Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Small New Blog Meet Up


Small New Blog Meet-Up
I'm not new to quilting but I'm new to the quilting blogosphere. I feel rather isolated as a quilter in Western Australia, in the most isolated capital city in the world. It's about 5000km to the next capital city, so I am LOVING the online quilting world.
I had a break from Quilting for a while to make jewellery, but I got back into it last year when I made this:
 It's one of my favourites and I haven't been able to stop quilting since. I have SO many WIPs!
My reentry into quilting coincided with me moving from being in a creative job role to something more dry and managerial. I used to be a teacher and I really missed the classroom. Luckily some friends wanted to learn to quilt, so I ran some lessons and this was the first finish:
 I worked on my design and machine quilting skills and came up with the froggy quilt for a friend. You can see this full blog here.
 I also made my first foray into garment sewing since I made my school ball dress in Year 12, back in 93! I LOVED the koi fabric and it screamed out to be a skirt. A few misstarts with drafting my own pattern, but I got there and it's unique, fits like a glove and I love it!

I love making my own designs - I find the fabric has to "talk" to me, and some is slower than others to tell me what it wants to be! I'd like to reindulge my teaching bent by posting some tutorials and I'd also like to sell some quilts to feed my fabric habit. An Etsy store is on the way - I'm stockpiling to start with and trying to learn how all this e-marketing works. What's your top tip? And what would you like to see that's not 'just another quilting blog'?!
:)
Happy sewing!
Laura
PS I'm going to do a giveaway when I hit 25 followers! A  modest goal but we'll see how long it takes me!
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17 comments:

  1. CindyAugust 2, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    Congrats on such beautiful work.

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  2. AnonymousAugust 2, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    hi laura thanks for the comment, i got my blog design from http://www.smittenblogdesigns.blogspot.com/ they do lovely back ground that are really easy to install, i wish i could do back ground like that mayself but my computer knowledge is not wuite that advanced lol x

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  3. DebbieAugust 2, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    Glad you are enjoying your quilting - fun projects!

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  4. EllaAugust 2, 2011 at 9:35 PM

    I love the koi skirt! I having sewing clothes on the list (and I'm still intimidated by it.) Your baby quilts are lovely. I've got a heap of babies in need of spoiling...

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  5. AmoretteAugust 2, 2011 at 10:23 PM

    i love your work, and love your intro! you have done a great job crafting the blog itself too- i need to make a blog list for mine! your quilts are so much more detailed and meticulous than mine, and I admire that so much! so nice to teach your friends to quilt too.

    i think it is always nice to see on blogs how people fit in the time to be creative and quilt.

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  6. WendyAugust 2, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    Love the froggie. I too, am in a not so creative job, and wish I spent more of my time using the other half of my brain. Glad you found an outlet with your quilting teaching/design.

    Stopping by from Lily's Quilts!

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  7. Erin @ Billy Button DesignAugust 3, 2011 at 1:06 AM

    It won't take long at all to hit your goal! Quilts look great. Do you sell them?

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  8. ToniAugust 3, 2011 at 1:10 AM

    Nice to meet you! Can't wait to see more of your work!

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  9. Jan MayAugust 3, 2011 at 3:57 AM

    Hi there. It's Jan (Cajame Creations). Loving the Koi quilt. I did a Koi wall-hanging last year. It was intended for my bathroom, but sold it straight away instead. This meet up was a great idea!

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  10. Janine @ Rainbow HareAugust 3, 2011 at 4:29 AM

    Hi, What a lovely blog. Good to meet you, Janine :)

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  11. LynneAugust 3, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    I love the bright colourful playfulness of the "first quilt back".

    The skirt is gorgeous.

    I have not yet heard fabric talking to me (although I'm sure it will), but having been knitting for decades, yarn definitely does!

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  12. CilleAugust 3, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    I found your blog at Lily's. I am also relative new to the virtual blogging community but are enjoying it immensely. So much inspiration out there.. You have made some beautiful quilts. I look forward to see more of your work.

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  13. AnonymousAugust 3, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Hi Laura. I saw your blog listed at Lily's and, as I'm a fellow West Australian, I couldn't help but click on Quokka Quilts! Love, love, love your creations and am desperately trying to soak up some inspiration. I'm new to the quilting world AND the blogging world so am starting to wonder what I've gotten myself into. Ahh! ;)

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  14. CraftycreateAugust 5, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    Love your quilt designs and your blog. I amfrom lily's too!

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  15. TeresaAugust 5, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    Love your quilt designs and love your blog. I amfrom Lily's too!

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  16. CraftycreateAugust 5, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    I love your quilt designs and your blog. I am from Lily's too!

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  17. Alyce @ Blossom Heart QuiltsAugust 8, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Hello! Lovely to meet a fellow Aussie quilter online! I'm brand new to quilting (though not blogging) and there doesn't seem to be too many of us around?? Anyway, new follower from Lily's xx

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Yippee - you're commenting! I _love_ comments. :) I've had so much spam lately though that I'm limiting to registered users for a bit to see if that works... If you're a friend, you can find me on Facebook and comment that way if you have trouble.