done since February, and again, I should really get moving on it.  Though the fact that I bought the fabric about five years ago makes me feel a little more pressure...I need to make a back for it (I'm planning to use some much loved and much hoarded Heather Ross fabrics for this.)

And of course I started this recently (because I only had 16 projects going...had to keep it at 17...)  I'm making 8.5" wonky crosses in fall-ish colors (obviously for fall of 2016, sheesh!)

And no October would be complete without the mad dash of fifteen (just kidding) (only five this year) Halloween costumes.  My kids are really into SlugTerra, and requested to be Eli and Burpy the slug.  So of course I decided the dog needs to be a slug as well.  And my sister asked me to make her baby a carrot hat.  And I'm going as Princess Unikitty.  Because I obviously didn't have enough projects going.

3. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I really don't know that it does.  I taught myself to sew when I was pregnant with my oldest boy (like a huge part of the sewing population.) I love designer fabrics (like a huge part of the sewing population.)  I like to make functional items (like a huge part of the sewing population.)  (I think I'm like a sheep.  Following the herd.)  

(Baa.)

But, I do have a degree in visual art, so I might approach things a little differently than some people.  Not that my way is any better or worse than anyone else's, just different.  I tend to overanalyze color choices and composition.  And I get stuck on perfection.  Not that my projects are perfect, but that I feel bad if they aren't as good as other people's projects and then freak out and hide in a corner eating my hair.  Not really.  But that's a close description.

Designing my own quilt patterns is really, really hard for me.  I never think they're good enough, so I tend to stick to what others have already done.  Which is good for the pattern writing community.  But makes me feel like I'm not creative enough.

I also tend to do my own thing.  I'm learning to let my freak flag fly.  I occasionally like to go to a sewing circle at a local quilt shop.  It's a group of mostly grandmas, who are very traditional quilters (batiks, complicated patterns, proper techniques.)  I especially like it when they say things like "you're going to put that color with that one?" Or "Wow, that's a really interesting project you have going over there.  That's not how I was taught, but good for you for not following the rules."  Um, ok.  

I'm in the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild.  I joined because it's the community that most closely fits what I like to do.  We have similar taste in fabric, techniques, and overall output, though as I stated above, I still do my own thing, which may or may not be "modern quilting."

4. Why do I write/create what I do?

I love to create.  When I haven't had a chance to immerse myself in my latest creating obsession I feel lost.  Creating is something that I can do that has spanned my entire life, though childhood, college, being a mother.  It makes me feel happy, sane, and whole.

I am in love with the idea of living purposefully; function is so important to me.  I like the idea of the things I create being used.  Potholders, dishtowels, quilts, table runners...they all give me a little thrill to see around my house.  

As far as writing--I'm definitely not where I want to be yet.  I don't share my recipes with you all because I really took Martha Stewart's words to heart.  Which is stupid, because even though she is an amazing overachiever, she's not necessarily right.  I have lots of thoughts on this, but I'll save them for another day.  In spite of that, I'd love to one day write a cookbook that features healthy, everyday, allergen-friendly recipes with beautiful pictures and a gorgeous hardback binding.  (You hear me, book publishers???)  Someday I will get there.

5. How does my creating process work?

I love to look at my Instagram feed to see who is posting what for inspiration.  I love the work of Heather Braunlin-Jones, Maureen Cracknell, Heather Ross, Amanda Jennings, and Anna Maria Horner.  I also check out Pinterest, and I have a few blogs that I read regularly.  Sometimes I look through my small collection of crafting books.  All of these things give me a steady stream of new ideas.

Once I get stuck on an idea I sketch it out.  I have sketchbooks and binders full of little drawings, quotes, and diagrams.  Most of the time they wait patiently, but sometimes I get obsessive and have to make whatever it is RIGHT NOW.  And then I get into this zone, where I can't hear anything, I don't see the mess in my house, I forget to eat, I'm covered with thread or paint, and life is so good.  I love that zone.  It's my most happy place.

And now I'm going to tag my friend Christine.  She taught me to paper piece (three times, ahem) and I'm forever grateful.  She has a beautiful blog and a beautiful book (with Diane Gilleland.)  She quilts, writes patterns and books, teaches, paints, and has sheep, so she's pretty much amazing in my book.

Vashon Island Quilt Retreat

Oh my goodness y'all.   This last weekend was so freaking amazing.  Just what I needed when the monotony of winter, the keeping children from driving me crazy, and the lack of sewing was getting to me.  (And the myriad of other things that send me spiraling down the depression bunny hole this time of year.)  (February is hard--the anniversary of losing my little Tristan (Eamon's twin) always sneaks up on me and gets me down.)  (But onward ho!  No dwelling on that, we have fun stuff to discuss!)

For the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild's first retreat, we went to Camp Burton on Vashon Island.  You!  Guys!  The level of hospitality at Camp Burton was amazing.  I have a bunch of food allergies, and they made sure I had something to eat at every meal.  And it was all good food!  For someone who has to make nearly all their own food, this was a godsend.  It was so nice to be fed and watered at regular intervals!  Yes, we had to make our own beds--it is a camp after all--but the beds were nice and comfy.  And of course I brought my own quilt to add to my pile of blankets.  And the building we spent the majority of our time in was great.  We had a little kitchenette, plenty of hot water for tea, and hot coffee, and the guild members all brought in various snacks to share.

It was SO NICE to spend so much time sewing.  I never get to do that at home because I'm always busy with my kiddos and their various therapies and extracurricular activities, or my part-time job (I'm a freelance author for Pearson Education.  Who'da thunk, right?  Actually, I don't think many people know that about me.  Random fact of the day.)

I finished my quilt top from May of 2009.  Holy. Moly.  Yes, a nearly five year-old work in progress.  That's how far behind I am.  Whatever, the top is done.  Hopefully it won't sit for another four years before I finish it!

I also made a bunch of flying geese from Jeni Baker's Nordika line.  I'm in love with Ara Jane's Flock of Flying Geese quilt and wanted to try to do something similar.  I told myself I couldn't look at her's again because I don't want to copy it, so I'm working as much as possible with just the idea of what it is.  Mine is of course going in a different direction, which is what I want.  When I first started laying it out at the retreat, I wasn't quite happy with it, so I bought some neutrals from Island Quilter to start adding in.  And Chandra had the MOST BRILLIANT IDEA of adding in one giant goose.  That was my turning point for this quilt.  I'm loving it now that it has some more interest.

I had so much time I even went for an early morning run.  I haven't had a whole lot of time lately for just me, so that was extra special.  I got to wear my new shoes (which I bought because I have worn out TWO pairs of running shoes.)  (Holy amazing.  I never thought I'd say that about myself.)

I even had some sketchbook time!  I'm taking an online workshop from Heather over at Beauty that Moves, called Hibernate.  It's been a lot of fun to add in some of her recipes and tips for making winter a nice, relaxing time.  These flowers are a direct copy of hers (with permission--it's part of the course!) I wasn't in the mood to share my personal drawings at the time (I rarely am, which is something I'm trying to reconcile.  More on that later.)

I had some serious anxiety issues with this trip before I left.  I was nervous about spending time with people I hardly knew outside of our monthly meetings (and one trip to Portland last August.)  I was literally crying about it for the week before.  But once I got there and got caught up in the whirlwind of energy, I had such an amazing time.  And I wasn't the only one.  There were a few others I spoke with who were just as nervous as me.  Lesson learned: when I step out of my comfort zone, I am rewarded with personal growth and new friendships.  I am so glad I went, and hope to attend more in the future!

Recent Finished Objects

Almost everything I've sewn lately has been for other people!

I've reopened my Etsy shop--it's stocked with some crayon rolls and large box bags.  I'm hoping to get some more items photographed soon so that I can put them in the shop.

I'm in love with improve patchwork lately!  The green pillow was made for my shop, but was sold when I posted a few things on Instagram.  It is 14" square.  I love it, and think I need a few for the house.  I also made potholders--holding myself to a silvery-grey color scheme for my aunt's kitchen.  Then I went crazy and made a cover for my kindle.  It's amazing and vibrant.  And as soon as I posted that, a friend requested a cover for her Galaxy tablet, in the same style.

I made a couple of Open Wide Zipper Pouches.  I love this pattern (well, I love all of the Noodlehead patterns I've made so far.)  I gave them away two a couple of besties for Christmas!  I put in some nice lotion and chocolate, and I think they made awesome gifts.

I'm hoping to sew more soon, but with speech and occupational therapy, swimming and piano lessons, and school schedules, my time is so limited right now.  I'm really looking forward to the quilting retreat coming up next weekend!!!  Two nights and three days with my awesome quilt guild, on Vashon Island!!!  I guess I'd better start packing!