Category: Valerie’s Blog

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e-Interviews (entry 57)

Hi Ladies, I’ve heard back from a few of my ‘regulars’ (I can say that now) of my blog and online store and so far all of them have said yes…to what you wonder?

I’ve decided I want to get to know YOU on a more personal level. So, I’m going to be doing e-interviews. If you are interested, please let me know as I would like to hear from ALL of you out there in blog-land AND from those of you who lurk but don’t comment 🙂

So to kick it off, I’ll be the first:

How many years have you been quilting, what or who got you started?

I’ve been quilting since 2003, when my Aunt-in-law, Karen took me to a Guild Potluck, I was so inspired and in aaaw that I signed up for every class and bought hundreds of dollars worth of the “must-haves”.

Were you a sewer first? 

I can truly say no. I’ve always been creative, liked to knit since I was young but no not a sewer per-sa. I was newly married when my Aunt gave me her old sewing machine (1980 or so Kenmore, metal body weighing a tonne) and I signed up to take some sewing classes to learn the basics – which I loved. My sewing teacher Susan, ended up to be a member in the guild I had been so inspired by and as they say…”The rest is history” 🙂

What is your favourite technique?

Mine would have to be two things, paper piecing and scrappy quilts.

Do you have a favourite store: online or Brick & Motar and why?

Yes, Traditional Pastimes, Calgary, Alberta. A Brick & Motar that is very quaint, helpful staff.

What is a tool that you can’t live without?

My Ginger Scissors. In 2005, I was teaching a class at my local guild and I was walking around helping people with their Raggedy Anne dolls when I picked up Kim’s scissors and cut a piece of fabric with them, WOW my life has never been the same lol. 

Who is your biggest influence in the Quilting world – famous or otherwise?

 I think my influences change from time to time. Since I’ve started this online business I’m influenced by so many of the women I am in this sisterhood with, my Guilds. They all touch my heart and soul on so many levels – thank you ladies. There is also so many here in blog-land: Cathi, Mishka, Heather, Rachel D, Lisa, Rachel G, just to name a few as I read about 100+ blogs.

Do you listen to podcasts? Do you have a favourite?

 I listen to all sorts of podcasts for business and pleasure. Go to iTunes and search Podcasts. Some of my favourites are Within a Quarter Inch, Quilting Stash, Sew Stitch Create, Life Coach, Bon Appetite, Digital Marketer and more.

My first official quilt, “Bird Bug”. I have to say I LOVED making this one. Why is it, so many of us start with applique?

all needle turn applique, by hand, invisible thread for the echo quilting

don’t you just love the red button for the eye?

I’m not really sure what this label shape is :~)

++++++++++

I so look forward to getting to know you all better, have a happy and creative day,

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BOM: Journey of a Quilter (JOQ) (entry 56)

Hi Everyone, thought I would do a quick blog posting about the Block of the Month Starting up pretty soon. I’m hoping to have those who want to join sign up before the 15th of January. The pattern portion of the kits will be sent to me around the 25th of the month from Australia then I will add all of the goodies (cottons, silks, flosses, pins, needles, etc) and get them in the mail.

When I initially put the poll out there for voting between Journey of a Quilter and Kitten’s Tale, I received an overwhelming response of 40 for JOQ and 30 for KT. So far I’ve had about 10 sign up for Journey of a Quilter which is fabulous and thanks to those of you who’ve committed.

I’m still waiting on the fabrics for Kitten’s Tale, I’m using this awesome line of fabrics: Feline Friendship by Henry Glass that I thought would be purrrfect. The tones in the colours are similar to that as shown, here’s a preview of some of the fabrics, I’m hoping to get this whole line but still waiting for confirmation. There will also be silks mixed in with these can you say luxurious.

 If you want to be contacted when Kitten’s Tale is available for sign up, please email me and I will add you to the list.

I will offer a prize each month as encouragement to get your block finished and a digital photo sent to me for our photo blog page. Initially based on the 40 interested gals I had selected the 5″ Gingher Designer Scissors complete with collectors tin 🙂 and I would still like to be able to offer these or something as fabulous but that will require more participants. If we don’t get a min of 30 to join, I will of course have another great prize each month.

If you have any questions about my Block of the Month clubs, please email me and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Have a happy and creative day.

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2009 Re-Cap of my Year (entry 55)

I think 55 is a good entry number to re-cap the year 2009 and getting the idea for this from ParkcityGirl Website – thanks Amy.

**when I first wrote this entry, I didn’t have any quilting projects added sometimes I’m so focussed on the project at hand and forget why I’m doing this and all of the quilting that drives me**

Here’s a montage of my year in a nut-shell:

January: re-negotiating contracts with my business partner at Exhibit Studio, setting budgets for the coming year, discussing the market, reading the Twilight Series

February: high stress with the market crashing, not enough work to keep employees busy, trade shows getting cancelled, trying to figure out different avenues for Exhibit Studio, reading the Twilight Series

March: My Birthday, thinking about my quilting business, something I’ve always wanted to do, how can I make this work, the huge decision about deciding to sell Exhibit Studio, reading the Twilight Series (lovin it so much!!)

April: more discussions about quilting business online, partnership with another gal, hmmm, lots of debating about doing this on my own or with another person. DH showing so much interest in this new business venture for us, possibilities are endless, reading the Twilight Series

May: sold Exhibit Studio to my partner, Bye ES I wish you well :), now onto full time thinking about online quilting business, what should the name be, how can I make this work, what do I want my goals to be? May long weekend camping and waking up to 4″ of snow, so much fun!

{taken the day before the snow storm, which we slept like babies through it all, lol}

June: Started training for a race to clear my head and regroup for a new chapter in my life, Incorporated my new business name of Pastimes Online Ltd. Pastimes could be used for any hobby like Scrapbooking, Photography (DH’s passion), cooking, etc. and online self explanatory. Registered my business, which felt so good:) and camping (bliss)

July: Training for the race, figuring out block of the month programs and found this great site, ordering in some supplies, finding Manufacturers to do business with all over the world. Finding a great one in India – thanks Anant for all of your help & I love the silks!!, camping at Kaslo, BC – what a fab place!

{the famous SS Moyie}

August: Training for the race, placed orders for cottons, dupioni silks, threads, Gingher Supplies, Quilters Tea (our own blend) and more! Finished Pinkie Lee.

this one I’m keeping for me 🙂

September: Race time, 12km in 1.5 hours, my 8th Wedding Anniversary, (I love you Jeff), waiting on materials, building website (thanks Jeff), taking pictures, prepare for Podcasts, reading, reviewing, & rating websites (pros and cons) to figure out what I love the best & what you will love the best. Finding Squarespace and Squareflo – both life savers of time and money, reading Friday Night Knitting Club – touched my heart! My cousin got married & my sister and I made a set of personalized sheets. Designed my first pattern, Cutest Camera Bag.

{on the home stretch, phew}

October: My DH’s birthday, ThanksGiving, spending time with Family, always a joy! Playing with my new silks that have arrived. Finding an excellent supplier for lightweight fusible materials for applique, silks etc. Our very good friends had a beautiful baby boy, Zach. Opened PastimesOnline – what a month. Started another Freebie 15 project with my LQS.

{which will be available to purchase soon}

{perfectly matching threads, beauty}

{mom and baby Zach at his baby shower}

{waiting to be layered and quilted, hopefully soon}


{official store home page}

the theme is leaves and I LOVE the colours

November: Shooting my first podcast, finished first block for the Journey of a Quilter Block of the Month and loved it! Realized yet again how much I love being part of my quilting guilds and how these women impact my life. Started work on the development of the basement, new home of PastimesOnline and my new Studio location. Quilt til you Wilt weekend to complete the two housecoats for my nephews. Quilters Connection Magazine, finally a magazine for Canadian Quilters – thanks Heather! Joined the Toyota 4x4ing Club with my DH, started reading The Book of Negros – WOW!

{where to begin?}

{almost finished and boy what a journey}

December: Marketing investment with QuiltDash and Within a Quarter Inch, hosted Christmas potluck for my Lakeside Quilters Guild, and attended the potluck for my other awesome Guild called Flying Needles, hosted Christmas Dinner for 13 plus 4 and it was probably the best Christmas ever. Permits approved, more work on the basement, dry-wallers scheduled, carpet ordered, dreams coming to fruition, *sigh* life is good.

Here’s some of the gifts I made for family:

aprons for MIL and SIL

housecoats for nephews and messenger bags for nieces (silks)

silk scarf for Mum, it kind of works with the red shirt 🙂

Happy New Year everyone, I am so looking forward to starting an amazing 2010 and getting to know you all who follow my blog, comment and email me privately as well as all of you who’s blogs I read. I would love more comments and please let me know what you would like to see and read about or ask me questions…

Until next time have a happy, warm and creative day,