Happy Sunday everyone!  Sorry I’ve been a bit MIA for a few days – no baby yet, just celebrating my birthday!  I decided to start the Season 2 Project QUILTING Interviews with one from myself.  I hope you enjoy reading a bit of what I’m thinking when I do this!

What made you decide to join Project QUILTING?

Since I’m the one who came up with this whole crazy idea I figured it would be a good thing if I participate in it. 

What was your favorite part about Project QUILTING?

I love getting a challenge and having to come up with something that no one else will.  It makes me get away from the whole mentality of ‘what will sell’ and switch it over to ‘what do I want to make.’  Every challenge of Project Quilting has made me into more of an artist and I’m so very happy with that change. 

Which Challenge in Season 2 was your favorite? and why…

Be My Valentine – I loved what I came up with – I initially thought the challenge was cheesy (well…it is still cheesy…) but it inspired my favorite piece – Owl Be Yours.

Which Challenge in Season 1 (including the 2 per-season challenges) was your least favorite? and why…

My least favorite challenge was probably the flying geese.  Piecing is just not my thing so to try to get all those little corners to match and to work with so many tiny pieces in just a week was slightly stressful.  I did, though, like that it made me do something I normally wouldn’t and I’m still really happy with the quilt that resulted from the challenge.

Which Challenges did you come up with your idea immediately and which took some marinating?

It didn’t take me too long with any of the challenges to come up with an idea.  Of course, I had to look through city names for ‘What’s in a Name’ but once I saw Zip City I knew exactly what I would do.  Also, the Hardware Store one I did have to wait until i got to the store but once I saw all the planting supplies I pretty much knew what I was going to do. 

Did you try any new techniques for your projects during these challenges and if so, what were they?

Yup, I did a lot more sewing with zippers than ever before, trupunto on my owl piece, and working with all the layers of fabric when I put the ‘lips’ of brown printed fabric in my Flying Geese Challenge. 

How has Project QUILTING made you a better Quilter?

Definitely!  It’s made me try new things and push myself.  I’ve also learned from it.  I think my Zipper Quilt is truly amazing – but it’s not square.  It’s off by about a 1/2-inch on one corner.  (nope – not just a wonky picture…)What can I do with it now?  I can’t sell it, it doesn’t hang right, the 3-d zipper art means it can’t be on a table and I can’t put it in a show.  All that work and it’s going to hang over my railing just sitting there... Trust me – I will never have a non-squared up quilt again (unless it’s meant to be that way). 

What didn’t you like about Project QUILTING?

I’m sure it had something to do with my pregnancy and me being ‘slightly’ cranky in general, but all the ‘behind the scenes’ work this time seemed to be more trying than the first go around.

How does everyone find the time to make such beautiful pieces!?

Great question!  I’m lucky that my kids go to a sitter one day a week and to Grandma’s a second day.  I usually am crossing my fingers every Sunday that I find inspiration immediately so I can get going asap.  I try to get the majority of my project done at the beginning of the week.  The thing with kids and families is that you never know when someone is going to get sick or hurt.  If that happens you can loose precious hours to create your piece.  For instance, I was really lucky to finish most of my hardware store challenge in the first few days of the week.  I ended up coming down with a horrendous cold/flu that took me out for about a week and a half.  I had a lot more embellishment plans for the quilt that just didn’t happen since I could barely lift my head – luckily, it was too a point that was still ‘complete’. 

Did you find the judges comments beneficial, annoying, or inconsequential?  Why?

I really liked the critiques.  It helped me to take a different view of my piece and see what I can be doing to improve. 

Do you think the judging format should be more structured, less structured, stay the same?  and why?

I have some plans to restructure this – stay tuned for Season 3 (still TBD).

What was your favorite piece that you created for the Project QUILTING challenge?

As I stated before ‘Owl Be Yours.’

What was your top three favorite pieces that someone else created for the Project QUILTING challenge?

In no particular order…

After the Rain from ForQuiltsSake

Ode to a Red Dress from Karen’s Crafty World

Spring Always Brings New Hope from Sally’s Angelworks 

What changes would you make to future Project QUILTING Seasons?

One change that there will probably be is no more prizes.  Project QUILTING is going to morph into something that people do for the challenge and inspiration – not the awards.

Is there anything you’d like to add or comments you’d like to share with me and my readers?

I just want to thank everyone that participated – from the quilters to the judges and guest judges and the voters/commenter's each week.  Without all this support Project QUILTING wouldn’t have been the success it has been.

I hope you enjoy and stay inspired by the off season challenges!  There’s still plenty of time to work on the first one.