Blog Hop: 2016 New Quilt Bloggers

Jul 18, 2016


Hello! Welcome to my blog and to the 2016 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop! I'm Amista Baker, a wife and stay-at-home mom to 2 girls and 1 baby boy living in Ohio (U.S.). I'm so happy to have you. I've been enjoying getting to know everyone in the group and my own hive!

First, i'll talk a little about myself, but on down in the post I also have some great resources linked for you! :)

What started it...

I began sewing 8-9 years ago, making bags and purses for friends and family and eventually selling online, but my real passion - and what I went to college for - was always digital design. So my sewing hobby was put aside to focus on my love for digital creations. I created my business, Hilltop Custom Designs, and begin selling party printable such as invitation, cupcake toppers, banners, tags, and more! It was a huge success for our family.

Approximately 1 1/2 years ago I made my first quilt, a "Simple Cuts Crazy Quilt" for my son's upcoming birth along with some bibs and organic teethers. I was instantly hooked! A few months later I made a Jelly Roll Racer for my daughters 7th birthday. Naturally, it spiraled from there and I have made many quilts since. Some for our family, some for friends.

Hexie Framed quilt pattern from QuiltyLove (Emily Dennis)


 
My first ever quilt! Pattern by beffie48 on Etsy

I have WAY more skills now than what I started with, however, I think I will always see myself as a beginner quilter - I'm always learning new techniques and love trying out new patterns. You can view some of my finished quilts on my Quilts Page. My new favorite thing is Instagram swaps! I love an excuse to make for others, especially when you're also receiving a handmade item yourself from someone in another part of the world. It's such an awesome experience and I always treasure the things that are made for me!!

Have you ever participated in swaps? What was your experience? I would love to hear the things you've made!



My first ever mini quilt! (Winter Star block from Farmgirl Vintage)
Jelly Roll Jam quilt pattern from Fat Quarter Shop
Next, I was going to share some tips with you, but because I still feel like such a newbie and I'm not sure I have a lot of knowledge to share that you probably haven't already read a thousand times, instead i'm going to link you to 10 of my favorite quilting resources found on the web!

My Favorite Resources:

  1. Easy way to make your own bias binding - video by Londa Rohlfing
  2. Binding a quilt with mitered corners & invisible join - video by MadebyMarzipan
  3. Sewing Tutorials by A Spoonful of Sugar
  4. Cheap A+ quality zippers - ZipIt Zippers
  5. Pre-made bias binding rolls (double fold and quilt binding) - SoBiased
  6. My favorite online fabric shop - StarlitQuilts *Free mini charm pack with every order!
  7. My favorite stabilizer, Annie's Soft & Stable
  8. Cheap (but good quality) Suede Tassel zipper pulls - CharismaJewelryShop
  9. Bulk metal snaps and other notions - SewAndSnap
  10. Bulk bag making supplies (hardware) - SewingSupplies


Charming Tinsel Pouch - Available on Craftsy and My Shop

Last, but not least...

Please checkout our 2016 New Quilt Blogger Hosts: Yvonne @QuiltingJetgirl, Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs, and Stephanie @Late Night Quilter ... and the members of my Hive (Miss-Bee-Hivin) which are linked below :)

Jennifer @ Inquiring Quilter
Jen @ Cut & Alter
Velda @ GRANNYcanQUILT
Miranda @ I Have Purple Hair



AND look at the amazing prizes you could win just for following along: 
  • Fat Quarter Shop - $50 Gift Certificate 
  • Aurifil 12 Large Spool Designer Collection - Amy Sinibaldi, Sweetly Stitched (28 and 50wt) 
  • Hawthorne Threads - $40 Gift Certificate 
  • The Quilter’s Planner 2017 Starter Kit (Planner, Pens, Clips, Highlighters) 
  • Mini Barn Quilts - Winner’s Choice of (1) of the (6) Original Mini Barn Quilts 
  • Story Patches- $25 Starter Kit (patches and pen) 
  • Stitches Quilting - $30 Gift Certificate 
  • Meadow Mist Designs - Winner’s Choice of (2) Digital PDF Patterns 
  • Quilting Jetgirl - Winner’s Choice of (2) Digital PDF Patterns

I was excited to be apart of the 2016 New Quilt Bloggers group. I have enjoyed meeting everyone and hope you have too! Please checkout the rest of my blog - I'm always open to constructive criticism and learning of ways to improve. I've got some tutorials and free patterns for you as well as lots of post where I share the things I make, so please take a look around!

Thanks for stopping by! :)


42 comments

  1. Whew! At least I'm not the only one who feels like a newbie! I haven't participated in any swaps so far but I think that is about to change! I have definitely enjoyed being part of this group! Hasn't it been great!

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    1. Haha yes, I always feel new! Always! This group has been fantastic. I was a bit nervous when I first applied to be a part of it but it's been really great.

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  2. Lovely intro post Amista, I enjoyed reading more about you and your quilting journey. You manage to fit a lot in having three such young children to care for, it tells me you are a very organised lady. Great idea sharing your favourite resources, I will make sure to check them out. I have participated in one global block swap organised by an on line magazine, and one individual postcard swap, but unfortunately I didn't get one back:( That's not to say I wouldn't do it again though.
    Smiles
    Kate

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    1. So sad about the postcard swap! I can tell you some people are definitely bad swappers unfortunately. I have been lucky so far and there are some great Swap Mama's on Instagram who thoroughly check the people who sign up first to try and ensure there aren't any people who flake or don't complete the swap.

      I will be hosting one in August that should be fun, feel free to join if you want! Im pretty diligent about organizing them and holding people accountable. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind words! :)

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  3. Hello Amista, as always I enjoyed visiting your site. Thanks for the great links. I'll be using them for sure. We are lucky to have you in our Blog Hop and I know you are going to do wonderfully well. I'll be back regularly to visit. Enjoy your Hop week.

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    1. Thank you! Those links are my go-to for every project, I hope they help! I just don't have a lot of local quilting / sewing resources at all.

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  4. Amista, I LOVE you blog!! Your photos are so bright and clear and so many wonderful ideas. Thanks for sharing the links for all the extras, so helpful. I was looking at your bag swap and just did not have the time....I want to do you next one! ( Hoping that you have a next one). Have a super week and I am sure to return. Hugs, Heide

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    1. Thank you Heide!! I should be having another swap (one for fabric only) within next couple weeks and mid to late August will be a full swap for handmade goodies :)

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  5. Hi Amista, very nice to know more about you. If you are ever in the mood for a swap with someone all the way in Nigeria then i'd love to! I've never participated in a quilt swap before. Heide above just took all the words out of my mouth about your pretty blog and well photographed lovely quilts . Thanks for the links too :) I love that pouch, I remember seeing one pattern from you in the Christmas in July bundle please tell me it's for the pouch? I would love to make one of those

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    1. That is an awesome offer, I will definitely contact you in the future about that when i free up some time from other obligations! Id love to do a one-on-one swap sometime! My Charming Tinsel Pouch was included in the Christmas In July bundle :)

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  6. I can really see your love of design come through on your quilts, your color sense is wonderful. I have only done one or two swaps, I have enjoyed them but at the same time felt stressed by them.

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    1. Thanks so much Cheryl! This has been a great experience.

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  7. Hi Amista, great post today. I'll be back to look at your favorite resources. I've had a lot of fun with IG swaps in the past year or so, trying new makes and meeting people. I'm taking a little break from them now (always so tempting though, I'm not going to lie!!) to try to finish some other things on my quilty list.

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    1. I am going to take a break from swaps around holiday time. Its too much on my plate to juggle family and holidays plus swaps! But it will be hard LOL Thanks for stopping by Jodie!

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  8. I really enjoyed getting to know you better, Amista. You have such a cohesive style and design sense, and I can understand why given your background. I hope you have a great week on the blog hop!

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    1. Thanks so much Yvonne! This group has been invaluable :)

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  9. LOVE YOUR BLOG+PROJECTS!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!
    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  10. Thanks for your list of resources Amista! Can't wait to check out the bag making supply resources. I've enjoyed getting to know you through the New Quilt Bloggers group.

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    1. They are my favorite bag making hardware sets, especially the antique brass - goes with everything!! Thanks for stopping by and the blog hop has been great! Ive enjoyed getting to know you as well :)

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  11. It+s nice to meet you.Thanks for sharing these links.Beautiful projects and love your fabric eye.
    I have participated in a swaps and the last one was awesome ,have a look over my blog,I post about it and if you want to swap here I am.

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    1. I am definitely going to check out your blog, thanks for stopping by!!

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  12. Great post, Amista. Your list of links are ones I've bookmarked to come back to!

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    1. Awesome, thanks a lot Jen! This blog hop and the Christmas in July sale have been great!

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  13. Love your color sense, Amista!

    I'm also a big fan of Starlit Quilts. Star even pulled together a custom bundle for me for the Farmer's Wife 1930's quilt along. She's great!

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    1. Thank you Holly, that is by far my favorite shop!

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  14. Nice will be checking on them links ...Always love links...Ps your never to old or young a quilter to learn new tricks..... happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  15. The only swap I've done was with Anja of Anja Quilts and that was her just asking if anybody wanted to swap mini, mini quits so we swapped....but that's it. I'd like to do more swaps but I think I may be too busy in the next little while, but maybe later.

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  16. Hi Amista, great post. I've been following you now for a bit and I do really enjoy your posts. I will definitely check out your tip links!

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  17. I just love your hexie quilt! So pretty! :)

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    1. Thank you, i get a lot of compliments on it. It was a labor of love for sure :)

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  18. Hi Amista, it's so nice to get to know you and learn about your quilty life. Love how you added those great links into your blog post. I've only participated in one swap so far and working on the second. They are fabric postcard swaps and fun to do.

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    1. I have seen the fabric postcard swaps around Instagram. It is very intriguing, i love the things people make and send! So neat!

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  20. Hello neighbor, I live in NW PA. I like your quilts and know you will enjoy your quilt journey.
    cork@pa.rr.com

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    1. Hey there! Thanks for visiting neighbor :)

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  21. So much fun getting to know you a bit better. I love the resource list. I will have to check a few things out.

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  22. Newbie or not, you've got some lovely quilts there. And your bag is super cute. It's funny that you mentioned the suede tassels. I just found out about them earlier today! We must be twins. I'm so glad you're in my hive and it's been fun getting to know you.

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  23. It was great getting to know you better and seeing some of your quilts. I've been enjoying your photos over on IG, too! I don't participate in swaps because there just isn't enough time with all of my own projects and deadlines, but they sound like another great way to connect with people.

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  24. Hi Amista, nice to get to know you a little more! You are very talented and I enjoyed seeing your quilts. I've participated in one IG swap, the Rainbow mini R2 and had lots of fun. It's a great way to meet new quilting friends.

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