Meet Amy of Diary of a Quilter

Hi there!!

This is the week of our Church’s Festival of Nativities.  I’m running around like a crazy person and will admit I’m on the verge of tears  most of the day! It’s a major undertaking and even with my fabulous committee it’s quickly taking over my life!! I’m doing my best to return emails this week, but please understand if I don’t answer right away.

I’m so grateful that these wonderful girls you will meet this week agreed to participate in my little “Meet the Blogger” series. I hope you enjoyed meeting Allison of Cluck Cluck Sew last week, this week you can look forward to a post a day introducing you to some fabulous bloggers. Some that you might now and some that might be new to you.

Q: Favorite Musical group when you were in Junior High… did you have a favorite song?

I was fond of the Police and the Beatles and Survivor. (How’s that for an odd combination?)

Q: When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?

Honestly, I wanted to be a mom. I sometimes told people I wanted to be a lawyer just because it sounded cooler than saying “a mom!” but I really wanted to be able to stay home and be with my kids. I’m grateful to be able to say that I got my dream job. :)

Q: What’s one thing that you’d love to do but can’t?

Be a world traveler. I LOVE to travel and visit new places. I love walking through big cities and driving through beautiful countryside. Alas, time and $ and parental responsibilities at this stage of life make it not too feasible right now. But hopefully one day!

Q: Any hidden talents?

I can cart-wheel left-handed. (I’m right-handed in everything else.)

Q: When and how did you learn to sew?

I first learned by watching my mom. After doing all kinds of weird things to her sewing machine, my mom signed me up for real sewing lessons when I was 10. I mostly learned to make clothes – like seersucker bermuda shorts, and a couple of big boxy skirts. I dabbled in quilting before I got married but really took classes and went for it when I had my first baby.

Q: What made you decide to start a blog?

I was so inspired by the blogging community – especially the fact that there were women my age who also like to sew, quilt and share what they had made. It was like finding a bunch of new best friends! I decided I wanted to share my creations as well. I have been so grateful for the really kind and encouraging feedback I have received.

Q: What are your 3 favorite projects that you’ve posted on your blog?

My Irish quilt 

Flag Quilt:

My Improv Quilt for my Sister

Q: What’s the most difficult thing that you have made and posted on your blog? How long did it take you? Any sewing machines thrown out the window?

Off the top of my head I can’t recall anything specific. That doesn’t mean there haven’t been any, more likely it means that I’ve emotionally banished it to the recesses of my subconcious. Also, I’m kind of a lazy crafter. I tend to stick in my comfort zone of stuff I’m comfortable with.

Q: What fabric do you WISH you had lots and lots of?

I so wish I had jumped on the Heather Ross Gnomes and Denyse Schmidt Katie Jump Rope bandwagons before it was too late. Now they’re only available at exorbitant prices on ebay.

Q: What fabric in your stash can you not bring yourself to cut up?

I have a huge (borderline ridiculous) American Jane collection, from multiple lines. I could make many quilts from that stash. Also some of Sandy Henderson’s Henna Garden. Love that stuff.

Q: What’s the next thing on your sewing “to do” list?

Attacking that pile of UFO’s (Un-Finished Objects) and cleaning out my craft space. Maybe even weeding through my fabric stash. But those items are always on my ‘to do’ list – until I get distracted by that new must-do project. ;)

Q: Describe your perfect day.

If I wanted to get really ambitious I would throw in Hawaii and Kahlua pork, but on a simpler level, a few hours of un-interrupted sewing time sounds heavenly.