Week #47

I am not a blogger. I like to think one day I will be... Perhaps when I "grow up." Ha. I've started a couple... But after a few posts they are forgotten about. I should be able to tackle this though... One post should be fine ;)

My name is Chantel, I am 29 years old, married to my best friend, mother of an adorable but rambunctious 3 year old boy and currently taking up residence in Japan.

I started quilting while in high school. My Mom wouldn't teach me to sew on her machine til I had a proper project I was passionate about. I loved stars back then, so I started collecting any bit of fabric that stars on it, and when I had enough to start, she showed me the ropes. My mom wasn't a quilter, but she was fantastic with garments... Always making our Halloween costumes and dresses throughout the year. I never did learn how to sew clothes from her though. I made quite a few quilts in high school, but once I moved out, I rarely found the time unfortunately.

About a year ago I finished my first quilt since high school, and soon after discovered the Instagram world of quilting. It has been such an eye opener! And so very inspiring. I've been hooked ever since. I think I first cracked the surface when I was looking through hexies and epp hashtags. Soon after I found the ever so lovely La Passacaglia projects and the finishing up of the Schnitzel and Boo mini quilt swap. Swaps were a thing?! I was fascinated. I then created a separate account just for quilting, and @SewRadandRosie was born. Since then I've learned some new techniques like English paper piecing, foundation paper piecing, the wonders of glue basting, and how to properly quilt and bind a quilt! in fact I think I'm coming up on my Instagram anniversary... And thinking back, I've really learned a lot thanks to the IG community.

My "Sew Rad and Rosie" IG handle is mostly an ode to my mother, and my labeling as a "modern" quilter. My mother had a rose tattooed on her ankle, her only tattoo for years until getting a clover on the other ankle, and she always always always had roses in her garden. They were her thing, and they always remind me of her. She passed 5 years ago... And this Nov. 24th she would have been 55. My creative spirit is very much all from her, and I quilt and sew to feel her presence. :)

I had planned on sharing some photos of some recent WIPs, and some finishes, but adding them in here isn't convenient at the moment. Not as easy as I had hoped, so I do apologize for that. For any interested, feel free to peruse through my Instagram feed to see what I'm working on and what I'm up to.

I had planned on a more eventful week while I was hosting. A trip to Nippori was planned, Tokyo's textile neighborhood. But instead this surgery of mine popped up sooner than expected. It was supposed to be scheduled in January sometime, but an opening popped up sooner, so I took it. 29, and finally got my wisdom teeth pulled. Oy vay... It's been a doozy so far with recovery. Ready for it to be over with, and really just hoping I can have some turkey this coming week.

So this was really an authentic week in the life of this quilter. Thanks to those who followed me this week, and to the new followers of my feed as well.

This was intended as an introduction, but has turned into a sign off. Sorry bout that!