Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Happy Scrappy!... an interview with Amy Bradley...and GIVEAWAY!!!

I was in Thimbles and Threads Quilt Shop last week... and found this...
Fresh from Quilt Market!
Have a Happy Scrappy Day Quilt Pattern
click HERE for more info

My first thought?  I gotta share this with all my blogger friends!
My second thought? ...maybe, I could email
you know...she's theee creator of this...
 SO-SEW cute quilt pattern...and many more!

I took a deep breath...and, emailed her. To my surprise she replied quite quickly!
 In her reply...(I thought it was cute) she said...
"You can call me at...or email me some questions. 
 I have to warn you that I am a very slow typist."
Another deep breath...and, then, I dialed her number.
  I was so excited to talk with her!
I have admired her VERY fun, whimsical patterns for many years!!
We talked for a few minutes and then, began the wee "interview".
O, I really hope you enjoy....'cause, well, you'll see, meee is..eeeee-yonz
away from being a journalist. =P

I did, however, have a great time asking Amy questions...
She is a FUN lady to talk to!


~~ How long ago did you start sewing and/or quilting?
Amy: I started sewing when I was about 8 or 9 years old… sewing clothes for my dolls and then, later for myself. I took many Home Ec classes. It's sad now that so many schools are taking away the sewing and Home Ec classes.
 ~~ How did you start drawing?
Amy: I graduated college with a Fine Arts Degree and I began to do sketches and artwork for my husband's veterinarian office and hospital

~~What words (choose 2 to 5 words) might describe you?
Amy: (laughing and thinking) Well, I'm kind of a person of opposites. I think I would say I am… free spirited and hardworking

 
~~Does this mean that you don't like to wear shoes most of the time or …
Amy: No, no… not like that
~~Well, when someone says to me "free-spirited"…I tend to think more like the late '70s…kinda hippy-like
Amy: No I mean more like spontaneous… I really like to set my own hours…take breaks when I want and be able to work at my own pace….set my own deadlines. The other word I would use is Hardworking. I'm a workaholic. I'm usually working long hours to finish a project. I come from a long line of family business owners. This has been very helpful in giving me a good work ethic. I discipline myself to stay on one design and see it thru to the end. It's a business and so you have to do that. Otherwise, there would be lots of unfinished projects and no funds coming in.

~~What's it like "working" in Amy Bradley's shoes?
Amy: I have it really nice because our daughter does all of the orders, marketing and sales. I get to do all the artistic parts….sewing, drawing and coloring.

~~Where do you get your ideas? Do they come to you in dreams or while you are at a Quilt shop or store watching quilters shop?
Amy: Oh, I have doodles everywhere! They are hanging on walls all ever my studio. A couple of places that a lot of ideas come to me….one of them is in the shower. I can be alone and I am relaxed. And, the other place is…while I'm driving alone in the car.

 
~~Do you speak the ideas into a recorder…or do you pull over and park on the side of the road to draw?
Amy: No, I just jot a word or two down.

~~How do you work on one idea when so many more just keep popping up?
Amy: This is a hard thing! I always feel like I have way more ideas than time to work on them! I may do sketching and hang it somewhere. But, I won't start on another idea/sketch. When you are creating designs to earn money for your business, you have to stay with an idea until the "end".

~~ How long would you say it takes a design to go from idea to "in the marketplace"?
Amy: somewhere from 1 to 2 months.

~~ Do you show your drawings to other people? Or do you keep them in your own private areas until you are ready to make a quilt?
Amy: I show to family, then, I share with a few friends who sew and quilt for me and with a local quilt shop owner. They all give me their ideas and opinions.

~~ After the drawings are "friends and family" tested…then what?
Amy: I begin to put the drawings into fabric. I have some friends who help me sew.  The ladies that do the sewing proof my original patterns. I also have a lady that does the quilting for me. I make 3 quilts to be used as "traveling quilts". These quilts travel all around the country visiting quilt stores and quilt shows. The "traveling quilts" help me to sell my patterns.

~~What was and when did your very first quilt pattern debut?
Amy:  It was the Dog Quilt...a gift for my husbands Veterinary Hospital in 2002


click HERE for more info

~~You are an artist. What made you decide to transfer to quilts?
Amy: Well, it just seemed an easy transition because I've always like
 to sew...this brought my drawings to life.  Now, my drawings have a
practical use and many people can enjoy them.

~~ What is the best thing about your "job"?
Amy: I feel the happiest when children (old and young) have fun with
 the quilts. It's really fun to see people making my quilts! Many of the
grandmas begin making the quilts for their grandchildren…and they,
 (the grandmas) are unable to give them away. They keep them
 for their own homes.

 ~~If you a Genie came to visit you out of a lamp… and gave you 3 wishes…these wishes have to be something just for YOU!....what would your wishes be?
Amy: Studio, studio, studio… I already have this studio pictured in my head. It would be a cheery bright place, with kitchen, large TV, a couple of comfy chairs…maybe something that would make into a bed. And an area with sewing machines so that friends could come to visit and sew with me.



Okeee dokeee, ladies...would you like to win Amy's newest pattern...
"Scrappy Happy.." (first quilt pictured, top of this blog)?

It's so EZ...yep, yep, yep!

1) Go to Amy's website, leave comment on my blog that you visited her
          -You will get one chance for doing this
2) Share this blog post (with a link back to this blog post) on your blog, 
          (you need to leave me another comment that you did)
          -You will get three more chances for doing this
3)  Be a follower...sure, 'cause you wouldn't want to miss any fun, right?


Winner to be chosen (by Random.org)
midnight (US, MT time)Friday June 3rd.


Do any of you have any of Amy's patterns?
Her patterns and quilts can sure put a smile on your face...
don't you think?



PS...Wonderful Wednesday will be postponed until next week....



59 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Been to Amy's site - so hard to pick a favorite, but I do love the Traveling Turtles - my grandsons' would too!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I am a follower

Sallie said...

Amy's designs are adorable. I love the Merry Christmas design. Thanks for the chance!

Sallie said...

I blogged about your giveaway at http://salliessampler.blogspot.com/2011/05/happy-scrappy-day.html

Sallie said...

I'm a follower.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

Visited Amy's site - she has so many adorable patterns!! Thanks for the opportunity to enter the giveaway for her newest pattern :)

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

I am a regular and faithful follower!!

Marcia W. said...

Traveling Turtles is fabulous - like both sides! Thanks for the opportunity.

Irina said...

Hello! thanks for sharing Amy's website! I've visited it and I love it, I love the animal patterns, especially the owls and the barn. Very fun characters!

Irina said...

I'm following your blog, thanks fro the chance!

Deborah in Atlanta said...

I went to Amy's website, and I'm leaving this comment on your blog to let you know that I visited her. Just like you asked. :-)

Deborah in Atlanta said...

I'm a follower, 'cause I wouldn't want to miss any fun, right? Right?? :-)

Christine M said...

I visited Amy's website. She has so many lovely patterns. I love the fun hairy Christmas pattern.

Patty said...

I am a follower. Just love this giveaway. Thanks to you and Amy.

Patty said...

I LOVE the spool house quilt on Amys site. I am going to have to save my pennies.

RitaMarie said...

Great interview, so interesting to learn about her creative process. I went to her website, love the ABC quilt.

RitaMarie said...

I follow you and Amy:)

Reenie said...

Wow!! Thanks for bringing her to my attention! Just spent too much time visiting at her site. Oh...and I am following you now!!

Bev said...

What a fun thing to do, you brave girl, you! Love the new pattern! It's a toss up between Barnyard Skyscraper and Dazzling Dogs.

Bev said...

I'm a follower, too.

Bev said...

And I just posted a link to your post. Plus it's my anniversary on June 3rd. Yep it's a big one! Thanks for a fun blog.

Hands Sew Full said...

I am a follower.

Barbara said...

Planetary Party Quilt Pattern - cutest thing EVER !

Barbara said...

I follow you

Hands Sew Full said...

I stopped in at Amy's site and I love the animal quilts! I especially love "The Hoots". It is also on Clothilde so it was fun to see her other things!

Jan Marie said...

How fun that we both posted about Amy's designs on the same day. I just enjoyed looking at her quilts. Also I have been touring her site as I put the post up today. She has a dog pattern that is free on her site. It is like her first quilt you showed.

Jan Marie said...

Ok I posted your link to the interview with the too cute quilts I have posted today.

fun blog I am glad to find you.

Janet said...

I visited Amy's website. She has some CUTE quilt patterns.

Thimbles and Threads Quilt Shop said...

Annie, You are amazing! How do you go from purchasing a pattern to an interview with the designer...I need to tap into your brain and soak up the creativity. Love where you are taking this!

Sandra said...

Guess it pays to follow your instincts! How cool that you were able to connect with Amy! Her patterns are so cute and full of whimsy.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

I included your giveaway in my blog today:
http://straystitches1.blogspot.com/2011/06/flowers-come-in-all-sizes.html

the gathering girls said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
the gathering girls said...

I'm a new follower and thanks for vising my blog!!

Becky said...

I love Amy's whimsical style. My favorite from her website is Dog Quilt:) Thanks for taking the time to interview Amy! Have a great day!

Becky said...

I am a new follower:)

Jocelyn said...

It's my first time to Amy's website. What very cute and wonky ladies ;-) Love Scrappy Happy! Thanks for sharing about Amy.

Leslie's Itchin to be Stitchin said...

Her patterns are just the cutest...I've visited her site

Leslie's Itchin to be Stitchin said...

I'm a follower, thanks for the chance at the giveaway

hueisei said...

Thanks for the generous giveaway..Interesting interview section you have with Amy. I am truly agreed that the dog quilt was an amazing masterpiece :)
Well, been to Amy's website, still admire the Dog and Cat quilt..nice..creative..
cheers from hueisei(at)gmail(dot)com

hueisei said...

I am your blog follower ^^

Mama Spark said...

I went to Amy's site. I love all her quilts! I really like her newest pattern.

Mama Spark said...

I follow your blog!!

Vesuviusmama said...

I've been to her website. I am a note card user, so I love her notecards. In everything she does, I love the liberal use of COLOR. I love color!

Jeane said...

Just got back from Amy's site. I love the things she has for sale.

Jeane said...

Just joined up as a follower. Thanks for the generous giveaway.

Jeane said...

I am on my way over to my blog to tell everyone about the fun here!

9patchnurse said...

Wow! What a good idea to contact her. I love her designs! Your blog is great!

LisaT said...

Been to Amy's website. Did you see The Hoots Quilt Pattern - too cute!

LisaT said...

Blogging about your and Amy's giveaway here: http://ilovescruffydog.blogspot.com/p/giveaway-galore.html, thanks!

Bonnie said...

Thanks for stopping by the blog.
I love yours. So glad you found me.

Donna~~ said...

Loved my visit to Amy's site! LOL at the "super quilter"!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Went and checked out Amy's blog.

quiltmom anna said...

I do love Amy Bradley 's ladies- I have some beach ladies that she did in a panel. I did stop and visit her website and have a quick look around.
Thanks for the chance to win your nice prize.
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna

quiltmom anna said...

I also have become one of your followers Ms Ruby Slippers- when I went back to Amy's Website I realized that I do have more things by her. I have the Quilt Diva pattern with her Quilt Diva button - It does make me smile each and every time I look at it.
Such fun designs that are so funny..
Thanks for hosting such a nice giveaway.
Warmest regards,
Anna

Catskill Quilter said...

Oh, what an adorable pattern! I went to Amy's site -- LOTS of great patterns there!

Anonymous said...

I visited her site - and love her christmas patterns. "sew" cute!
~Kimberlee, SpunkyDiva at live.com

Anonymous said...

And I am a gfc follower - Kimberlee, the spunky diva

~Kimberlee, SpunkyDiva at live.com
www.TheSpunkyDiva.net

Julie S said...

This is by far the BEST interview I have read! You asked great "process of creativity" questions; I love learning how the quilt artists develop their ideas. I hopped over and visited Amy's websight. Did you see the nutcrackers pattern? It is my new "I want it" pattern!

Nanbon44 said...

I have been to Amy site and it is wonderful.... My favorites are the Dazzling Dogs and the kitty city Cats quilts