This event is designed to help bloggers find new followers but more importantly to make new friends, so for those of you who are just visiting my blog for the first time, a very big welcome to you and hope you'll stop a while to take a look around.
Last year was so much fun visiting all the blogs that took part and it was a good way of finding new blogs and friends that I would have probably missed otherwise.
Before I start I want to say a very big thank you to all my faithful followers who always inspire me to create with their lovely comments and for those of you who are new to my blog now's the time to tell you a bit about myself so here we go.
My name is Maria, born in Spain, brought up in the UK from the age of three where I lived until 20 years ago when I moved to the Middle East. I'm married with two wonderful kids. My daughter is 26 and studied Textile and Fashion Design and now does what I do for a living only on a much larger scale and my son who's 23 is still at uni studying Physical Education.
I started blogging in November 2011 just to keep a record of the things I make and never imagined I would make so many wonderful internet friends becasue of it.
A few years ago I started doing bag testing and now it's a full time job for me. All the designers I test for are wonderful people and some have become close friends. You know who you are, I don't want to name names LOLL. I sell most of what I make but on occasion will keep some things for myself. I'm very fortunate to have a job that is my passion.
This blog started with bags and then I got into quilting and loved it so much that last year I did more quilting than bag making. In fact I even tested a couple of quilt patterns which I thoroughly enjoyed. At the moment there are loads of bags on the list to test but I really would love to start a quilt and have one in mind but need to find some time.
I also love making kitchen accessories and fabric boxes/baskets. In fact if anything can be made with fabric then I'll try it out.
Here's a collection of the things I made in 2014.
I hope you've enjoyed stopping by and hope you'll leave me a comment. I'd love to hear from you and make new friends.
Happy Sewing
~ Maria ~
Hi! My goodness you made a lot of stuff in one year! And it all looks so professional and wonderful. Well, I guess it is professional, now that I think about it :)
ReplyDeleteBeth
Maria so glad to have found your blog through bag making! I am always inspired by what you do! You are a busy lady!!
ReplyDeleteWow, love all the different things you make. You are very productive, but also maintain an excellent quality in everything you do. You continue to inspire and challenge me and I am delighted to be one of your blog/pattern-tester/internet friends even though we are half a globe apart. Enjoyed your blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Maria, I am glad we found each other year ago. You have inspired me to become a better bag maker and through you I found out about some great bag designers that I also do some testing for. I was more of a quilter before, so I am glad the quilting bug bit you too, lol!! I need to get going on more quilts myself. I am hoping to do a test quilt next month, which I have never tested for a quilt pattern before, so it will be interesting for me because I rarely make quilts from patterns exactly. I usually get the inspiration and do my own thing. So I am certainly looking forward to seeing more quilted items from you.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, you are quite the sewer; you make me want to open my machine and sew at the very least a tote. I love your stuff. The best thing about following blogs like yours is that they inspire me....YOU inspire me; thanks!
ReplyDeleteI always love seeing what all you make and you certainly had a very prosperous yr!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteTanya
A fabulous post - such beautiful 'makes' and how nice to be able to indulge in one of your passions and make new friends at the same time!!
ReplyDeleteOooh what fabulous creations - I love your valentine stuff for the craft too. I am visiting here via the Grow Your Blog hop and look forward to popping back again soon. Have a great day. Sunshine Girl - Grow Your Blog Section 24.
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of Vicki of Two Bags Full and myself welcome to the Grow Your Blog blog hop! Your quilts are lovely. The bags are great. Hope you receive many visitors today.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed visiting your blog, you certainly made a lot of pretty totes and purses last year. Happy hopping
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed visiting your blog, you certainly made a lot of pretty totes and purses last year. Happy hopping
ReplyDeleteWhat fantastic creations. Your bags are superb and there is so much variety. Visiting via GYB 2015. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteWow! What glorious creations! You are a very talented lady!!!
ReplyDeleteWarm regards
You throw a great party. Thank you for inviting me!
ReplyDeleteSo that you know, I've become a Follower and when time permits, I'll be back to see what other beautiful things were made by your hands!
What this party is all about is to GROW your blog and I'm hoping to do the same. When you get to Section One, check out A Country Chic Retreat and SuZeQ Creations, my personal blog, in Section Fifteen I'd love for you to follow and subscribe to.
Happy crafting!
SuZeQ
Pleased to find your blog via the GYB hop. Love your pretty work and beautiful bags
ReplyDeleteBeautiful projects. Really enjoyed seeing so many of them.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you Maria! I'm returning your visit from GYB. I'm so glad I stopped by! You are very fortunate to have a job that is your passion! What a colossal collection of things made in 2014!!! What are the red bowl-looking things in pic #10, bottom middle?
ReplyDeleteHello Maria, visiting you from Australia via the GYB party.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe how many things you've made! You are really productive. I love the way you put zipper pockets on the outsides of your bags. Haven't seen that before, and its such a good idea!
Hi, visiting via GYB from St. John's, NL Canada. Following via bloglovin. You have been a very busy lady. Love your work. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou have made some incredible bags! I'm very glad I'm tardy at getting around to visit everyone and was therefore able to scroll down through your newer posts and see some of your creations. I love the Kentucky one and will have to check out that pattern for myself. Thank you so much for inviting us over for a visit with you.
ReplyDeleteWow! I can't believe all of the things you have made. You're so productive and do such beautiful work. Enjoy the blog party!
ReplyDeleteSusan
Visiting from GYB hop, you are one talented lady! I really like a lot of your design and fabric choices, so pretty! Thanks for being part of the hop.
ReplyDeleteI know people use this term so often but yeah, your purses are jaw-dropping! You are so prolific. I'm impressed! Thanks for all the links to the patterns and sites.
ReplyDelete