Around the World Blog Hop

What is the Around the World Blog Hop?

Well, lets think of it as a quilty chain letter! I was invited to join in by Keera who blogs over at Live.Love.Sew in gorgeous Austrailia, and now I will be tagging three other bloggers who inspire ME! Now sometime next week these guys will all do the same…..and the chain keeps going!

How fun, right?!

What I am suppose to do in this post is introduce myself and then answer a few questions about my process, easy enough…or so I thought. These questions were quite thought provoking. I apologize if you are tired of hearing about me this week…its the last for a while:)

Before I go on I just have to give a big Thank You to Keera and tell you to go check out her latest FREE quilt pattern and tutorial……GORGEOUS I tell ya!

Charmed a free pattern and tutorial by Keera @ Live Love Sew

Introduction:  Who is The Sassy Quilter?

(haha, did that sound all serious and like I was looking off into the distance???)

I am a dental hygienist by day and quilter by night, weekend and sometimes even my lunch breaks! If you follow me often, you know I learned how to quilt from my grandmother whose nick name was “Sassy” and was to be honest….far more sassy than me:) She was a hand quilter, so that is how I first learned to quilt. Now I mostly machine quilt. I do all my quilting on my domestic machine which is a Baby Lock Crescendo. I did a serious upgrade almost 2 years ago and haven’t regretted it since. Getting all that extra throat space makes quilting my quilts so much easier and has inspired me to really work on my free motion quilting skills.

1.      What am I working on?

My current project is my Aviatrix Medallion Quilt! I am up to border #3 and loving the way it is coming together.

2.      How does my work differ from others in its genre?

Whoa! This question really made me think…. I am not sure if I differ! I think maybe some of you guys could answer that one better than me:) I started this blog with an emphasis on beginners and keeping things simple so others could be inspired and successful in learning to quilt. I try to have lots of FREE patterns and tutorials for beginners and have done a beginner quilting series called, So You Wanna Make a Quilt. I also like to share lots of tips and tricks that I was happy to learn when I began quilting and am always adding ones I continue to learn along the way.

3.      Why do I write/create what I do?

This is another deep question….I honestly feel like it completes me! Some might say I need to get a life, but I know you guys understand:) It is not just the art of quilting, but the community and inspiration that is shared that is so fulfilling! From the creativity of designing a project to the touch, feel and sight of the fabric with its vibrant colors and design to the physical construction and finishing…..and don’t even get me started about the emotion and heart shared in giving and receiving quilts!

Hey quilting is even good for your health. Here is a quote from an article in the Journal of Public Health:

“Cognitive, emotional and social processes were uncovered, which participants identified as important for their wellbeing. Participants found quilting to be a productive use of time and an accessible means of engaging in free creativity. Colour was psychologically uplifting. Quilting was challenging, demanded concentration and participants maintained and learned new skills. Participants experienced ‘flow’ while quilting. A strong social network fostered the formation of strong friendships. Affirmation from others boosted self-esteem and increased motivation for skill development. Quilts were often given altruistically and gave quilting added purpose.”

Hey! We already knew this:)

4.      How does my writing/creating process work?

I am a pencil and paper kind of gal. I have to sketch it out a bit to get my thoughts sorted out first. Now that I have EQ7(a quilt design program for your computer), I am learning to design my projects there. It is pretty cool to import your actual fabrics and see what your  quilt will look like before you ever cut! I have a lot to learn with this program so sometimes I feel like I can sketch it out faster in pencil and I can take that anywhere. Here are some of my random scribbles…

More often than not color or fabric inspires me! I see a combination or a fabric line and then I say, “What can I make with this?”. The pattern or quilt is just a way to bring it to life for me. That being said….I do sometimes see a really great pattern and its a good excuse to put some of this fabric I am hoarding to use!

Above all my biggest inspirations are other quilters!!!

Let me introduce you to a few from around the world…

Stephanie @ Dawn Chorus Studios

Stephie is a gifted artist and writer who I came across shortly after I started blogging. I love following her quilting blog and her Facebook page. She really gives you a peak into her world through anything from her running adventures to her artwork….amazing by the way! Her quilting blog has some fabulous free patterns and I love how she adds lots of hand stitching to her work.

Cheryl @ Texas Quilting Gal

I have had the pleasure of knowing Cheryl since she started blogging and love her eye for color and enthusiasm to try new things! Being a Texan, she is having fun quilting along with the Deep in the Heart of Texas Roadtrip QAL….this looks like such a fun project! Makes you wish you were from Texas:) You never know what she will be into next…we often end up doing lots of the same projects or joining the same quilt alongs.

Julie @ 627Handworks

Julie, Julie, Julie! I found Julie’s blog when I started blogging and just loved her look and style! She always has such fun projects and tutorials to share….especially her Block Rockin’ Series of free paper pieced patterns. Even though I wasn’t making these I couldn’t wait to see what she came up with next:) I am currently taking part in her Scrappy Trip Around the World Quilt Bee. I just love getting to make these scrappy blocks and getting to swap with quilty friends from all over the world. Julie always has something fun and exciting up her sleeve!

So go ahead and check these guys out! I promise you won’t be sorry:)

Keep it Sassy♥

You can find and follow TheSassyQuilter  on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, Instagram, Twitter or by email updates(form on right sidebar)!