10-for-10 Interview #5 - Angela from Cut to Pieces

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Wow...is it true?! Number 5 already? We're halfway done! I hope you've been enjoying these interviews. Today's is with Angela from Cut to Pieces.




Angela is hands-down one of the most creative people I have "met" online.  Her blog highlights so many things she has created or redone - draperies, pouches, toy kitchens, landscaping, party decorations, and, of course...quilts!  I love her sense of style and her ability to see the beautiful things that can come out of otherwise plain, shabby areas.  Quite honestly, I never know what will pop up next on her blog, but I know it will be gorgeous.  Most recently, I've been able to work with her on a team for a secret project...and can't wait for it to be revealed.  The whole team has been wonderful and it's great to get to know people a little better.  :)

Of course, I'd be remiss if I failed to mention the biggest influence Angela has had on me, and that's in my stash organization.  I've mentioned her before, when wailing about my fabric woes, but to highlight for my new followers, Angela has a wonderful fabric folding tutorial that completely revolutionized (and finally organized!) my overflowing dump of a stash pile.  If you're needing some ideas for fixing up your stash, you should head over there right away!  I can't even put into words how much I love my fabric stash now and how easy it is to search for fabrics...makes all those block bees a cinch!

Ahem - this is part of Angela's stash, not mine.  Oh how I wish...

Her other tutorials include such wonderful things as circle blocks...







swirled seams...







and a design wall.







How cool is that?  I'm all for a good quilt block or quilt top tutorial, but useful things like this are so often overlooked, I'm glad she has taken the time to write them up.

So without further delay..... the interview!

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If you won $3,000 today and had to spend it today, what would you buy? 
Sewing related? I would probably buy a new sewing machine....I'm pretty happy with the one I have but you can always upgrade. ;) Although I'm not sure that would even be enough money for the machine I would upgrade to.

Otherwise I would probably find a great dance class or music class for my little girl that would introduce her to movement and music. She's got such a natural talent for it and I'd love for her to do what she loves...even if she's not yet two. (I promise, I'm NOT a stage mom!) I just want to be able to give her amazing opportunities.

Although...I might just book a trip to Europe for the hubby and I. Our 10th anniversary is next year and we always said that we would do that. But again...I'm not sure it is enough money. But hey...it would help!

What color scheme or fabric line are you loving right now? 
Oh I'm so fickle. I just love so many colors and so many fabrics. At this exact moment in time, I'm in love with Storyboek by Birch fabrics, Joel Dewberry's latest line Heirloom and the last couple of Sweetwater lines, Sunkissed and Hometown. Those color schemes are all completely different... What I'm NOT in love with currently is brown. I've been out of love with it for a couple of years now... we'll see when it becomes a must have again. But for now, that is the color I have the least of.

What is one thing from your "bucket list"?
Hmmm...I don't really have a bucket list. That would require sitting down and thinking about things to do other than what is already on my plate. But as mentioned above, I would love to go to Europe with my husband. He has never been there and I think that he would really enjoy it. We need to vacation in our own way (no backpacking and staying at hostels for this couple), but it could be really amazing.

Is there a sewing technique or quilt block that you would like to try?
I really would love to learn more about hand embroidery. I want to know all the basics and the different knots and start creating. It's like coloring in a way. I can do that. I'm very good at staying in the lines. ;)

What hot trends do you see coming our way?
I think that character filled fabrics are becoming more and more popular...very heather ross like. So I'm sure we'll see more of that. And I think that we'll see more break out designers who are discovered because they are different and new and unique. And if the success of Jay McCarroll is any indication, we may have more crossover fashion designers into the crafting world.

What kind of movies do you like and do you have an all-time favorite?
Oh, I love fantasy and sci fi...a romantic comedy sometimes...But I grew up with 4 brothers, so I have a soft spot for action films as well. All time favorite? Well that might be "The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy". But really...there are a lot of great films out there! It's like asking to pic a favorite fabric!

When you’re faced with a lack of motivation, what do you do to get re-energized?
Boy if I had the answer to this, I'd be doing a lot more. I struggle with this often. But I do have a couple of things I like to try. One, sometimes you just need to let it all go and not worry about. Watch one of those favorite movies and forget about what you HAVE to get done. It's always difficult when it is a chore.

Two, if you really are on a deadline of any kind (we all have deadlines for one reason or another), then just put yourself in front of that machine and start sewing. I find if I make myself start a project, it is more easy to think about working on it. If I'm really unmotivated, sometimes it can help to hop over to flickr and check out all of the pieces that I have in my favorites. This can be a double edged sword though because sometimes I just get depressed about how beautiful everyone else's work is.  So you have to be a bit careful that you are being inspired and not comparing.

What one piece of advice would you give a new quilter?
Pick out a fabric that you LOVE...because you'll be working with it for a bit. And then choose a project that you WILL be able to finish. There's nothing worse than starting a new craft and not being able to share what you've made because you took on something too big.

My first project was a twin sized quilt...but that is what motivated me. For others, a set of placemats or a christmas tree skirt may be the key. Make what you love. If that means making exactly what someone else has made, then go for it. And let that person know how much they inspired you.

What is your favorite finished project to date?
Oh tough question...it changes all the time. But right now, I'm pretty in love with an orange triangle quilt that I made a couple years ago. It has so many of my favorite fabrics in one place. I need to do more like that!

You have an unplanned evening alone with no responsibilities – what do you do?
Order Pizza and then SEW!!

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Thanks, Angela, for the wonderful answers and the chance to get to know you better.  I feel your pain on the $3,000 not being enough to upgrade to our "dream" machines.  Oh, wouldn't that be nice!!

Now, it's on to the giveaway.  Today's Heirloom bundle includes a fat eighth of Blockade Blossom, Ornate Floral Garnet, Marquis Garnet, and Opal Blush.

Oh...and did you see that Wondrous Woven Fabrics (our sponsor) also has this line on sale??  $7.50 a yard - not too shabby!!  I'm not sure when the sale ends, so you might want to scurry on over there.  :)

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment telling me which of Angela's tutorials you would most like to try.  She has more than what I've listed here, so be sure and check them out first.

Followers of Angela's blog and/or followers of my blog get up to two optional bonus entries.  So leave a separate comment for each blog you follow. 
Limit three entries per person...one for the giveaway itself, one for following Angela's blog, and one for following my blog.

Comments close at 9:00 am EST on Saturday, Sept. 17th, and I will draw a random winner at that time.

Good luck to all!!!