I'm a Maker / Deanna is a Maker

Today I'm sharing my latest May if for Makers purchase. This beautiful scarf is by Deanna of 5Seeds. The fabric has a wonderful sheer quality that makes it nice for both summer and winter wear.

I was immediately drawn to all the colorful scarves and was seriously considering a coral colored one but had no idea what I might wear it with. I chose this soft white because of it's summery feel and ease of wearing with almost anything.

Deanna makes beautiful scarves and headbands in her loft studio and then sells them primarily at handmade markets. You can learn more on her Facebook page and find her on Instagram @5seedshandmade

I decided to support a local indie artist this past weekend while attending a local market with my daughter. I wanted to show my support for the greater handmade indie scene. All these artisans work hard and put themselves out there time after time and it isn't an easy thing.

As many of you know, my daughter Emily makes jewelry. She spent the better part of last year doing market after market in the Denver/Boulder area. Most often she prepared and handled her booth setup all by herself. I really admired her determination and positive attitude as she tackled each market rain or shine week after week.

It's hard work to do a handmade market. It takes a lot of time to pack your product, transport it to the venue, lug it all to the site, set up your display, then spend several hours manning your booth, greeting customers, and hopefully making sales.

custom jewelry by EmilyClaireStudio

The next time you go to any type of market . . . farmers market, art fair, or handmade market . . . try to remember how much work went into what you see in their finished booth. It's far more than just the product they sell. I'm piecing my life together as a quilter and they are piecing their handmade life together one market at a time.

Whether you buy anything or not, smile when you stop by their booth . . .  it goes a long long way.

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I'm a Maker / Scott is a Maker

Today I'd like to share a pattern I bought as part of the May is for Makers campaign started by Lindsay of LR Stitched.

Painted Forest by Scott of Blue Nickel Studios . . .

I've had my eye on this pattern for some time. I love trees. I love large scale prints. I love how Scott has brought the two together in a fun, funky style. I'm thinking of making a single row of trees in a long horizontal format. I need something colorful to hang above my couch and this seems like a great fit for the space.

I first met Scott when I submitted block designs to him for Generation Q Magazine's Block Builder series. Those block submissions led to having two patterns published in the magazine. You can learn more about Generation Q Magazine here.

Flash Card was the first quilt published in the magazine. My new kitties really loved it.

Kite Tails was the second quilt published. I'm hoping to turn this one into a stand alone pattern later this year.

Scott calls himself a mad color scientist and describes his style as "urban folk - modern design".  You can see what Scott is up to on his blog, Blue Nickel Studios and on Intsagram @bluenickelstudios

Have you bought any great new patterns this month? Anything in particular that you're planning to sew this summer? Do tell.

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