MEET CINDY & JO

Today is the last day of the Sea Breeze Mini Quilt-a-Long before the big reveal day tomorrow. Eek!

I am so delighted to be sharing with you today two fabulous quilters (haven’t they all been fabulous though?).

I found Cindy via Oakshott when they featured her massive Swoon quilt. (It’s stunning – go check it out!) It was love at first site and I went on to lose myself in her blog for well over an hour. She has such a great writing style and a strong (and sublime) way with colour.

I’m lucky enough to be able to fondle Jo‘s quilts in person because she lives in Canberra as well and tends to hang out in the same quilty places I do.  I love Jo‘s work because it’s such a true reflection of who she is – fearless, bold and somewhat perfect.

I hope you enjoy reading a little more about each of these amazing quilters and then heading over to their blogs to check out their Sea Breeze Mini Quilts.

Cindy is Live a Colorful Life

1. How did you come to be a quilter?

I became a quilter about twenty years ago. Sometimes even I am surprised by the length of time I have been quilting! Consequently I have gone through many phases. I’m not sure I would consider myself a thoroughly modern quilter, as I enjoy traditional blocks with a modern twist.

2. What is it that you love about being a quilter?

Quilting has kept me going through some really hard times. I just returned from a yearly quilting retreat in Minnesota. We were brought together through blogging and with each passing year we become closer and closer, not only as quilters but more importantly as friends.

3. What’s your 3 favourite quilts that you’ve made that reflect who you are as a quilter?

(Cindy provided images of her three favourite quilts.)

A Bit of Fun:

If you could only have one or the other for the rest of eternity what would you choose?

1. Fabric: Solid or Pattern? Solids for sure!

2. Quilt Styles: Pattern or Improv? Pattern

3. Seams: Open or to the Side? Depends on what works the best.

4. Stitching: Hand or Machine? They each have their place–and sometimes a combination is the best choice.

5. Binding: Hand or Machine? Hand so far, but I’m going to try to become proficient in machine binding.

6. Food: Sweet or Savoury? Given the choice, I could choose chips and salsa over chocolate.

7. Entertainment: Books or Music? Both!

8. Entertainment: Television or Movies? TV.

9. Computer: Mac or Windows? Windows

10. Drink: Coke or Pepsi? Definitely Coke!

You can find Cindy in thefollowing places: Blog | Instagram

Jo is Jo Loves to Quilt

1. How did you come to be a quilter?

I love sewing and have made my own clothes since I was about 13 yrs old. I have always admired quilts and wished that there was a chest hidden away in a grandparent’s attic containing antique family quilts that I could inherited. I bought a quilting book when my niece was born 17yrs ago and somehow made her a quilt despite not knowing what I was doing. I stayed interested in quilting even buying a rotary cutter and mat, which sat unused for years. Then 6 yrs ago I went to the Canberra Quit and Craft show to buy a new overlocker (serger) and was inspired to start quilting. I bought fabric and started a quilt that afternoon and haven’t stopped since.

2. What is it that you love about being a quilter?

I love everything about being a quilter. It is like an addiction or comfort eating. I love playing with colour and fabric and watching something develop. I love the infinite combinations you can get from simple geometric shapes and how different quilters interpret the same pattern to get completely different results. I especially love the texture you get from quilting; I am addicted to free-motion quilting and creating alternate areas of flat and puff. Quilts give comfort and warmth and so much more when they are finished. I love that I can be involved in the creation of something wonderful. I also like the camaraderie that exists between quilters.

3. What’s your 3 favourite quilts that you’ve made that reflect who you are as a quilter?

This question is hard. I don’t know who I am as a quilter. I love modern and traditional quilts equally. I think the one thing that links my quilts is the quilting; I quilt all my own quilts. I love machine quilting whether it is a simple straight line pattern or swirling feathers.

‘Swoon’ is one of my favourite quilts. While making this quilt I discovered the on-line quilting community on Instagram. I had fun picking modern fabrics for this project and love that I chose to quilt it simply in an orange peel pattern. Swoon pattern by Camille Roskelley.

‘Around the Garden like a Jelly Bear’ or ‘Big Red’ as it is nicknamed and the sequel ‘Big Blue’ are also favourites as while making them I realised I could do that type of quilting that I admired in others work. I was blown away when these quilt won ribbons at the Sydney and Canberra quilt shows. Big Red was my own pattern, while Big Blue is a pattern called Ring of Fire’ by Judy Martin.

A Bit of Fun:

If you could only have one or the other for the rest of eternity what would you choose?

1. Fabric: Solid or Pattern? Pattern, though I love a bit of Kona white as a background.

2. Quilt Styles: Pattern or Improv? Pattern usually.

3. Seams: Open or to the Side? As suits the block – I really like the flatness of seams opened but sometimes it is quicker to press to the side, I usually get better points and results if I press open though.

4. Stitching: Hand or Machine? MACHINE!

5. Binding: Hand or Machine? Machine except for exhibition quilts.

6. Food: Sweet or Savoury? I don’t know….savoury, I think – just!

7. Entertainment: Books or Music? Books.

8. Entertainment: Television or Movies? Movies – I have the same old favourite films on repeat in my sewing room.

9. Computer: Mac or Windows? Windows.

10. Drink: Coke or Pepsi? Water – I love water with the very occasional diet coke.

You can find Jo in the following places: Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Flickr

Tomorrow is the big reveal of all the mini’s – regardless of whether you’ve finished them (I haven’t!) or not. Be sure to come back and link up your mini’s tomorrow as there is going to be prizes and I’m going to share some of my favourites.