Saturday 24 January 2015

Grow Your Blog 2015

Good Morning and welcome to my blog. My name is Tracy and I live in Perth, Western Australia (WA). I am a happily married Mum of 3 (2 teens and a toddler) with a passion for most things crafty.

My wonderful family - Mother's Day 2014

My current favourite crafts are embroidery (my first love), quilting and making soft toys. I have also done scrapbooking, card making and beading. One day, when time permits, I would love to get back into scrapbooking and finish off my multitude of albums. Until then, there's lots of quilts waiting to be made!

Jacobean embroidery

Wilhemina Wombat made for my toddler

After many years of wanting to try quilting I finally took the plunge about 4 years ago and signed up for my first workshop. I have been hooked ever since. Like many people I have more UFOs than finished pieces and can't resist adding to my stash. I joined the local guild, the Western Australian Quilters Association (WAQA), in 2012, did a very informative 12 month stint as their Workshop Convenor, and have enjoyed participating in their Community Quilts program ever since.

Quilted wall hanging made for my sister
 
Helping out at a WAQA Community Quilting Bee - there's a job for everyone
 
I thrive on learning from others and love to share what I know. Most of all though, I love the ability of craft to bring people together. My friend Tracee (Quilt Kitty Loves Life) had been blogging for a while so I thought I would give it a go. I named my blog Outback Craftaholic because I grew up in outback WA and am addicted to craft. My first post went up on 23rd March, 2012 so I have been blogging now for nearly 3 years. Yikes! I still feel like a novice but I've met some lovely people in blog-land and enjoyed meeting some of the WA bloggers face to face.

Perth Bloggers Meet 

My other love is the Pilbara, a region in the Northwest of WA. We lived there for many years but moved to Perth in 2008 for our older kids to attend high school. The occasional, treasured visit always soothes my soul and reconnects me to nature. If you haven't been I recommend you visit one day (winter is the best time of year).

Chinaman's Pool - Marble Bar

I am very keen to learn how to make landscape quilts and turn some of my Pilbara and Kimberley photos into wall quilts. Time is my main limiting factor, especially in relation to attending workshops. I'm hoping to do some online workshops this year, perhaps with someone like Caroline Sharkey.

Foundation piecing workshop with Carol Doak in 2012

Well, that's my story. I hope you've enjoyed reading it and to say thanks for dropping by I'm giving away a prize. You don't have to be a follower of my blog to enter. If you would like a chance to win just leave me a comment below. The winner will be drawn randomly on 15th February so check back here then to see if you've won.

Prize - 'Ranger Greg' pattern by Blue Willow Designs

Have a great weekend and enjoy visiting all the other blogs that are participating in the 2015 Grow Your Blog event. And a big thank you to Vicki for hosting the event.

Cheers,
Tracy


32 comments:

creations.1 said...

Hi Tracy - I have been a follower for a little while and have enjoyed all of your posts. Thanks for sharing a little more about yourself today. cheers Kerrie B @channelbankcreations.blogspot.com.au

Anita said...

Lovely to find your blog and there's fun things going on here. Love your little helper with ironing. Very cute.
Cheers, Anita.

Anthea said...

lovely to learn some more about you Tracy... I hope you get lots of visitors from the Grow...

Jo said...

When I was at a retreat in May last year my friend did a workshop with Caroline Sharkey. She loved it....
Hope you get to do one and enjoy it too

Christine B said...

Hello Tracy! I am visiting your blog from the Grow Your Blog party and I have really enjoyed my visit! Love the beautiful quilts you have made and your embroidery is stunning! Looking forward to reading more about you! Hope you have lots of visitors! :) x

Maria said...

Nice to read your post and get to know you better.
Hope you get some new bloggy friends

Heather said...

Hi Tracy, I'm a fellow quilter visiting from GYB. I've also put scrap booking aside in lieu of quilting...so many projects, so little time. I know how that is!

kathyinozarks said...

so nice to meet you-I am retired and love to make things too-I do some quilting and do allot of other fiber crafts.
enjoy the party
Kathyinozarks

Lin said...

Great post Tracy and I love your Jacobean work. xx

Jennifer Pearson Vanier said...

So pleased to have met you racy. Thank you also for visiting my blog!

Chantal said...

Hello Tracy. Visiting via GYB. You have the cutest wombat I've ever seen. Love Evelyn Elephant too. Great work.

FeltByRae said...

Such beautiful quilts and I adore your wombat; so cute

Popping over from GYB too

Rae

Unknown said...

stopped by from the grow your blog party.
that wombat is so cute!

barbara woods said...

visiting from Vicki's list , i am a quilter from Ga. and am now following you

barbara woods said...

visiting from Vicki's list , i am a quilter from Ga. and am now following you

Debbie said...

Hi Tracy,
You have a lovely blog. Your quilts are beautiful. I look forward to following your blog.

Tammy said...

Looks like you have a lot of followers and lovers of your blog !!! How nice!!!Glad you could join the party!!!

Janet said...

Embroidery is my first love too but I am not so skilled at it as you! Love your work.

Dasha said...

Hello Tracy,
Visiting from the NSW Central Coast via the GYBP.
Love the photo in your blog header and the one of Marble Bar. Have been to Perth on a business trip once, but I haven't seen any other part of WA. On the bucket list!
Cute little wombat you've made.

Frances said...

Look at all the fun you're having! I particularly like that wombat!! Too, too cute!
Good luck growing your blog!

Pauline G said...

Loved finding your blog and seeing what you have done - like you I a keen to do more landscape quilting this year and have bought a Craftsy class to try and inspire me. I did one last year at a weekend I went on but I want to be more creative with them. Will be following you to see your adventures!

Sue Kosec said...

You throw a great party. Thank you for inviting me!

So that you know, I've become a Follower and when time permits, I'll be back to see what other beautiful things were made by your hands.

What this party is all about is to GROW your blog and I'm hoping to do the same. When you get to Section One, please check out A Country Chic Retreat and SuZeQ Creations, my personal blog, in Section Fifteen. I'd love for you to become a Follower. Also, please subscribed so that you don't miss a single post - they'll automatically appear in your Inbox.

Happy Blogging!
SuZeQ

Jade said...

My name is jade. I'm a craftaholic. Love it! Great quilts, the one you made for your sister is pretty. Happy blog hopping!!

Christine M said...

Hi Tracy. It was lovely to find out a little about you.

Sheila said...

A very enjoyable read Tracy. Gloria Loughman does an excellent online class with Craftsy. Sheila

tktl said...

Love the wombat!

t_ktl at yahoo.com

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Love Wilhelmina - I imagine your little one is thrilled! Thank you so much for inviting us to visit and for showing us some of the area you live in.

Gill said...

Lovely to meet you Tracy - I'm visiting from the UK
I love Wilhemenia Wombat - is it your own pattern??

Anonymous said...

Love your wombat! Returning your visit! Thanks! Will follow happily!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Hi, Tracy, visiting from GYB. You do really lovely handwork, and live in a lovely place!

nicolesender said...

Greetings from the Pacific Northwest! I love your Wilhemina Wombat!

knettycraft said...

Hello Tracy, nice to meet you and look around at your lovely blog via GYB-Party.Most I love the wombat (... one of my favourite blogs is "wombatquilts.wordpress.com")... and especially your wonderful Jacobean embroidery - gorgeous!
Kind regards Annett (knettycraft.wordpress.com)