I'm a Maker / Deanna is a Maker

Today I'm sharing my latest May if for Makers purchase. This beautiful scarf is by Deanna of 5Seeds. The fabric has a wonderful sheer quality that makes it nice for both summer and winter wear.

I was immediately drawn to all the colorful scarves and was seriously considering a coral colored one but had no idea what I might wear it with. I chose this soft white because of it's summery feel and ease of wearing with almost anything.

Deanna makes beautiful scarves and headbands in her loft studio and then sells them primarily at handmade markets. You can learn more on her Facebook page and find her on Instagram @5seedshandmade

I decided to support a local indie artist this past weekend while attending a local market with my daughter. I wanted to show my support for the greater handmade indie scene. All these artisans work hard and put themselves out there time after time and it isn't an easy thing.

As many of you know, my daughter Emily makes jewelry. She spent the better part of last year doing market after market in the Denver/Boulder area. Most often she prepared and handled her booth setup all by herself. I really admired her determination and positive attitude as she tackled each market rain or shine week after week.

It's hard work to do a handmade market. It takes a lot of time to pack your product, transport it to the venue, lug it all to the site, set up your display, then spend several hours manning your booth, greeting customers, and hopefully making sales.

custom jewelry by EmilyClaireStudio

The next time you go to any type of market . . . farmers market, art fair, or handmade market . . . try to remember how much work went into what you see in their finished booth. It's far more than just the product they sell. I'm piecing my life together as a quilter and they are piecing their handmade life together one market at a time.

Whether you buy anything or not, smile when you stop by their booth . . .  it goes a long long way.

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I'm a Maker / Scott is a Maker

Today I'd like to share a pattern I bought as part of the May is for Makers campaign started by Lindsay of LR Stitched.

Painted Forest by Scott of Blue Nickel Studios . . .

I've had my eye on this pattern for some time. I love trees. I love large scale prints. I love how Scott has brought the two together in a fun, funky style. I'm thinking of making a single row of trees in a long horizontal format. I need something colorful to hang above my couch and this seems like a great fit for the space.

I first met Scott when I submitted block designs to him for Generation Q Magazine's Block Builder series. Those block submissions led to having two patterns published in the magazine. You can learn more about Generation Q Magazine here.

Flash Card was the first quilt published in the magazine. My new kitties really loved it.

Kite Tails was the second quilt published. I'm hoping to turn this one into a stand alone pattern later this year.

Scott calls himself a mad color scientist and describes his style as "urban folk - modern design".  You can see what Scott is up to on his blog, Blue Nickel Studios and on Intsagram @bluenickelstudios

Have you bought any great new patterns this month? Anything in particular that you're planning to sew this summer? Do tell.

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I'm a Maker / Kelly is a Maker

Today I'd like to share a pattern I bought as part of the May is for Makers campaign started by Lindsay of LR Stitched.

Courtyard Tiles by Kelly Young of My Quilt Infatuation . . .

I don't remember when I first discovered Kelly's blog but I knew right away I was a fan. Kelly has an affinity for large scale prints just like I do. It's always a treat to read her blog and see how she's used prints like Amy Butler to design yet another great pattern. Interestingly enough her newest pattern, Gemstones, features solids. I think this just goes to show how talented she is.

Since Kelly's designs work so well with the type of prints I love, it seemed like a no brainer that I buy one of her patterns. I love the garden feeling of Courtyard Tiles. The white areas remind me of a fancy garden trellis with nice large spaces to feature some special floral fabrics as if they were showing through the trellis. Since I've pledged to use my stash this year and have a good sized collection of traditional floral prints, I thought this design would be the perfect way to use some of them. This fabric style isn't really me any more and yet I can't bear to give them away.

But who knows, maybe I'll put some gorgeous Kaffe prints like these to use. One thing is for certain . . . I have no shortage of great prints to choose from.   : )

I can't say yet how I'll use this pattern or even when I'll get started, but I am happy to show my support for Kelly's work.

She is the host of a weekly linky party called Needle and Thread Thursday. It's a nice way to meet new bloggers and see what others are working on. Kelly features 3-4 projects from the previous week's party on the next week's link up. I have been lucky enough to have her select my quilts twice.

Thanks Kelly. Keep up the great work.

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I Am a Maker

I am a maker. I am a designer. I am a lover of fabric in all it's glorious colors and prints. My soul is fed by playing with pretty fabrics and designing new ways to cut that fabric up and sew it back together into something new and exciting.

If you are reading this post, chances are you are a maker too. There is great satisfaction in making something with your hands to use yourself, to give to someone special, or donate to some worthy cause.

After contributing to the Pattern Writing Series put together by Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs, I saw just how many others there are out there like me. Quilters with a passion for coming up with their own designs and taking that idea to the next level by writing a pattern. As the series demonstrated, writing a pattern does not happen overnight. It requires time, time and more time.

So when I read Lindsay's post May is For Makers it struck a cord. I usually feel compelled to design my own things. I also love the free stuff out there just as much as everyone else. But I should also support the other independent pattern designers out there. Why not send a little quilty/sewing love their way?

I'm jumping on the May is For Makers wagon. I will be purchasing from other small, independent designers this month in an effort to pay it forward and show them my support for what they do. I will post about what I buy here on the blog and on Instagram using #mayisformakers.

I'm also inviting you to support just one independent designer's work out there. Someone who inspires you with their work. Maybe it's a bag pattern you know you'd love to make. Maybe it's a special dress you'd love to make and wear this summer. Go ahead. Buy it. Make it. And show your support. Spread the love and appreciation.

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