Welcome to our 2015 Designer of the Month program, I’m Designer/Radio show host PatSloan!
Our March mini is a wonderful scrap busting project! Designer and shop owner Kimberly Jolly shares her March mini with us, we are so lucky this year! Kimberly is a busy designer with a shop, pattern designs and charity projects. I’m delighted to be sewing ‘Snapshots’ along with her to benefit St. Jude’s children’s center. Kimberly’s charity work is inspirational.
She was born and raised in Austin, TX. .. now doesn’t that look like a FUN city?
On May 26, 2011 I chatted with Kimberly and you can listen to it right HERE on your computer!
We continue our MONTHLY thread BOX giveaway (seriously folks… you could win a box of my thread which is over $120.00 value.. for making a quilt block… you have to join in!). We will pick one random winner that has made a block from our 2014 designers and that random person receives a FULL BOX of my Aurifil thread as the prize! Winners are all contacted via Flickr email and posted at our FLICK GROUP HERE
Let’s get to know Kimberly!
When was your FIRST quilt sighting? Did it inspire you to start quilting? If not, what did?
I have always loved quilts, thread and textiles since childhood, so it’s impossible to remember which one came first. My granny taught me to crochet when I was five and I have always loved granny squares. I had always dreamed of learning to quilt and made it come true once I was out of college. The first quilt I ever made was a blue and yellow log cabin. I’ve learned so much since then, but it still has a special place in my heart. I handquilted it and the stitches leave a lot to be desired.
When you go to a quilt show, what types of quilts are you drawn to?
I am drawn to vintage-y quilts of all kinds, pre-Civil War quilts and feedsack quilts especially. Oh, and Amish quilts too! They have a certain simplicity that I’m drawn too. It could just be simple sawtooth stars or Irish Chains, but that back-to-the-basics simplicity is my true quilt love.
Did you have a career prior to making art, and what was it?
I was a CPA before quilts became my profession. I do employ that knowledge to run my businesses (Fat Quarter Shop and It’s Sew Emma), but this is so much more fulfilling.
What is your favorite place to visit in your hometown?
The Hey Cupcake! trailer is a mainstay for me and my kids, and we have a weekly family dinner at El Gallo, which I’ve been going to since I was a child. My husband Kevin and I like to go to UT games during football season(Go Longhorns!).
What does your studio look like, and what would you change in it?
My studio is actually getting a makeover right now, so I don’t have any photos, but MAN I’m going to be so organized! That means lots of shelving and using up previously unused space.
It also doubles as my home office, so I also have a computer and TV in there. (tshirts here)
Do you have a GREAT storage, organization, or label making tip?
I store all of my fabrics in wire baskets similar to this. I also have a handy cart from IKEA for my UFOs. I like having my UFOs out in the open so there is more motivation to finish my projects.
My good friend Lori Holt taught me how to make her design boards (tutorial: here) which I use to hold my fabrics in place while I plan my quilts.
Then of course, Alphabitties are my cute way of labeling fabrics as I cut
and I need to share our Mystery coming soon! Details HERE (… one block is MINE! pat sloan)
What are your 3 favorite colors of Aurifil thread?
2000 (http://www.fatquartershop.com/aurifil-beige-100-cotton-mako-spool-thread) and 2610 (http://www.fatquartershop.com/aurifil-gray-100-cotton-mako-spool-thread) are my favorite colors to piece with. I’ve started using the Invisible Monofilament thread to quilt, too! (http://www.fatquartershop.com/aurifil-clear-invisible-spool-thread)
Anything else you’d like to share?
I know you, Pat, are already sewing with us, but I can’t urge everyone enough to sew the Snapshots quilt with us! This is a free quilt-along program we’re offering that benefits the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Please join us, Read all the details HERE
We’re also finishing up Lori Holt’s next book, Farm Girl Vintage (http://www.itssewemma.com/farm-girl-vintage-book), that releases in April.
What about your Month Inspired your Quilt Block?
After sewing my Snapshots quilt, I wanted to use up my leftover Daysail scraps. Bonnie and Camille fabric always makes my heart go pitter-patter, no matter how much I’ve sewn with it already! Going along with my love of simple blocks, my mini is made with simple half-square triangles and flying geese. Each ring gets to show off its own color, and the slightly off-centeredness makes it feel fresh. I hope you love it!
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DOWNLOAD Kimberly’s Mini
Visit The Jolly Jabber today for more photos!
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And a few on the light side…
- Favorite TV show – My current must-watch is Married at First Sight.
- The snack you crave – Not a snack, but I love sweet tea.
- The Color you have always LOVED – Pink. It’s happy and girly. I just painted two accent walls in my office bright pink! (here is Alex Visiting Kimberly at her office!
Visit Kimberly and sign up for her newsletter
Here is my Mini!
I have a little tip for being sure you do not lose your points.. it’s HERE
Are you on Facebook? I have a fantastic quilt group with the most incredible show and tell going on! You should see it! JOIN me HERE … I’d love to meet you!
*************************** JOIN our Aurifil Family ****************************
The winner this month is Tessmontana… She wins a Thread kit!
EACH MONTH we will pick one random winner that has made a block.. that person will receive a special Aurifil thread prize! Winners are all contacted via Flickr email and posted at our FLICKR PAGE HERE
Sign up for the Aurifil Newsletter… scroll to the NEWSLETTER box
Become a member of the AURlfil fan page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aurifil.quilt.thread
Rob Appell is the host of Man Sewing. He’s a guy with boundless energy and enthusiasm for life and creativity. He loves God, his wife, son and daughter. He enjoys waking up excited each day to see what lies ahead. He’s happiest when he’s outside or in my studio. He has been told that he inspires others and for that he feels very blessed.
