Friday, June 21, 2013

Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop - the 2013 edition!

Well, hello, everyone and thank you for visiting! I am honoured to be part of the 2013 Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop organized by the gracious Beth at Plum and June blog.



My name is Erica and I live on the Canadian prairies, just east of the Rocky Mountains and a little bit north of the Canada/US border, very close to Glacier Part, Montana. It is a beautiful place to live with big, blue sky and gorgeous mountain views (and wind, but we won't talk about that).

These guys mean the world to me:

That's all of us at my daughter's wedding in November. I have a son (the big, tall guy on the right) and twin daughters and this is my hubby and I with all of them and their spouses. They are lots of fun and very supportive (tolerant?) of my love of fabric and quilting. Thankfully, they all have nests to feather and keep asking me to make them stuff - it's great!

I have a job that has nothing to do with fabric, or with quilting, but does require creativity and I have a fantastic boss which makes it really easy to work - a lot. I'm trained as an instructional designer and work on that a lot, but my official job is operations manager for a portfolio of college programs focused in and around law enforcement and health. That doesn't mean a whole hill of beans except a lot of "other duties as assigned".

I have been sewing for ages, starting out with piecing scraps of fabric together by hand to make creations for my dolls and stuffed animals (hey, they need blankets, too!) and have managed to grow a few skills from there. I can make garments, but I'm over that (for now) and prefer quilting and patchwork-related "stuff". For example, I am participating in the Zakka 2.0 Sewalong going on over at A Quilter's Table - I am participating in hopes of improving my skills and even learning new ones.

The next big project on my "to make" list is for me:


I am so blessed to have a sewing space all my own, even though it is not particularly large. It is small, but functional because my husband (a finish carpenter and cabinet maker) built me a desk and shelves to help make the most of the room I do have. I have a few sewing machines (not all of them are out) but mainly use my trusty 35-year old Bernina 830 (all mechanical and very sturdy) and my Husqvarna Quilt Designer II for most things. I have a Featherweight I look forward to being able to travel with - she is the newest addition to my sewing machine family, a gift from my mother-in-law last year.

Thank you again for taking time to visit and I hope you will check out everyone else who is posting as part of the blog hop today:


Leigh Anne @ Ella's Cottage
Stacey @ The Tilted Quilt
Sarah @ Quilt Candy
Jackie @ NW Patchwork
Stephanie @ Simple Sewendipity
Lauren @ Seraphym


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44 comments:

  1. NW PatchworkJune 21, 2013 at 2:56 PM

    It's great to meet you through the blog hop. You have a beautiful family. And I love your fabric choices--I can't wait to see what that turns out to be :) I have my own space too. Thank god!! Sometimes I just shut the door (with me in the room of course) Ha!

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  2. AnonymousJune 21, 2013 at 3:35 PM

    Hey - are you and yours in the flood zone? (I'm in Calgary, so it's all over the news etc. right now. I'm in the 'hood, so I'm north and east enough to be away from the worst of the flooding here. No evacuations or anything in my area.) I hope everyone is okay, anyway!

    (clumsy.chord(at)gmail.com)

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  3. Jodi - usairdollJune 21, 2013 at 4:20 PM

    Love finding new blogs. Beautiful family! Twin daughters, wow. My kids are 15 months apart and I was always asked if they were twins, a boy and girl. How awesone that your husband is a cabinet maker! I'm sure he's made some great things, besides your desk and shelves in your sewing room, hehe. Oh and I'm a new follower via BlogLovin.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. Stacey NapierJune 21, 2013 at 4:57 PM

    Great to meet you on this blog hop - you have a beautiful family and I look forward to seeing more from you in the future!

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  5. Kelly @ My Quilt InfatuationJune 21, 2013 at 5:25 PM

    Wonderful to get to know you Erica! Great picture of you and your family!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  6. Laura C @ littleandlotsJune 21, 2013 at 6:00 PM

    That fabric pile "for you" is PB&J, right? Love it! Nice to meet you through the blog hop, Erica. I don't even need a photo to be jealous of your custom sewing-room cabinetry. :)

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  7. AdrienneJune 21, 2013 at 6:51 PM

    Great to meet another Canadian Blogger (I'm in Nova Scotia)! I hope you are safe and dry out West, so much horrible flooding in Calgary :(

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  8. LisaJune 21, 2013 at 10:50 PM

    You have a very lovely family! Nice to meet you a love your pile can't wait to see what you make! I am following you with GFC!

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  9. Lorna McMahonJune 22, 2013 at 2:28 AM

    Sew glad you are part of the summer blog hop, Erica. Thanks for sharing and giving us all a chance to get to know a little about you and your family. Looking forward to seeing what you will be creating 'for you'!

    Lorna:)
    http://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com

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  10. SeraphymJune 22, 2013 at 5:11 AM

    Thanks for letting us take a sneak peak into your life! I love the look of your blog and I'm about to go a'lookin through your past posts!

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  11. AliJune 22, 2013 at 5:22 AM

    Hi Erica, nice to meet you (and your family!).
    http://makinghappyness1.blogspot.co.uk

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  12. ValerieJune 22, 2013 at 5:31 AM

    I have twins too! (Boy/Girl) love the fabrics you chose for your next project!

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  13. CarolineJune 22, 2013 at 8:41 AM

    Glad to meet you Erica. I love that pb&j fabric so I can't wait to see what you make with it:)

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  14. EricaJune 22, 2013 at 9:34 AM

    So fun to read your post! I am fascinated by Montana and Canada and have been trying to convince my husband that we need to move there. We have lived in LA for the past 7 years but I am a small town girl and I am ready to find a small town! You have a beautiful family, thank you for sharing. It's nice to meet another Erica :)

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  15. AnnaJune 22, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    I love the photo of your family! Those fabrics you have picked are lovely. What r u going to make? It's so great to meet other quilters through the blog hop. Sharing our addiction to fabric is great

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  16. UnknownJune 22, 2013 at 12:10 PM

    Lovely family! I would love to see more photos of your projects. Thanks for sharing your love of fabric and your story with the rest of us in the blogosphere. I'm a new follower on bloglovin.

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  17. LisaJune 22, 2013 at 4:51 PM

    Hello fellow Canadian - I was so happy when I read that!!! I love your PB&J. What are you going to make for yourself??? My current project is PB&J as well - log cabins.

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  18. Melia Mae QuiltingJune 22, 2013 at 7:41 PM

    I love the collection of fabrics you show for your next project. It will turn into a very beautiful finished project!

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  19. VickiJune 23, 2013 at 12:06 AM

    Beautiful family and happy times! Thanks for the intro....

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  20. Adrianne @ On the Windy SideJune 23, 2013 at 2:23 AM

    Ooh yeah - mechanical sewing machines all the way! I love that PB&J fabric - I have a little bit but I think I need more! Can't wait to see what you make with it!

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  21. Linda in INJune 23, 2013 at 9:28 AM

    Surpriseingly I like the fabrics for the next project. LOL! Knew you would like to hear this.

    Hugs
    Linda

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  22. RachelJune 23, 2013 at 3:12 PM

    Love the layout of your blog. I do like the city sampler quilt blocks. I think the finished quilt will look great.

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  23. Leigh AnneJune 23, 2013 at 3:18 PM

    I've been thinking on the city blocks for a while now. You may have just tempted me to buy the book :)

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  24. sarah elizabeth :: {no} hatsJune 23, 2013 at 3:29 PM

    Lovely to meet you! And love your fabric choices for the city sampler - such great palettes popping up all over the place!

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  25. Kathy @ Kwilty PleasuresJune 23, 2013 at 3:53 PM

    Great to meet you on this hop! Love those fabrics for your next project. Welcome to blog land!

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  26. Kathy@KayakQuiltingJune 23, 2013 at 6:47 PM

    Sounds like you live in a beautiful location! Part of the world I want to visit some day! And how nice to have a custom made sewing space...good for you! Nice to meet you on this blog hop!

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  27. NilyaJune 24, 2013 at 1:00 AM

    Looks like a great Family! Wonderful post!

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  28. GwendellynJune 24, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    Your sewing machine collection sounds wonderful c: I've got a Husqvarna Emerald, a circa 80's singer, I think? It's in the closet, I should take a look at it. I've also got a more vintage singer in its own table, but it's missing a few parts still, so I'm using the table as my...sewing machine table. Haha, it's pulling double duty! Love your tea cozy, btw c:

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  29. Paula@TheSassyQuilterJune 24, 2013 at 7:55 AM

    Hi Erica! Nice to get to know ya. What a great pic of your family:) I have never tried out one of those featherweights, but it sounds awesome.

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  30. Climbing to the Higher CallingJune 24, 2013 at 6:22 PM

    Hey, Erica! Thanks for sharing on this blog hop! It was fun to read about you, and I have to admit, I would love to see this cabinet your husband built for you! Your new project choices are very beautiful.
    It will be fun to anticipate photos of your finished quilt.

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  31. Ashley @ WasntQuiltInADayJune 24, 2013 at 10:04 PM

    hey erica, great fabric pull for your next quilt! what a lovely wedding picture and i am so jealous of your custom shelves! so glad you're on the hop!

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  32. JessicaJune 25, 2013 at 7:00 AM

    Nice fabrics, they will make a beautiful quilt!

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  33. Martha June 25, 2013 at 9:12 AM

    Nice to meet you Erica, you are so lucky your mother-in-law gave you a featherweight. I'm in love with those machines and in the hunt for one:)
    Lovely stack of fabrics, looking forward to seeing what you make.

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  34. Casey YorkJune 26, 2013 at 8:02 AM

    I love the design of your blog, Erica, and your projects are wonderful! how are you enjoying the City Sampler sew-along? I love sampler quilts, and I'd really like to make a modern one someday!

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  35. KelseyJune 26, 2013 at 10:32 AM

    Another Canadian :) I live in Calgary but was raised in the prairies (Mb). It's exciting that you're making yourself a quilt. I always give mine away so I recently started a Kaleidoscope for myself. Thanks for sharing

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  36. Nancy@owensoliviaJune 26, 2013 at 12:44 PM

    Erica! I thought you were posing next to your siblings in the wedding picture! Ha! I hope to age as well as you have. It's nice to meet you. :)

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  37. SarahJune 27, 2013 at 1:34 PM

    Hi Erica, great to meet you!!! You have a lovely family, I love wedding pictures, they are the best! Everyone is always so happy at weddings - no false smiles!! You'r doing the City Sampler SAL? I've been thinking of joining, but I'm just so busy right now , but on the plus side the blocks are super quick and easy!! Love the zakka tea cosy, I'm looking forward to seeing more, Sarah x

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  38. StephanieJune 28, 2013 at 6:21 AM

    Lovely to meet you through the Hop - love your latest Malibu Barbie Swoon finish!

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  39. EmilyJuly 1, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    I just visited the American side of Glacier last summer and it was beyond gorgeous! You reminded me that I used to cut scraps of fabric from my mom's bin to make blankets and such for my Barbies too :)

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  40. Molli SparklesJuly 2, 2013 at 1:32 AM

    Hey girl! Sorry I'm a bit late in throwing some LGA love your way as a fellow hop member! Love those fabrics for your next project. Isn't it such hard work to find time to make stuff for yourself? I'm trying to get there too! haha

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  41. JBJuly 3, 2013 at 10:55 AM

    Hi again Erica! Great blog hop post, hope you're having fun on the hop. Those fabrics will make a lovely project.

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  42. wonderlandbyalyceJuly 5, 2013 at 2:40 PM

    I enjoyed reading your post. Where you live sounds gorgeous. There's not a mountain in sight for at least 8 hours where I live in Texas. I look forward to seeing your next project using PB&J. I love this fabric and have a fat eighth bundle waiting for me to figure out what I want to do with it.

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  43. LizJuly 5, 2013 at 2:46 PM

    Nice to meet you Erica. What a lovely wedding picture, everyone looks so happy :) I can't wait to see what that lovely stack of fabrics turns into!

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  44. Elise LeaJuly 7, 2013 at 3:51 PM

    Great to meet you Erica! Beautiful post, and a wonderful family picture. Love that stack of fabric, I have been eying that PB& J line for awhile. Can't wait to see what you do with it!

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