First I LOVE Etsy and didnt really discover it/use it til recently. After I get the kids to bed, I often stay up late either doing something creative, reading quilting books/mags (now beading mags) and/or if no energy for any of that, I LOVE to look at what others are creating. I'm on a quilting board but love to look at a wide variety and many on the quilting board are creating year long masterpieces (that are GORGEOUS) but not super inspiring to me. My motto has always been: fast and easy. The ADHD mind of a busy mom - right? Plus stuff has to be super durable. Another reason I've also been on Etsy is that I've wanted to replace some of my quilts now that I have some income. We literally had worn out large twin size quilts I've used for years protecting the couches from kids/animals and just with heavy duty cuddle time. Of course I just keep patching them together but wanted a few new things. I went thru a big pink phase and almost all my early stuff is Rachel Ashwell based (whites/pinks): not the sturdiest of fabrics, altho suspect I will always love it. Now have a huge desire to work with pinks/oranges etc. Into Bright. On kind of a funny note since this is a blog about different types of scraps (incl paper).. finding it so interesting that many of the paper companies for paper scrapping are now getting into fabric (Basic Grey, Cosmo Cricket), etc.
I have purchased two quilts from Etsy and love both. One has much applique in it and some gorgeous quilting. I asked the seller and she doesnt use a longarm. I can only BEGIN to imagine how long it takes to do the tedious quilting she did in this quilt. The other is very basic but just loved her pattern. Anyway, I hope it's ok with Etsy sellers to heart their stuff if we dont always buy. I suspect it is. It's inspirational and I do buy some. I still consider myself a beginner quilter.. maybe a bit more than beginner. My greatest barriers in going forward are time and patience. Even if I had the time, not sure I'd have the patience. I have pieces cut out for a Moda Blush quilt and it's been sitting for three weeks. Hopefully soon!!
In meantime I did finish a few beading projects. Another reason I love Etsy : lampwork beads. And probably will end up buying more beads from Etsy if I keep beading. Pics of two projects. One which is an anklet and one which is a bracelet but too long.. need to re-string! Want to do a bracelet as an end of year gift for one of my kids' teachers and a bday gift for friends' bday coming up. Will post those when done. The "too long" bracelet was to be a prototype of teachers' gift so it will prob be similar....
