Touring through Blogland

I was recently contacted by Penny at The Comforts of Home and asked if I would participate in a blog hop.   I thought it sounded like fun, I am supposed to answer four questions and since I seem to have such a hard time actually getting around to writing my bio I thought this might help inspire me to get it done. ;>)

1. What am I working on?

 

 I have a lot of projects on the board right now. I have several pillow designs just waiting for sewing time, my ruffled flag pillows have been in such demand that I will be restocking the shop with some in the next week or two and I always have a quilt or two that I am slowly working on as I have time.

 

I am currently working on more Kitchenaid decal designs for my etsy shop.  There are so many ways to turn a plain white machine into a pretty part of the kitchen décor and I am having a lot of fun coming up with new designs and colors!

 

Earl and I are also looking into some ways to bring the business to life on a more local level. It’s a slow process but we have really great things in the works that I will be telling you about in the near future.

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

 

Although I have seen decals other places, for the most part they lack the detail and vintage look of what I am producing.  The process of creating the art and assembling the decals is labor intensive but the results are fun, colorful and unique.  I love what I do so the time and effort are worth it to me.  Of course my first love is always sewing and fabric design, so you will see more of that in the future too.  My fabric design is influenced by so many things, gardens, colors I see, vintage art.  I follow whatever pops into my head.

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

 

That is a good question.  I have always had a need to create, when my girls were little I did some craft shows, but the expense, hauling, sitting all weekend and hoping it didn’t rain so the crowd would show up was kind of a pain. I eventually gave it up while I homeschooled my kids.  I found blogging in 2007 and was immediately drawn to it.  My mother in law was battling cancer at the time and I began the blog as a way to not only keep far away family members updated on her health (she beat the cancer!) but also as a way to document and share my projects.  I was shocked when the first comment appeared from someone I did not know.  Over the years I have found a wonderful community of like minded friends through blogging. They have been the catalyst for my growth as an artist and designer. They have encouraged me, inspired me, given me advice when I needed it and given me the confidence to pursue my dreams. As a result, I can honestly say that blogging has been one of the biggest influences in what I do, and Etsy has provided the perfect opportunity to make my designs available from  the comfort of my own home.

4. How does your writing/creating process work?

 

I like to do my own thing.  As a blogger you can’t help but be influenced by current trends in color, and what is popular now, but I tend to steer away from doing what I see everyone else doing. I most often design items that I would like in my own home, but can’t seem to find anywhere else.  This Spring’s seed packet pillows for instance, I couldn’t help but think they would make adorable throw pillows mixed with my beloved gingham. I need to get more of those in the shop! As for my writing process, I pretty much sit down and bang out my thoughts just the way I speak in real life.  I’m a shoot from the hip, fly by the seat of my pants writer, which is pretty much how I approach everything else.

 And now that you know a little bit more about me, let me introduce you to another blogger who I love to visit!

 

"Hi, my name is Patty and I blog over at Lemon Lane Cottage.  I started blogging to connect with other like minded women about decorating, crafts and life in general.  But what I found while typing over the years is so much more.  I still post about our cute little cottage and my passion for creating but now I'm sharing with friends.  I hope you'll become one of them.  xo, Patty"

 

I hope you'll run over and say hello to Patty, she does beautiful work and shares a lot of fun things!