If I was trapped on a deserted island and had to choose only one blog to visit, I think I would choose iHanna's blog: Create and Live Happy.
I daydream of someday bumping into her...
"Hanna??" I exclaim. "Is it really you? I visit your blog all the time! What are you doing in Germany??"
"TJ??" she replies. "How crazy to bump into you. Where's the nearest pretzel??"
Every time I visit her blog I am inspired. More importantly I am grateful for the time and energy and gorgeous photography she shares with her readers.
Her directions for paper piecing a patchwork ball were my first introduction to the craft that I actually understood. People had talked about it before, but I didn't "get it." Hanna put together a tutorial of not only excellent instructions and photos, but chose a project that's manageable.
Of course one of my balls is waiting for me to translate the world for "stuffing" into German and find out where you can buy it. The second ball is still laying in pieces because I learned a few mistakes from my first one:
Mistake #1: I used upholstery weight fabrics that were much too heavy for a beginner. I struggled especially at the corners trying to get through multiple layers while stitching by hand. Mistake #2: I used too big of a needle to make my temporary stitches through the pieces and paper (because of the heavy weight fabric, I used a bigger needle not realizing the consequences). It left noticeable holes after the temporary stitching was pulled out.
In any case, Hanna has been a big creative encouragement in my life here. I wished she lived in Germany! But who knows...? Maybe she will be in Deutschland someday and my dream encounter will come true!!
Visit Hanna's etsy shop for her cool collage packs here, or read about her collage pack giveaway here! Not to mention, if any of you are dying to buy me a Christmas present, please get me one of her awesome notebooks !!
Wow TJ, thank you! First; "stuffing" is Füllung or Füllmaterial and you can find it any fabric or craft shop I think! I found the german word here:
http://www.answers.com/stuffing
I think your ball looks great, seeing them makes me think I should do some more. or maybe plan a bigger paper piecing project?
Anyway, thanks for your kind post and e-mail. I will come crafternoon with you if I ever get to Germany, but only if you come here when you're visiting Sweden! :-)
Take care!
Posted by: iHanna | November 27, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Du brauchst Füllwatte, die du in jedem Bastelgeschäft kriegst. Zur Not geht auch ganz normale Watte.
Ich habe in den letzten 20 Jahren schon x solcher Bälle genäht - für alle Babys in meinem Bekanntenkreis - und ein Glöckchen hinein gelegt.
Macht mir und dem Baby Spaß :-)
Fröhliches Nähen!
Posted by: Tally | November 27, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Hanna, Tally - Danke fur die Tipps!! And thank you also for the wonderful comments and visiting. (I have to learn how to reply to comments - I am uncertain if you receive my thanks unless you revisit my blog! I have so much to learn). In any case thank you for the kindness and support!! xoxoxo tj
Posted by: TJ | November 27, 2008 at 08:47 PM