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Monday 13 June 2016

2016 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop

Hello, and welcome  to Week 1 of the 2016 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop.  Hosted by Cheryl at Meadowmist Designs,  Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl,  and Stephanie at Late Night Quilter.

I'm Kate and I'm in Miss-Bee Hivin' with Cheryl.

In a nutshell I'm married, and live in the northeast of England.  My husband and I have four children between us all grown and flown, and four grandchildren.   Nowadays we share our home and our lives with two working type English Springer Spaniels, Ella and Indi, who have been known to make a guest appearance, well, once anyways.  I work part time for my husband supporting him in running our business teaching mindfulness courses in healthcare and corporate settings.   There is a pic of me just to the right in the sidebar, the one where I'm hiding behind my sunglasses, being the shy retiring type.  There is another one on the 'About Me' page without the sunglasses but that's the one that keeps the kids off the fire.   Now, that's the boring stuff over.

I've been quilting for over ten years, I'm not saying I'm an expert, or even that I'm in anyway good at it, but after 10 years I still enjoy it.  It's my main hobby I would say, although I do a little embroidery and I love reading too.   I go to a (very) small quilt group every four weeks,  and an embroidery weekend twice a year.  As far as ambitions go I'm very boring, all I want to do is progress in my quilting, try new things, and enjoy it.  That's me, if I make a quilt or something anyone likes I'm happy to share it, but I'm no designer, and I have no affiliations or sponsors either, (hehe, as if).

I started blogging in January this year, I just felt I was missing out, then I found out I was.  The online quilting community is wonderful, I have met some lovely quilters who are so friendly and kind, always having time to help, or explain things.  I should have done this years ago.

When I meet a new quilter, I like to know where they are coming from, so for that reason I thought I'd share a couple of my older quilts, and two I have made recently.


This is my first quilt I ever made, a handmade sampler and you know what? I still love it, I think it's the colours.  They just said choose some fabrics on light medium and dark tones, so I did.  But everyone else had blues and creams, or reds and white, that sort of thing.  So mine ended up a bit different.


Because I enjoyed the appliqué on the sampler I jumped in for a monthly class, a Baltimore.  As you can see I veered away from the traditional and went for blues and purples.  It's stuffed in a cupboard now, I think it took me so long I went off it.


For the benefit of those who have been here before no, I still haven't quilted this one and yes, I'm still procrastinating about the quilting because we all know I'm rubbish at free motion stuff and no I still haven't started practicing regularly yet.  But, I do want it finished for Christmas so watch this space, but not in the immediate future :).


This was actually a group quilt, but as it was my idea and I made two of the blocks, put it all together, spiral quilted it and did the binding I claimed it as a finish.  This is more the kind of stuff I enjoy now.


Last one, promise, yes I know it's three but I didn't think you'd be counting.   I blogged about this only recently, I love simple designs which shows off beautiful fabrics.  In this case City Lights was made with Oakshott Lipari fabric with colourshott centres.

I was going to show my most beautiful Bluebell Woods today, an improv quilt made with score 1 (Floating Squares), of Sherri Lynn Wood's book The Improv Book for Modern Quilters, however, after all the hype about this quilt and all the comments I have received it did seem sacrilege to add it to the end of a post, so I will be revealing Bluebell Woods tomorrow.  If you haven't been here before you may want to read the earlier posts, the inspiration, how I made the blocks, the next steps, and the apology, to get the full effect.  Of course you may just want to skip all of it and come back tomorrow for a giveaway.  I'm saying no more, ask me no questions I'll tell you no lies.

It's been suggested I give a blogging tip at this point, well, I already have a page of blogging tutorials, if you are new don't get excited, it's just about the stuff I had problems with when I started. What I will say is, if you don't blog, and you are the chatty, sharing sort, think about it, because I have had the most fun since I started.


Now for the quilting tip.  One thing I wish I had known about when I started was to use a Kwik Klip for basting a quilt if you use safety pins.  It cut my basting time in half and no sore fingers.   If you are right handed hold the  safety pin in your right and the Kwik Klip in your left to close the pin.  If you google it there are videos on YouTube and they are available from Amazon.com and Cottonpatch in the UK.

How did I name my blog?  Well, everyone seems to have lovely quilting type and imaginative names and I went through a lot, Oakfield Designs?  No, I'm not a designer.   Kathleen's Quilting and Embroidery?  No, don't like the sound of that.  The problem is I have no imagination, so I became Smiles From Kate.  Why?  Because that is how I sign my emails (but I pinched it from a friend 'cos I already said I have no imagination).

Trivia for those who have been here before, things you didn't know about me.

1  Favourite book, has to be the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon, are you watching it on TV?  If you are not you should be.   Jamie Frazer?  Be still my beating heart........

2  Favourite holiday destination, I love Italy, the Italian Lakes, Sorrento, Venice, get my drift?

3  Favourite food, vegetable lasagne, it has to be vegetable because I don't eat meat.

4 Random fact,  when I was a child, about five, I could see fairies and talk with them.  Now I just see them after two glasses of red wine.

Thank you so much for visiting me on the Blog Hop, there are lots of other lovely quilters who would love you to visit.  Here are the others in my swarm this week:





Remember to come back tomorrow when I reveal Bluebell Woods, in all her glory, and give you all the details for my giveaway.

Until then,
With smiles from
Kate

Linking up with


60 comments:

  1. Morning Kate - what a lovely introduction you have posted here and it's been great learning more about you! I love your sampler quilt and I remember how I was taken with your log cabin top - I will be waiting to see it quilted!! Looking forward to seeing Bluebell Woods tomorrow .....

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  2. Welcome to a wonderful community of quilty bloggers Kate! Your quilts are beautiful! I'm your newest Bloglovin follower and will look forward to getting to know ya! Val from myplvl.blogspot.com

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  3. Delightful post, Kate! Perfect for day one, a great intro! Sometimes it's easy to forget that just because someone is a new blogger, they are not new to quilting! City Lights is one of my new favorites. I find myself thinking about how pretty it turned out quite often. Glad you showed it again! Looking forward to tomorrow! XO

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  4. Kate, you'd love Very Lazy Daisy's Outlander stitchalong: http://www.craftsy.com/patterns/embroidery?patternSearchText=verylazydaisy&sortBy=relevance

    She also has a really fun podcast. You can find more details about the stitchalong on her blog: http://ldq.outlandishthreads.com/

    Carmit

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  5. Nice to know more about you Kate ! Love your spiral quilting and your City Lights quilt as I already told you ;-)

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  6. Are you my long lost twin sister? We have the same story. I'm GRANNYcanQUILT and I live on an Island, my first quilt was a sampler, I recently made that circle block and swapped it into my Gypsy WIfe quilt because I loved it so much...Of course I'm watching Outlander, after I devoured the whole series again for about the 10th time since I discovered it about 5 years ago. Holy Heck. Thanks for sharing your story. I'm in your hive and so looking forward to reading more about your quilts and your story. PS. No spaniels at our house, we have two big standard poodles Tigg and Odie who crack me up every day.

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  7. Kate, What a wonderful way to get to know you! Love seeing your quilts.
    YES!!! I watch Outlander on TV and Jamie(Swoon!!). I think they are doing a great job combining the books and TV.

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  8. This is a great post Kate. How interesting that your husband teaches mindfulness meditation. I try to practice meditation but I'm not a very disciplined person so its difficult. I think to have a good blogging name you needed to start a long time ago. Everything good I thought of was taken.

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  9. Hi Kate, love the quilts, I must be the only person on the planet who knows nothing about Outlander! Will have to check it out.

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  10. Hi Kate, this is such a great post. I found myself giggling in a few places 😀 It was really interesting to see how your quilting has evolved. I was drawn to your Oakshott quilt from my first visit and have checked in many times since! Love your style and I think your blog name suits you beautifully.

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  11. Hello, Kate-your quilts are beautiful-I'm a beginner-one day! I wish I could see fairies!

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  12. Kate, your blue and purple quilt is stunning! Beautiful work! I know what you mean about naming your blog, I went back and forth and finally decided on a name! It's so great to get to get to know you a little better! Bluebell Woods deserves a day of it own, can't wait to see it!

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  13. It is so nice to get to know you better, Kate. I'm glad to hear that you have had such a good time since deciding to join the online community and start a blog! Thank you so much for getting us started with the blog hop today.

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  14. Lovely getting to know you! I'm so glad I decided to visit other blog hops not just my hive members'. I've been seeing all sort of amazing talents your blog looks great and like you I am happy I started blogging too, just think about what I'd have been missing if I didn't start or take the plunge to sign up for the 2016 New Quilt Bloggers!

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  15. Love the blue sampler and to see the fairies is to be able to help other people see them to and enjoy the creativity your imagination can bring... happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  16. Hi Kate! I loved reading about and seeing the photos showing the evolution in your quilting style. I think so many of us started out with those sampler style quilts in dark colors. I too use the Kwik Klip, aside from the rotary cutter and the sewing machine I think it's the greatest tool quilters can use. I'm watching Outlander and I've read all the books. The costuming on the show is so amazing, I like Jamie Fraser but I'm much more partial to Murtagh!!!

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  17. So much to say about this post.
    First, it is a delight to read. You are such a genuine blogger and I feel like I have known you for a long while. Just my kind of blog!!
    Your blue and purple quilt is gorgeous and deserves to be pulled out and displayed somewhere.
    You ARE creative even if you don't design. I am not a designer either but one has to be creative to do these quilts.
    You are not boring because you like many of the things I like and I am not boring?
    Can't wait to see the house quilt come together this fall. It is adorable.
    I had never heard of that little basting tool but I am going to check it out.
    Well done on the blog hop post - I love it.

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  18. Thanks for sharing yourself with us! Love that blue/purple quilt.

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    1. Thank you for reading and commenting Karen. I'm glad you like my quilts.

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  19. Thanks for the great post! I really enjoyed it. I love your latest quilt, and will check back tomorrow for the big reveal!

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed it Ann, this is such fun. Just to let you know you came up as a no reply blogger.

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  20. Awesome post! I love your humor and wit. The quilts you showcased are beautiful too!

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  21. Ah, Kate! Your first blog post was wonderful! I really enjoyed seeing the quilts that you have made. My favorite is your "out of the box" blue and purples one. Gorgeous! And the spiral quilting is spectacular too. How did you do that?

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  22. Isn't the quilting community the best? Until people experience blogging for themselves it's kind of hard to explain it to them. It's great to learn more about you, Kate. I absolutely love the blue and purple appliqued quilt. Can't wait for your reveal tomorrow.

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  23. Lovely post Kate, but of course I knew it would be. What you say is boring I find interesting, open, funny, and wonderful! You have an awesome voice and are a terrific writer. It's been great getting to know you and I can't wait to see the rest of your posts this week!

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  24. Thanks for sharing your early work! I love seeing how others progress with their work/hobby. I totally agree that the quilting world is fantastic and I too have so enjoyed blogging and getting to know others through their blog. Looking forward to tomorrow.

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  25. I love your purple and blue Baltimore quilt!

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    1. Thank you Suzy. Over the years I have come to the conclusion it is the colours that draw people to this quilt, I had only been quilting about a year and a half when I started it so it was probably mor happy accident than anything else, but I am happy with the results. Just to let you know you are coming up as a no reply blogger.
      Smiles
      Kate

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  26. Hi Kate,
    Another terrific post! I have already enjoyed your blogging tutorials; and you have helped me with a few blogging problems in the past. It is great to know more about you and to see your gorgeous quilts, I especially love your blue and purple Baltimore, and your spiral quilting! Looking forward to the big reveal tomorrow.
    Barbara xx

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  27. I enjoyed reading this post, lovely to meet you! I've just started a marathon 'outlander' this winter, addictive viewing!

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  28. I debated so hard about getting a Kwik Klip when Massdrop had them on sale, but I was short of funds at the time, if I see it again I will get it, thanks for the suggestion.

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  29. It's great to meet you, Kate. Your quilts are lovely. I'm taken with the one that was a group quilt. I've been designing something like that concept, so that one is my favorite. The Baltimore Album is quiet the showstopper too.

    I was in the New Bloggers Blog Hop 2 years ago and loved it. I learned so much and made so many wonderful friends. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

    We went to Italy almost two years ago and fell in love with it. We're thinking about going back soon. We are young empty nesters with three young grandchildren and two cats.

    I've travelled in your country, and saw all of London, then visited my step-son in Cambridge where he was spending a year. He told us that we are not allowed to walk on the grass in many areas. Only professors of a certain stature can walk on it. Then we went to Stonehenge. We spent a few days in the Cotswalds. (Loved it. So pretty). Then I just had to spend a few days in Liverpool and do everything "Beatles." We went on the Magical Mystery Tour in a big Yellow Submarine Bus. The guides were very funny.

    I've been following the whole Brexit thing, and wish you and your country good luck with such a tricky issue that has so many ramifications. Not easy.

    I'm happy I met you and found your blog through the hop!!

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    1. Hello Anne, I'm glad you like my quilts. I am having a great time and would recommend it to any new quilt blogger.Just to let you know you are coming up as a no reply blogger so I couldn't answer you directly.

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  30. Hi, Kate!

    I think you're not the only quilter to have a more modern bent, of late. Though I'm really tempted to get the pattern for "Baltimore By The Sea" when it comes out this Fall - have you seen it?

    Thanks for the little look into who you are, it was lovely!

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  31. Fabulous post and quilts.I love sampler quilts .I`m from Spain and enjoying reading your post and meet you.

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  32. Nice to meet you, Kate! I'm not sure I have the patience for a Baltimore Album, but if I ever do one, I am now doing it in blues and purples, thanks to your lovely example! I will come back tomorrow for your big bluebell reveal!

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  33. This was such a fun post to read Kate, I enjoyed how much of yourself you shared with us. Your quilts are lovely, and I can see how your style has evolved over time. I was in the New Bloggers hop in 2014, and it was a wonderful experience. I've made many good friends and learned a ton about quilting and blogging. Thank you for linking to Main Crush Monday - I'm really enjoying the hop!

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  34. Kate,
    I loved reading about you and seeing your quilts. It is fun to meet people from all over. I am loving this blog hop.

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  35. Wonderful post Kate! It's lovely to get to know you a bit better. Isn't it neat to see how our quilting style evolves over time and a blog is an excellent place to document that.

    I am super excited to see your Bluebell Woods reveal tomorrow.

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  36. Fantastic post, Kate! I'm glad I saved a few new blogger hop posts for the end of my day. You have a warm and welcoming style,and I look forward to reading tipu for a long time!

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  37. Kate, I really appreciate how you shared your older quilts - your style has definitely changed, yet it is all beautiful.

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  38. Great post. I never saw fairies as a child, but not for want of trying. We made fairy circles, and money magically appeared in them when we slept. I shall try the wine trick now I have grown up, slightly.

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  39. Love your City Lights quilt. The colors are so rich and bright. Are you on IG.

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  40. How fun to learn a little bit more about you Kate! It's really interesting to see you first quilt (You dove right in the deep end!) and then see how your style has progressed. I hope you start loving your blue and purple Baltimore style quilt again: it's a beauty!

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  41. Congrats on your quilting endeavor. I hope to be such a seasoned blogger after only 6 months. I seriously not even sure where to start once I decide what name to use. I can't believe your first quilt every - WOW - it's beautiful. I'll have to follow you now (as if I wouldn't) just to see tomorrow's post. Best of luck and I agree - quilters are the best!

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  42. Hi, Kate! Very nice to meet you. Lovely blog and great quilts. I think you've evolved into a modern quilter. For a long time I was hung up what it means to be a modern quilter but I think I've got that figured out now. I use spray baste..guess that makes me modern as my mom or grandmother would never hear of using anything but pins. Karen https://tunaquilts.wordpress.com/

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  43. Wonderful post, Kate! Isn't the online community amazing? Wish I would have started blogging sooner as well, but then again, we may not have gotten the chance to meet all the 2016 NQBs! 😉 Your quilts are beautiful! I love the log cabin quilt and can't wait to see how you finish it! I've only tried FMQ once and it was an utter disgrace. Don't think I'll be attempting it again any time soon.

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  44. Hi, Kate! I really enjoyed reading your post. It was great to learn more about you. I love your Baltimore quilt but I don't think I would have the patience for that! I love the Outlander books too but I haven't been watching the series. Maybe it's time to start watching. :)

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  45. Nice to meet you Kate! Loved reading about you and seeing some of your work. And isn't the online quilting community just wonderful?! I love it!

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  46. You've made some really beautiful quilts. The colors on your first quilt are just perfect, and I like your City Lights. It seems a happy quilt to me.
    --Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)

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  47. Kate, i enjoyed reading your post and learning more about you. I am visiting from the Sewcial Network, and I am so appreciate of all the support I have received from my fellow bloggers.

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  48. Your sampler is beautiful, although I am partial to purple ;)! Visiting your blog for the new quilters blog hop. I loved reading about your journey and I'm excited to see your new Bluebell Woods quilt!

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    1. Thank you Miranda, I'm so glad you like it, and I do hope you love my Bluebell as much as I do. You are coming up as a no reply blogger so I couldn't respond to you personally.

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  49. Those are some pretty amazing quilts! Isn't it fun to see your taste in color and design change over time through the quilts? I have only been quilting a few years and I am already noticing those changes when I look at the older quilts.
    Thanks for sharing your story.

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  50. Beautiful quilts I especially like the last two. Thanks for linking up

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  51. Hello, nice to meet you! Some lovely quilts there.

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  52. I especially love the very clever log cabin quilt; I am more of a modern quilter, but that one is soooo smart! Well done!

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  53. It is nice to get to know you, Kate. I love the spiral quilting you did. There is something that draws me to it. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your quilting. And embroidery, too. I love car trips so I can spend some time stitching.

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  54. Glad to get to know more about you, Kate! I love the spiral quilting on your group quilt!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and leave a comment, it helps me grow as a quilter and as a blogger. It also makes me very happy :)
I try to respond to all comments by email, but if I don't reply within a few days it may be because you are a no reply blogger

With smiles from,
Kate