Desire to Inspire- March Challenger - Heather Long

 Meet Heather Long -She took on the challenge of using "Ghostly Glowtown” by Shelly Comiskey of Simply Shelly Designs in the month of March 2019.

Hi! My name is Heather Long and I live in Phoenixville, PA, just outside of Valley Forge. It's a wonderful town with a very active downtown restaurant scene but still within a short drive to the Valley Forge National Park and all the trails available.

 I've been married for 3 years to my amazing husband, Andrew and we have one 2-year-old son, James (Jimmy) who is my best little quilt helper. We travel quite a bit more than I ever expected to, especially with a baby/toddler, but we enjoy our adventures.

When it comes to quilting, I'm mostly self-taught from books and blogs. I started quilting almost 15 years ago - no one else in my family quilted or really sewed, but I just had the itch. I started by reading everything I could but then I finally had to just jump in and accept that my first quilt would NOT be perfect. My favorite quilts are traditional with a bit of a twist. I don't really consider myself a modern quilter, but I'm not strictly traditional either. You can check out my blog here.

While I don't belong to a "real life" guild, one of my greatest resources is an online group called Quilting Around the World - I've gone to several retreats and join online challenges there. I love those ladies!

Pumpkins and Pals

Fabrics

Fabric Bowl

Pumpkins and Pals Detail

Table Runner

Table Runner Again

Table Runner Detail

View the Full Collection Here

Desire to Inspire April- Looking for a Challenger!

Calling all dog lovers! Nothing sounds more snuggly than a pup at your feet by the fireside, and that's why you "mutt" not want to miss this adorable collection by Bob Giordano. "Fireside Pups" is a 10-SKU collection featuring traditional Christmas colors and all things dog, as well as one FREE quilt project! Ships in May 2019!

In this month's Desire to Inspire Challenge, the winner will receive this collection to make something great. The caveat is... it MUST BE made in the month of April, and pictures of your finished project(s) must be provided to us by the end of the month. Along with your picture and bio, too, of course. 

Are you ready to take on this challenge? 

Send an email to jennifer@jaftex.com to put your name in the hat!

Click Here to View the Full Collection

Get Quilting - Itty Bitty Bundle Giveway

One Sister designer, Janet Rae Nesbitt has long been known for her scrappy quilting techniques and crazy pattern style. Janet incorporates her primitive style color palette with her Crazy pattern method. We are giving away 30 SKUs of the prints from this collection to one lucky winner. The full collection of prints and yarn dyed fabrics is IN QUILT SHOPS NOW and also includes one FREE quilt project.

Get Quilting - Itty Bitty Bundle Giveaway

View the Full Collection Here

Get Quilting- Linen Closet Bundle Giveaway

Looking for a new basic collection to add to your next quilt? Then you won't want to miss this combo bundle which includes "Linen Closet" and "Shadows and Sunshine" by Janet Rae Nesbitt of One Sister Designs. 

Get Quilting - Linen Closet Bundle Giveaway

"Linen Closet" is a 14-SKU collection featuring tossed florals, geos, stars, and more against various shades of tan and brown. IN QUILT SHOPS NOW!

View the Full Collection Here

"Shadows and Sunshine Yarn Dyes" is a 6-SKU collection featuring plaid patterns in hues of blue, brown, and tan. 

View the Full Collection Here

Get Quilting - Knit Chicks Bundle Giveaway

Love to knit and craft? Then you won't want to miss "Knit Chicks" by Jody Houghton. This fun and playful, 12-SKU collection features tossed, sheep, tractors, knitting needles, and two panels! Also included is one FREE quilt project (Knit Chicks Quilt # 1). IN QUILT SHOPS NOW!

Get Quilting - Knit Chicks Bundle Giveaway 

View the Full Collection Here

Get Quilting - Cutie Tootie Bundle Giveaway

Oh, baby! Isn't this fabric adorable? "Cutie Tootie" by Barbara Jones of QuiltSoup is the perfect fabric for new moms who want to decorate their nursery room or friends and family who want to create a shower or nursery gift. This 17-SKU collection features bright colors and all things baby from carriages and bottles to diaper pins and hearts! Also included are two FREE quilt projects (Cutie Tootie Quilt # 1 and Cutie Tootie Quilt # 2). In Quilts Shops Now!

Get Quilting - Cutie Tootie Bundle Giveaway

View the Full Collection Here

Desire to Inspire - February Challenger- Lisa Whittaker

Meet Lisa Whittaker -She took on the challenge of using "Handmade with Love” by Paula Joerling of One Sister Designs in the month of February 2019.

Hi - I'm Lisa Whittaker, and my cat, Hubble, and I live in Shelbyville, Kentucky.  I work in Frankfort, Kentucky, and I'm very involved with a Sweet Adelines Chorus in Louisville - the Pride of Kentucky Chorus and have been a member there for 25 years.  So - I use my free time to be crafty.  I've been a crafter most of my life, getting the crafting 'gene' from my father, and I can remember watching my grandmother sew clothes for my Barbie.  I used to do a lot of scrapbooking, but mostly now I knit, crochet, and quilt.

My sister (who was a Desire to Inspire participant about a year and a half ago) and I were able to go to QuiltCon last weekend.  Wow!  How inspiring was that!  It was so wonderful to see the beautiful quilts - plus meet some of the vendors in person after admiring all of their wonderful things on Facebook and Instagram!  And - look at the beautiful fabric!  We're already making plans to go to Austin next year.

I started quilting a couple of years ago, and have finished several quilt tops.  I participated in a couple of quilt-along last year - Sewing a Village and 100 Days 100 Blocks, and a Block of the Month Club at one of my favorite quilt shops - Among Friends in Louisville.  What a fantastic experience to participate in those.  You get to share what you've done, plus you get to see what everyone is doing.  I've not finished an entire quilt yet - but there is hope!  My sister, Mona Phelps, has just purchased a longarm, so I know I'll have a finished quilt (or several) soon!

I blog occasionally and you can find me on Instagram at @kentuckygirl1961.

I had so much fun using the Handmade with Love fabrics - they're so cute and have things I love - yarn, floss, pincushions, scissors - all things I use a lot!  I had fun making things that I will use in my crafting life - project bags, a bin to put fun things in, plus an ironing table to put next to my sewing machine so I don't have to get up every time I sew a seam!  Thank you so much to Henry Glass & Co. for letting me participate in the Desire to Inspire for this month!

1.  Bin of Goodies - A bin I made with the Other Things in it.

2.  Bin - Using 2 of the Fabrics 

3.  Boxed Project Bag

4.  Boxed Project Bag- Open

5.  Little Pouch - Clear Front - It's Only 3 1/2" x 4 1/2"

6.  Pincushion - Made with the Pincushion Fabric

7.  Project Bag

8.  Project Bag - Open

9.  Ironing Table - Made from a Foldable TV Table

 View the Full "Handmade with Love" Collection Here