now it’s my turn to ‘Blog Hop with a Difference’

You’ve probably noticed a few bloggers  participating in the Blog Hop With A Difference lately.

It's almost like a relay, passing the baton from one creative blogger to another three creative bloggers, and the plan is that it continues on and on.

The purpose of this blog hop is for each blogger to tell their readers a little about their life as a creative person and what makes them tick, so today it’s my turn.  You’ll find out a little more about me because I got tagged by my nearest and dearest, Jenny from Jenny of Elefantz

So….here’s me……I’m Wendy Bertello of Sugarlane Designs (who’da thunk!)

I’m going with the questions Jen asked of me …. here goes…..

What am I working on right now?

hmmmmmm….I have a number of irons in the fire……I’m not one to just be doing one thing and finishing it totally before I start another…..that’s my worst trait I think….or perhaps it’s just a quilter’s trait?  At the moment I’ve started the Let’s Start Christmas Stitch-a-long with 6 stitcheries that I’ve designed, stitched up and made into a table runner for Christmas.  So at the moment, I’m finishing the runner and writing the patterns hurriedly, for the release of the next stitchery block on Thursday over in my Craftsy shop.

I’m  drawing up some extra stitcheries to add to the table runner and I’ll be stitching them up this week too.  When I’m not working on my own designs, I’ve been working on the gorgeous Plates Stitchery BOM by Nikki Tervo of Brandy Gully Patchwork

 

How long does it take to create a project?

It really depends on what it is…..some are quite quick and some seem to take forever.  Mostly though, I can create something in a week or so, if I’m designing from beginning to end…..something like my Christmas Stitcheries only took a couple of days each but my “I’ll be Gnome for Christmas” Lap quilt took a couple of weeks.

It really depends as I have to fit it into my schedule of volunteer, Association President, mother, wife and crafter…….I’m sure you understand what I mean!?

What are my favourite things to create with at the moment?

I’ve had a real hankering for working with paper pieced hexies…you can see these in my Love Life bag….

…and on another upcoming design…..

I am also always strongly drawn to stitcheries…..I think a project feels a bit ‘naked’ without even a little bit, and I’m quite fond of applique too.  I’m a true Gemini…..always drawn to the next style, never wanting to settle for just one!

How does my creative process work?

Generally, I’ll come up with a design idea, and jot it down quickly in my drawing folio….I roughly sketch the idea out….and when I say roughly, I mean ROUGHLY!  (I really am not talented in the drawing aspect….I’m comfortable with a needle and thread but pencil and paper threaten me no end!)  I’ll then jot down any requirements I think of that I might need, work out sizes and grab them out of my stash (or organise to buy some more….that’s ALWAYS an option, right?), along with fabric choices and thread choices and bundle them all up in a plastic container so I can find them again.  Anyone who knows me knows that I have a bit of a cluttered brain (and work area) so keeping it altogether is definitely a good start!

I’ll draw out a couple of ‘takes’ in pencil lightly, using Google images as a reference point (like I said, I’m not an arty person….I’m crafty *wink* but not arty) then finalise it in a Sharpie or black Artline fine point marker.  When I’m creating it, I have a notepad by the cutting table/sewing machine so that I can jot down notes, such as measurements or steps in the process as I go along…..I did say I have a cluttered brain?  It’s far easier for me to refer back to notes than to try and remember what I did at step 47 out of 101 steps.

Lots of the processes are trial and error too….if I try something new, I will visualise it in my head, step by step, but as I’m more of a tactile learner, I tend to like making that section up in paper first, if I can (I don’t like wasting my fabric stash!).

How do I become inspired and stay inspired?

I know it sounds a bit cliche, but I get inspiration from everywhere!  I’m a words-type person…..I absolutely LOVE words and inspirational quotes, so often a stitchery design will come from that.  Being a ‘glass half full’ gal, I believe that you should never leave feelings for someone unspoken…and as not all people wear their hearts on their sleeves, a stitchery design can often convey how much someone means to you.

Sometimes it’s something I’ve seen in the garden, or a colour palette that twigs an idea in my head.  Even just thoughts of a season or event bring ideas flooding to mind.  Situations, such as the illness of my father in law earlier this year, inspire me ….and which gave birth to the ‘Love Life’ bag.

I stay inspired by being aware of being open to new designs……having that ‘sense’ of designing switched on at all times……(you really NEVER know when it’s going to strike)….I visit sites like Pinterest (but you knew that already) and that’s always a great inspirational minefield…..I get lost in there for hours…..my hubby’s even banned me and limited my Pin-time!  Also by visiting other designers and bloggers and looking on websites selling quilting fabrics, because often a fabric line will bring ideas spilling out of my head.

What is my signature style?

yep….that one I’m not sure of yet.  I think I’m still evolving.  Jen and I have discussed this one in depth and she thinks I may have an eclectic style….perhaps it IS the Gemini in me, I don’t know.  I guess mine is a positive, inspirational, words-based style that’s sometimes modern, sometimes not, sometimes shabby, sometimes not, sometimes girly, sometimes not, sometimes traditional, sometimes not.  Maybe you’ve spotted a ‘style’ that I’ve missed?  I’d love to hear your thoughts?!

So now it’s time to pass on the baton…….these three ladies are ones I admire greatly and I know their stories will inspire you too…..

Vicki of The Pickledish Patch

Allie of allie-oops sweet happy life

Marilyn of Mardi Meanderings

Pop on over to their blogs next Monday 8th September, to see what makes them tick!

Just a reminder……pinch and a punch for the first day of the month!….and the first of spring here in the southern hemisphere! 

Sugary hugs xox  :o)

FNSI Winner

Thank you to everyone for their wonderful words of encouragement and well-wishes….it has meant the world to us and dad’s progress is onward and upward!  Just know I’ve read  every comment and I appreciate each and every one of them….please excuse me if I haven’t responded…..I will try to, but know my heart is bursting with the love you’re sending us!!!  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, just doesn’t seem enough! Dad has two drains in his abscess which wont go until the cavity of the abscess shrinks, and a scar about 12 inches long around his torso.  But he’s off his red button for self administered pain relief now and only has tablets when he needs it.  The number of tubes going in and out of him is reducing and he’s actually up and out of bed for his meals and even walking a short distance every day.  The doctor tells us he will remain in hospital for 2 weeks to a month depending on his progress. Hubby’s sisters have arrived from down south and have given us a few days to return home to make sure the house hasn’t burnt down and to see our boy…..we’d almost forgotten what he looked like!!   He’s been sick with the flu too, so couldn’t come up to see his Nonno!!!!! It has been difficult without good computer access……it’s amazing how much you DONT realise how much you rely on technology and although the IPhone is good, and the tablet is good…….it just doesn’t cut the mustard when it comes to writing a post so excuse me if I’m babbling but at the moment I feel like I’ve just been let loose in a candy store!!!!!!! Well, I better show you what I’ve been up to since I’ve been stuck at the hospital for the past 3 weeks….. ….I’ve been working on a new project I’ve designed for Patchwork and Stitching, involving quite a few hexies and some stitchery on linen…. some more blocks in my Quilty Sampler Stitch Along I finished the stitchery part of Vicki’s Autumn Rose Table Runner and did some more stitching on my ‘The Street’ by Smee Designs I really like the foils in her hair in this block!!! and funnily enough, it’s at Jenny’s hairdressing store!!!!! lol Grandma, in her pink fluffy slippers and fashionably matching pink handbag, is finished too…. but there’s still lots to do………without a machine for 3 weeks, I’ve been in withdrawal….guess what I’ve been doing!!!! LOL So sorry about the late posting of our FNSI winner…..I was a little distracted!!!!!!    We had 48 of us sewing together on Friday night…….. I was working on my Quilty Stitches cross stitch sampler at the hospital and if you visit my last post, you can visit all the links to everyone who joined in to see what they got up to! Mr RNG helped out again in drawing the winner (he’s so good at being ‘random’!) and he picked….. who is…….. Vicki from the UK and the prize is even a surprise to me! Congratulations Vicki………I’m sure you’ll love it, whatever it is!!!!! I know that sounds weird, but my wonderful friend Marilyn has offered to host the prize for this month whilst I’ve been away……she is just adorable and such a sweety……make sure you pop on over to her blog and look at all her lovelies.  She’s a new designer too……I’ve showed you my sewing bag that I got that she designed and her patterns have been selling like hotcakes.  photo courtesy of:  http://mardimeanderings.blogspot.com.au/ here she is with the bigger version.  You can link to her and buy the pattern too…..I absolutely LOOOOVE mine and use it all the time!  there’s mine, on the left in the picture below! photo courtesy of:  http://mardimeanderings.blogspot.com.au/ Babbling enough……I’m off to do something with those hexies…….I’m on a deadline!!!!!  Sugary hugs :o) xox

FNSI Winner

Thank you to everyone for their wonderful words of encouragement and well-wishes….it has meant the world to us and dad’s progress is onward and upward!  Just know I’ve read  every comment and I appreciate each and every one of them….please excuse me if I haven’t responded…..I will try to, but know my heart is bursting with the love you’re sending us!!!  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, just doesn’t seem enough!

Dad has two drains in his abscess which wont go until the cavity of the abscess shrinks, and a scar about 12 inches long around his torso.  But he’s off his red button for self administered pain relief now and only has tablets when he needs it.  The number of tubes going in and out of him is reducing and he’s actually up and out of bed for his meals and even walking a short distance every day.  The doctor tells us he will remain in hospital for 2 weeks to a month depending on his progress.

Hubby’s sisters have arrived from down south and have given us a few days to return home to make sure the house hasn’t burnt down and to see our boy…..we’d almost forgotten what he looked like!!   He’s been sick with the flu too, so couldn’t come up to see his Nonno!!!!!

It has been difficult without good computer access……it’s amazing how much you DONT realise how much you rely on technology and although the IPhone is good, and the tablet is good…….it just doesn’t cut the mustard when it comes to writing a post so excuse me if I’m babbling but at the moment I feel like I’ve just been let loose in a candy store!!!!!!!

Well, I better show you what I’ve been up to since I’ve been stuck at the hospital for the past 3 weeks…..

….I’ve been working on a new project I’ve designed for Patchwork and Stitching, involving quite a few hexies and some stitchery on linen….

some more blocks in my Quilty Sampler Stitch Along

I finished the stitchery part of Vicki’s Autumn Rose Table Runner

and did some more stitching on my ‘The Street’ by Smee Designs

I really like the foils in her hair in this block!!!

and funnily enough, it’s at Jenny’s hairdressing store!!!!! lol

Grandma, in her pink fluffy slippers and fashionably matching pink handbag, is finished too….

but there’s still lots to do………without a machine for 3 weeks, I’ve been in withdrawal….guess what I’ve been doing!!!! LOL

So sorry about the late posting of our FNSI winner…..I was a little distracted!!!!!!   

We had 48 of us sewing together on Friday night…….. I was working on my Quilty Stitches cross stitch sampler at the hospital and if you visit my last post, you can visit all the links to everyone who joined in to see what they got up to!

Mr RNG helped out again in drawing the winner (he’s so good at being ‘random’!) and he picked…..

who is……..

Vicki from the UK

and the prize is even a surprise to me! Congratulations Vicki………I’m sure you’ll love it, whatever it is!!!!!

I know that sounds weird, but my wonderful friend Marilyn has offered to host the prize for this month whilst I’ve been away……she is just adorable and such a sweety……make sure you pop on over to her blog and look at all her lovelies.  She’s a new designer too……I’ve showed you my sewing bag that I got that she designed and her patterns have been selling like hotcakes. 

photo courtesy of:  http://mardimeanderings.blogspot.com.au/

here she is with the bigger version.  You can link to her and buy the pattern too…..I absolutely LOOOOVE mine and use it all the time!  there’s mine, on the left in the picture below!

photo courtesy of:  http://mardimeanderings.blogspot.com.au/

Babbling enough……I’m off to do something with those hexies…….I’m on a deadline!!!!! 

Sugary hugs :o) xox

Squishy mail….

  It’s been quiet here in the Sugarlane house…….welcome rainy weather has prompted me to do some catch up stuff inside the house! A little progress on the Quilty Stitches Sampler Along with the sashings and borders nearly done…. I did manage to post my squishy mail goodies for the Birthday Swap this month and now that the ladies have received them, I can show you….. Anthea requested purples or greens, bright cheery ones, so I managed to find some lovely blenders for her when I was in Melbourne….plus a postcard to help her feel like she was there too!!!  And you might notice a little “extra” for being a bit late…..a cute purple babushka keyring and a pair of heart buttons. O-Faigh requested white on white so I found this gorgeous FQ for her, and I couldn’t resist some shabby pink heart ribbon and buttons to match. I also received some surprise squishy mail….I really wasn’t expecting this one, but Susan had asked me for my address a while back as she wanted to send me something ‘small’!!!! I had forgotten about it but this absolutely ‘wow’ed me!!!! I had blogged about how I’d been working on my flying geese with the Delightful Stars Quilt Along and how happy I’d been with how they’d been turning out.  Susan was telling me about her way of making flying geese where they turned out perfect every time…..I tried it and she was right …I shared about it HERE.   She said she used a special ruler for it but as I didn’t have one, I just used my regular ruler………so………she decided she’d send me one to make it easier!   She really is a darling, isn’t she??? I have a couple of blocks to catch up on so I’m going to try it with this new ruler!!!   Thank you sooooo much Susan…..Can’t wait! And I have been waiting for this one with anticipation……. the new Vignette.   Now I can go on with the second block of the Mrs Beasley’s Sampler Quilt.  I got my copy from the lovely Vicki at The Pickledish Patch…..pop on over to get yours. Off to catch up on some more rainy jobs while the weather is still lovely and cool!!!! xox sugary hugs :o)