Hello friends!
Yes, I did disappear a bit here and I am here to offer you my apologies! 🙁
No sooner than I decided to have this regular feature, some technical difficulties of my blog stopped me in my tracks. Without boring you with details, I was attempting some updates and upgrades and things did not go smoothly apparently. Still some issues to work out, but hopefully at least I can write a post normally and it will work just as planned, so I just wanted to update you all on my apparent MIA…
More about those new updates and features soon (I hope!) and in regard to that I have a few questions for you:
- What is your “go-to” social media for quilty inspiration, tips or tutorials? Do you browse blogs, start on Instagram or Facebook and let them lead you to blogs, start on Pinterest, search YouTube? Or little bit of everything?
- When buying new patterns – what grabs your attention? Interesting blocks/piecing, colors and fabrics used, unusual technique…?
- How do you feel about buying a pattern from a new designer (like me!)? Are you hesitant until others have some review? Ready to do one-time try?
If you would be so kinds and comment about these – I would very much appreciate it! THANK YOU!!
As I try to work towards selling my own patterns eventually, (and few other fun things to share!), I am learning a lot about all the technical things I need here on my website/blog, more sophisticated software for writing a pattern, all social media things… so much to learn! But I am also busy, busy sewing, pattern testing and designing too!
Photo above is my latest pattern testing adventure – again for my super-talented friend Sharon Holland of Sharon Holland Designs . This is Trapeze and my friends – it is simply STUNNING! I can’t wait for the end of October when it releases – you will definitely want this one!! Not only is it beautiful, comes in two sizes, lends itself to so many different color combinations – but it is also very interesting to put together and you will learn a lot too! Yes, it is labeled “intermediate”, but with Sharon’s excellent instruction and clear images – you can do this being a confident beginner for sure!! For now, make sure you are following Sharon on Instagram and also follow the hashtag #trapezequilt to see all the sneak-peeks from Sharon and all testers. I am so honored and excited to be a part of this group!!
In my designing adventures, new quilt is coming to feature and celebrate yet another stunningly beautiful new fabric collection by my amazingly talented friend, Katarina Roccella – Picturesque . Talk about beautiful and magical!!
The colors, the design, the magical details – I love everything about this fabric collection and I can’t wait to show you what I am making!! In the meantime – this collection is just arriving at quilt shops, so you can grab your own and play!! I would be very curious to know what are you inspired to make with it?
And before I leave you, did you notice? – autumn is here!! With all the glorious colors and inspirations… I really, really LOVE autumn! Do you find yourself constantly gazing at trees with beautiful changing colors and crystal blue skies? I do!
Image above was actually taken form my car (as husband was driving) – as we were stopped at the light I just had to roll down the window and take a photo of these beautiful colors! LOL!
In my garden, there are some last show-stoppers too…
In my garden – quince fruits are the last ones to finish ripening in the late fall and the Clematis vine is in full bloom – hence I took my little quilt blocks over for a photo shoot! 🙂 I wish you can feel the sweet fragrance of this Clematis vine – it is just beautiful!
Autumn is when roses become rose hips – maybe not as showy and attention-grabbing, but oh so very important for the cycle of life – right? Well, I do think rose hips are just as beautiful, in their own way…
I hope you are enjoying autumn too, staying well and safe and sewing up a storm!
Until next time,
love,
Marija
My answers are similar to Patricia. 1-browsing blogs, especially blog hops; 2-COLOR options and graphic design of the pattern; 3-If the pattern ‘speaks’ to me, I buy it for a one-time try. What captures my attention about a pattern and demands I make it is that it is a new spin on traditional piecing, but not too simple (big downfall of many modern quilt patterns IMHO). Sharon Holland used lots of testers for Trapeze which whet my appetite for playing with the colors. Your version is my favorite. Sandy at sewhigh.blogspot.com
1 – browse blogs
2 – blocks and piecing
3 – one time try
Thank you Patricia – I really appreciate it! 🙂
I like IG for tips and inspiration, but Youtube wins hands-down for tutorials. When I look for new patterns, color is what grabs my attention, although I often say to myself “that would really look good in cream, spring green, and black”, for some reason (???). I’m always open to new ideas and new designers — no need to stick to the same old same old. As long as it looks like it will be fun, it ends up in my basket.
Sounds like my own thoughts Robi – thank you! 🙂
–“go-to” social media >> Instagram and let them lead me to blogs/Etsy etc. Pinterest is a very close 2nd as I started using it when it first came out AND I like I can save a photo/link to a folder so I can find it later.
–new patterns – what grabs your attention?>> unusual technique…Interesting blocks/piecing.
— buying a pattern from a new designer (like me!)? – Sure! Are you hesitant until others have some review? Nope
Thank you so much Ann for your answers – appreciate it!!