Around The World Blog Hop

I received a lovely email from Tanya last week, inviting me to take part in Around the World Blog Hop. I must admit that I wasn't sure what it was about as my blog hopping time has been rather limited this year, so after a quick 'look see', I decided it would be nice to do some reflecting on what I think of as my sanity saver.

Thank you Tanya for thinking of me and my Pins and Whiskers. Please take a moment to hop over to tanyaquiltsinco.blogspot.com.au and say hello if you haven't already met Tanya.

I guess you could say I have crafting in the veins. You know how it goes ... my mother, her mother and so on have all created with their hands. I have vague memories of making little craft items here and there and loved cross stitching and tapestry. Then when my children were born, I machine sewed PJ's, winter clothes, school uniforms and dance costumes etc. Handcrafting took off for me while attending the local CWA craft mornings ... lots of different handcrafts to try and other young mums to chat with as our children played together.

This is the quilt that started me down the patchwork and quilting path. Way back in May 1995 a friend held a patchwork class in the local CWA rooms and the rest, as they say, is history.

1. What am I working on?

I blame a short attention span for the numerous projects I have on the go at any one time. Some would argue that they should be called UFO's but I prefer to call them WISSP's (works in super slow progress).  Recently I gave myself a challenge to choose 3 main focus projects and keep them progressing along.

 #1 is 'Little Maccas Farm' for our grandson - progress can be checked in the tab at the top of my blog.  #2 is a workshop quilt commenced in July (this year) and is intended for my SIL.  #3 is a crochet rug that might be ready for next winter now.

I blogged about these projects HERE.

As I can't help myself, I have also made a few sets of hand towels ... I have another little fun scrappy quilt along that I want to get started on before I get too far behind ... and some Christmas stitchery patterns in the mail so I can start on some little ornament gifts. If I don't feel like working on a particular project, I always have something else to work on. Clicking on the UFO tab at the top will give you a peak at my other projects biding their time but here are just a couple.

2.  How does your work differ from others of it's genre?

 Hmmmm? How do I answer this one? I don't think I really differ from others. Although if I'm not happy with a process or pattern, I'm not afraid of tweaking or making alterations to fit my vision. Colour choice can be a challenge and I have been known to raise a few eyebrows with my combinations but after all ... beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?

3.  Why do you write/create?

Simple ... I love it!  I haven't gone down the path of writing because I have way too many projects, patterns, designers on my to do list.  There are two main reasons for beginning a project.

 #1 is for special occasions for family members, friends or swaps.  Sadly my swap participation has slowed to a crawl. As much as I enjoyed creating something to send off to a new home and receive something in return, deadlines became stressful with time constraints and I would never want to let someone down. Family members have accepted that their quilt will be gifted a little late :o)

Wedding Quilt for DS and DIL - 2013

Hubby's 50th Birthday Quilt - 2012

#2  I see a pattern I like and think I must make this one ... another for the to do list. Or an occasional workshop because to me they are as much about the socializing as it is the creating.

4.  How does your writing/creating process work?

In a nut shell ...

I see a pattern I like or I have an occasion which requires a quilt or other item and if I don't have a design in mind then I find a pattern to suit.

If I don't have fabric to make a start then I add that to my shopping list for the next trip into town. Now I'm not one to have everything I need before I make a start so ...

I work merrily away on said project until I discover that I'm short of fabric or cotton or I get the top almost complete and don't have border fabric. Maybe I finish the whole top and then or course I don't have something to back it with. I'm sure some of you know how it goes ... so the project goes on the wait list for a bit till the next trip to town.

Eventually said project is completed and gifted or put into use.  Have I mentioned that I am a master procrastinator and don't do well with deadlines.

At the end of the day it's about the joy of creating and it helps keep my sanity in this crazy world.

To keep in line with my tendencies to make alterations, instead of nominating 3 fellow bloggers to link to I would like to do the following:

You're Invited to

an Around The World Blog Hop

by either

Answering these 4 questions and posting them on your own blog

or

Visiting fellow bloggers on my right side bar and saying 'Hello'