Friendly Friday - Nifty Quilts
A little while ago I did a friendly call out for house blocks so I could make a Bloggy Friendship quilt. You can read about it in this post.. As part of making the quilt I decided I'd like to do a feature of each of the quilters that participate in this quilt. The idea for the quilt started with an exchange between the lovely LeeAnn of Nifty Quilts so it's only natural she'd be my first Friendly Featured Quilter.
I love LeeAnns beautiful, bright, exploration of fabrics. Her sense of colour and form is so innate and joyful. I'm sure you'll enjoy getting to know her.
What do you love about quilting?
Do you listen to music while you sew? What is your favourite type or cd?
Yay!! You can check out more of LeeAnns quilts and her adventures in sewing at her blog Nifty Quilts. The other thing we should mention is that LeeAnn hosts a really fun Corduroy Quilty Blog Sew Along for Corduroy Day 11/11, So gather up some corduroys and get sewing, you've got until November so there's no excuses! I'm already planning my corduroy creation... :)
I love LeeAnns beautiful, bright, exploration of fabrics. Her sense of colour and form is so innate and joyful. I'm sure you'll enjoy getting to know her.
Hi LeeAnn, Tell us a bit about yourself , How long have you been quilting?
I've been making quilts since 2005, the year I turned 50. I always used to joke saying, "When I am old, I will make quilts." Truly, I was not at all serious about that, and I don't think 50 is "old." But here I am with a passion that I love.
What enticed you to start quilting?
What enticed me to make quilts was the opportunity to combine prints, checks, stripes and dots in all sorts of ways. I loved Kaffe Fasset fabrics, and felt I couldn't just leave those on the shelves at the shop. I HAD to make quilts from them!
What do you love about quilting?
Besides the endless possible combinations of fabrics, what I love about quilt-making is the way we become completely absorbed in color, shape and pattern. Worries and concerns just fall away. I also love using odd fabrics, vintage prints, old clothes, upholstery samples and corduroy.
Do you have a favourite sewing saying or motto?
My favorite saying for quilters is, "Does it look OK if you were seeing it from a galloping horse?" My quilts usually pass this test.
What model sewing machine do you use?
I use a Bernina 430 and a Singer Featherweight. I started on my grandmother's 40 year old Viking, and I'll never get rid of it. Sometimes I want to sew fast, and sometimes slow.
I like to listen to books while I'm sewing. Some of my favorites are: The Birth of Venus by Susan Dunant, Signora DaVinci by Robin Maxwell, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and Little Bee by Chris Cleave. Currently I'm listening to The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck.
Do you have any furry friends that keep you company while you sew?
Malti, my 6 year old female Australian Shepherd, is my faithful companion while I sew.
Tell us about the house block you've made?
Your house block was inspired by the roof fabric, which came from a mini-skirt at the thrift store. I thought you'd love the birds, flowers and colors. Then I picked vintage fabrics to go with it. It was a lot of fun to make something for you!
24 Comments
Corduroy- in a quilt?! That is a challenge! I love LeeAnne's Gratitude Quilt! off to check out her blog!
ReplyDeleteLee Anne is a bit of a hero to me for what she can creatively put together with thrifted fabrics. I love everything she's made, her projects have such an exhuberance to them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview, she's so young at heart judging by her quilts.
What a nice idea for your blog! That gratitude quilt is both awesome and so right for your blog. I'm going to check out LeeAnne's blog now...
ReplyDeleteI love LeeAnne's quilts as well. Very inspiring and always colorful! Love the mini skirt fabric, that green is so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThe Good Earth is one of my all time favorite books.
Rachael this is going to be an awesome quilt!!!
I love this idea! We get to meet all the quilters around the world. LeeAnn has been a great inspiration to me. Love seeing her quilts.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is going to be gorgeous.
How fun to read about Lee Ann. I love her work and her blog. The house she made is so You with the birdie roof - very fun!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see more
xo
Loved Lee Ann's interview...I agree Lee Ann'50' is not old! The Gratitude Quilt is gorgeous...the birdie roof is fun...Corduroy in a quilt is so coool I think...Have a great weekend xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun, fun post! Lee Ann makes the most beautiful quilts!
ReplyDeleteI think we need to spread the "Galloping Horse" idea as far as possible. A great reminder not to take ourselves, and our quilts, too seriously.
ReplyDeleteI am so honored to be one of your featured quilters! You, and many others, are such great inspirations for me. It always surprises me when someone likes my quilts, as my taste can be a little odd. I'm looking forward to reading about other quilt makers !
ReplyDeleteIt's always so surprising to me how accomplished some quilters are, and they haven't been quilting for long! They definitely have the quilting bug! Her work is beautiful, and so inspiring, and that little house is so darned cute!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea Rachael. I'm off to have a look at LeeAnn's blog, her work looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteOh boy, another new-to-me blog to follow - I LOVE her gratitude quilt so much! And I love the house block she made for you!
ReplyDeleteA great piece about a great quilter! I can't wait to see your houses all together.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic idea to feature your block makers. This house block is so cute. That roof fabric is sensational.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed meeting the person behind the house block, its a lovely idea and I'm looking forward to meeting more.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rachael for the great interview! I have long admired Nifty Quilts {LeeAnn}- her use of color, pattern and movement is outstanding! AND - NO - 50 is not old!!! Not old at all!!! THanks Rachael and LeeAnn :)
ReplyDeleteI love LeeAnn's work. She is a bit of a colour genius.
ReplyDeleteI am one one LeeAnn's biggest fans! Her quilts never fail to surprise, inspire and bring a smile to one's face. I always click right over when I see she's posted something new!
ReplyDeleteWow ! Such beautiful quilts and great use of colour.
ReplyDeleteVery cute house !
What great questions and even better answers :) The house block is super cute and love the fabrics :) and Ive been a reader of LeeAnns for a while :)
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite people... thanks for sharing her beautiful work, she inspires me daily!
ReplyDeletelove her quilts too ! I'm stopping by her blog regularly :-)
ReplyDeleteBlind men on galloping horses are my favourite judges too :oD
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for leaving me a comment. Your kind words encourage me to keep sharing my work and stories.