When Leslie of Leslie Unfinished asked me to participate in the Around the World Blog Hop, I decided to give it a go. My blog is fairly quiet most of the time, but I love having a place to post pictures of the various things I'm working on and share my thoughts. If you haven't already, please check out Leslie's blog. She has made some beautiful things, and I have to give her credit for giving me the courage to try free motion quilting. She will probably be surprised by this statement, but she explained her process to me at a guild retreat last year and it made all of the things I had read and videos I had watched 'click'. I still need lots of practice, but I really enjoy FMQ and plan to continue to do more and more. Thank you, Leslie! (Did I mention that Leslie and I are both members of the Oklahoma City Modern Quilt Guild? Well, we are! It's a great guild and I have learned so much from my fellow guild members and met so many nice and creative women!)
Now, to the questions...
1. What am I working on?
Oh, so many things. I am one of those people who loves to start new things...finishing, not so much... One of my UFOs that I am most excited about is Lori Holt's 'Bee in My Bonnet' Row Along from a year or two ago. (Actually, I just looked and the Row Along started in August of 2012 - wow! That UFO has been simmering for a while.)
I finished the rows at my guild's retreat last year, and I guess I've been sitting on them for more than a year and haven't gotten them put together yet....shameful.....lol!
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I don't know if my work differs from others or not. Is it supposed to? I'm not real good at following the rules. I tend to glance at the instructions for a few seconds and then go my own way. Life is so full of rules that I think the creative process allows me to let go of those rules. Everyone keeps telling me there are NO quilt police; however, I keep expecting them to jump out of the woodwork every time I do something a little outside the box. They haven't yet...keeping my fingers crossed.
3. Why do I write/create what I do?
I do what I do because I love it! I love reading a bazillion different blogs - mostly quilting, but not all. I love the inspiration I get from all of the pictures people post on Flickr and Instagram. I love pulling all of the fabrics in my stash and placing them next to each other until I find the combination that makes my heart go pitty-pat to make that special block or special quilt for that special person.
4. How does my writing/creating process work?
Lately, my quilting has been in response to needs - friends retiring, having babies, suffering illness, etc. When someone says they need a block or a quilt, I think "I've got to do that - right now!" I want to participate in everything and help everybody but I am realizing that doesn't always fulfill the need to create because many times I am being told what to make and what colors to use, etc. Sometimes I just need to create to keep myself sane.
So when I get to do my own thing, I get out pencil and paper. I would love to know how to use the various graphic software programs for quilt design, but I don't want to spend the time required to learn. So, for now, I will stick with pencil and paper. It works, and if it ain't broke why bother to fix it?
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Now that I've shared a bit about myself, I get to tag others to participate in the Around the World Blog Hop next Monday, the 29th of September.
I asked Angie of Sewing With Squeak to participate, but she had already participated. If you are not familiar with her blog, please check it out. She makes lots of neat things. (Angie is also a member of my guild.)
I also asked Misha of MishaMichele to participate. I met Misha on the About.com quilt forum a few years ago. If you're ever in need of quilting advice, the women on the quilt forum are the best. I started there in 2009 and was taken under the wing of a wonderful group of quilters. I have grown so much in my skill and creativity, not to mention confidence.
OK! OK! I'll stop talking....have a great week and hope to see you again soon...
~Bri
