After much deliberating and reading of other peoples blogs I have decided to start writing my own. It's funny, I have started mentally writing a blog entry many times in the last few months, but now I am actually 'putting pen to paper' I am not sure where to start. 

I am the adoring mother of two boys. Boy who is 5 years old and off to 'big school' very soon and Boog who will be 2 this month. I love being a mum and I also love to quilt. I am hoping to combine being able to stay home with my boys with quilting. Hopefully the things I lovingly make and write about on my blog will bring joy to people who buy them and allow me a little pocket money to continue to fund my hobby/addiction.

I love sewing! As long as I can remember I have always done. When I was about 3 years old I remember playing with some fabric and wrapping it around my doll and wanting to sew it into a dress. One school holiday, when we (my 3 sisters and I) were quarantined due to the youngest of us having rubella, I made myself a 'Anne of Green Gables inspired dress - complete with 'puffy sleeves' and a big bow at the back. This was when I was around 13 years old and was the start of me making many clothes for myself and my sisters. 

I love quilts. They provide so much more than warmth. I think they provide tangible love and comfort as well. I made one for my niece when she was born nearly 16 years ago though I had no idea what I was doing. Although I bought a few books on quilting in the years after and even a rotary cutter and mat it wasn't until about 4 years ago I when attended a quilting and craft show in Canberra with my sister that I took it up properly. We both came home purchased some fabric and started our first quilts that night - that was it, we were hooked. We are thoroughly addicted now and have managed to ensnare our mother and another sister with our habit. I honestly don't know what we talked about before because that whenever we are together it is a cacophony of rapid speech about our latest projects or ideas. 

One of the first books I bought was Harriet Hargraves - Heirloom Machine quilting  (CT publishing). I love this book and still look through it often. Harriet's work was probably the biggest influence on my quilting work as I tried from my second quilt onwards to produce traditional looking feathers and quilting using my home domestic sewing machine. Quilting is my favourite part of the quilt making process and I think sometimes I only piece so I have something to quilt. I love feather and grids and the texture that quilt stitches gives a quilt. 

Lately I have been getting more and more interested in modern quilting. I love the nod to mid century design they give, the use of solids and especially the large amounts of negative space. I think most modern quilts aspire to be practical and usable. That appeals to me as I think quilts should be touched, cuddled, used to make cubby houses with (This is Boy's current fav activity) and therefore washable. I also love the extra design element the quilting gives. Despite my love of feathers and fancy quilting I am more and more liking the effect of more simple quilting designs. I greatly admire the work or Elizabeth Hartman (http://www.ohfransson.com/), Denyse Schmidt (http://dsquilts.com/) and Angela Walters . (http://www.quiltingismytherapy.com/) to name a few very talented ladies. 

Well considering I didn't think I had much to say, I have managed a rather long first post. 

Thanks for dropping by. 

Jo