|

Let’s get acquainted!

Let’s get acquainted!  I’ve seen a large growth in my followers since the holidays, and I want to take a moment to say welcome and give you a few highlights of the past year and a little tour around the blog.

First of all, thank you for following The Crafty Quilter.  I’ve hit some big milestones in terms of numbers of followers:  over 3,200 subscribers by email, 1,000 on BlogLovin’, and 140 on Feedly.  That’s a lot of peeps out there, and I am honored that you have allowed me into your cyberspace!

{Just so you know, MOST of the images in this post are clickable links.  In general, I try to do that when it’s applicable.}

I have lots of free tutorials that you can check out on my Tutorials Tab.  You’ll find small quilts, a scarf, quilt blocks, cards, and lots of projects for the holidays.

Tutorials at The Crafty Quilter

 

I teach beginning quilt classes, as well as a few technique classes such as machine applique and free motion quilting.  Having a blog is a great tool for sharing ideas and tips with my students.  You can find those at the Tips & Techniques Tab.

Tips & Tutorials @ The Crafty Quilter

 

Last year I began a “Let’s Talk” series where I introduce a topic and my thoughts about it.  You get to participate by commenting on the subject.  The first topic was Pressing Seams Open vs. to the Side.  There were lots of great comments on that one!

Pressing Seams to the Side vs. Open @ The Crafty Quilter

 

The second “Let’s Talk” topic was on sewing machines.  This was a two part discussion; Sewing Machine Recommendations and Sewing Machine Advice . It’s a great resource for those of you who are in the market for a new machine. I learned a lot from doing my own research and from your comments as well.

Sewing Machine Advice @ The Crafty Quilter

 

Last year was BIG for me on the “quilt career” front as I got to work with The Quilt Show and Alex Anderson in particular as their Block of the Month specialist for 2014.  I gave tips and video lessons each month as members followed along with A-Z for Ewe and Me, an alphabet sampler designed by Janet Stone.  It’s a beautiful quilt and I was thrilled to work with Alex and her team during filming.

A-Z for Ewe and Me by Janet Stone

I also got to work behind the scenes during TQS’s location shoots in the Bay Area and got to know Ricky Tims, Justin Shults, their guests Roberta Horton, Mary Mashuta, Sally Collins, crew members and more.  I’ve been asked to do additional videos for them in the future on a project or topic of my own choosing!  What to do, what to do?!

Last year I helped form the Silicon Valley Modern Quilt Guild along with Julie Dueck, owner of The Intrepid Thread.  I was their vice-president in 2014, and this year I am co-president along with Julie.  I’m also heading to Austin, Texas for Quilt Con in February and I’m so excited!  Is anyone else going?  I’d love to meet up with you!  Leave a comment or email me if you want to connect.

BlogButton QuiltCon

 

On the first Sunday of each month, I present Sew Thankful Sunday.  This has been a popular event where I share the tutorials and work of other bloggers that are currently happening.  I appreciate what everyone contributes to the quilting community, and I try to steer traffic in their direction AND find new projects for you to enjoy!

Sew Thankful Sunday @ The Crafty Quilter

If you’d like to take a peek inside my sewing room, then you’ll want to go to My Sewing Room Tour.  It’s nothing too exciting, but I’m thrilled to have a space I can call my own.  Believe me, it does not look like the pictures most of the time.  If there’s an open space or surface, I’ll fill it (just ask my husband)!

My Sewing Room @ The Crafty Quilter

I am extremely blessed to have a loving and supportive family.  Currently it’s my husband, myself and our Brittany spaniel, Cooper, at home now.  We have three girls and one boy.  The oldest daughter is married and the second daughter (3rd child) is engaged.  Our son works and lives close by and our youngest daughter is a junior at UC Davis. If you’re wondering if I’m a grandma yet, the answer is SOON!  Kelly is pregnant and due in July.  We are SO excited!

Cefalu Family, San Diego, 2014
Kelly & Steven, Allen & Julie, Jon, Sara, Nicole & John

Plans for this year include more free tutorials, a post about my favorite tools for applique, another “Let’s Talk” discussion, and finishing some UFO’s.  I love all the holidays, so you can be sure that I’ll have something to show you soon (think Valentine’s Day).

My favorite thing to do is create, especially with fabric but also with paper, photography, crafts and gardening.  I’m always thinking of ways to share that creativity with others.  I’m so glad I get to do that with you.  Thanks for following my creative journey!

Julie

Similar Posts

24 Comments

  1. I am an old follower and I want to thank you for all of the advice and wonderful inspiration over the past year or two. I will be at QuiltCon and I hope I get to meet you there!

  2. Hi Julie, I’m a fairly new to you subscriber via Bloglovin. I will be at QuiltCon in February with some friends from the Proper Bostonians Quilt Guild. We are really excited to be going to Austin. Maybe we will bump into each other there. ;-))

  3. I have to thank you for all your help. I’m making the A to Z BOM from The Quilt Show. Your video lessons were so helpful. The pattern had a few confusing areas so your tips were a life saver.
    Congrats on the Grandma-to-be status. I just became a first timer too and love it! Lovely family 🙂

  4. Lovely recap of a very busy year for you. The BOM for The Quilt Show was so cute. You have a beautiful, supportive family. And a grandbaby on the way! Life is good. I hope this coming year brings you much love and success.

  5. just discovered your website last month. am so glad I did. Sew Thankful Sunday is really special.Thank you for all the free info and tutorials.

  6. In 2014, I discovered your blog and immediately subscribed via email. Your posts are so cheerful, helpful and bright and colorful. When I see “The Crafty Quilter” in my Inbox, I save it for a time in the day when I can leisurely read and savor your words, ideas and tips. “”Sew Thankful Sunday” has to take quite a bit of time for you to compile but it’s a really nice way to share what others are writing. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into such an amazing, warm and happy blog!

  7. Wonderful to get to know you a little better! You have so many great reasons for me to follow your quilting journey so I will continue to enjoy my visits to The Crafty Quilter!

  8. Hi Julie – just a note…I loved your recent blog about your tutorials and pictures of your family. We are in the same place in life except you have 2 more children than I – but like you I have my own quilting business and enjoy doing some kind of sewing, cutting or designing each day. My business focuses on romantic and colorful designs with modern techniques – I am also a local teacher and teach classes online. Good luck this year and congratulations on your upcoming grandparenthood (I’ve heard its so much better the second time around) Blessings, Bev

  9. Congratulations, Julie, on your soon-to-be grandchild! That is so exciting – and more quilting for you to do once he/she is here. Thank you for all the effort you put into your blog. I always learn a thing or two from you.

  10. A Blessed New Year Julie to you and your family. I am ‘Sew Thankful’ I found The Crafty Quilter. My favorites are the Cookie crumb plate, the mug rug and the patched Easter Bunny. I am looking forward to new ideas and tips this year. I know grandma will be busy this summer making some wonderful quilts for her grandchild. I love Psalm 127:3 ‘Behold, children are an heritage from the Lord’ and grandchildren. Thanks again

  11. I’m so glad to get to know you a little more. What a nice family and family picture! I first discovered your blog a couple years ago, when I saw your pic of the quilt that graces the cover of a book called “Through the Garden Gate”. Do you know the one I mean? I’ve always been curious to ask you about it. Thanks for the many wonderful tutorials and links to wonderful projects!

  12. Congrats on being a grandmother. The best thing in the world. Also thank you for all you inspiration and information. Great picture of your family.

  13. I am not sure the first time I found your blog…. but it was a wonderful day. I have made many of your projects from your tutorials, even given them as wedding gifts. I am always excited when I see a new blog post. I have been quilting for over 20 years, love applique and minis, runners, and wall hangings… you a perfect fit for me. Thank you so much for all you give so freely.

  14. I don’t remember how or when I found you, but I’ve been following ever since. I, too, adore Sew Thankful Sunday. I have saved so many of your tutorials, and ideas, I’ve lost count. Love you family. It will get better in July!! Think of something that your kids did when they were little that absolutely drove you CRAZY! Well, when that baby gets to the same age and does the same thing, you will just look at him/her with giddy love and marvel at how absolutely ADORABLE she/he is doing it….lol. Ask me how I know this…. 😎

    xo Linda

  15. Thank you Julie for all your neat patterns and advice. I’ve made several of your table toppers and placemats. I love it that you take photos of all the steps taken to compete a project. I needed them!
    I excited to see what you bring this year.
    Joann Head
    Grove City, Oho

  16. Your blog is so inspiring. I always look forward to your posts and I love Sew Thankful Sunday. Thank you for sharing your projects and tutorials. You’re going to love being a Grandma. Congratulations!

  17. First time “browser”, I like your intro, and warm welcome. Already see some tips I could use (one can never get enough tips).
    Thanks for sharing, look forward to reading more.

    Colleen

  18. I do so enjoy following your blog Julie and learning from your tuts. Your sew Thankful Sunday is inspiring. Thank you for the work you put into it.
    What a lovely family picture! You will love being a Grandmom.

  19. Hi Julie,
    I love hearing from you too!! You will love being a Grandma, they will keep you feeling young, LOl!! I really enjoy your advice and tutes, of course all the bloggers you tell us about. I really look forward to them. I wish you the best in this New Year.
    Linda King

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

DISCLAIMER:

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission when you make a purchase by clicking on those links. I only promote products and services that I use and love myself. Your support enables me to maintain the content of this blog and I am truly grateful!