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January 7, 2016 · Leave a Comment

the story behind the quilt – the blog

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Welcome to Aqua Paisley Studio!

"There are stories hidden in the language we use, whether we are conscious of them or not they tell the truth of our heart and minds." - Cheryl Strayed
Aqua Paisley Studio is dedicated to the language of quiltmaking and 'the story behind the quilt'.
My goal is to inspire quilt makers everywhere to follow their bliss and create everyday with intention. Welcome! - Samantha

Let’s Connect

Quilts are so much more than pieces of pretty fabric and thread. They are a tangible part of our life story, and a creative expression of who we are. They can showcase everything from our favourite colours to things we value and our hopes and dreams. Every quilt has its own story.

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My Instagram

aqua_paisley

Is there such a thing as too many quilts? 🥰🤭

Is there such a thing as too many quilts? 🥰🤭🤷‍♀️

My quilts are finally getting a new home, and I’m so excited 😆 🏡 💖 🎉 - they have been packed away in long term storage and it feels so good to have them back!!

How do you like to store or showcase your quilt collection?
*
*
*
#quiltsofinstagram #quiltstagram #quiltinglife #quiltingfun #ilovequilting #quiltingismytherapy #quiltinginspiration #australianquilter #quiltmaker #aquapaisleystudio

Bunny kisses and Easter wishes to you all ... I ho

Bunny kisses and Easter wishes to you all ... I hope you enjoy this lovely weekend 🐰😘

And don’t forget to follow any bunnies that cross your path; they are bound to have some chocolate 😉😍😂
*
*
*
#apsillustrations #creativehappylife #createmakeshare #livecreatively #showyourwork #doitfortheprocess #herestothecreatives

I took some new photos of this quilt the other day

I took some new photos of this quilt the other day, and I realised it’s been a long time between ‘finished quilt’ pics 🥲, and even longer between blog posts that need pretty images 😳...

But, on a positive note, I’m slowly working my way back into a healthy creative habit, which is a good thing 😍

It’s definitely not easy to find the necessary flow to document a creative process when your life is in a state of flux, so it seems like a giant achievement whenever I have something to share - some days I feel a little bit like the tortoise who keeps plodding along in the background, REALLY SLOWLY !!

(Just have to occasionally remind myself that slow and steady is okay, and that creativity is therapy, not exercise 😉🐢🐢🐢😂)
*
*
*
#quiltsofinstagram #quiltstagram #quiltinglife #quiltingfun #ilovequilting #quiltingismytherapy #quiltinginspiration #australianquilter #quiltmaker #aquapaisleystudio #tildafabric #tildafabrics #tildaaustralia #tildausa #ilovetilda #tildafabrics_usa #2greenzebras

I have changed my mind a couple of times about the

I have changed my mind a couple of times about the direction this quilt is going in ...

And now that it’s been closely inspected by its muse 😉 it’s been determined that it is simply not a big enough statement to represent such a big personality 😂😍

Definitely more pieces in this pattern to come 👍🏻🐶💙
*
*
*
#lagottosofinstagram #lagottoromagnoloaustralia #lagottoromagnolo #dashthelagotto #quiltsofinstagram #quiltstagram #quiltinglife #quiltingfun #ilovequilting #quiltingismytherapy #quiltinginspiration #australianquilter #quiltmaker #aquapaisleystudio apspatterns #puppylovequilt

Does it make me a crazy dog person if I get this p

Does it make me a crazy dog person if I get this photo printed on a big canvas? 😂😍🐾💙

Dash is keeping me pretty occupied these days; which means I’m doing my best to balance puppy training with re-establishing my quilt pattern business, and finding new ways to share my art.

The good news is, Dash is the most obedient dog in his puppy school class 🎉🎉🎉, but the bad news is, I have lots of patterns at various stages right now, yet I don’t have much that is share worthy 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻 - (hopefully soon🤞🏻)😂

Life has been ever changing for me over the past 18 months - so much so that there are days when I have felt as though I couldn’t find my feet or catch my breath; and I have been guarded sharing my struggles or my reality in a place where what you have come to expect are pretty pics of what goes into making a beautiful quilt.

But on a really positive note, I feel as though I’m finally walking in the sunshine again after what has been a long and lonely winter, and I attribute reconnecting with my creative energy (and some puppy love) as being the pathway to feeling more in tune with myself.

When life feels overwhelming and you are just trying to make ends meet and get through the day, it can take courage to prioritise creative pursuits. And, when you’re feeling low it’s hard to make the time for things that could be ultimately healing and energising - BUT CREATIVITY IS LIFE SAVING.

So, if you ever need an excuse for spending time in your creative space, then let that be it!! Don’t let anyone make you feel any sense of shame for doing what makes your heart happy! I really think we underestimate the power of creativity.

Thanks for being patient with me and sticking around for what might come - I promise there’s lots of pretty fabric creations coming soon (and yes, the occasional puppy spam, because he makes my heart happy too 🐶💙😂) ☺️😘

#dashthelagotto #lagottoromagnoloaustralia #lagottoromagnolo #lagottosofinstagram #quiltinglife #ilovequilting #quiltingismytherapy #australianquilter #quiltmaker #aquapaisleystudio #createjoymanifesto

Here is a close up pic of the blocks from the quil

Here is a close up pic of the blocks from the quilt I shared in my Story yesterday... (minus the dirty 🐾🐾🐾, of course 😉👍🏻😂)

When I originally designed the quilt for the Tilda fabric showcase I intended to release the pattern a few months later - but as has been the all too often case over the past 24 months - a series of unfortunate events (also known as life) got in the way!! 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

It really is a pretty quilt, and such a fun one to piece, so I have it on my list of patterns I am planning to release later this year - just have to wait for the puppy to be a little less time consuming so I can spend more than 10 minutes at my computer at any one time 👩‍💻 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻😂

Anyone else struggling right now to make time for projects that require concentration or duration?

In the past I have been a big believer that we make time for the things that are most important to us, but recently I have come to realise that there’s so many factors that can affect the quality of the time that is available to us, which means simply setting aside the time is not always enough!!

But, despite less than ideal conditions I have set a goal to be creative for as much time is available to me at least once every day, because I know those minutes will ultimately add up!!

So, yes I’m struggling to be productive right now, but I’m hopeful for change, and that’s a good start 😉👍🏻
*
*
*
#tildafabric #tildafabrics #tildaaustralia #tildausa #ilovetilda #tildafabrics_usa #2greenzebras #quiltsofinstagram #quiltstagram #quiltinglife #quiltingfun #ilovequilting #quiltingismytherapy #quiltinginspiration #australianquilter #quiltmaker #aquapaisleystudio #apspatterns #createjoymanifesto

How do you like to start your day? Perhaps a litt

How do you like to start your day?
Perhaps a little hug in a mug while scrolling IG? 😉😍👍🏻

As a new working week gets under way, I am about to sit down with my planner and schedule in some creative time for the week ahead. Recently I have neglected this planning habit, and not surprisingly making time for creative pursuits has been a little hit and miss 👎🏻

While I am definitely NOT a morning person, I have been considering making an effort to prioritise my creative practice first thing after waking, with the goal of giving the beginning of my day focus and doing something that brings me joy before I have to be concerned with the world at large 😉

Mornings can be chaotic for so many different reasons, (currently mine are consumed by a potty training puppy who tends to be quite exuberant for the first few hours of his day) - but I still think there is merit in aiming for a creative start to the day if you can make it work for your overall life commitments.

If you are a creative morning person - I would love to know your secret 😍👍🏻
*
*
*
#apsillustrations #createjoymanifesto #creativehappylife #createmakeshare #livecreatively #showyourwork #doitfortheprocess #herestothecreatives

Since I can’t share what I’m actually making,

Since I can’t share what I’m actually making, how about one more pretty picture of my #detouraheadquilt...

Right now, I’m currently working on a couple of commissioned projects and I have also been experimenting with different print pattern template layouts - so definitely feeling productive - BUT...

I NEED YOUR HELP!

When it comes to purchasing a printed pattern, do you worry about the overall dimensions of the physical pattern? (For instance, you won’t buy an A4/ Letter sized booklet)

If you are a shop owner, do you prefer to display standard half letter booklet patterns, or is the overall physical display size a non-issue?

I would love to offer printed patterns, but because of the slight size variation between imperial and metric standard paper (I live in Australia, where my patterns will be printed), I have to make some graphic design decisions to ensure I don’t have to redesign the wheel, so to speak, when offering both a PDF (appropriate for an imperial market) and a printed pattern.

I am trying to ensure my patterns are both visually appealing and universally print worthy - so please tell me what you love or don’t love in a physical copy of a pattern, so I can make some concrete decisions and get some paper patterns into the world 🤞🏻😍

#quiltsofinstagram #quiltstagram #quiltinglife #quiltingfun #ilovequilting #quiltingismytherapy #quiltinginspiration #australianquilter #quiltmaker #aquapaisleystudio #apspatterns

Today my plan was to sew, sew and sew... Instead

Today my plan was to sew, sew and sew...

Instead I’ve spent the entire morning in a lengthy bureaucratic queue for something that took less than 30 seconds 😤

So I am just taking a deep breath for a minute and admiring where I’m at with my new Detour Ahead quilt... 🧘‍♀️🧘‍♀️🧘‍♀️

These blocks are made using the partial seam technique - super simple and fun, and it creates a cute intertwined pattern that turns simple squares into something a little more special - very zen don’t you think 👍🏻😂

Pattern coming soon - #detouraheadquilt
Fabric - #sugarpiefabric by @lellaboutique for #modafabrics

#quiltsofinstagram #quiltstagram #quiltinglife #quiltingfun #ilovequilting #quiltingismytherapy #quiltinginspiration #australianquilter #quiltmaker #aquapaisleystudio

I hope everyone is having an awesome weekend!! 🧵🪡📍✂️😍

#detouraheadquilt
#modafabrics #sugarpiefabric #lellaboutique
#apspatterns #patterncomingsoon 👍🏻

It’s a pretty view!! 😍 Today I’m working o

It’s a pretty view!! 😍

Today I’m working on this #detouraheadquilt, and I have a couple of new sewing projects on my cutting table - all of which are making me happy and believing 2021 is off to a great creative start 😍😍

If like me you are hoping this year is more creatively fulfilling than last, then let me know how things are looking for you! Do you have your first project of the year underway ?? 😍😍😍

#sugarpiefabric #modafabrics #quiltsofinstagram #quiltstagram #quiltinglife #quiltingfun #ilovequilting #quiltingismytherapy #quiltinginspiration #australianquilter #aussiequilter #quiltmaker #aquapaisleystudio #apspatterns

My latest project... 🐶❤️ * * * #lagottoso

My latest project...

🐶❤️

*
*
*
#lagottosofinstagram #lagottoromagnoloaustralia #lagottoromagnolo #dashthelagotto

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All the creative images you see featured on this site are the intellectual property of Aqua Paisley Studio unless noted otherwise, and are protected under copyright law. If you want to share my images for the purpose of inspiration please provide the appropriate credit and link back to this website. Please do not share any commercial content such as patterns or tutorials without express permission.

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Is there such a thing as too many quilts? 🥰🤭

Is there such a thing as too many quilts? 🥰🤭🤷‍♀️

My quilts are finally getting a new home, and I’m so excited 😆 🏡 💖 🎉 - they have been packed away in long term storage and it feels so good to have them back!!

How do you like to store or showcase your quilt collection?
*
*
*
#quiltsofinstagram #quiltstagram #quiltinglife #quiltingfun #ilovequilting #quiltingismytherapy #quiltinginspiration #australianquilter #quiltmaker #aquapaisleystudio

Bunny kisses and Easter wishes to you all ... I ho

Bunny kisses and Easter wishes to you all ... I hope you enjoy this lovely weekend 🐰😘

And don’t forget to follow any bunnies that cross your path; they are bound to have some chocolate 😉😍😂
*
*
*
#apsillustrations #creativehappylife #createmakeshare #livecreatively #showyourwork #doitfortheprocess #herestothecreatives

I took some new photos of this quilt the other day

I took some new photos of this quilt the other day, and I realised it’s been a long time between ‘finished quilt’ pics 🥲, and even longer between blog posts that need pretty images 😳...

But, on a positive note, I’m slowly working my way back into a healthy creative habit, which is a good thing 😍

It’s definitely not easy to find the necessary flow to document a creative process when your life is in a state of flux, so it seems like a giant achievement whenever I have something to share - some days I feel a little bit like the tortoise who keeps plodding along in the background, REALLY SLOWLY !!

(Just have to occasionally remind myself that slow and steady is okay, and that creativity is therapy, not exercise 😉🐢🐢🐢😂)
*
*
*
#quiltsofinstagram #quiltstagram #quiltinglife #quiltingfun #ilovequilting #quiltingismytherapy #quiltinginspiration #australianquilter #quiltmaker #aquapaisleystudio #tildafabric #tildafabrics #tildaaustralia #tildausa #ilovetilda #tildafabrics_usa #2greenzebras

I have changed my mind a couple of times about the

I have changed my mind a couple of times about the direction this quilt is going in ...

And now that it’s been closely inspected by its muse 😉 it’s been determined that it is simply not a big enough statement to represent such a big personality 😂😍

Definitely more pieces in this pattern to come 👍🏻🐶💙
*
*
*
#lagottosofinstagram #lagottoromagnoloaustralia #lagottoromagnolo #dashthelagotto #quiltsofinstagram #quiltstagram #quiltinglife #quiltingfun #ilovequilting #quiltingismytherapy #quiltinginspiration #australianquilter #quiltmaker #aquapaisleystudio apspatterns #puppylovequilt

Does it make me a crazy dog person if I get this p

Does it make me a crazy dog person if I get this photo printed on a big canvas? 😂😍🐾💙

Dash is keeping me pretty occupied these days; which means I’m doing my best to balance puppy training with re-establishing my quilt pattern business, and finding new ways to share my art.

The good news is, Dash is the most obedient dog in his puppy school class 🎉🎉🎉, but the bad news is, I have lots of patterns at various stages right now, yet I don’t have much that is share worthy 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻 - (hopefully soon🤞🏻)😂

Life has been ever changing for me over the past 18 months - so much so that there are days when I have felt as though I couldn’t find my feet or catch my breath; and I have been guarded sharing my struggles or my reality in a place where what you have come to expect are pretty pics of what goes into making a beautiful quilt.

But on a really positive note, I feel as though I’m finally walking in the sunshine again after what has been a long and lonely winter, and I attribute reconnecting with my creative energy (and some puppy love) as being the pathway to feeling more in tune with myself.

When life feels overwhelming and you are just trying to make ends meet and get through the day, it can take courage to prioritise creative pursuits. And, when you’re feeling low it’s hard to make the time for things that could be ultimately healing and energising - BUT CREATIVITY IS LIFE SAVING.

So, if you ever need an excuse for spending time in your creative space, then let that be it!! Don’t let anyone make you feel any sense of shame for doing what makes your heart happy! I really think we underestimate the power of creativity.

Thanks for being patient with me and sticking around for what might come - I promise there’s lots of pretty fabric creations coming soon (and yes, the occasional puppy spam, because he makes my heart happy too 🐶💙😂) ☺️😘

#dashthelagotto #lagottoromagnoloaustralia #lagottoromagnolo #lagottosofinstagram #quiltinglife #ilovequilting #quiltingismytherapy #australianquilter #quiltmaker #aquapaisleystudio #createjoymanifesto

Here is a close up pic of the blocks from the quil

Here is a close up pic of the blocks from the quilt I shared in my Story yesterday... (minus the dirty 🐾🐾🐾, of course 😉👍🏻😂)

When I originally designed the quilt for the Tilda fabric showcase I intended to release the pattern a few months later - but as has been the all too often case over the past 24 months - a series of unfortunate events (also known as life) got in the way!! 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

It really is a pretty quilt, and such a fun one to piece, so I have it on my list of patterns I am planning to release later this year - just have to wait for the puppy to be a little less time consuming so I can spend more than 10 minutes at my computer at any one time 👩‍💻 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻😂

Anyone else struggling right now to make time for projects that require concentration or duration?

In the past I have been a big believer that we make time for the things that are most important to us, but recently I have come to realise that there’s so many factors that can affect the quality of the time that is available to us, which means simply setting aside the time is not always enough!!

But, despite less than ideal conditions I have set a goal to be creative for as much time is available to me at least once every day, because I know those minutes will ultimately add up!!

So, yes I’m struggling to be productive right now, but I’m hopeful for change, and that’s a good start 😉👍🏻
*
*
*
#tildafabric #tildafabrics #tildaaustralia #tildausa #ilovetilda #tildafabrics_usa #2greenzebras #quiltsofinstagram #quiltstagram #quiltinglife #quiltingfun #ilovequilting #quiltingismytherapy #quiltinginspiration #australianquilter #quiltmaker #aquapaisleystudio #apspatterns #createjoymanifesto

How do you like to start your day? Perhaps a litt

How do you like to start your day?
Perhaps a little hug in a mug while scrolling IG? 😉😍👍🏻

As a new working week gets under way, I am about to sit down with my planner and schedule in some creative time for the week ahead. Recently I have neglected this planning habit, and not surprisingly making time for creative pursuits has been a little hit and miss 👎🏻

While I am definitely NOT a morning person, I have been considering making an effort to prioritise my creative practice first thing after waking, with the goal of giving the beginning of my day focus and doing something that brings me joy before I have to be concerned with the world at large 😉

Mornings can be chaotic for so many different reasons, (currently mine are consumed by a potty training puppy who tends to be quite exuberant for the first few hours of his day) - but I still think there is merit in aiming for a creative start to the day if you can make it work for your overall life commitments.

If you are a creative morning person - I would love to know your secret 😍👍🏻
*
*
*
#apsillustrations #createjoymanifesto #creativehappylife #createmakeshare #livecreatively #showyourwork #doitfortheprocess #herestothecreatives

Since I can’t share what I’m actually making,

Since I can’t share what I’m actually making, how about one more pretty picture of my #detouraheadquilt...

Right now, I’m currently working on a couple of commissioned projects and I have also been experimenting with different print pattern template layouts - so definitely feeling productive - BUT...

I NEED YOUR HELP!

When it comes to purchasing a printed pattern, do you worry about the overall dimensions of the physical pattern? (For instance, you won’t buy an A4/ Letter sized booklet)

If you are a shop owner, do you prefer to display standard half letter booklet patterns, or is the overall physical display size a non-issue?

I would love to offer printed patterns, but because of the slight size variation between imperial and metric standard paper (I live in Australia, where my patterns will be printed), I have to make some graphic design decisions to ensure I don’t have to redesign the wheel, so to speak, when offering both a PDF (appropriate for an imperial market) and a printed pattern.

I am trying to ensure my patterns are both visually appealing and universally print worthy - so please tell me what you love or don’t love in a physical copy of a pattern, so I can make some concrete decisions and get some paper patterns into the world 🤞🏻😍

#quiltsofinstagram #quiltstagram #quiltinglife #quiltingfun #ilovequilting #quiltingismytherapy #quiltinginspiration #australianquilter #quiltmaker #aquapaisleystudio #apspatterns

Today my plan was to sew, sew and sew... Instead

Today my plan was to sew, sew and sew...

Instead I’ve spent the entire morning in a lengthy bureaucratic queue for something that took less than 30 seconds 😤

So I am just taking a deep breath for a minute and admiring where I’m at with my new Detour Ahead quilt... 🧘‍♀️🧘‍♀️🧘‍♀️

These blocks are made using the partial seam technique - super simple and fun, and it creates a cute intertwined pattern that turns simple squares into something a little more special - very zen don’t you think 👍🏻😂

Pattern coming soon - #detouraheadquilt
Fabric - #sugarpiefabric by @lellaboutique for #modafabrics

#quiltsofinstagram #quiltstagram #quiltinglife #quiltingfun #ilovequilting #quiltingismytherapy #quiltinginspiration #australianquilter #quiltmaker #aquapaisleystudio

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