Desire to Inspire March Challenger - Vicki Schlimmer

Hi, I am Vicki Schlimmer! 

We live on 2.5 acres in Southeast Minnesota where we are treated daily to wildlife such as deer, turkeys, raccoons, fox and lots of birds.  The snow has all melted and it is in the ugly stage of brown. But very soon it will be budding green and lush around here. My daffodils and crocus have been peeking up through the ground for the last 4 weeks, I can hardly wait to see their beautiful colors once again.

Fabric arrived! 

My husband and I have one son, one daughter, one daughter-in-law and 2 adorable grandsons.  We love being outdoors from spring through fall camping, kayaking, biking and hiking.

My mom taught me to sew, hand knit, and crochet between 6-8 years old.  Sewing came shortly after that.  I still do it all and then some! I made my first quilt as I was preparing to get my first apartment at 19, it was machine applique dresden plates on a sheet, and tied. I have come a long way!  I like traditional to modern, I prefer regular piecing but have done improv and paper piecing.

Knitting bag for knitting on the go, made from an online tutorial. 

Knitting bag inside view! 

You can find me almost daily in my sewing room or on my longarm.  I just love to make and create!  I have to admit that I almost gave up sewing after taking HomeEc.  I wanted to do things my way and got discouraged with the teachers way! I quit for a few years and then got back into it, I’m so glad I kept on. I made each of my kids a baby quilt, and made lots of their clothes while they were toddlers and early grade school years, also made quite a bit for myself.  I no longer enjoy garment making except for a few quilted jackets for myself and doll clothes.

I bought my longarm 14 years ago and traded up a few times to get my Nolting Funquilter. I do craft shows where I sell my quilted items, along with doll clothes, machine knit sweaters for kids, and tons of snowmen. I was a stay at home mom and now stay at home wife.   Two years ago I ventured forth in designing patterns which I sell on Craftsy.  You can find my patterns here: https://www.craftsy.com/profile/vicki-s-crafts-and-quilting

A Sew Together bag, for knitting supplies of all kinds

Inside of bag with all the compartments

Thirty one years ago I bought my first knitting machine and have never looked back, a great investment. I can knit a child’s sweater in a matter of a few hours rather than weeks or months!  I own 5 knitting machines now.  But I do hand knit once in a while because I like to have something in my hands as I am watching TV with my hubby.  I love to stamp, scrapbook, bead, and crochet.  Painting was always something I wanted to do, but I guess the gene skipped right on by as I just could never catch on to that. So I will just admire other’s works.

A fabric basket for knitting machine parts from an online tutorial.

A sturdy fabric basket with cardboard side for knitting projects in process, another online tutorial.

I blog at http://knitbug2.blogspot.com/ where I love to share projects I am working on.    I am in my second year as an Island Batik Ambassador.  I would love for you to stop by and say Hi!

Thank you, Henry Glass, for allowing me to be the Desire to Inspire challenger for March!! It was ‘sew much’ fun!

Made a window topper with some of the fabric! 

Vicki in MN

Nolting Funquilterwww.knitbug2.blogspot.comwww.craftsy.com/user/579344/pattern-store

Spring 2017 Look Book is Here!!

Can't wait? Click here right now and see the WHOLE release! 

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Seeking a Desire to Inspire challenger for April - featuring "Are We There Yet?" by Barbara Jones of QuiltSoup

It's Spring Vacation time! Throw all your stuff in the car and head out on the road for sunnier places! But don't leave this fabric collection behind!  "Are We There Yet?" by Barbara Jones of QuiltSoup represents the road trip experience perfectly. 

This collection is looking for a challenger to pick up this fabric and transform it into cute road-worthy projects that speak the language of being on the road. 

Are you inspired? We want you to put your name in the hat for this month's challenge! Comment on this blog post or email vanessa@jaftex.com

PLEASE REPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! We will pick someone on Monday, April 3, 2017.  

This is how it goes: 

1. YOU sign up below with your email or blog name to this post, 

or email your information* to vanessa@jaftex.com 

2. WE pick a winner. 

3. YOU send us your address.

4. WE send you the "Are We There Yet?" fabrics shown above.

5. YOU make something AWESOME during the month of April, with pictures and your story.

6. WE post it. 

7. YOU keep it. 

*We would like to have challengers show us they can meet the challenge, so please comment with your blog posts, or pictures of projects you have completed. Give us SOMETHING so we can rest assured you can do this!!!  Even great ideas count! Please do your best to stand out, and you will have a great chance of being selected. 

Let's Get Quilting - Gemstone Batiks (Reds) 13 pc bundle

This week's giveaway prize is going to having you seeing RED! This 13 pc. bundle will have some of these wonderful Gemstone batiks from Henry Glass. Your next quilt is practically done if you win this bundle!

Let's Get Quilting - Gemstone Batiks (Reds) 13 pc

Let's Get Quilting - Peaceful Garden - a 10 pc bundle by designer Mary Jane Carey of Holly Hill Quilt Designs

Do you remember this collection? We recently had an interview with Mary Jane Carey, the designer behind Peaceful Garden on our Designer Spotlight series.

This collection, Peaceful Garden, has been the inspiration fabric for more than one wedding coming up this spring and summer that we know of! It's mostly due to the romance that can be seen in the perfect bouquets and budding blooms. See the whole collection here. 

This collection just shipped last month and you can find it in quilt shops now. Who will be the lucky one to win this bundle?

Let's Get Quilting - Peaceful Garden 10 pc bundle by designer Mary Jane Carey of Holly Hill Quilt Designs

Designer Spotlight - Nidhi Wadhwa of Blue Fish Designs

From time to time we are sent art submissions from agents and artists alike, but when Henry Glass was contacted by Nidhi’s agent with some of Nidhi’s artwork, her artwork really stood out. We were looking for someone who could create adorable characters with a lot of personality. There was definitely something special about Nidhi’s artwork and knew right away that she would be a perfect fit for Henry Glass. We started to work together via e-mail, since we were  located so far away from each other, but it was so easy to get started with her. We just clicked and the design ideas started flowing immediately. Right away we created her first line for Henry Glass “Woodsy Wonders” and we were already talking about her second line, when she said she was planning to come to the U.S. for the Surtex design show. We were so excited to finally meet Nidhi in person. She is an amazing designer and she has a wonderful personality, which she brings to life in the characters that she creates. It has been a great partnership and we are excited that she continues to come up with wonderful collections for Henry Glass.

Woodsy Wonders was her first collection, which is now in quilt shops.
Frogland Friends which is shipping now.
Penguin Parade which was just released and is selling now.
Let's Build is new for March and a surprise until next week!!! 

Henry Glass: Tell us about where you live, and what is it like to live there? 

I live in New Delhi where, as one travel magazine aptly described, time travel is feasible. One can drive through centuries amid ancient Indian ruins, Mughal forts, colonial bungalows and new-age skyscrapers all in one day and perhaps also stop and find a corner to immerse oneself in the happenings of that time like food, art or culture. I love this diversity which makes it forever interesting. The city has been home to me for a very long time now. Here, I went to college; got my first job, got my first independent assignment; started my own studio; experimented, failed and learned; expanded my business; got married and forged many thick friendships which continue to make it feel like a smooth ride.

HG: How did you get started in the art world? What were you first products? How did you get confidence to begin?

I have been doodling for as long back as I can remember holding a pencil or crayon properly. Sheets of paper, notebooks, textbooks, walls, clothes, furnishings everything could work as a canvas for the little me. The itch to express was so strong that in high school I was sketching characters like a professional. It was also during this time that I created greeting cards, which I convinced a local gift shop to store and sell. Surprisingly, I couldn’t keep up with the demand!

I love illustrating baby animals. Even in those days, I experimented with creating a range of expressions and moods which would imbue joy, playfulness, happiness, purity, cuteness, mischief, love, sadness and innocence, just as I observed in children. More experimentation with styles, methods, material and software after college, led me to create more professional products like illustrating books, puzzles and learning aids for global clients.

HG: What sort of things do you use for inspiration?

Children inspire me! 

I observe them closely and through my characters try to voice their thoughts, moods, actions, feelings, behavior and imagination. I hope children will connect with these characters as one among their own. I often also take children’s feedback on my characters. For the longest time my nephews have been my buddies. Playing pranks with seven-year olds is easy-peasy for me. Certainly, there is a lot to learn from the simplicity of things during childhood and I must say children are also much wiser than we give them credit for.

HG: Transferring art to fabrics - what were some adjustments to the creative process?

After several years of illustrating for books and learning aids, I needed a new medium to fully apply my creative energies. It was then I started experimenting with designing characters for stationery items and subsequently making art for furnishings like bedspreads, towels, carpets etc. as well. I bought and read many books and researched online sources, I also interacted with printers and marketers, I focused on changing my colour palate, experimenting with new styles, creating a line of items with the same character, etc. Throughout this transition, what remained unchanged was that I was and am still passionately designing for children and it is what l love most about my work.

HG: How often do you travel with your products to shows? Is this fun for you?

Fortunately, my products have traveled far and wide before I started traveling with them. I used to walk through book shows for networking and my own learning. Soon after I was illustrating books for European clients solely through virtual connections. I have only very recently started traveling with my work. My first two shows were in the U.S. in 2015, one of which I literally gate-crashed at the last minute. Preparing for shows like Surtex and Licensing Expo is a lot of hard work but standing in my booth, just being in that moment, on the opening day was so humbling and exciting that I went on to do another one in 2016 and have now made it an annual affair. 

I feel very blessed to have had opportunities to showcase my work and grateful that it garners so much appreciation in such events. I also take out time to enjoy looking at other’s work and reflect on their perspectives. I find it very refreshing.

Before shows, I used to travel mostly for leisure. I love trekking and adventure sports. Now I try to combine the two and make the best of work and play.

HG: What is your studio like?  

It is my favorite place to hangout – morning, noon or night. A four-room set covered in sunlight, funky characters on the walls and lots of plants, houses me and twelve other crazy minds.

In the studio, there’s never been a birthday we don't celebrate with cakes, balloons, streamers, caps and our fun designs.  Around here, I thrive on several rounds of coffee, chit-chat and lots of mischievous ideas! 

Let's Get Quilting - 9 pc bundle of Let's Celebrate by Beth Logan

It's party time! 

Let's Celebrate is a versatile collection of all things fun! Balloons, candles, cakes highlight this bright collection of fabric designed by Beth Logan of ArtStuff, Ltd.

This collection is shipping now! 

Hurry into your local quilt shop to pick up a party! 

Let's Get Quilting - Let's Celebrate! by Beth Logan

Let's Get Quilting! Ric Rac Paddywack PLUS two!

Last year Kim Diehl designed this adorable flannel line called Ric Rac Paddywack and in January we added two NEW designs to the collections; these cute hexigon patterns in primary and pastel color themes.

These two new prints are shipping now, in addition to the earlier release of these 24 beauties: 

So here they ALL are in this weeks's Ric Rac Paddywack Giveaway!!

Let's Get Quilting - Ric Rac Paddywack Bundle PLUS TWO NEW!

Meet the March Desire to Inspire Challenger - Vicki Schlimmer

Meet the Challenger - Vicki Schlimmer

We found a quilter who is also an avid knitter and expressed true love for the Knit Happy collection. 

She will also blog about her Knit Happy March on her blog over at: www.knitbug2.blogspot.com

Wish her luck!