taking charge of 2016

HAPP NEW YEAR 2016, everyone! Did you have a good holiday? We did! : ) The month of December flew right by. The kids had three weeks off from school and my husband a bit more due to a job change. Needless to say, I didn't get as much done as I wanted to, but that is going to change starting today. : ) I refuse to look back and recap 2015 in terms of sewing, because I just want to keep going forward. If I missed something from last year, then it will be made up sometime in the future. : )

First up, you can find my blog posts now listed on the quilterblogs.com. Thank you so much for listing me, Aleah. I hope to bring some enthusiasm and good sewing practices to the quilting community.

You can find some really great deals and coupons on their site, too. And they have a really awesome search engine to find the fabric you are looking for quicker and easier. I don't know how many times I wished I had known this sooner!? And you?

If you are reading this post from the quitlerblogs, thank you AND welcome. May I introduce myself...my name is Karen Ackva. I am an American living my dreams in Germany with my bi-national family. I love to design and make patchwork (as it is called here in Germany.) You can find plenty of free patterns and tutorials on my site as well as on Craftsy. I have designed blocks for the Quiltermaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 11 & 12 and a quilt coming out in Spring 2016. I have also designed a few quilts for the Moda Bake Shop using their pre-cut layer cakes, charm packs and jelly rolls. I am commited to bringing out well written patterns at a reasonable price. So, check all of them out. : ) When I am not designing, I like to organize and participate in patchwork swaps on Flickr (Pillow Swap Four Seasons) and various swaps on Instagram.

I don't want to overload you with all of the goodness I have to offer you on my first post, so I will pace myself with my other tidbits and future makes for 2016! Stay tuned! : ) Thanks for dropping by! Have a great year!

around the world blog hop

I have been tagged! My dear friend, Katrin aka Cattinka has tagged me in the Around the World Blog Hop introducing yourself, your blog and a few things everyone should know about you. 

Katrin is not only a blogger friend, but also also a real-life good friend. We sew together weekly when time permits and belong to the same patchwork group. She loves to try out new things although her first love is to EPP. She's always fun to be around too; we love joking with each other and can be brutal at times! Don't forget to check out her blog if you haven't already. I am sure she is already blogging about our weekend in Alsace at the European Patchwork Convention.

But, are you curious to get to know ME a little better? Then to my mini interview.

1. What quilting/sewing thing am I working on?

I am constantly working on something usually many things in parallel - no less than 10 projects. I jump around according to time, mood, weather, other responsibilities and priorities. Today, I am finishing up some samples for my first weekend retreat in the French Alps where I will be giving a demonstration into paper piecing using scraps. (I am such a lucky girl!) 

When I get that finished I will start on an exchange quilt for my current Doll Quilt Swap partner. Our theme for the month was Farmer's Market or Back to School, but we chose to go with Halloween. I love to decorate for Halloween, and it will give me a jump start to the process. 

Start of my thinking process - Halloween

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Now that is an interesting question! How does mine differ? In the past couple of years I have noticed a pattern in my style. I am a mix of modern and traditional. I like to use solids and prints. I like the look of unity and balance in my designs but also a center point or something asymmetrical or out of balance. I like to try out new techniques and bring them all together. I don't limit myself to just piecing or appliqué.  I love to take traditional blocks and change them. Most importantly, I like things simple and easy. If it is too complicated, I will lose interest. Those who know me and my work, know that I like to be precise. (If my seams don't line up, I am compelled to rip the seam.That's a tick of mine.) I prefer to be great at the simple things instead of mediocre with the complicated ones. I design a lot of my quilts with EQ7, but I also let my quilts evolve as I put them together. All of my graphics, designs, photography, text, instructions are written/made by me - from a quilter for a quilter.

Designing in EQ7 - a computer program for quilters

3.  Why do I write/create what I do?

I have a blog to seek out others who have the same interest - to exchange ideas, tips and experiences. Quilting used to be handed down from older generations to younger ones. I didn't learn quilting from my mother. I learned it from reading, reading, going to patchwork classes, talking to other patchworkers, reading, reading, looking at pictures, practicing, observing, reading, reading, trying out new things. I think I also have to write, because I did learn how to type in high school and had countless literature and writing classes in college. It would be a shame to let it all go to waste.

I create, because I have a burning need in my to do so. I have to create! I was always a creative person interested in arts and crafts. Art was my best subject in school just after math. I know there are a lot of other patchworkers out there with the same combo - math/art interest. I envy those who studied architecture, because their styles really appeal to me. So, I have this compelling need not just to create, but to think. I love to find solutions. How can I? What happens if? What can be done better? Simpler? Faster?

Starting the sewing process

4. How does my writing/creating process work?

I don't know how many times I have gone to bed at night thinking about designing new quilting blocks or designs. I usually start with something simple like a shape, and it automatically designs itself in my head. Sometimes it starts to unravel itself and turns in several different directions at once. (I should keep paper and pencil next to my bed to capture all of the ideas, but I think I would never get to sleep that way.) After I have designed for a while, I try to pick the best solution and keep thinking of it not about it. When the next morning comes, if the idea stayed, I write it down or try to capture it on paper or fabric. 

My writing reflects this constant tangent idea and branching out process. I have to rope myself back in to stay concentrated. And, sometimes I do have to make lists to keep myself on track.

I hope you have gained some insights to who I am and why I do the things I do. Thank you for dropping by. And if you are interested in riding the wave of interesting bloggers follow the paths below. They have been officially tagged! They will introduce themselves on Monday, September 29, 2014, if they have decided to take my challenge.

If you are curious to see the final Halloween mini quilt, stay tuned!
_________________________________________________________

Janet from What comes next?
She is one awesome (modern) quilter who is an active member of the Vancouver Modern Quilting Guild. She dazzles me with her geometric designs and quilting. Her color combos are so unified! Janet inspired me to immediately try out a cutting technique that I fell in love with.

Paula playing with Mud, Pies and Pins
We have exchanged quilts through the Doll Quilt Monthly and will meet up for the first time at the quilting retreat at the Peaks. Irish-born and living in CH, she uses her love of English Paper Piecing (EPP) to design the most exquisite mini hexies and butterflies.

Please join in and keep the fun going.
Karen