Around the World

Last week, Tina of Seaside Stitches tagged me in the Around the World blog hop! I met Tina when I drew her name in the For the Love of Solids Swap a couple of years ago, and ever since, we've enjoyed keeping tabs on each other, and isn't making new friends the best part of swaps? And blog hops too, of course!

So as an Around the World blog hop participant, I was asked to answer some questions . . .

1. What am I working on? 

Distracted as I've been the last couple of weeks, my major w.i.p. is another version of my Spiraled quilt - the original is shown above, and here's a link to the more recent Spiraled Jungle. The current one is also in Sara Lawson's Jungle Ave., but not as scrappy as the last. Next up is the border before deciding on a quilting plan.

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre? 
Isn't this a question we all ask ourselves? For me, one thing is my habit of either using a pattern and putting my own tweak on it or as most often happens these days, being inspired by something I see and then creating something unique to me. 

One technique I enjoy using alot is matched binding, which I've used both straight and angled. Aurora, shown below, is an example where I've used the angled method. Tutorials for both can be found under the Tutorials tab above. 

3. Why do I write/create what I do? 
I write and create basically because doing so provides me with a deep sense of satisfaction - a way to be 'me' and share myself in a tangible way. Both processes are highly personal for me, and I confess, spending time in my studio writing or sewing provides calm in a hectic life in a way not much else does.

In my writing, I try to be as realistic as possible, and corny as it sounds, to write from my heart. I create what I do because something intrigues me - a pattern, a fabric, a design element . . .

And what I actually do create? Well it may be for a gift, for a guild challenge, for charity, or simply to use beautiful fabric or try out a pattern that looks fun, a design that needs out of my head and into fabric, or to hone a new skill. It's sometimes a jumble, but nearly always enjoyable.

4. How does my writing/creating process work?

There are times that I sit down and just right a blog post from beginning to end. But more often, I start a post as I think of it - sometimes just a title. As I choose a palette or reference a link to a tutorial, I might add that in to 'save it' in a draft post. Or sometimes I fill a draft post with edited photos, then go back another day to write about them, or vice versa. I also keep a calendar. Nothing fancy, but I keep track of what's coming and pencil in what I might want to share. So I'm always thinking ahead.

As far as creating, anything with a deadline is top priority. But those aside, I most enjoy having several projects going at once. I find it motivates me to have a variety of things I'm working on, most often in various stages. It's not unusual to have a project (or 2) on the design wall, a couple of stacks of fabric ready to go on the cutting table, blocks ready to press on the ironing board, and a quilt ready to bind waiting for me on the couch for the next tv night. I keep a list on my phone of projects and deadlines so I can add to it no matter where I am. (I just looked and there are 17 items on the list!) Then there's the rare pleasure of ignoring all that, going to the stash for a random fabric pull, and starting something I'd just thought of - that just may be the best!

So that's it from me! Next Monday, on August 25, be sure and visit my friends Linda/Flourishing Palms and Kirsten/gemini stitches for their Around the World posts! Both are avid supporters of me and my work, Linda being the one who encouraged me to put my Common Affection quilt in my first quilt show, with happy results. And Kirsten and I met on flickr ages ago, share similar tastes, and have participated in numerous swaps and sew alongs together. 

The purpose of the Around the World blog hop is to introduce you to bloggers that you may not know about and are happy to have found. I hope that's true for you as you stopped by A Quilter's Table, and hop along from here . . .