Big 5 Blog Party: Meet Michelle of I like orange, too!

Today is our last day of the Big 5 Blog Party. I hope you've had a great time getting to know 5 awesome bloggers.

I have been overwhelmed by the response. Thanks for coming to the party and sharing the love!

I know you're going to love Michelle of I like orange, too!. She's funny, super talented and real.

First off, her scrappy linen tote is fabulous. She even has a step-by-step tutorial for it which rocks. Maybe one day I will be brave enough to try it. (I have a huge thing for tote bags but have yet to make one.)

This little coin purse is so cute and would be super handy in my giant mom bag. 

She explains all the steps how to make it too. 

She has made two of my favorite pin cushions (and y'all know I am in desperate need of a new cute one.)

Don't you love the bicycle? SO CUTE!

Definitely inspiring me to make one myself! 

So let's not wait any longer- meet Michelle of I like orange, too!

How did you get started quilting/modern quilting?
I'm not sure exactly when I started "quilting/sewing", but I know I discovered it well before the "modern" name was attached to it.  It was definitely before I was married. I learned how to sew things at a young age, but quilting came into it after my kids were born.  I have to give the inspiration credit to my sister's mother-in-law (or Oma).  She has a hand pieced and hand quilted Double Wedding Ring that she made, hanging in her living room.  She also made baby quilts for my boys; ever since then I've been in love (and slightly obsessed) with quilting.

What is your favorite fabric line and what’s on your fabric wish list?

My favorite line is difficult to pin-point because there are a lot of "classics" that I like.  But if I had to pick, it would be something from Anna Maria Horner; probably Good Folks.  I have the biggest girl crush on her (minus the cherry chapstick).  She's incredibly successful at being an awesome mommy and creating amazing art and fabric - I can't help but love everything she does. 

As for my wish list...  I'm looking forward to seeing more of Loulouthi (AMH's new line for spring).  I'll probably gobble that up right away! 

And then on top of that, on my list is probably more basics, such as solids, blenders (dots, tonals) and brights.  I'd like to add more colors to my collection like purple and brighter true blues and grassy greens, and orange of course.  For a girl that loves orange, I'm finding I don't have as much as I should! 

What inspires you most?

It may sound cliche, but honestly it's the peeps around bloggerville and flickrland.  I see so much stuff that makes me want to sit at my machine all day long.  I also look at a ton of different magazines and Etsy - You can find the craziest stuff to inspire you in those places.

What type of machine do you sew with?

I sew with a Bernina 440QE and I love it.  My Gramma lent me the money for it after my last 3 machines in a row took a dump on me. 

Describe your dream sewing studio.

It's BIG.  Lots of windows, a hardwood floor, bright paint and shelving.  Some clean, streamlined furniture.  A big ergo-height cutting table.  A maid that comes in to fold and organize my fabric when I'm done with it.  A photographer at my beckoned call to take amazing pics for me.  My grandma's mid-century club chairs (already an orangy color), with handmade pillows.  A wall filled with goodies made from all my friends 'round Flickr.  You know...  something average I guess?

What is your favorite go-to tool and why?

1) Scissors (I hoard scissors)

2) Seam ripper.  I'm not perfect, neither are my stitches.

Tell us about your favorite completed quilt or sewing project.

My favorite completed quilt is my Metro Link.  I used a cut from every single piece of fabric I owned at the time.  The colors and prints make your eye wander all around it; it's laying on my bed right now over another old quilt.

What traditional pattern do you like to put a modern twist on?

Well, I'll be honest and say that I haven't really done that yet.  Although, I really do love a lot of traditional blocks, one day I hope to tackle a project that I can put a spin of my own on.

Do you have a process for choosing fabric for a project?

Nope.  It normally just pops into mind as a foggy vision of colors or specific prints.  I do try to use what I have in my collection.  If I'm having trouble finding stuff that I like that coordinates, or if I get a mental block about it, I'll search Flickr and Etsy for inspiration to see what other people have used with similar fabrics - not to be a copy-cat, but because I get serious mental block if the idea doesn't hit me right away.

What work-in-progress are you most excited about?

My hexies!  It's truly become a labor of love.  Recently, there have been comments about hexies and how trendy they are, how people can't understand the big deal, yada yada...  For me, my hexie project is not from trends or anything like that; it's about accomplishing something basic and traditional with my own two hands (no machine allowed), from start to finish.  Last year I participated in a benefit quilt show and was in complete awe of the other quilts.  The quilts made by these ladies made me feel like a total rookie, and I didn't like that.  All of their quilts were amazingly stitched - some were modern, some were traditional.  Just the fact that they spent the time (or lifetime) making them BY HAND inspired me to do the same.  I'll admit that I like a quicky now and then, but the time I'm spending on every single little stitch is making this hexie quilt my prized possession thus far.

What’s your favorite part of the quilting process?

I really like sitting with my quilt when it's all together and quilted, stitching the last piece - the binding.  I think this is because a lot of my quilts are/were given away.  Spending a few hours hand-stitching the binding before it goes (or stays) really gives me a feeling of accomplishment.  I've machine stitched the binding a few times, but it doesn't give me the same gratification.  I think handstitched binding really keeps the handmade feeling in a quilt.

What’s something we don’t know about you? ( doesn’t have to be sewing related)

totally shameless:  I listen to classic 70's music on satellite radio when I sew.  Nothing else makes me get in the groove, not even the 80's!   

Thanks Michelle for giving us a peek into your world!

See, I told you you'd like her. :) 

At this time comments are closed. 

Today's the last day to enter our giveaway folks so jump right in and leave a comment telling me something that Michelle said that resonated with you. 

This lovely stack of Moda Crossweaves and the modern quilting necklace could be yours thanks to Sew Fresh Fabrics and The Bead Bouquet.

For Bonus Chances: 

Follow me at Ellison Lane Quilts and leave a comment letting me know (or tell me that you  already are) 

Follow Michelle at I like orange, too! and leave a comment letting me know (or tell me that you already do) 

(All quilting pictures are property of Michelle and I like orange, too!) 

The Winner will be announced on Monday, May 9. Thanks for coming to the party!