Friday, June 28, 2013

2013 New Blogger Blog Hop is Here!

(Wowser...I can't believe I am typing these words.)  Welcome to my stop on the 2013 Let's Get Acquainted New Blogger Blog Hop!  Beth at Plum and June is an amazing supporter of our blog community.  In addition to hosting this annual blog hop that introduces new bloggers, she also hosts a weekly Let's Get Acquainted Monday Linky party and regular Advice and Tech Help for New Bloggers.  Thank you Beth for helping me and so many others!
Plum and June
Welcome to KayakQuilting!  Let me share what I think you might find interesting.  If I have overlooked something that will cause you sleepless nights, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will reply!

Who is Kathy?
Take a peek at the above pages "Who's in That Kayak" and "Beyond My Sewing Machine" for more information about the blog author.
(Picture is in front of The Needle Shop in Chicago.  Part of our global quilt store tour.)

There will be a quiz later.

Why KayakQuilting?
Now you know why the name, but why the blog?  I started my blog last October (with a lot of help from my wonderful almost-DIL!) as a way to journal my quilting adventure and create a dialogue with the quilting blog community that had (unknowingly) been teaching me how to quilt.  My first year blog and quilting goals included:
  1. Participate in a giveaway.
  2. Participate in an on-line quilt festival.
  3. Increase number of followers to 50
  4. Participate in blog hop
  5. Participate in a bee
  6. Join a quilting guild
  7. Participate in one Block of the Month project
I have a lot more work to do on the blog but honestly I have been focusing on the content.  Isn't it really all about the projects?

Speaking of Projects
I have updated my little blog to include pages above showing some of my finishes since I started quilting last year.   These are some of my favorite quilts:
And some of my fave small projects:
And I do have a thing for interesting backsides:

But it's not all love
To be honest, I don't love all aspects of quilting.  Planning projects, fabric selection, piecing, quilting and hand binding are all wonderful!  Crawling around on the floor to baste the larger projects is just not fun (but I do count it as exercise!).

Fabric Acquisition
I get it.  I completely understand why people hoard  fabric.  Believe me, I have tried to avoid this temptation with very little success.  Instead, I have little piles like this to look at:
I have just discovered Tula Pink and I can't stop adding her fabric to my modest (but growing!) fabric collection.
Which leads me to the discussion of...

My Sewing Room
The blog post that has had the greatest number of views (by far!) in my short blogging history is this one where I reveal my new sewing room.   To summarize, this is the "before" picture:
And this is after the improvements:
Not much has changed in the room since the pictures in the post (except for the continuous addition and usage of fabric!) but I have great plans!  And I can't tell you how much fun I have had in my own little quilt cave!  But I am sure you can imagine...

Teaser
OK, at least I am being honest about it...do come back to visit my blog in a couple of days.  I have something very, very exciting to share with you!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read all this!   I hope you have enjoyed your visit here and you're welcome to stop by anytime!  Here are all the fun stops on the blog hop this week....enjoy!

Gwendellyn @ The Rainbow Revolts
Jessica @ Stitched In Thyme
Kathy @ Kayak Quilting  <= You are here!
Michelle @ Factotum Of Arts
Kris @ Sew Sunshine
Camilla @ Faffling
Paula @ The Sassy Quilter
Green @ So Sew Green


Thanks!
Kathy

PS  I am heading to Seattle next week for my next stop on my global quilt shop tour a wedding.  Any suggestions for fabric shops in the region are greatly appreciated!  Also, as I will be traveling and spending time with the bride, my response to comments may be a little slower than normal.  But I promise to get back to you!  
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53 comments:

  1. Lorna McMahonJune 28, 2013 at 9:15 AM

    Great post, Kathy! I am sure glad to have met you through the New Blogger Hop this year! The improvements to your sewing room make it apparent why you would love to spend sew much time in there. Loved seeing all your projects. I adore that purse with the 50's style dresses! As an option to avoid all that crawling around on the floor to baste... Here is a post I shared about how I baste my quilts... http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.ca/2013/03/sew-retro-baby-quilting.html

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  2. Lorna McMahonJune 28, 2013 at 9:17 AM

    Hope you did get my comment about basting and how much I've enjoyed getting to know you, Kathy! http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.ca/2013/03/sew-retro-baby-quilting.html

    When I clicked on publish... this came back up blank! Ackkkk!

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  3. DebbieJune 28, 2013 at 10:34 AM

    Hi, just saw your comment on the SS/Tiara group and thought I would drop in. Welcome to the blog world. Love your quilt backs....wonder what the surprise news is? :D

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  4. Michelle@factotum-of-arts.comJune 28, 2013 at 1:13 PM

    I love all the work you have on display and love that Tula Pink fabric :-) I love your newly renovated sewing room.

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  5. VickiJune 28, 2013 at 1:45 PM

    A face behind the blog! I do like your sewing room. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  6. janJune 28, 2013 at 3:11 PM

    Hi, It is very nice to meet you. i hope you have a fun time on your trip. i love your sewing space.
    jan@http://sewandsowfarm.blogspot.com/

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  7. Katie June 28, 2013 at 3:34 PM

    love your work and I'm a new follower

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  8. Little Island QuiltingJune 28, 2013 at 3:53 PM

    Very interesting!

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  9. Paula@TheSassyQuilterJune 28, 2013 at 4:02 PM

    Kathy, I just love your work. The sampler is my favorite! I have this on my list to do. Loving your space too:) Will definitely be back to see the surprise...I love surprises.

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  10. UnknownJune 28, 2013 at 5:30 PM

    I can see why you got so many comments on your sewing room - it is to die for! I'll be coming back in a few days for the exciting news. Great projects, btw. I'm a new follower on bloglovin.

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  11. Kathy @ Kwilty PleasuresJune 28, 2013 at 8:09 PM

    Hello. We have met during the Sew We Quikt Blog Hops. Good to see you here. Nice post and projects!

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  12. Deb@asimplelifequiltsJune 28, 2013 at 8:09 PM

    Such a nice post Kathy! I pinned your quilt backs for inspiration... I love the one with the large random blocks especially so you might see that appear on my blog one day. ;-D

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  13. AnnaJune 28, 2013 at 8:48 PM

    I can see why that is your most popular post! What a beautiful space :) Thanks for sharing! It is so nice to meet you. I totally agree- basting is absolutely the WORST part of quilting. Blerg!

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  14. LisaJune 29, 2013 at 11:14 PM

    Love the before and after shots of your quilting cave. I especially like the stained glass window - how pretty would that be in a quilt??!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

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  15. amyJune 29, 2013 at 11:20 PM

    Holy cow, can't believe how many projects you've gotten done in just a year! Your sampler is amazing, and it's really awesome how many of the blogging goals you've hit!! And yes to Tula Pink - yes yes yes!

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  16. NW PatchworkJune 29, 2013 at 11:51 PM

    Beautiful quilts--I love them all :) And you have a great looking sewing room. It was nice to get to know you!

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  17. AnnaJune 30, 2013 at 3:58 AM

    So lovely to meet you! Love your new sewing room. The change in wall colour makes a huge difference.

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  18. Leigh AnneJune 30, 2013 at 6:49 AM

    Lovely to meet you Kathy! Your "new" sewing room looks fantastic :) And I am definitely in agreement about basting on the floor :(

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  19. Adrianne @ On the Windy SideJune 30, 2013 at 7:08 AM

    Ummm, can I have your sewing room please? It's so lovely (now)! So nice to meet you Kathy - enjoy your global quilt shop tour (I mean, wedding).

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  20. RachelJune 30, 2013 at 11:40 AM

    Kathy good to meet you. Wow your sewing room looks great. I love the way you brightened up the room.

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  21. JulieJune 30, 2013 at 4:13 PM

    Your room looks wonderful! And yes, basting isn't so fun!

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  22. KarenJune 30, 2013 at 5:17 PM

    Hi Kathy, lovely to meet you! Your sewing room looks great and I love your stained glass window! :o)

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  23. CamillaJuly 1, 2013 at 5:27 AM

    What a great space, so inviting to come to and sew! Great to see some of your projects, ogle at your fabric and of course get to know something more about you!

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  24. Melia Mae QuiltingJuly 1, 2013 at 10:07 AM

    I am sooo sooo jealous of your sewing room. I wish mine looked more put together and not such a mess. That is currently my summer project!!! Hopefully that is. What a great post and it has been so nice getting to know you better.

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  25. StephanieJuly 1, 2013 at 10:18 AM

    I'm totally addicted to Tula as well, so I know what you mean! Lovely projects - especially that round cut gem quilt. I love that pattern :) Nice to get to know you better through the Hop!

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  26. EricaJuly 1, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    Nice to meet you! Your sewing room is amazing! I currently live in a 2 bedroom apartment with my husband and 2 kids and I long for a sewing space. You have some lovely projects :)

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  27. hydeeannsewsJuly 1, 2013 at 3:39 PM

    well, howdy, kathy! it's so nice to be meeting all these new quilters. i can only imagine the fun you have in that little cave, which you've brightened up so nicely! i love interesting backs, too.

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  28. AnonymousJuly 1, 2013 at 5:20 PM

    I love the idea of global quilt store tour. I am now officially beginning my own tour, just have to break the news to my husband gently!

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  29. EricaJuly 1, 2013 at 5:35 PM

    Lovely post! Your sewing room is very nice! The old one looked good but the new one is even lovelier! I like Tula Pink fabrics very much as well and am trying to grow my collection though that is probably true about all the fabrics I like!! So nice to meet you on the hop and I look forward to your big announcement!

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  30. AnonymousJuly 1, 2013 at 7:42 PM

    Have a great time in Seattle! I would recommend going to The Quilting Loft in Ballard (a few miles from downtown) and if you are able to get outside of town a little, Keepsake Cottage in Bothell is really fun.

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  31. Molli SparklesJuly 2, 2013 at 5:52 AM

    Sending you some LGA love from a fellow hopper! OMG, a global quilt store tour ... tell me more! Favorite so far? I've gotta follow along to see what this big surprise is! Maybe you're coming to Sydney to build me a fabulous sewing room? hehe

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  32. NilyaJuly 2, 2013 at 5:57 AM

    Lovely post and you have a gorgeous sewing room!!!
    Just to let you know, I don´t like the crawling part on the floor neither LOL

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  33. RobinSueJuly 2, 2013 at 11:25 AM

    Your new sewing room is wonderful! Your quilts are beautiful. Can't wait to read more about your quilting/life adventures.

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  34. Sassafras LaneJuly 2, 2013 at 11:43 AM

    Hi nice to meet you! Love the sewing room makeover. It looks fantastic! I would love to hear more about all your favorite shops on your global quilt store tour!

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  35. Julie Hirt - 627handworksJuly 2, 2013 at 1:48 PM

    Love the stained glass in your sewing room - gives me an idea for my husband... We are also 'yakers! We live in the KC metro area so there are quite a few small lakes within driving distance. I've actually paper pieced while floating around while he fishes! Found you via the Blog Hop, happy to follow you and see your future posts!

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  36. RobotMomSewsJuly 2, 2013 at 3:36 PM

    Nice to meet you! I LOVE your plus quilt! It's so fresh and pretty! Your sewing room makeover is amazing! I love it! Basting and crawling all over the floor is dreadful - I am totally with you on that.

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  37. CariJuly 3, 2013 at 7:46 PM

    Wow, so many gorgeous photos here! I love that plus quilt, and your "quilting cave"... wow! Lots of good ideas there to file away for the future. I loved learning more about you today. Sounds like you are really loving life. :)

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  38. Karen@littlebirdiequiltingJuly 4, 2013 at 7:03 AM

    I also love your 'plus' quilt. Hope you have a great trip.

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  39. Cloud CouCouJuly 4, 2013 at 12:36 PM

    Hi, lovely to meet you! Your projects are really beautiful and what a sewing room...I'm jealous! I love your goal of visiting every state in the US you're doing well :) Amy

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  40. heart of charnwoodJuly 5, 2013 at 4:05 AM

    Love your quilts, especially the gorgeous plus one, stunning! :o)

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  41. JBJuly 5, 2013 at 8:01 AM

    Great blog hop post! Your quilts are lovely and the sewing room is amazing!

    Jenny @Note to Follow Sew
    http://notetofollowsew.blogspot.co.uk/

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  42. AnonymousJuly 5, 2013 at 11:55 PM

    I just love that sampler quilt! Lovely!

    And, yes, I totally understand about the fabric hoarding. I am currently on a "fabric diet" until I use up some fabric that I already have. But I did buy a little bit of Liberty of London recently just to see what I was missing and I'm dying for those Tula Pink raccoons!

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  43. wonderlandbyalyceJuly 6, 2013 at 12:44 AM

    Loved reading about you on your "Who's in that Kayak?" and "Beyond the sewing machine" pages! Your scrappy trips quilt looks amazing. I've only made one block so far, but have lots of strips ready to go when time is available. I noticed that you haven't made it to TX yet, and although I call Dallas home, I wouldn't recommend it for quilt shops. It pains me to say this, but you'd probably do better around Austin. I look forward to following your blog!

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  44. Laura C @ littleandlotsJuly 7, 2013 at 9:52 AM

    Hmmm. I don't know where exactly in New England you are located, but...I recently joined the Seacoast Modern Quilt Guild. We meet in West Newbury and all over NH (we have a meeting scheduled in Portland, ME for the fall). Lots of really talented ladies and we have a lot of fun! (I know of at least one other Tula nut in our ranks, too--you'd be in good company!)

    Glad to have met you through the blog hop!

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  45. sarah elizabeth :: {no} hatsJuly 7, 2013 at 9:56 PM

    Wahoo!! Good for you for crossing items off your to do list left and right! Love your work and your sewing room makeover is to die for!

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  46. Nancy@owensoliviaJuly 8, 2013 at 11:27 AM

    Oh bless you! I have no patience for making a quilt back!! I avoid them like the plague! Your before and after of your sewing room is great! It's much more open and bright. Great job! It's nice to meet you "again." :)

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  47. AmandaJuly 8, 2013 at 2:09 PM

    Love that log cabin quilt. I've been wanting to make one for ages now but it never seems to make it to the top of the list. I have also made a pilgrimage to the Needle Shop on my own version of a worldwide fabric shop tour. I'm hoping to add a few more shops to my list when we drive across Canada later this summer.

    Hopefully you share some things to do in Seattle. I'll be there in early August and would love a few tips.

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  48. CarolineJuly 8, 2013 at 2:58 PM

    You have some beautiful projects and a great sewing space, I love the room update!! I live in WA but on the eastern side so I'm not any help with Seattle quilt stores. Let me know if you find any good ones for my next visit to Seattle:)

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  49. Casey YorkJuly 9, 2013 at 9:00 PM

    Wow--congratulations on making so much progress on your first year to-do list! I love your quilt backs. I though I had a thing for fancy backs, but that pieced cut jewel pattern floors me every time I see it. I'm also so jealous of your sewing room--what a lovely place to work! Great to meet you on the blog hop!

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  50. Casey YorkJuly 9, 2013 at 9:02 PM

    Wow--congratulations on making it so far through your first year to-do list! I love your quilt backs (and the fronts, too, of course :) ). I thought I had a thing for fancy backs, but that pieced cut jewel pattern floors me every time I see it--what a fantastic surprise on the back of a quilt. I am also so jealous of your sewing room--what a lovely place to work! Great to meet you on the blog hop!

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  51. EmilyJuly 11, 2013 at 1:10 PM

    Looks like you've tackled most of your goals - congrats! Your sewing room looks great :) If you're ever in Austin, Dallas, or Oklahoma City, I can give you suggestions for shopping those cities!

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  52. GwendellynJuly 16, 2013 at 5:24 PM

    Wow, your sewing space...sweet improvements!! I can't wait to move out of here and into a cute house with hardwood floors :( The only thing I miss about our last place! Tula Pink is pretty fab, I'm not necessarily a blanket fan of her work, but it seems like the prints I have of hers are among my favorites in my stash, so that says something! Love your plus and scrappy trip quilts, btw c:

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  53. LizJuly 18, 2013 at 1:39 PM

    Nice to meet you, your sewing room is awesome, I'm jealous! I also love that black and white log cabin and the owl tote (so cute!) I can't wait to see more from you. Sorry I'm a little behind on my blog hoppin' :)

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