Monthly Quilt Contest - July's Winner

QQQ team has a monthly contest with a theme. For July the theme was 'Vacations', and the winner is Susan from Susans Passion with her popular Retro Camper Mug Rug

Wouldn't this be a great mug rug for your camper? It would make a perfect gift too.

CONGRATULATIONS Susan! Well deserved!

To see more of Susan's work, visit her shop Susans Passion Here you will find a variety of quilts; baby/toddler, lap and bed quilts, table runners, handmade for your kitchen, beanies, scarves, cowls etc. 

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Get to know the QQQ's: Roni from Roni G's Quiltings

Hi! I'm Roni Granot and my shop is RoniGsQuiltings 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoniGsQuiltings

How did you come up with your shop name?

I wanted to have "Roni G" in my shop's name; and this was the combination Etsy allowed me J

Where do you live? 

I live in Ra'anana, a small town in the center of Israel 

When did you start making quilts? Or, when did you become interested in quilt-related items (fabric, patterns, etc)?
I started making quilts in 2004. I saw on TV the film "How to Make an American Quilt" and I knew immediately that I have to learn to quilt. Before that I took some courses in sculpturing, painting and jewelry – but never lasted more than a year.

Tell us about your first quilt or other important first in your sewing life.

My first quilt was a small sampler (6 squares), hand sewn and hand quilted because my teacher believes in learning the basics first (or as she said it- you need to learn how to walk before you start running).  

What inspires you?

Colors, nature, fabrics, patterns.

Do you have any other hobbies? Pets? A garden, kids, or volunteer activities? 

I have 3 cats ( Glen, Stella and Becks) and a dog (Swampy). The cats love to sit on my quilts. Any quilt. Or even just on a pile of fabrics.

I used to do puzzles (jigsaws) but I don't have the time for it now. There is one puzzle I saw once on the internet and I hope to do it one day – a cat on a quilt.

Traveling – I traveled in New Zealand 7 years ago, and after passing by a quilt shop I decided to make a quilt when I'll get back home. So I started buying FQ whenever I saw a shop and a year after I returned I made a wall hanging out of all the fabrics. Now I have to do something to remind me of my trip to Norway and the trip to Iceland. 

Do you do any charity sewing?

Not at the moment

Running an Etsy shop means you wear many hats in one day. How do Etsy activities impact your other life activities, such as work, family, other activities?
My Etsy shop is not very active. I work full time and doing other jobs from home in the evening and weekend – so I don't have much time to sew.

How do you plan your projects?

I don’t really plan my projects – sometimes I can work on a project from start to finish, and sometimes I'll finish most of the top and then let it sit for a while until I'll find the perfect fabric for the border or until I'll decide what I want it to really look like. 

Shop: RoniGsQuiltings

Facebook: Ronigquilting

Pinterest: rgranot

Get to know the QQQ's: Susan and Sharon from Ms P Designs USA

Sharon Andersen and Susan Hatcher are sisters and owners of 'Ms P Designs USA'.
Our shop link is: www.etsy.com/shop/MsPDesignsUSA

Our maiden name was 'Passmore', so that's where we came up with Ms P. We design quilting pattern and are based in the USA. So that's why we're 'Ms P Designs USA'.

We live in Houston, Texas.

Sharon is left-handed, and on the left.               Susan is right-handed, and on the right.

We've been sewing for most of our lives; we learned when we were just little girls by watching Mom and our Grandmas Passmore, who always has a project going. We both began quilting about 30 years ago, and haven't stopped since. You could say that it is kind of an obsession with us, but we'd be willing to bet that you could say that about most quilters.

The first quilt that we designed for our company was our 'Down on the Farm' quilt, pictured below. It is special to both of us because it is a reminder of our childhood on the family farm in Montana. We had lots of different animals, although not all of the animals depicted on the quilt. It was a great place to grow up, and we have lots of happy memories of spending time together and with our extended family. 

We're inspired by the world around us. Life on our planet is so diverse, and there are many interesting and beautiful animals to learn about; we've just scratched the surface with our designs so far.

Sharon has a dog (Rowdy) who keeps her walking and playing. Sharon works full time as a science teacher. She also enjoys reading, mostly mysteries and historical fiction, and baking. Susan has three grandchildren, dogs (Bella and Baxter), rabbits , and chickens. She reads, watches television, and works in her gardens in her limited spare time as an oil and gas lease analyst.

Not recently, but Sharon has a stack of pillowcases ready to donate as soon as she can find out where to take them. It is difficult to find time for charity sewing when we both have full-time jobs, but it is definitely something we plan to do when we're retired. 

We have notebooks for making lists and planning our designs. We have ideas to keep us busy for at least 4 years, but we're trying to manage our time wisely, and to pace ourselves. the process begins with Susan's animal sketches and Sharon's design(s) for the pieced offset blocks, and ends with our patterns ready to sell as digital downloads. The magic involves lots of tracing, cutting stitching, manipulating files. 

Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/MsPDesignsUSA

Our social media links: 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MsPDesignsUSA

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/mspdesignsusa

Twitter: https://twitter.com@mspdesigns

Get to know the QQQ's: Sarah from Issabella's Quilts

Hi there! I'm Sarah and my shop is Issabella's Quilts issabellasquilts.etsy.com My shop name came about as my first Siamese cat Issabella decided every single quilt I made was for her, and in the way of cats, chose to curl up and go to sleep on them as soon as they were made...in fact sometimes before they were even finished! 

I live in a beautiful part of Northern England with my man, daughter, 2 siamese kitties and our cavalier pup. 

We are about a 5 minute walk from the beach and, weather permitting, the North Sea makes a cameo appearance in more than one of my Etsy photos

3 Custom made quilts for 3 little ones

I've always been interested in sewing since being a little girl. Every Sunday afternoon we'd head to my Nana's house for tea and she would sit me on her knee, at her sewing machine, and help me sew up doll clothes, even now the hummmm of my sewing machine reminds me of those relaxed afternoons.

I do all of my sewing on a Janome Horizon

I take my inspiration for everywhere, colours that catch my eye, my team mates on Etsy, women I'm in quilting bee's with, beautiful fabric and of course the internet has a wealth of inspiration to delve into - Instagram & Pinterest are two of my favourites for when I have a free half hour!

My Etsy shop takes up a good portion of my day. Between making ready to buy quilts and helping customers with their custom made quilts I spend a good 4-5 hours each day working on it. That is normally a combination of sewing, ordering fabric which I mainly do online, I love finding the perfect stand out print for each and every quilt! then the "behind the scenes" part of having an online shop like the merchandising so people can find what they are looking for, replying to customers emails, marketing which I mainly do through Etsy teams, Instagram and my blog, these things all take up time - but I wouldn't have it any other way :D 

One of the questions I get asked a lot is how do I go about planning custom quilts for my customers. The answer is it varies with each one! Normally I'll be approached through Etsy and we discuss exactly what they are looking for, size, colour, if they have seen a pattern they love, what style of fabrics they would like, how detailed they want the quilting and importantly what time frame they are looking to receive the quilt in. Once those details are sorted out I get my thinking cap on and come up with a couple of ideas and send them through with a price quote. If the customer love the ideas I then get straight to the fun part...choosing fabrics! 

Ivy really likes picking out fabrics too!


If they don't fall instantly in love with the design we work together to iron out any misunderstandings about the plan and come up with something they will love! This whole consultation process can take anything from an afternoon to 2-3 weeks depending on the customer. 

When I do have free time that isn't spent "selfish sewing" I love to cook, I try to cook each evening meal from scratch without using prepackaged goods whenever possible. My current favourite cookbook is Nigellissima by Nigella Lawson, it has some really yummy recipes! I am addicted to audio books and could spend all day with a good story on my headphones :D I also crochet and embroider to relax on an evening, when I don't have some hand quilting nearby to work on. 

I can be found at my shop issabellasquilts.etsy.com

Blog issabellasquilts.com

 Instagram @issabellasquilts

And

On Facebook issabellas quilts

Pop over and say Hi! 

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Get to know the QQQ's: Carol Ann from Moose Carol Quilts

Hi! I'm Carol Ann Johnston and my shop is Moose Carol Quilts 

www.etsy.com/shop/moosecarolquilts

How did you come up with your shop name?
It was based on my email address. Moose is from my husband's nickname and Carol for me. We used to share an email.

Where do you live? 

Boise, Idaho, USA

When did you start making quilts? Or, when did you become interested in quilt-related items (fabric, patterns, etc)?

My sister got me back to sewing after I went through breast cancer treatment in 2002. She took me to a beginner quilt of the month class at a local shop.

Tell us about your first quilt or other important first in your sewing life.
My first quilt was started in 1973, a log cabin design. It took me 10 years to finish piecing the top, as this was before rotary cutters and many other modern conveniences. I was also in the midst of having and raising two children and working full time.

What inspires you?  
Color--lots of color. I use mostly color-saturated batik fabrics in my quilts these days. I love intricate designs and I'm not afraid of complex sewing. I try to learn something new with each project

Do you have any other hobbies? Pets? A garden, kids, or volunteer activities? 
Most other hobbies have taken back seat to making quilts. I do have two dogs--Bella, a small black terrier, and Luna, a border collie and hound mix. Both were pound adoptions

Do you do any charity sewing?
I'm working on some small quilts to be donated to the Women's and Children's Alliance in Boise, a shelter for victims of domestic abuse

Running an Etsy shop means you wear many hats in one day. How do Etsy activities impact your other life activities, such as work, family, other activities?
I  manage to fit my Etsy tasks around the rest of my life. It's easier since I retired from my day job last year

How do you plan your projects?
I mostly follow the muse and sew what appeals to me. If I see a pattern I want to try, I will let it simmer in my brain for a while before I start. I use a design wall for fabric placement and planning.

Shop: MooseCarolQuilts 

Facebook: MooseCarolQuilts 
Twitter: MooseCarol

Get to know the QQQ's: Carol from Village Quilts / The Village Bag Lady

I'm Carol Ethier, owner of Village Quilts and The Village Bag Lady

How did you come up with your shop name?  

When I first opened Village Quilts in 2013, I lived in a small town.  I wanted my shop to reflect the values and homey comforts of that type of environment.  When I opened The Village Bag Lady in 2016, I wanted a visible link between the 2 shops.

Where do you live? 

Just recently, we moved to Peterborough, Ontario in Canada.  

When did you start making quilts? Or, when did you become interested in quilt-related items (fabric, patterns, etc)?  

I started sewing when I was in Grade 8.  My mother was a very talented seamstress, and my grandmother loved to quilt.  I received my own sewing machine as a graduation gift from high school, and I have never looked back.  Although I have taken many sewing courses, including tailoring in University, I am a self-taught quilter, and have quilted for over 20 years.  

Tell us about your first quilt or other important first in your sewing life.  
When I started quilting, my first couple projects were wall hangings--very traditional styles.  Then, my grandmother developed Alzheimer's disease, and I made her a quilted patchwork throw with all her grandchildren's names stitched in the blocks.  When she passed away, the quilt was buried with her.

What inspires you?  
While my first quilting projects were quite traditional, I now find myself inspired by colour and abstract designs.  Quite a change, but I think I can express my originality more with these modern quilts.

Do you have any other hobbies? Pets? A garden, kids, or volunteer activities? 

I also enjoy to do counted cross stitch; in fact, I have done that for much longer than quilting.  But I am not ashamed to say that my passion for quilting has left little time for that anymore.  I still have many cross stitch projects planned, including an East Coast street scape which I designed after a visit to Nova Scotia.  My husband and I, both recently retired, enjoy biking on the many trails in our area, and taking mini trips on his Harley Davidson motorcycle.  Our little dog, Lord Stanley, keeps us on our toes.  

Do you do any charity sewing?  

Not at this time

Running an Etsy shop means you wear many hats in one day. How do Etsy activities impact your other life activities, such as work, family, other activities?  

Until recently, I worked full time in a doctor's office.  When we retired and moved to Peterborough, we had the basement of our new home finished so that I could have a large sewing studio.  While my passion for quilting began as a hobby, I now try to focus 4-6 hours a day on sewing in my hopes to develop 2 successful Etsy shops.

How do you plan your projects?  

I very rarely use patterns.  Most of my projects are inspired by the fabrics themselves, pictures I see, and holidays we all celebrate.  I admit that I don't sleep well, and find myself doing most of my planning when I wake up during the night lol!  Then in the morning, I rush to write down my ideas so that they aren't forgotten. 

Shops:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/VillageQuilts

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheVillageBagLady

Facebook: Village Quilts, Designed by Carol

Facebook: The Village Bag Lady

Get to know the QQQ's: Tracy from Snow Dog Quilt Wood Works

Hi, my name is Tracy McKearney, and I have a combined Etsy shop with my husband Brian at  Snowdogquiltwoodwork  www.etsy.com/shop/SnowDogQuiltWoodwork  (Snow Dog Woodworks and Quiltworks)

How did you come up with your shop name?

Our name was created from our love of  Siberian Huskies aka Snow Dogs and our love of wood and fabric.

Where do you live? 

Our home is in the beautiful state of New Hampshire, USA

When did you start making quilts? Or, when did you become interested in quilt-related items (fabric, patterns, etc)?

I have been quilting since 1998. My love of quilting started from my admiration of the beautiful quilts made by my mother in-law. I got started when she sat down with me one morning for a few minutes to show me a few piecing stitches. That was all it took to inspire my passion for quilting. I feel as though this passion has been with me for generations since my great grandmother was also a lovely quilter. Although I never had the pleasure to meet her, I have been told that she loved to make quilts. 

I have been hand quilting since 1998 and my love of free hand designs and sketching moved me into longarming. I design and hand sketch all of my longarm quilting designs from Freehand Edge to Edge treatments to Custom treatments. I am never far from my sketchbook. I offer Longarm Quilting Services to others, detailed information can be found on my website: www.snowdogquiltworks.com

What inspires you?

I am inspired by my surroundings; nature and the outdoors are a huge part of my quilting designs. When I am not in my studio, I love to spend my time outside gardening, hiking and mountain biking with my husband, twin teenage boys and our two Siberian Huskies. 

Do you do any charity sewing?
I am a longarm quilter for a wonderful organization – “Quilts Beyond Borders”. More information about the organization “Quilts Beyond Borders” can be found here: https://quiltsbeyondborders.wordpress.com/

Running an Etsy shop means you wear many hats in one day. How do Etsy activities impact your other life activities, such as work, family, other activities?

Running our Etsy shop is a combined partnership for both my Husband and I. Etsy gives us the platform and ability to combine our love of working with wood and fabrics to being able to share a variety of our handcrafted pieces with others. Starting an Etsy shop was the next step for us as our quilting and woodworking have always been part of our family environment. Our teenage sons are also woodworkers and enjoy the art of wood and respect the art of quilt making.

You can find me at www.snowdogquiltworks.com  from my website you will find links to our other social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Blog.

Get to know the QQQ's: Elsie from Quilts by Elsie

Hi! 
I'm Elsie Vredenburg and my shop is Quilts by Elsie

How did you come up with your shop name?

I think my shop name came about many years ago when I received a piece of mail addressed to “Quilts by Elsie” (people have a hard time with my last name).  At the time I was just starting out, and that sounded like a good business name.

 Where do you live?

 Michigan, where we have 4 seasons

apple tree

winter pine

When did you start making quilts? Or, when did you become interested in quilt-related items (fabric, patterns, etc)? 

My dad’s mother lived with us when I was in high school.  She made quilts and thought I should make one. 

Tell us about your first quilt or other important first in your sewing life.

That first quilt was from a pattern from the Michigan Farmer Magazine pattern service.  Grandma and I each made one, pieced by hand. 

My first quilt

What inspires you?

I like to do challenges and mystery quilts.  Nature inspires me.  Fabric inspires me. 

Do you have any other hobbies?

I have a garden.  Occasionally I delve into my roots by doing some genealogy, although I have most of the easy stuff done.  I like to read.  I’m active in my church.  I’m involved in the Quilt Barn Trail movement, putting large painted wooden quilt blocks on barns and other buildings.  This one is on a historic home in my cousin’s family.

quilt block on house

Do you do any charity sewing?

My quilt guild, North Star Quilters of Cadillac, Michigan makes quilts for local charities, especially for the women’s shelter and the hospital.

Running an Etsy shop means you wear many hats in one day. How do Etsy activities impact your other life activities, such as work, family, other activities?  

I admit that I’m really bad at promotion and don’t do nearly what I should to promote my shop.

How do you plan your projects?

At this time, most of my work is quilting for others on my Tin Lizzie longarm quilting machine.  I divide my day up by quilting for a while, piecing, doing what needs to be done around the house or yard, etc.  I live alone so it’s easy to make a schedule I can keep, though I do keep one of my great-grandchildren overnight on Saturday nights and take them to church on Sunday.

Etsy Shop: Quilts by Elsie

Follow me on:
Facebook: Quilts by Elsie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elsie.vredenburg.5

Pinterest: : https://www.pinterest.com/quiltsbyelsie/

Twitter: : https://twitter.com/QuiltsbyElsie

Get to know the QQQs: Stephanie from Stephs Quilts

I’m Stephanie Hateley, the captain of Quilts QuiltsQuilts,  and my shop is StephsQuilts,  not very original but easy to find!  I live in Australia and recently moved to a small country town in Tasmania, home of the Tassie Devil, great food and wine and craft shops in just about every town, also known as the Apple Isle. 

My first quilt

I first started making quilts when my youngest son informed me he was getting married and I thought a quilt would make a lovely wedding present for them both. That quilt took me 6 months to make, it was a queen size and I did it Quilt as you Go method on a very small domestic sewing machine.  Until then I had never used a sewing machine and it took me 2 hours just to work out how to thread it!  But I persevered and I became completely addicted to quilting. 

I began making baby quilts for family and friends, table runners, mug rugs and bags for birthdays and Christmas presents and quilts for charities.  I decided to open up my Etsy shop to get some money back to continue with my habit, it’s not a cheap hobby!  I love the camaraderie on Etsy, especially within the teams, and I’ve made some wonderful friends within the quilting world, both on and off of Etsy. I love trying new designs and ideas. I think this is where quilting is so addictive and there are never 2 quilts the same, even if they use the same pattern the fabrics set them apart.

I’ve made quilts for Elim Kids, a foster home in China for orphan children with HIV, so far every child in the home has their own quilt that they can take to their ‘forever’ family when they become adopted.  I have also made quilts for a village in Papua New Guinea where the villagers lost everything, and for various one off events such as for victims of fires (Scotsdale in country Victoria where so many homes were lost), the Mater Hospital Mental Health stall to sell and make money for the children’s mental health ward in Newcastle NSW and have donated a quilt for a raffle at the Cochlear Centre in Newcastle to raise money for others to be able to have a cochlear free of charge and give the gift of hearing.  I myself have a cochlear implant and know what a life changer it can be.

My Butterfly Quilt in Handmade Magazine

I get ideas on what to make from all over the Internet and in magazines, browsing Pinterest, watching videos and going to quilt shows.  There are so many possibilities!  I have also had 2 of my quilts in Handmade Magazine, both have now sold, the butterfly quilt was my favourite. 

My quilt displayed in a customer's studio

A customer also sent me a photo of one of my quilts where she had made an alcove especially for the quilt in her studio.  What a compliment!

 I would love for you to visit my shop and browse the quilts, runners, mug rugs etc that I have for sale.

You can also find me on my FB page
https://www.facebook.com/StephsQuilts/

Shop
https://www.etsy.com/shop/StephsQuilts