Hello! Welcome to Lovely & Enough. I'm Kelsey.
You have stumbled across my breath of fresh air. In the midst of physical chemistry tests, dance rehearsals, and studio critiques, this is my happy place.
When I begin to look around and see other people's beautiful lives with seemingly more time, less stress, cuter clothes, and handsomer men, I come back here and remember. My life is lovely. And my life is enough. I don't need more than what I have. Close friends. Comfy clothes. A wonderful family. A burgeoning church. And time and space to sew to my heart's content. Lovely. Enough.
My biggest project to date, She Can Laugh at the Days to Come, is comprised of ten quilts and three fabric designs inspired by Proverbs 31:25. "She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future." The show worked to capture that in between feeling when we're growing up and leaving our families, feeling nostalgia but also great excitement for the future. You can read all about it and see each quilt here. These are a couple of my favorites.
You have stumbled across my breath of fresh air. In the midst of physical chemistry tests, dance rehearsals, and studio critiques, this is my happy place.
When I begin to look around and see other people's beautiful lives with seemingly more time, less stress, cuter clothes, and handsomer men, I come back here and remember. My life is lovely. And my life is enough. I don't need more than what I have. Close friends. Comfy clothes. A wonderful family. A burgeoning church. And time and space to sew to my heart's content. Lovely. Enough.
My biggest project to date, She Can Laugh at the Days to Come, is comprised of ten quilts and three fabric designs inspired by Proverbs 31:25. "She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future." The show worked to capture that in between feeling when we're growing up and leaving our families, feeling nostalgia but also great excitement for the future. You can read all about it and see each quilt here. These are a couple of my favorites.
My other big project right now is my Farmer's Wife quilt. I kicked off the blog with this project, and I'm still chugging along. I very much enjoy the process, and I think each block teaches me a little bit about piecing as well as color play. There are many many posts about it here.
And lastly I design fabrics! I have two that I really love: Hortensia (which featured in my senior show) and Longlegged. I hope to design more fabrics this summer and am currently sketching a bison pattern.
Blogging Tip
When it comes to quilt blogging, I think it is important to have beautiful, well-lit photos. We are a visual audience; we love gorgeous photos. I have found that the best way to achieve great photos is with natural light. Use the sun to your advantage. Find a spot with lots of reflected light (not direct), a patio or table by a window. Then grab a big piece of white paper or poster board to bounce light back onto your subject's most shadowed side. Voila! Professional photo shoot in the comfort of your home.
Quilting Tip
For quilting tips, I love having a strip of washi tape on my machine that lets me whip up half-square triangles without having to draw the diagonal lines. Camille has a perfect little video to explain this here.
Question
When it comes to quilting and fabric designing role models, Camille Roskelley pretty much blows me away with her wonderful perspective, fresh quilts, and versatile fabrics. Erica over at Crafty Blossom always hits color play and classic right on the head with her quilts. Finally, Leslie Keating of Maze and Vale and Lara and Caitlin of Ink & Spindle round out the crew with their Aussie textile design. These are my design idols, and they are just a few of the many that inspire and encourage me daily.
Tell me, who are your quilting and designing superstars?
And if you have some more time, settle in and check out these other lovely ladies in the hop!
Carole @ Fresh Off The Frame
Camelia @ Camelia Elliott
Nurdan @ Hug a Bit Quilts
Paula @ Mud Pies and Pins
Lori @ Sew Psychd
Kitty @ Night Quilter
Christina @ Wips and Tuts
Diana @ Sew Crafty Chick
Marcia @ Cozy Capatiller
Judy @ Quilt Paradigm
Jasmine @ Quilt Kisses
Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts