Friday, February 12, 2016

Craftsy Sweetens Up My Quilting Life! - WHOOMP #18

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Thanks for visiting my stop on the Craftsy Sweetens Up My Quilting Life Blog Hop! and my WHOOMP There IT Is! #18 Linky Party.

For those of you who haven't already heard of Craftsy, I'm about to take you to school!  It's an online platform that delivers crafts education classes via full-length, professionally-produced, interactive, high-definition videos. The beauty of Craftsy classes is that they never expire!  AND,  you can watch them anytime, as many times as you like, provided you have a proper internet connection.  Oh, and remember, it's interactive! This means you can ask questions and/or  post pics to get help from the instructor or other peeps taking the class.  Craftsy offers a wide array of classes, from photography to knitting to cooking...however my class of choice is Quilting! And more specifically, Free Motion Quilting. 

So how does Craftsy Sweeten Up My Quilting Life?   Craftsy Keeps Me in Motion!
I was very naive when I signed up for Start Free-Motion Quilting w/Elizabeth Dackson.  I thought I'd be an expert FMQ-er by the time it was finished. I couldn't have been more wrong.  However, I did learn a lot of things from this class.  Important things you need to know before getting started, like needle and thread selection, how to start and stop, how to bury a knot and how to move the quilt. Thanks, Elizabeth!
The Secrets of Free-Motion Quilting w/Christina Cameli  is another class I'm enrolled. It's also packed w/great information like sketching and stitching, staying in a straight line and getting out of corners. Thanks, Christina!
Help How DO I Quilt It? is my most recent class. This class will definitely help w/the dilemma of how to quilt your quilts.  It will also teach you how to add lots of texture and movement to your quilts.  Thanks, Angela!
All of these Craftsy classes are great and I'd recommend any and all of them. The instructors are extremely encouraging and the classes do exactly what they are designed to; build your confidence as you learn FMQ. They make it look easy but remember, they've been doing it for years. They all stress this important point:  Practice, Practice, Practice! And the MOST important point of all...Don't compare your work to that of others!  Why? Because Comparison is the Thief of Joy! 

Craftsy is also a place where independent designers can sell their patterns. There are thousands of sewing and quilting patterns to choose from and even a great selection of free patterns! Click here to browse my pattern store and be sure to download my Easy Grocery Bag Catcher, which is free for a limited time.  Thanks, Craftsy!

Here's the complete line-up of stops.  Be sure to hop over and visit each stop to see how Craftsy sweetens up their quilting lives!


Wednesday 10 February
Helen Midget Gem Quilts


Thursday 11 February



Friday 12 February




Saturday 13 February
Anja @ Anja Quilts


Sunday 14 February



Monday 15 February

Julie @ Pink Doxies

Did you like reading about these classes? Does all this sweetness make you want to join one? Class discounts will be available for one week following each post, and while you're there you can click through any bloggers in the hop to enter the Craftsy Giveaway.





And now the moment y'all have been waiting for...the giveaway!  Enter here for a chance to win.

Two peeps will win one class each, and 1 peep will win this fabulous grand prize:
1- Boundless Solids Crown Jewels by Amy Gibson Quilt Kit 

Boundless Solids Crown Jewels by Amy Gibson Quilt Kit - None
1-Boundless Solids Modern Brights Pre-Cuts 6" Strips

Boundless Solids Modern Brights Pre-Cuts - None
1-Boundless Solids Modern Brights 10" Squares
Boundless Solids Modern Brights Pre-Cuts - None
Enter the Craftsy Giveaway here, or on any site during the hop. One entry per person.  Enter until Sunday, Feb 21, 2016, at 11:59 pm MST.

The winners will be announced Feb 22 at Pink Doxies and Musings of a Menopausal Melon.  

If you are still w/me and would like to show your stuff, it's time to link up!
A Quilted Passion
Thank the Host
Everyone likes to hear "thank you" and know their effort is appreciated.
Spread the Love
The more love you give, the more you get. Pick a number (mine is 5) and commit to visiting and commenting on that many link-ups. Let them know where you're visiting from and ask them to visit you. (This works well for me!)
Direct Link
Use a direct link to a specific post, not your main blog.
Link Back
In your blog post, include a link back to my post/blog and/or grab the WHOOMP There IT Is! button above and put in your post or sidebar. Thanks for spreading the love.
Follow Me ;)
Of course, I would love for all you linky-uppers to be followers, but it's NOT required.


A Thread for Life


16 comments:

  1. Craftsy has great quilting classes! This is a great giveaway! And thank you for the pattern!

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  2. I've taken several Craftsy classes. Love them! Thanks for the link up!

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  3. I have taken one of the classes above, and had the same experience you did. I thought it was going to be magical when it reality, FMQ takes time and practice. You have to be nice to yourself, and persevere. Your quilting DOES improv, though, and classes really help it. I'll have to check the other 2 out now.

    Thanks for your sweet link up today, and the work that goes into it every week we show up to party with you. It's very much appreciated!

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  4. Any and all FMQ help is welcome for me! Thank you for the reviews of these classes. I will have to add them to my growing list!

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  5. Such a great saying Zenia. Great post too; I have 2 of the 3 ladies' books and classes you reviewed. Worth every cent and at 50% off, a STEAL of a deal! Thanks so much for being in this fun hop.

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  6. Zenia you picked some great classes to review! I've learned so much fro Christina and now it is just a matter of Practice, Practice, Practice!
    Love your TR quote!

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  7. And it's true, practice, practice, practice. I used to hate when people said that but it really worked! I love Christina's book!

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  8. Love my Craftsy classes! Best of all I even watch them in my jammies.

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  9. I have all three of these and love them. I love that when they teach and make a bobble line, it's not edited out. I think it's very encouraging to see. The only way to get 100% perfection is to be a robot and I don't want that. When I'm having trouble it's great to be able to go back and watch over and over if I need too. Thanks for sharing your great reviews. I'm enjoying every one's conversation hearts :)

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  10. Thanks for the review. I think I need Help How Do I Quilt It. I always stress about how to quilt and then I just end up stippling to get it done.

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  11. Thank you for the review and give away! I haven't had a chance to try Craftsy classes and would love to! Thank you for the link party, too! x Teje
    nerospost(at)gmail(dot)com

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  12. Thank you Zenia for this linky party and giveaway. I will be linking to your Saturday linky party from now on!
    I have several craftsy classes.... Bought one yesterday on wholecloth quilts. Learning something new!
    Yay!
    Esther
    esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo com
    ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com

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  13. Great class suggestions! I'll have to go check them out.

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  14. A little late this week to the party but glad I still came. Great class selections!

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  15. Thanks for the linkup, Zenia Rene!!

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  16. I agree with your comments about each of the teachers mentioned! I have enjoyed each of them as well. I have learned most of what I know from Craftsy!

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