I need to write a test post for boring reasons… so I thot I’d indulge myself in a little trip down memory lane with a few of the pivotal quilts I’ve made. I went back through old blog posts and Etsy listings to find some of these photos, and it was an interesting exercise to find quilts that I feel were representative of pivotal moments in my quilting journey.
(Get out your magnifying glass for this tiny photo of the first quilt I made to sell on Etsy.). This was 14 years ago, which I know because I was expecting my daughter at the time I decided to start selling quilts. I don’t know how many of my readers have been reading quilting blogs for this many years, but if you were around back in those days, you may see the influence of Crazy Mom Quilts in this quilt?! I had worked in a quilt store for quite a few years before this, and had made quite a few quilts, but there’s nothing like stumbling on a new style of quilts to totally blow your mind. So that’s when I became obsessed with quilting and couldn’t fall asleep at nights thinking about all the different designs I wanted to make. I still remember trying to take photos of this first quilt to upload to my brand new Etsy shop! It had elephant fabric in the center of the blocks, to match my shop name of Blue Elephant Stitches. So savvy with branding lol! Although I’ve regretted the name ever since…
And then!! I discovered Gwen Marston’s Liberated Quiltmaking… And made this basket quilt (and quite a few more after. you can find them by searching ‘basket’ on my blog). This is one of the few quilts I’ve kept. It’s been washed many times and is more faded than this photo that’s for sure. But I had so much fun making it, and I do feel like reading Gwen’s books really fed my outlook which was already a bit less than rule following :). I just feel like observing and absorbing a bit of her outlook on quilting was a blessing for me.
Fast forward a couple years and many quilts, Rachel of Stitched In Color asked me to write a tutorial for a Scrap Quiltalong. And I wrote up this Granny Square Tutorial. (updated version here).
The reason this one was pivotal? It kind of went viral. At least for little old me! I guess it appealed to a lot of people and quite a few Granny Square quilts were made.
This was one my favourites! Just a little baby quilt, but it was also very popular! Robert Kaufman asked to have a tutorial on their website… I didn’t want to write the tutorial so was happy to just have them credit me with the design.
I had to include this photo because it’s just tells my quilting story… messy house and quilts hanging on curtain rods…need we say more?
Looking back now I see all the opportunities I had through the years. A part of me could feel frustrated at myself for brushing them all off. But I was having babies and raising toddlers and just generally didn’t have the bandwidth to work on building on online business. So that’s ok! Here I am now, and it’s a different world out there, that’s for sure! But I’m so enthused to put more effort into my little corner here again. My wish would be that I’d have something to offer that fills a need for someone!
Thank you for taking me for a walk down memory lane with you. I haven’t been here long, and I enjoyed it. Have a wonderful day!
Great post- thank you!
Such great quilts! Thank you for sharing. And- you mentioned some of my other favorite bloggers!! I had no idea you had been blogging for 10 years- just awesome.
Keep in mind the opportunities we act on usually present themselves in moments when we have the time and energy for them. All the good things in life come in different seasons of our lives. Now you have more time and you can accept the quilting opportunities fully with joy and gratitude and more energy to do so! They will come… keep sharing your openness to them 🙂
Thanks so much for being in my inbox today! I think I’m going to look up Gwen today- I need some quilting rules freedom!
I really enjoyed your trip down memory lane. Thank you for sharing a few of your early quilts with us.
What a great idea for a test post! I loved this walk down memory lane. I, too, am going to have to look up Gwen Marston and I will definitely be scrolling through your blog for more inspiration.
What a wonderful post! I think I discovered your blog about 7-8 years ago and probably from Crazy Mom Quilts. I have made the granny square and heart baby quilts. I absolutely love everything you make. Sometimes, I just use your blocks as inspiration and sometimes I follow completely. So glad to see your blog posts again! Good luck on your new endeavor!
I would like to send you all my stash, books, notions etc. It would fulfill my need to get rid of it all and it will give you a lifetime or two. I suffer from total burn out of all things quilting.
I love all your quilts.
And I, of all people feel blessed to see my daughters walk down memory lane, I have had the joy of watching her journey all these years and of course am her biggest fan! When we sewed together years ago, I never dreamed she would become such an artist. Now I marvel at all the places she has been and where she will all go. Way to go girl!
I love this trip down memory lane! ❤️ So many pleasant memories triggered by seeing the quilts you shared here. You are inspiring! Love your work!
This post was very interesting and inspiring. I especially love your Gwen Marston basket quilt. I always look forward to seeing new quilts from you and I love your style.
Fun post! love your quilts!
You are one of the greatest inspirations out there. Thank you!