Island Batik New Beginning Blog Hop

Welcome to my day on the “New Beginnings” blog hop the last blog hop for the 2016 Island Batik Ambassadors.  We have been asked to interpret our fabrics into the theme of "New Beginnings". The fabrics that were selected for me was from one of Island Batik new collections "Happy Hounds" by Kathy Engle. This Fabric collection is so cute; it has varies types of dogs and paw prints throughout the fabric collection, get it for the dog lover in your family. 

I have to admit I had a hard time interpreting the "New Beginnings" theme and the fabric together. But with a little work using EQ7, my favorite designing tool.  New Beginnings can even welcome a dog or puppy to your family, so I designed my newest pattern "Welcome Home Pooch!" to welcome them into the family.

The quilt measures 32" x 40", which makes a great lap or wallhanging.  Your dog will also love it to keep them warm on those cold, snowy days.  This pattern uses raw edge applique and piecing techniques to complete I used 11 different fabrics from the Happy Hounds collection all under 1/2 yards. The pattern will start shipping on February 1st,but you can pre-order now for the paper version. The downloadable pattern will be available starting February 1st.  

You can win a free downloadable version copy of this Pattern, by entering and commenting below. The drawing for this one will be on February 2nd the day after the Blog hop ends.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Also, Island batik is giving away TWO bundles of batik fabric! Make sure enter for that also, who can pass up these great fabrics. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Make sure you check out the other Island Batik Ambassadors participants in the “New Beginnings” Blog Hop. They will have a lot of inspirations for you and some may have giveaways on their blogs.

Friday, January 6 – Hop Introduction!
Island Batik

Monday, January 9 – Coastal Mist
Stone Cottage Quilts

Tuesday, January 10 – Dotalicious
DelLillians
Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting
PamelaQuilts
Inchworm Fabrics

Wednesday, January 11 – Drizzle
Webster Quilt

Thursday, January 12 – Fifi and Fido + Happy Hounds
Mary Mack Made Mine
Quilting Affection (You are Here)

Friday, January 13 – Fresh Catch
Bejeweled Quilts by Barb

Monday, January 16 – Glowing Embers
Purrfect Spots Designs

Tuesday, January 17 – Lake Life
Freemotion by the River

Wednesday, January 18 – River’s Edge
Ark Angel Creations
Jennifer Sewing

Friday, January 20 – Blushing Blooms
Desert Bloom Quilting

Monday, January 23 – Gone Fishin’
Maria Michaels Designs

Wednesday, January 25 – Surf and Sand
The Patchwork Pearl
Beaquilter

Thursday, January 26 – Twilight Blush
KISSed Quilts

Friday, January 27 – Happy Harvest
For Quilts Sake

Monday, January 30 – Jolly Holly
Kauffman Designs

Tuesday, January 31 – Frost
MooseStash Quilting

Wednesday, February 1 – Merry and Bright
Patchwork Breeze
Sally’s Quilting Corner


Enjoy the Blog Hop and Have a great Sewing Day!

Tina

Welcome to 2017!

Welcome to 2017!

As I look back through 2016, I have to say I was truly blessed with new a beginning for me personally and continued growth for Quilting Affection.  Personally, 2016 was a lifestyle changing journey to lose weight and get healthy.  My new lifestyle allowed me to lose 50+lbs, as of today.  I’m healthy and have tons of energy to work on my pattern designs, and exercise. I have also found a love of hiking.

As for Quilting Affection, I made several decisions that took my pattern designing business up a notch. I was truly blessed to be accepted as an Island Batik Ambassador and pattern designer for them.  Timeless Treasure Fabrics also accepted a couple of my patterns.  In addition, a few patterns I put out this year are designed to use Bloc_Rulers.  I also expanded out and began Teaching EQ7 and offering Trunk Shows.

In 2017, I have several goals for the business and myself.  Personally, I want to hike parts of the Colorado and Appalachian Trails.  Also I want to help others learn how to change their lifestyles and get healthy.  Then I want to set aside time to work on Unfinished or Unstarted Quilting Projects.

As for the business, I have several goals and have already started a few. 

• I want to be more active on the Social Media, Newsletters, and Blogs for the business. 
• Design a couple patterns a month to be published in the future or in magazine publications.
• Make my business name more known and respected.
• Vend at more Local Quilt Shows in the Virginia and Maryland area.
• Expand my teaching and talking to guilds and other quilts.
• Learn more about how grow my business.
• To keep working with Fabric Companies to highlight there fabrics.
• Finish some personal quilting

The first change that I have done to help my business goals is update my Business name: As of January 1^st “Quilting Affection” is now “Quilting Affection Designs".  The reasoning of the name change is to distinguish myself as a Pattern Design Business instead of a quilt store.  Also I have changed the logo to have a more professional appearance.

 

I will keep you all posted on our progress on these goals throughout the year.  I hope you all have a good 2017 and all your quilting goals come true.

Tina