Tuesday, July 8, 2014

2014 New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop


Plum and JuneFirst, a huge thanks to Beth at Plum and June for hosting this New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop.  She has worked very hard to coordinate everything and I think I speak for all of the participating bloggers, we are very appreciative of this opportunity to share our blogs and learn from each other.


San Antonio mission in my Texas hometown

Welcome y'all...


Thanks for visiting my little blog, Texas Quilting Gal!  I'm Cheryl, and as you can guess, I'm from Texas.  Although I now live in Kentucky, the saying IS true- you can take the girl outta Texas, but you CAN'T take the Texas outta the girl!  God Bless Texas!

I have been sewing off and on for 7ish years, but I started seriously quilting after I stopped working as a surgical nurse in November 2012.  I was just going to take a little break but the hubby (and I) LOVED me being home!  The one downside was he quickly discovered I was spending WAY more money on fabric, thread, patterns, fabric, notions, magazines, fabric....... that he threatens me all the time with going back to work. :)  I might go back part time one day, but I have too much quilting to do now.

I first learned to quilt from my mom.  She's sewn for decades but really started quilting in the 90's on the very machine I sew with now, a Bernina 1090.  Since I've gotten more serious about quilting, we've really been having fun chatting in our crazy quilting language that Dad doesn't understand and spending time together sewing, shop hopping, retreating and festivalling (are those even words?)
Our 2013 retreat quilts


Texas
Mom and Me at the 2013 Houston Quilt Festival













My First Quilt...


In middle school, I made a very simple square patchwork quilt with Mom and didn't find the pieced top again until recently (it was lost in the abyss that is her quilt room, sorry Mom!)  It is now basted and ready to be quilted, making it my oldest UFO at 20 years.  I think it'll make the perfect picnic blanket.


My very first quilt ready for some free motion action!
Since my mom is 1100 miles away now, I've also learned a lot by participating in quilt alongs (QAL), block of the months (BOM) and online flickr swaps.  It's so much fun to interact with quilters from all over the states and world.  It's even more fun to receive blocks from Canada, England, Netherlands and Sweden!  I haven't put together my swap blocks, yet, so you'll have to visit again soon to see how they turn out.  I have 2 color themes going, yellow/grey and purple/grey, and have enough for at least 2 large quilts.


My Favorite Quilts... 


I participated in the Feathers Quilt Along using Alison Glass' paper pieced pattern.  My favorite thing about QALs is the motivation to get a project done, as there are others sewing the same section as you are during a specific time frame.  The other perk is there are some AMAZING prizes!  While I didn't win any prizes in this QAL, I'm IN LOVE with my finished quilt top.  I still need to quilt it, but am working up the courage to take it on with 6" of throat space on my Bernina 1090. YIKES!

Alison Glass Feathers Quilt Along
Another favorite is a baby quilt I made for my best friend's sweet daughter.  I just love Joel Dewberry and made this fun plus sign quilt with a fat quarter bundle I snagged online (don't you LOVE the deals online?)  The backing was my first time working with minky and boy is it messy!  But, it's so super soft and I just adore how the quilting shows up on it.  I had some extra fabric, so I made a mini doll quilt for her sassy older sister!  :)

Baby quilt for Miss Abigail!  Don't you just love the minky swirls!

Mini doll quilt for Miss Hannah

My Current Quilts...


Currently, I am sewing with the Deep in the Heart of Texas Roadtrip QAL.  Being a Texan that had just moved to Kentucky, I knew I HAD to make this quilt!  It's also a blog hop and various bloggers are hosting special city block patterns along the way.  I've just finished quadrant 3 and should finish this top by the end of July.  This is my first "scrappy" quilt and I'm really pleased with how it is turning out.

Starting to look like Texas!
I am also participating the paper Sew Kitschy BOM and the Sugar Block Club BOM.   These have really helped improve my skills, especially in paper piecing.  And, if you've never heard of Amy Gibson's blog Stitchery Dickory Dock, you're missing out!  She's so authentic and sweet and is a really great teacher.  Her FREE Craftsy 2012 BOM really kicked off my quilting again and I learned sooooo much!

Sugar Block Club & Sew Kitschy Blocks
If you want to check in on my projects, you can follow me on flickr and Instagram at texasquiltinggal or follow by blog via email or bloglovin with the buttons on the right.


Tips and Trivia...


Well, that's enough about me.  Here's some fun info for you!

Blogging Tip:  I'm the last one that should be giving blogging advice, since I'm fairly new at it.  I have learned to ask questions from other bloggers, though.  The quilty world is so nice and it definitely opens up conversation between bloggers.  When I see something I like about someone else's blog, I leave a comment and start a dialogue.  I've learned a lot that way and made some pretty great quilting friends along the way!  Also, Google is my friend!  You can find out how to do anything by searching on Google.  There are tons of videos out there on blogging tips and how to format things.

Quilting Tip:  Curious about a technique or LOVE that new pattern that looks too hard?  Just try it!  My mom has commented several times on how impressed she is with my bravery to try new things.  You gotta start somewhere, right?  I by no means am an expert, but I have really expanded my knowledge in the past year and a half because I just go for it. And, most importantly, we aren't perfect.  If you can't see the mistake while galloping by on a horse (another mom'ism), don't waste your time unpicking or fretting about it!

Texas Quilting Gal Speed Trivia Round

  1. Name & Age: Cheryl, 33
  2. Favorite Fabric Designers: Kate Spain, Bonnie and Camille, Joel Dewberry
  3. Favorite TV Show: Reality TV addict <<<hangs head in shame>>>
  4. Favorite Music: Praise and worship
  5. What I Sew On:  19 year old Bernina 1090, it's a workhorse and the only machine I have
  6. Favorite quilting notion:  Rotary cutter, Frixion pens, and Aurifil thread
  7. Superpower I Wish I Possessed:  S̶u̶p̶e̶r̶ ̶s̶p̶e̶e̶d̶y̶  Instant basting and binding on all my quilts
  8. Quilting Wishlist:  Bernina 750QE, sit down long arm, Free fabric for life..... :)
That being said, I'm looking for a new toy to make my free motion quilting easier (I need to start planting the seed to the hubby).  My 6" throat space is getting a little too tight for the bigger quilts!

My question for you is what do you sew on?  Also, if you free motion quilt, what do you use (domestic, sit down long arm...)? 

Blog Hop...


Lastly, don't forget to visit these other wonderful bloggers today and check in with Plum and June to see the past week's 2014 New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop schedule!

Sarah @ Berry Barn Designs
Liz @ Green Cheese Quilting
Janet @ Simply Pieced
Ruth @ Charly & Ben's Crafty Corner
Kristyn @ Melon Patch Quilts
Jo @ Riddle and Whimsy
Linh @ Calling All Stitchers
Alida @ Tweety Loves Quilting
Rachel @ Quiltineering




Thanks for visiting and y'all come back now!  :)

Love, Cheryl @ Texas Quilting Gal