Great to be a New Quilt Blogger
design by @tillalili
A few months ago three great established quilters posted an offer for several newbie’s at blogging an opportunity to join them in a community of quilters who wanted to actively use blogging for communicating with others who have a passion of quilting. I requested to be selected and was accepted.
The co-hosts are :
Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl https://quiltingjetgirl.com/2017/04/09/blooming-quilters-blog-hop-week-1-giveaway/
Leanne from she can quilt http://www.shecanquilt.ca/2017/04/week-1-2017-new-quilt-bloggers-blog-hop.html
Beth from Cooking Up Quilts http://www.cookingupquilts.com/week-1-2017-new-quilt-bloggers-giveaway/ (edited)
Be sure to check out their sites and giveaways.
The individuals selected were divided into smaller groups to communicate with each other as we wrote on our new blogs. It has been a learning experience trying out a new social media reader I was not previously using. My previous blogs were occasional photos posted to Instagram and Facebook. Our smaller group followed each other and each of us provided critiques of our sites. These discussions were supported by our co-hosts and questions answered helped resolve issues. It helped all of us improve what we were posting. Check out the sites for the other three in my group…
@ssqraylee http://www.sunflowerstitcheries.com/
@abbie https://sparkilyblog.wordpress.com/
@caterinka https://chaostheoryquilting.wordpress.com/
@quiltingwithvivian https://quiltingwithvivian.wordpress.com/
There are a wide variety of social media sites for the community of quilt blogging. Here are just a few of the sites popular with bloggers; Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Craftsy, Twitter, Etsy, YouTube Channel, Bloglovin’, WordPress, Feedly and Slack for group interaction. No wonder new bloggers like me are intimidated. I selected WordPress for this training.
New groups were set up for us to create a scheduled same day post. My group of eighteen has a group of five that are the first to officially blog on the same day. We are the “Let’s bee Quilt’n” team. The wonderful logo was created by Gwen @Tillalili. Please check out these sites for ideas, patterns and lots of wonderful photos. A giveaway has been scheduled for each big release day, so check out the co-hosts sights for details.
Emily @emilyleachman http://thedarlingdogwood.blogspot.com/
Samantha @aqua_paisley https://imgwonders.com/user/aqua_paisley/460660149/
Rita @rita_wahn http://www.posterityquiltco.com/blog/
Andrea @alwaysgoofy https://goofinoffaroundtheblock.blogspot.com/
Three more blog hops are scheduled for April and May releases. Check back for free giveaways and really great quilting sites to visit.
About me and some fun projects from my portfolio -you can find details about my quilting life in the menu link About on the Home page.
I retired in 2009 and decided my closets full of unfinished objects (UFOs) had somehow grown over the years. Now that my time was mine, I felt compelled to pursue what I’d always wanted to do. I made a few quilts over time, but all had been either block corner tied or hand quilted. To tackle the task I wanted it would take some fast work. I started checking online and discovered not only had quilting changed, but the whole world was now involved. New fabrics, new tools, techniques and everything that makes a quilter/crafter excited is here. Wow, I was behind the times on everything. I did not need to cut my squares with a pair of scissors? After many classes, tutorials, blogging tips from quilters and an array of books, I am enjoying my hobby.
I started small with lap quilt backpacks and purses.
As I discovered the wonderful world of free-motion and walking-foot quilting my plans changed and I bought three new sewing machines; Janome , Necchi and Elna serger. Two are for home and one for classes and travel. My projects became more interesting to me and the challenges grew.
I love the old patterns, the appliqué, art quilts and the improv and modern quilts. I have no favorites, as long as it involves quilting. I belong to our Cross of Hope Lutheran Church quilting group, American Quilters Society, and The Modern Quilt Guild.
Two flannel baby blankets were the best place to start free-motion quilting.
Since that worked with my new machine, a quillo (a small lap quilt folds into a pillow) from my UFO stash needed stitching ripped (my seam ripper is my best friend) and trimming for my next project.
Now I’ve become a real addicted quilter. My stash has quadrupled, my UFOs set up is at least 40 projects and I’m constantly thinking of more projects.
The blue and white sampler UFO was from a JoAnn Fabrics kit. The red, black and white sampler is a Women of the Bible Blocks quilt by http://stitchintree.blogspot.com/ . I was given permission to teach this as a free class at my daughter’s church.
My first designed quilt, “Spring Garden”, using fabrics only from my stash. This is a wall quilt, 36″ x 36″.
My first competition entry for one of my designs, “Pansy Quilt”, for a https://www.missouriquiltco.com/ contest. I did not win, but my Mother is the most excited person because she received the quilt.
Because I love color, “Movement of Spring”, was my next design. This was exhibited in a non-jury show, http://www.abqfiberartscouncil.org/ , Albuquerque, NM, 2016.
My improv modern quilt, “Risen”, was selected by the American Quilters Society and placed in the semi-finals show in Phoenix, AZ 2016.
This modern quilt is “Crossing the Line”, and is to be in a juried exhibit by the http://www.abqfiberartscouncil.org/ , Albuquerque, NM, May 2017. I have two other original quilts that were accepted, as well as a knitted shawl.
I am currently working on three quilt patterns to be announced soon. Follow me as I journey into a fabulous world of quilting and crafting.
I love the colours in your Movement of Spring quilt, absolutely stunning, and this bog hop I’m new to blogging and quilting so this is fantastic for me
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An interesting intro post, I liked the way you showed your earlier quilts first then the progression into a completely different style. Isn’t is funny how we develop and change, especially once we start blogging. Keep enjoying your quilting and your blogging, it will be interesting to see you continue to develop.
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Thank you. I keep trying to learn more from all the wonderful quilters out there.
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[…] Vivian at Quilting With Vivian […]
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Thanks for sharing your quilty journey! I love Crossing the Line – the quilting lines remind me of beams of light from a stage. Beautiful!
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Thank you. I wanted to have the beams crossing too.
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Hi Vivian, its lovely that you have been able to pick up where you left off and continued on your learning curve! Even going as far as designing your own patterns…well done you 🙂
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Thank you so much. I’m having fun.
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I loved reading about you and absolutely love all your quilts,
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Thank you. Very pleased you like them.
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Hi Vivian! Great intro! I enjoyed visualizing how your quilting journey has evolved. I love all kinds of quilts and quilting styles, too. Nice to meet you!
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Nice to meet you also. It is really a journey. Thank you.
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I too came to the world of quilting/sewing after a 20 year hiatus and was AMAZED at things like rotary cutters and quilting sewing machines. I started with just a pillow to get me back in the swing of things (and to convince myself I really did know how to put in a zipper).
While I like the look of free motion quilting, I find it hard on my wrists so the majority of my finished quilting is straight line with a walking foot.
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The walking foot works very well. My “crossing the line” was all walking foot and blue painter’s tape for guidance. Have fun.
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What a terrific journey! You should never stop learning I always say. Love your quilt designs. Congratulations on being accepted into shows! How awesome!
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Isn’t it exciting. I don’t seem to have enough hours for what I like to do, but I do stop and take care of other things that are very important. Thanks.
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Vivian! This is a wonderful post! It was so thoughtful of you to personally mention so many involved in the blog hop. I am so captured and motivated by your quilting journey. Your work is beautiful. The pinks baby blanket is so charming and of course I love the cat piece. Your color choices are very similar to my likes so of course I love them too. I aspire to reach your level of accomplishment with free motion quilting.
A big congratulations to you and all you do! 🎉 😄 🎉
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Thank you. I have really enjoyed meeting you also. Glad you like my color combinations. I have several new things coming up soon. Almost done with my first pattern also. Please keep in touch. Even after the blog. I feel like you know several of you from our group. Isn’t technology Wonderful? I just have to learn it.
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I am happy to have met you too! Yes I will be in touch, we are blogging buddies now 😊
We are both learning and most important, doing!
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Oh My goodness, you have made a lot, looking forward to seeing you expand in your blogging skills
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Very nice great to meet ya and loved your story….I started sewing back as a kid .sewing barbie cloths by hand tytyty mom for that…I think it helped me alot with my sewing skills now…. happyness04431@yahoo.com
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Thanks. I agree, I think too often today the basics are not taught. They forget all those things are useful in their lives. I insisted all four of my children and eight of the grandchildren are shown many things are are no longer taught. They’ll be thankful later.
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