Hello Blog Hoppers!

After reading all your amazing stories and see your gorgeous talent, I'm a little nervous to share mine, but here goes nothing!

My name is Hannah Jennings, I am a stay-at-home-mother of two and recently decided to take my love quilting and embroidery to the next level with a blog and, after being asked by about a dozen people recently, I am starting a small Etsy shop.

 

 

My first two quilts were Tshirt quilts, and that's all it took to spark my interest and love of quilting.
I have been breathing and thinking quilts non-stop.

 

 

My first "real" quilt using a pattern was a Swoon quilt by Thimble Blossoms, which was a raffle quilt for a Pachyonychia Congenita Awareness Fundraiser I hosted June 2014.  It was very successful and I plan to do it again next year, June 2016. Sadly, we didn't participate as much this year since we went out of town to attend our first Pachyonychia Congenita Patient Support Meeting for our daughter, who has this ultra rare genetic disorder. I'm keeping an eye out now for a pattern to fit the bill for next years fundraiser raffle.  Any suggestions would be wonderful *hint hint*

I really LOVE applique and the endless possibilities with it.  I made these next two quilts for a local quilt show back in March.

 

This griffin appliqued quilt, named "Celtic Fusion," is one my father actually drew out and designed and I just brought it to life for him.  He designed it, selected fabrics and chose the quilting design; and I'm pleased to say it one First Place in the Novice Division! It measures 84x91, my largest quilt to date.

"Fate" was a mini quilt  I made for my Instagram swap #disneyquiltswap2015.  We are a Disney family and I was excited my partner loved the movie Brave because this movie-poster inspired mini was very fun; again, I used a fusible web applique method to create Merida and her surroudings, I beaded in the little Will-O-The-Wisps, and machine embroidered the quote.

 

Ok, one more quilt to share: It's one I made earlier this year for my grandfather. I used Lori Holt's pattern Vintage Camping and I'm very pleased with how it turned out.  I made the van black and tan to mimic my grandfathers actual expedition, and the camper in silver to resemble my grandfathers airstream, complete with his airstreams actual number, which I embroidered on the front.  My grandfather is ramming the roads with his camper on a caravan tour this very moment so watch and wave if you see him!  He was out west romping in the deserts earlier this summer and now he is somewhere up north.  What a way to explore and travel, right?!

 

 

 

I have been making my own quilt labels using my embroidery machine and I love having one of the  "pictures" to accent the writing.

What is your preferred quilt label? 

 

Ok, quilting and embroidery aside, here is some more about me:
I am a book worm, live in Georgia (hence the Magnolia), been working in the Insurance field on and off for the last 6 years, my favorite books are The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, and have two cats named Monster and Emerald and my favorite artist is Teagan White (think Fort Firefly and Acorn Trail). 

 

 

My blogging tip is to utilize the scheduling option if you're like me and time is of the essence.  I have to manage my time and prioritize, and sometimes sitting down and writing multiple posts at once makes more sense, so I opt to schedule them so they can be published throughout the week without my need to hover and fret.  My planner is my best friend!!!   Planning ahead is also key; think of your blogging goals (how often, what topics, which photos) and set aside time to make the project, take the photos, edit photos, and create posts... for me, this can take days so often I have several projects/posts in the works at any given moment.

 

My quilting tip is to be INVOLVED!  Research and join local quilt guilds in your area, search out fellow quilters using social media, you'd be surprised that we are EVERYWHERE!!! Hashtags on Instagram are wonderful.  I love Instagram's quilting community.  There are always fun giveaways, eye candy, sneak peeks at upcoming fabric collections and patterns, and mini quilt swaps to participate in.  You can learn so much from fellow quilters and joining some form of a community will help you branch out and try new techniques, patterns, styles, and everyone is always happy and ready to help with any questions you may have. 

 

Well, on that note, participate on over to my fellow blog hoppers and say hello!  I hope to get the chance to know you better and please stay tuned because I have a bunch of fun stuff (including a giveaway) coming up.  Thank you for stopping by!

 

Quantum Quilters

July 13th

Silvia @A Stranger View

Ida @Ida Rather Be Quilting

Amy @Indigo Cottage Quilts

Cindy @Stitchin At Home

Hive Hosts

Quantum Quilters

Host: Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

New Bees

Host: Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs

Sew Fabulous Hive

Host: Stephanie @Late Night Quilter

Sewcial Swarm

Host: Terri Ann @Childlike Fascination