Friday, July 12, 2013

2013 Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop


Welcome to my blog for the 2013 Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop hosted over at Plum and June. Good to know all of you and hope you enjoy my blog as much as I have yours. A big thank you to Beth for hosting this blog hop. I have enjoyed it thoroughly.

Plum and June


A few things about me:
1)  When did you start quilting/who taught you?

I am a self taught quilter. I bought a sewing machine in 2011 because I thought it would be fun to sew small crafty items. Once I got the machine I started looking for DIY projects on the web and came across modern quilts. This was the very first quilt made with a jelly roll. It is based on the wedding quilt pattern available on the Purl Bee blog. I also took a beginner quilting class at my LQS which was a big help.

My very first quilt

These are a few of my favorite projects over a the last two years:


From L to R: 1. Kitchen Window Quilt 2. Hand Quilting 3. Needle Case 4. Flying Geese Quilt     5. Wonky Cross Quilt 6. Quilted Tote 7. Hot Pads 8. Small Dress 9. Sewing Machine Cover    10. EPP Cushion Cover



2)  Why did you start your blog?

Soon after I started quilting/sewing I realized I did not know anyone in person who sews or quilts but was aware that there was a huge online community out there. So not too feel too isolated in my hobby I started blogging and became a part of that community. 

3) What is the meaning of your blog's name?

Pretty much what it says. Stop wasting time and start sewing !!!!! :)

4)  What is your favorite type of project?

A quilting project is my favorite kind, especially improv piecing where I don't have to measure or worry about seams or points lining up correctly. Just sew as you please. My first improv quilt.




5)  Do you belong to or would you like to belong to bees, QALs, etc.?

Yes I am doing  a paper piecing QAL with Elizabeth Dackson of Don't Call Me Betsy and have also joined a quilting bee with my local quilt guild.

6) Have you attended or are you planning on attending any sewing get togethers like Sewing Summit, Quiltcon, etc. ?

I normally attend workshops and sewcials organized by my local quilt guild which are a lot of fun. It's a lot nicer interacting with people you can meet face to face on a regular basis.

7)  Do you belong to a local guild?

Yes I am an active member of Central New Jersey MQG. It is made up of some amazing quilters who are far beyond my own skill level. I find them a huge source of inspiration and have learnt a great deal from them.
 
8)  What are you working on now?

A few WIPs and UFOs in my pile:




9)  What type of sewing machine do you use?

I use a Bernina 440 QE home sewing machine and absolutely love it. More here if you're interested.

10) What is your favorite/least favorite part of sewing/quilting?

Favorite would be picking out fabric and designing, least favorite would definitely be ironing.

11)  What is your favorite/least favorite part of blogging?

Favorite part is meeting new friends and like minded people, least favorite would be editing my photos.

12)  What other hobbies do you have?

Reading, hiking and traveling.

A few pictures from my recent travels:


Pingvellir, Iceland


Lake Tekapo, NZ

Kyiv, Ukraine

Bali, Indonesia

13)  What are your favorite quilting notions?

My favorite notion is the rotary cutter.

14)  Do you have any blogging or blog photography tips/tricks to share?

Staging an item for a photograph has a big visual impact. My very first staged photograph got me more hits than anything else I had posted before that.






17)  What other social media do you actively use?

I have an Instagram account but hardly use it. Blogging is what I actively do. I absolutely love Pinterest and can be occasionally found on Flickr and Craftsy.

Other fun blogs featured this week are:


Anne @ PlayCrafts
Rachel @ Let's Begin Sewing... <<<<<<< You are here
Cath @ Wombat Quilts
Sarah @ {no} hats in the house
Christen @ Love by Hand
Julie @ 627handworks

47 comments:

  1. so glad you learn more about you Rachel! I am so impressed with your projects! Your first quilt looks waaaayyy better than my first one, haha! I'm kind of like you in that blogging is really the main social media I use. I'm not on IG, and although I have a personal FB page, I don't use it for my blog.

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  2. Hi Rachel. Nice to virtually meet you. Your first quilt is terrific. My first one was very simple because I truly had no clue how long it would take to make. Little did I know I'd rack up a pile o' quilts in a short time.

    Love your string block with the yellow. Good tip on the staging!

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  3. Ummm hello, your travel pics are GORGEOUS! I didn't know you've been to NZ - that's a dream of our household - to get there!
    So glad you're delving even more into paper piecing :) Maybe you can help me more soon, lol!

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  4. I love your hand quilting - looks great. So jealous of your travels. I'd love to go to Iceland!

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  5. Hi rachel - It is very nice to meet you. I am a selftaught quilter but a class helped me at a not so local quilt shop too.
    I love the way you stage your photos -
    I am a new follower!
    jan@sewandsowfarm

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  6. I am so jealous of all your travels. My traveling has slowed down in the recent years and I miss it. There is so much inspiration that can be found in traveling.

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  7. You've been so many beautiful places! :D
    I love the first quilt you made, it's gorgeous! And your other work is wonderful, too! Those UFOs show some real promise, I especially love the grey stars (is that Sweetwater's Hometown I see in there?)

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  8. Hi Rachel, nice to get to know you! Love your travel pics, so amazing. I have never tried and improv quilt but it looks awesome.

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  9. I remember your quilt from the Madrona Road challenge--I love the row of wonky cross blocks with the white centers! It's nice to put a name and face with the quilt! Your travel pictures are great--it must have been amazing to visit all of those places!

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  10. rachel- what a great post! i feel ya about ironing! i adore your first quilt and that spirderweb block - HELLO! your travel pictures are stunning!

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  11. So nice to meet you. Great projects and I am a Bernina girl..with the 440...LOVE IT, thanks for sharing the great projects and your travel photos!

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  12. Where to start! Cannot believe how beautiful your very first quilt turned out (my own is more of a well-let's-not-do-that-again story). And those travel shots! Amazing!

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  13. It is so wonderful to meet your! Your work is outstanding.

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  14. I am inspired to become a member of a quilt guild - I love the idea of community and learning! Your photos of travel are amazing - seeing more of the world is definitely on my 'to do' list. Great to learn more about you!!!

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  15. Your quilts and projects are all sew sweet, but I am super impressed with your very first quilt! It is beautiful! Love all those travel pics. Wow! You get around!

    It is sure nice to get to know you a little better through this post, Rachel! Glad you are a part of the new blogger hop this summer!

    Lorna:)
    http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com

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  16. So nice to meet you! :) I should really join my local guild... their meeting times are just not super convenient and neither is the location, so I keep putting it off! Great projects!

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  17. Wow, your projects are lovely! I agree with you about editing photographs. It is one of the tips I've picked up from the Hop and while it IS worth it, it can take a while! Your travel photos are amazing, especially the NZ one. I spent a year living there and absolutely loved it. Great Blog Hop post!

    Jenny @ A Note to Follow Sew
    http://notetofollowsew.blogspot.co.uk/

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  18. Awesome post! I have to say your first quilt is stunning and I love the way you staged that post holder! You are definitely right better pictures draw a bigger crowd, even if the content is the same. You are one lucky girl to be able to travel like you do! I look forward to checking out more of your blog!

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  19. THAT is your first quilt?! You're a natural. :) (My first quilt is...um, our "utility" quilt. That we wrap TVs in and put under the toddler's carseat etc.) I had seen your Madrona Road challenge quilt around. It's nice to meet the blogger who made it!

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  20. You have some very lovely creations and your travel pics are beautiful. It's so nice to get to know you a little bit!

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  21. Nice getting to know you Rachel! I love the orange with your spiderweb block! I love orange! Your projects are very fun!

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  22. Nice to meet you Rachel! Love how this blog hop gives such a good introduction to new people and their blogs! I see from your travel photos that you've visited New Zealand - hello from Wellington! Your style is great :-)

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  23. Hi! I started blogging for the same reason. I found the fun fabrics and patterns but really was learning via blogs. It has been so much fun to start to "connect" with the blogging quilting community. And I love your travel pictures! When not sewing, I love to travel and adventure....finding fabric stores around the world is my goal!

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  24. I love that madrona road quilt - amazing. I started blogging for the same reason as well, no-one around me sews :-). You have an amazing picture of Lake Tekapo...I love seeing pictures from home. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  25. I really like the star blocks you are showing as WIP's - so pretty! Your hexy pillow is gorgeous as well. Great projects and great photos of places- Bali and Iceland are both on the list of places I would really like to go (talk about opposites). Enjoyed your post - thank you for sharing!

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  26. Love that wonky cross quilt! Great to see travel pics including NZ. That's my home tho' I currently live in Australia. We've had many great holidays in the Tekapo region!

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  27. yay - someone who has been to Indonesia. I live there at the moment :-) Thanks for sharing.

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  28. Wowzers! What fantastic travel photos. Makes me want to start planning my next vacation. I need to look into my local Modern Quilt Guild. Seems like a fabulous way to get involved in your local quilting community.

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  29. Nice to meet you!! Your very first quilt is amazing!! I am in awe of your travels as well...and such lovely pictures!

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  30. Nice to meet you on the hop! Your very first quilt is amazing! I am in awe of your travels too....and awesome photos!

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  31. What a great post! I love the staging you did on that one photograph. I so agree with you. I wish we got better light in our house, so I had a little bit more "room" to stage an item. You have made some really great projects!

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  32. So amazing that you get to travel so much. Beautiful photos. Great projects! I especially love your flying geese quilt.

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  33. Nice to meet you Rachel! I love your first quilt, it's so pretty and Lake Tekapo looks beautiful! :-)

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  34. Hi Rachel, great to stop by and lovely to see your quilts. I'm a sucker for an improv and yours is beautiful! Stunning travel pics too, I have been to Lake Tekapo, but on quite a grey day..still amazing though.

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  35. Very nice to meet you! I love the variety of projects you made. True words of wisdom regarding joining a guild, gives me something to think about. Beautiful travel pictures, how lucky you are!

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  36. Your spiderweb block looks good- I've recently made a similar one only with a black background. Especially great with lots of different fabrics!

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  37. Ohhhh I love your first quilt! Hi from a blog Hopser :-)

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  38. Nice to meet you through the Hop! All of your projects are lovely but those low volume star blocks really caught my eye - and I'm not usually a low volume fan! Very pretty! :)

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  39. Your first quilt is beautiful!! You have so many great projects and I love your travel pictures, gorgeous:)

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  40. I love the wonky crosses quilt!

    Love your collection of quilts, so varied and challenging!

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  41. My favorite part is the fabric selection and design as well! I wish I had a studio of workers who would just do the rest! Haha Great to meet you through the LGA blog hop!

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  42. Your staged photo of the pot holders looks just like a magazine! Your travel photos are lovely as well - jealous :)

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  43. Love your first quilt, it's really cool, way better than my first attempts! Thx for the reminder of beautiful views over Lake Tekapo, reminds me of my trip there a few years ago, it's a stunning landscape. :o)

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  44. Great post! And great looking blog--you take beautiful photos :) Love your first quilt. I'll have to go check out that pattern. That would look good in vintage sheets! :)

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  45. I love your blog header. And those potholders are super pretty. I think I used that same floral-y print for my ironing board cover ;) Nice to meet you!

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  46. So nice to meet you Rachel! You have some beautiful projects but I especially love your very first quilt :)

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Thanks for visiting!