2017 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop
Today it’s my turn to post on the New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop. I’m excited to share with you today!
I’m Wendy, wife to BigJ, mom to two young adults, and a cat. I live in a lovely college town in Minnesota. I have played with fabric since I was a young girl, growing up in a sewing family.
When I began writing this blog just a little over a year ago, I figured out some of the technical things on my own or with the help of a friend. There were times when I wished for a group of other bloggers who I could talk with and ask questions about the technical parts of blogging — setting up your blog theme, how to put things in the side menus, etc.
When the 2017 Advice & Tech Help for New Quilt Bloggers came up on my feed one morning, I had found what I was looking for. To be honest, though, I didn’t sign up right away. It was a little intimidating to think about, now that I had the opportunity. However, after a little thought and some encouragement from fellow bloggers, I put in my request and was invited to join the group. It has been a great experience and one I would highly recommend!
The three co-hosts, Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl, Beth at Cooking Up Quilts, and LeAnne of She Can Quilt are amazing women who have been so kind, helpful and encouraging for those of us learning our way through blogging. I’m so grateful they’ve taken time from their busy schedules to do this for us. Be sure to head over to visit them today. Not only will you find more information about the blog hop, but there are giveaways on their sites this week from some awesome sponsors that you really shouldn’t miss!
While we interact together as a whole group, we are also placed in subgroups called hives. LeAnne of She Can Quilt is our hive leader, and she has been so helpful! Each hive comes up with its own name and creates a button (it’s much easier than you might think). Our hive is Let’s Bee Quilt’n and here’s our button.
One last important piece of information about the blog hop. Here are my fellow hivemates who are blogging today.
Sharon at Yellow Cat Quilt Designs
Becca at Pretty Piney
Gwen at Tillalili
Wendy at Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life – You’re here!
Yvonne’s hive, Blooming Quilters, and Beth’s hive, Better Bloggers, have posts today as well, so be sure to visit their sites too!
Why Pieceful Thoughts?
So why the name Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life? When I began blogging, my life had changed. In what felt like overnight, both of my kids (who I homeschooled from day one) were in college and BigJ had started new job. Up to that point, he and I had worked together for almost all of our married life.
So there I was one morning, in a quiet house, the cat and I staring at each other. It felt like I had finished a big quilt project, gave the quilt away, and was left with a big pile of beautiful scraps. The changes were all good things. There were lovely pieces left over from happy, happy memories. I was looking forward to seeing the new patterns that would develop for my kids and my husband, and me. So I decided to share the pieceful thoughts of my quilting life in a blog — thoughts about what I was quilting, of course, but also what I was doing otherwise. It’s a little like having a bin of scraps with no pattern, and some days are definitely improv!
About Me
You can wander up to the About Me tab and read the short version there of my quilting background, if you like. I’m primarily self-taught. I like to be challenged when I quilt; however, many of the quilts I own are pretty simple designs. Most of the challenging quilts were made for other people! Here’s a few of my quilts I use in my home. My home is cozy with earthy colors, so my quilts are traditional and follow those colors. However, I am finding I am very drawn to modern and improv quilts with bright colors, so I’m beginning to explore that a bit.
I had the border fabric for this quilt for the longest time before I realized I had all the coordinating fabrics in my stash. I like the simplicity of this wallhanging.
This quilt is special. It is the last quilt kit my mother gave to me. She knew the New York Beauty block was my favorite.
I am slowly building bright colors into my stash. This quilt top will soon be quilted and finished!
This patriotic quilt hangs on my wall every July. It was fun to make!
5 Things You Should Know About Me
- I am more adventurous in quilting than I am in life. BigJ practically has to drag me out the door to get me on a trip. Once I’m there, it’s great — it’s the getting there that’s the problem.
- I am a homebody, sometimes not leaving my house for days. You can see how this affects the travel part of #1.
- I am basically shy, although once you get to know me you would truly wonder how I can say that.
- My perfect day is coffee, quilting (alone or with friends), a little reading or movie (at home, of course), and chocolate.
- He’s called BigJ because he is 6’6″ and I’m 5’5″ (on a good day).
One of the best things I’ve ever done is to expand my community of quilters, and that’s the blogging/quilting tip I’ll leave with you today. Being part of a quilting community, both in person and online, has made me a better quilter, both in my technique and also in how I view my quilting. (I quilted alone because I was pretty sure my quilting wasn’t good enough.) The ladies in my local quilt group are some of the most encouraging women I’ve met. My online quilting community expands my knowledge of quilting in ways I truly hadn’t expected, and I have quilting friends all over the world now!
How does your quilting community affect you? I’d love to hear your comments!
Thanks for stopping by today. Please come back and visit again, or follow my blog if you like what you’ve read. I’d be so tickled if you do!
Don’t forget to visit the other bloggers and also sign up for those giveaways!
Wendy
39 Comments
April Adams
Hi Wendy, it was great getting to know a little more about you! I live in rural Oklahoma. It hard to get a quilting group together here. That is why I am trying to build a quilting group online. I have enjoyed being part of the 2017 New Quilt Bloggears blog hop. I have met so many new quilters. Quilters are so generous and supportive. I hope we can stay in touch.
Vicki in MN
Awesome job on your post Wendy!! Yeah I don’t think you are shy:) Love your patriotic quilt and that NYB, gorgeous!!
Becca // Pretty Piney
That New York Beauty is stunning! You do lovely work.
It always amuses me to hear about couples with a big height difference. My dad is 6’6″, my mom is 5’3″. My brother is 6’5″, his girlfriend is 4’11”!
When I first joined a guild, it was a huge step for me. I hadn’t been quilting long. Previously, the only other quilters who saw my work were my mom, my aunt, and anyone I happened to take a class with. The support and encouragement proved to be addictive, though, and now I’m a member of three guilds, an art quilt club, and several online communities who constantly provide me with inspiration and encouragement! I’m certainly a better and more confident quilter thanks to the many other quilters out there sharing their work.
Sharon Denney Parcel
I am a homebody too! Quilt guilds and sewing groups always provide so many things…friendship, new ideas and so much inspiration, and most of us have a habit called quilting…a good support group!
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
It is so wonderful to get to know you better today, Wendy. I agree that a community makes me better as well, in both consistency of blogging and encouraging me to continue to grow and try new skills. I hope that the blog hop helps you find that online community. Thanks for being a part of the hop!
Louise Hornor
Thanks for sharing more about your life, Wendy. It’s nice to get to know you a little bit better. And to see a few more of your quilts! Gosh, that NY Beauty is, well, a beauty!
Susan Shaw
When I read the 5 things I should know about you, I thought we were twins. My first husband is 6’7″ and I’m 5’2″. The first people I met in Oklahoma were just large – very large. When the two couples would go some where, the guys would walk together and would the gals. You could just read on people’s faces that they were trying to put the couples together. I was the outlier since I was so small. They’d put the large gal with my husband and then that left me with the tall/large man. Then they’d try again. You’d see they’d finally decide we were just friends. NO! We’ve been divorced since 1998 and I rarely see him. I wouldn’t speak to him for years. We just went out for our son’s birthday and I had forgotten how tall he is. I stay in the house for days and days. Most of it is from depression. I just don’t want to get out. Also, I’m shy and people don’t think so once they get to know me. Wendy, I love your quilts. I’d love to make a New York Beauty and probably never will. I have an invisible disability and my muscles ache all the time. It’s difficult to do much. So, I spend lots of time admiring the work of others. Blessings to you!
piecefulwendy
Thank you, Susan, for your reply. I’d encourage you to reach out to other quilters, even if it’s just one or two. You’ll be surprised at how encouraging and kind they can be!
Needle and Foot
I agree with Wendy. If you continue to interact within the online quilting community it may lift some of the depression you mention. Having an invisible chronic illness is really challenging. People don’t necessarily know that you suffer and thus don’t always come forward to provide support. I am similar in that I have chronic migraine (usually two each week) and it knocks me down constantly. Living in a positive manner and being fully present in the world can be really hard if I am always coming around from a migraine or feeling sick from one. However, if I let it control me I am much worse off. Do you know what I mean? Anyway, welcome to the quilty online world. Hope you stretch yourself and make a few friends here.
Kathy
Wendy, I loved getting to know you. I homeschooled as well. Loved it. My oldest daughter is now homeschooling.
catpatches
So nice to learn a little more about you. I agree with everything you said about the blogging community. For homebodies like us, it’s nice to have a group of friends we can connect with and not have to leave home. Also, I used to say I was shy, but then realized I’m really just an introvert, which is a little different from being shy. Maybe that’s true for you too.
piecefulwendy
Yes, I’m an introvert, so it’s likely true of me. I’m enjoying the online community so much!
Kathleen McCormick
Wendy, what a great entry! I love your quilts and watching your progression. I was gong to put the naming of my blog in my entry but I think I lost it. Its fun getting to know you and can’t wait to see where your journey brings you!
piecefulwendy
Thank you!
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Wendy, we are fellow home school moms of graduates! Quilting is a great direction to go after graduation. Come to Quilt Cove 1/4″ club and we can meet up!
piecefulwendy
Oh! Yay! Yes, I’ll have to come to the 1/4″ club sometime!
Tillalili
Hi Wendy! It’s been so nice getting to know you through this experience! I can totally relate to your numbers 1 thru 4. I’m a complete homebody. I don’t get much down time because of running my online fabric shop, and now designing quilt patterns, so I’m happy just to get time to quilt. I love your quilts and look forward to seeing more.
Happy Quilting!
piecefulwendy
Thank you for stopping by! Happy quilting to you too!
Cocoa Quilts
Wendy it was nice to hear your story. I feel you, sometimes I can stay in for days, keeping busy the whole time. I know no local quilters and am from a very small town, so I get my quilting mojo online.
piecefulwendy
Thank you! Glad you have found the online community helpful!
Samantha D
I can completely relate to your 5 things – I really enjoy the quiet life, and would prefer to be home most days! You make such a great point about the need for community – I am always inspired by the like-minded individuals I encounter online, but haven’t yet been able to find that community close to home – maybe I should leave the house more often ;). Thanks for sharing!
sue7oaks
I’ve loved looking at your quilts, Wendy. Quilting can be a solitary occupation and I love that i can connect so easily with other quilters.
norma
Hello Wendy, good to learn a bit more about you. It’s hard to leave for a holiday when you love a place so much. I understand that for sure.
Loved your quilts too.
Needle and Foot
Wendy, the parallels you illustrated between your quilting experience and your new life as an empty nester are so beautiful. This post was touching.
6’6″ is super tall. I am also the shortest in our family by a large margin and in pictures it looks somewhat humorous. Are your kids tall like their father?
I have so enjoyed getting to know you over the past year or so. 🙂
Diane Beavers
Wendy, how wonderful to discover your blog.
Seems like I can’t recall a time when i was not creating.
My quilt community is like yours….family (far away) friends locally and groups that i gather with monthly. The enthusiasm is always contagious…and quilters ALWAYS share their fabrics, big and/or scrappy, What I love best is someone always is following a pattern, familiar to many, but they have added their personal touch/creatiivity to it and it’s like a brand new pattern. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.
Danette Stankovich
Your quilts are lovely! I especially like the patriotic quilt. When I read your 5 descriptions of yourself, I am similar to a lot of this. I do like to travel. But I could just as easily stay home for days on end, in my downstairs room without going anywhere. I do love looking at other’s quilts, however, I usually will not join quilt-alongs, etc, because I only have so much time.
poweredbyquilting
Wendy! your quilts are so beautiful! It’s been so great getting to know you better through this process <3
somethingrosemade14
Hi Wendy, it’s been great meeting and laughing with you on the Blog Hop. I love being a Homebody but will take the occasional vacation if it means I can visit quilt shop and reload. I love seeing your quilts, they are wonderful–I don’t know if I have the patience to do a NYB. The online community is a wonderful place to meet other quilters and am glad I decided to have started blogging. We definitely need to stay in touch so I look forward to reading your posts.
Sarah@123quilt
I really liked hearing the story behind your blog name. 🙂
Laura
Hello! I’m a homebody too! Right now, we only have one car (that my husband takes to work each day). So I joke that now I really am a stay at home mom – because I literally STAY at home! Lol! Thank you for sharing your beautiful work!
Paige @ Quilted Blooms
Wendy, great to get to know you! You perfect day sounds wonderful to me too! I can see how the New York Beauty quilt is so special. What a great into post for the blog hop!
Sparkle On with Abbie
Hi Wendy! I so enjoyed reading your post. I like your analogy of how the quilting process is like life. You are very thoughtful and reflective. I am a homebody too and after years of hearing “just get out there” I decided I am fine and happy as I am, so i can relate and salute your honesty.
Your quilts are awesome! I love the colors and patterns you have chosen. The bright color on white quilt is so fun to look at! It’s been a pleasure meeting you through the hop and hope to stay connected by following your blog. Bean says hi to you too!
~Abbie from the Hop
Sparkle On with Abbie
And he both say hi to your cat! ?
Sparkle On with Abbie
Ugh..I meant to say “we”…
fi
Hi Wendy so lovely to meet you. Your quilts are stunning and I totally agree, I do love to stitch at home alone and have recently joined a quilting group and the social interaction and group encouragement is wonderful. I will be popping back in to say hi
Melanie McNeil
I’m glad you joined the blog world. You seem so comfortable, I wasn’t aware this is still new for you! I’m a bit like you in that I could stay home for days on end. Since I started working out at the gym last fall, I do actually get out a few times a week. If not for that, though… 🙂
Thanks for the post and the chance to get to know you better.
Alice Samuel's Quilt co.
Very nice to read more about you Wendy! I love all the beautiful quilts you have shown here. I’m the luckiest to have found the online blogging community. The community keeps me inspired and motivated.
Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
I know I am late to the party but better late than never. Very nice intro post. I too homeschooled our youngest but only in Phy ed as he couldn’t fit it into his schedule and he needed it to graduate from high school. I almost had to flunk him since he hadn’t done any of the assignments until the last two weeks and then he kicked it into full gear and passed with a C-. I may have been the only mom to ever give their child a C- for an easy class but I was hoping he was learning to pace himself (something we as quilters should take note of too) and not leave it all to the last minute (something I definitely am still learning). He just graduated with a double degree in Electrical Engineering and in Computer Science. Your New York beauty is truly beautiful. It’s on my “to do” list. Is it as difficult as it looks?
Diane Lomax
I’m late to the party too, but here I am 🙂 Your perfect day is a description of my perfect day too! I am also shy and love to stay at home but would also love to join a group but there doesn’t seem to be one local to me, I have toyed with the idea of starting one myself. I am enjoying the online community at the moment but even doing this was a huge step for me but I’m so glad I did it. Thank you for your post, I will be visiting regularly 🙂