Around the World Blog Hop

I'm not too sure just who it was who came up with the Around the World Blog hop, but what a fabulous idea it is. Have you ever looked at the Stats on your blog to see just who was reading your posts? It kind of amazes me that we can all connect with those of similar interested across the globe, with just a few key strokes.

A big thanks to Amy over at "Sew Incredibly Crazy". Not only has she asked me to participate, but she also has had me do some pattern testing for her wonderful patterns. Heck we just figured out after all this time, that we are neighbors. We actually live in the same city. Now that's really a small world.

My name is Joan, and I am a Quilt-a-holic....oops wrong meeting!   LOL!!! Just kidding about that!
                     Well, I am a quilt-a-holic now that I think about it.

 

Here's a peek into one of my hiding places. In my defense, it's not all finished quilts. There are a lot of supplies that I "had to have". I'm storing for a rainy day!
tee hee

1. What am I working on?

In the name of cleaning up my sewing area, I actually pulled all my UFO's out and put them in totes. The theory was that if they were in the middle of my sewing room, so I would fall over em, it would motivate me to finish them. Well, I have to tell you, I've become an excellent long jumper. I can run and jump right over them, like they weren't even there. So there is my daily exercise regiment, and we all know we need to have one of them.  ;-)

Here are a few things that are on the top of the pile anyway...

 

Alphabet blocks for my Quilt show BOM and blocks for my Pat Speth's (the Nickel Quilt lady) Sunny Lanes quilt (below) What a great stash buster.

 

My Bonnie Hunter Celtic Solstice Mystery quilt from last year.

Just needs the borders pieced before I can quilt it.

This beauty just needs quilted. It's from Carol Seeley over at FunThreads Designs.

This is her Heart Flowers quilt. You can find the pattern for this for a very nominal fee at Craftsy.

Click HERE for the link.

 

Ohhh, and my new Sunbonnet Sue package has just arrived. Bet you can't wait to see what this one is all about!

And I have 2 top secret patterns to test right now too!

:-)

2. How does my work differ from others of this genre?  That's a tough one. I am a fusible applique junkie. I love being able to put together scenes with fusible. It's fast and easy. I love dropping those feed dogs and stitching at warp speed!   LOL!!  I'm always on the look out for things with humor. Nothing cracks me up more than something with an outrageous sense of humor to it...

 Like this one that hung over my dining room table for years, to my families dismay!

:-)

I know you remember these girls!

3. Why do I create?  That's easy. Stress relief. I have worked in the airline industry for 20+ years now. There is nothing more stressful for folks than traveling, and employees tend to get the blame for everything and anything that goes wrong. I'm able to put anything a long hard day can dish out, behind me at my sewing machine. I even get a little "crazy" myself, if I don't get that chance to stitch. Know what I mean?

4. Now the really tough question...How does my creative process work? I so wish I could tell you I have this amazing ability to see things or sit down and scrawl out some fabulous design. I can't. I don't have the artistic ability of a gnat!  The girls above were about as artistic as I get, and they were off shoots of Amy Bradleys design for our "All About Me" blog hop. Amy has to get all the credit (although she is probably horrified at what I did to her lovely design)!  I struggle with my own ideas. I can sure whip up anything that others create, but there is just this blank space in my mind when it comes to creating myself.  Oh I wish I had taken an art class and had the ability to doodle. I've taken some fabulous long arm classes. Each and every one tells us to doodle daily. Sit me down with a piece of paper and a pencil, and I get this blank stare. Even my stick figures look pretty sad!     :-(       All of you that can design are a real inspiration to me!

So there you have it. A little about me. Now on to the really interesting stuff. Next Monday Sept 22nd, you can visit these fabulous bloggers...

I've invited Karen over at Sunburnt Quilts, to play along. Karen is my Aussie friend who does the most incredible stitching and quilting. She is a master with ribbon and has designed some fabulous patterns using it. Make sure you stop in and visit her, her stitching is sure to make you smile!

Also Selina over at SelinaQuilts. I have known "Tinks mom" for a very long time thru our blog hops at Sew We Quilt. She is one talented lady. I'm  always intrigued every time I visit her. Maybe it's cause we have much of the same things in our stash. I almost fell over when I read about her "Little People Pals book" by Xavier Roberts. AKA Cabbage Patch Kids. I have that same book and all the doll parts safely stashed away under my stairs. LOL!

Make sure you visit these wonderful gals next Monday Sept 22nd. I know they will have a lot to share with you!