Around the World Blog Tour

Lone Star, made in 2009, still one of my favorite quilts.

I was asked by Holly Elam of Fabric Mom to write a post for the Around the World Blog Tour.I have followed Holly's quilting journey for many years. She leads a busy life raising her sons and she still finds time to sew!

This sounds like a daunting tour, as my little part of the world (Council Bluffs, IA) isn't all that exciting or different. But I guess we are here to learn about other quilters, techniques and quilty stuff, so it doesn't matter.

 

Here's Mom in her Quilt! shirt

 I learned to sew from my mom when I was young. She loves to sew and started teaching me at a young age. She eventually began quilting, so when I started my first quilt I went to her for advice and help. I have also learned a lot from reading books and magazines and have taught myself many techniques. My mom and I still like to sew together. Here is one that she has been working on. 

Sometimes we have sew in days in my hometown of Earling IA and invite my sisters. 

 At our last sew in day, Sharon made my design, Fade to Pink. She has been sewing and crafting for many years.

Nancy, on the other hand, only sews when she is visiting from Canada at Christmas, so is still in the learning process. 

 Her first quilt is going to be so pretty!

My sister, Deb is the same way...only sewing when it's a family event! She is learning to string piece.

She finished her top the last time we met. It's so much fun seeing these two dip their toes in the quilting world. We have one more sister who has no interest, and hasn't been around when we have met. She is moving closer soon, so maybe this year we can work on her and get her involved!

 I worked on my first Miss Tess quilt the last time we got together (it was my newest design at the time). I have recently been working on a new version and finished the quilting last week. I hope to bind it this week.

Miss Tess quilt

 There always has to be a supervisor, and Dad does a great job of doing that. He also helps us lay out blocks, decide on colors and relaxes for us.

 I love to go on retreats with friends, too. I have gone with the same group now for about 5 years. We go twice a year and work on our own projects. The last few times we have gone to Quilter's Cottage, near Woodbine, IA. It's great fun and many things happen that can't be repeated...you know the saying....what happens on retreat, stays on retreat. Sewing with others is definitely more fun than sewing alone!

Quilters of the Corn...need I say more? 

I started teaching quilting classes about 11 years ago.  I taught a few groups the basics of piecing and finishing a quilt, then designed a sampler quilt to continue teaching them new techniques. Since then I have met lots of wonderful quilters and have designed 19 samplers, many other quilts and table runners using many techniques under the name Quiltinjeanie Designs.Three of my designs have been published in McCalls Quick Quilts magazines in the past year and a half.

Ribbon Quartz, Sampler 19

Two of my reasons for starting a blog was to have a journal of my quilting efforts and to share the quilting going on in my classes. I work a full time job as a Library Clerk in a local elementary school too, so my blogging isn't always lengthy or every day. I do have the summers off and don't teach as many classes then, so I get more sewing and quilting (and blogging) done. I have met many nice quilters through blogging and have seen many interesting tutorials and techniques. I love how the blogging world has opened up quilting to everyone! I think that is what this tour is all about.

I am challenging a few other bloggers to share their quilt journey with us on this Blog Tour. They will be posting their Around the World Blog Tour posts next week!

Cheryl of Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting has been busy working on food in a jar blocks for an exchange she is doing. They are so cute and delicious!

Rosa of Rosa Patch. The Love of Sewing is a very talented quilter from Spain. I am so impressed with the Dear Jane quilt that she has been working on.

Thanks for joining me on this blog tour....hope you enjoyed this visit to my part of the world.