Around The World Blog Hop

October 13, 2014

Around The World Blog Hop

Hello fellow bloggers!

Today I am participating in the Around the World Blog Hop! I get to tell you a few things about myself and my creative process.

I was invited by Shelley from The Carpenter’s Daughter Who Quilts , who is a really experienced quilter and a wonderful new blogger.

The main goal of this Blog Hop is to talk about our creative work and process and then invite more bloggers to continue the journey — almost like an endless Blog Hop traveling around the world.

As most of you know, I am Greek and I live in Thessaloniki, where during the past few years there has been a wonderful outbreak of quilters appearing from every corner of the country.

Quilting has never been particularly popular in Greece, but it is definitely gaining ground. Everything related to quilting here still feels new and exciting. There is almost nothing published in Greek about quilting, and everyone who hears about this hobby usually needs a full explanation of what quilting actually is!

What I'm Working On

For the past months I have dedicated myself almost exclusively to making baby quilts and quilted pillows in order to enrich my shop and slowly move away from pouches and smaller accessories.

At the same time I’ve also been working on favor bags, christening and wedding favors, and fulfilling custom orders.

But my main love and obsession has been growing in my mind during the past year and now it is finally alive.

I have started a new quilting YouTube channel called The Quilt Codex.

Its sole purpose is to create one quilt block tutorial per video and slowly build a huge quilt block video database.

My dream is to eventually create tutorials for more than 2000 quilt blocks and run an easy-to-search website where anyone can quickly find instructions for almost every quilt block imaginable.

So my time is currently split between video shooting, image processing, graphics for the videos, and quilt making.

How Does My Work Differ?

I am a very straightforward person, so what you see is exactly what you get — nothing hidden in between.

I think my work reflects that personality as well, especially in my videos: straight instructions, simple explanations, fast sewing, and no unnecessary drama.

My quilting style is mostly traditional with a hint of vintage and girly aesthetics — which sounds completely contradictory!

Maybe I still haven’t fully found my own style yet… and honestly, I’m okay with that.

Why Do I Create?

I honestly don’t know.

It all started in 2009 when I suddenly had a lot of free time on my hands. Maybe my grandmother had something to do with it, because as a child I was always making crafty things — until I stopped around the age of thirteen.

Now I cannot imagine myself not creating something, even while on vacation or sitting at a café.

I guess the whole process keeps me feeling like a child again. Everything I truly enjoy somehow feels playful or geeky: music, gaming, social media, sci-fi movies, Geek & Sundry …

For heaven’s sake, I’m a 36-year-old Lady Gaga fan! So maybe that’s the answer.

How Does My Creative Process Work?

Mostly instinct.

My best ideas usually come while doing completely unrelated things. Almost everything I create begins spontaneously. If I get an idea while riding the bus, I immediately write it down and try to make it happen.

Most of my inspiration comes from fellow quilters and bloggers, Flickr, and Pinterest. Usually I first choose the pattern and only afterward decide on the fabrics.

I love experimenting with different techniques: traditional piecing, English paper piecing, applique… I know — I probably need to settle on a style eventually!

Most of all, though, I simply love sharing: through my blog, social media, and real-life quilting communities.

Hop Along

To keep this Blog Hop moving, I’m tagging two wonderful fellow quilters:

Karyn is from New Zealand and Laura from the US. I haven’t met either of them in person (yet!), but I truly admire their work online.

Karyn has an incredible eye for fabric combinations, while Laura combines quilting with screen printing and embroidery — two things I absolutely love.

Keep this Hop hopping! Stop pinning and start quilting!

Linking up with Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday , and also with Crazy Mom Quilts.