Around the World Blog Hop

Welcome to my blog, Mrs Moen, and thank you for stopping by for The Around the World Blog Hop!

My name is Nina Lise Moen and I am a Norwegian quilter who most of all love the creative side of quilting. Quilts come in so many varieties, and just like with ice cream, life is too short to pick only one.

I have been so fortunate to get to work with, and share, my favourite pastime through having a book published, designing patterns for the Scandinavian quilting magazine, Quiltemagasinet, and teaching a variety of quilting classes. You’ll find tabs to my patterns and tutorials on the top of the page.

("View from the park", 2010)

Husband an I are so lucky to live not too far from our daughter and two awesome grandboys aged 7 and 2 ½. This year has been rather busy as we have demolished our house and are in the process of building a new in which we all will live (in separate floors). As a part of this process, I moved all my quilting stuff into a brand new Mrs Moen studio not far from home.

Why I did not do this sooner, I don’t know, but I am so very happy that I did. You can see more about the studio space here.


I was invited to this blog tour by my blogging friend Rene’ of Rene' Creates, and a part of the tour is answering a couple of questions.


What quilting project am I working on?
I always have several projects going at the same time so I can switch back and forth depending on my mood and time available and where I’m working. I get quite easily bored, so this helps me stay interested. 

Right now I am working on the finishing touches on two new classes:
“Green and glittery”

 

These trees are a part of a series of Layer upon layer classes in which we work with non-typical fabrics and fibres and build our projects layer by layer. The process of turning little bits and pieces into works of art is magic, and the great part is that everyone can do it. I have been working on this “painting with fiber” technique for quite a few years, and it is evolving all the time as I try out different ideas.

My plan is to add some hand stitching, and two of the samples will be made into pillows. You can see previous posts about Layer upon layer classes here.

“The dark side”

This is a class in which we play with a simple technique to create dimension. I am rather taken with templates right now, and have been working on different ways of making and using them that can be easily taught.

I had great fun creating these blocks in various colour combinations, and now I need to quilt them as quilting suggestions will be addressed in class.

A Christmas present:
“The Pretty Pink Project”

My daughter has wished for a new pink quilt as they are fighting for the old one, so I’ll be making her a new for Christmas when we’ll all be moving into our new house. Without spoiling her surprise, I can tell you that the design fits the occasion. I posted a little how-to about cutting pieces for a scrappy quilt yesterday, you can read it here.

Some WIPS
These old scraps will become a Christmas table runner. The idea has been on hold for years, and now I’m ready.

When I first moved into my studio I was a bit overwhelmed by the space and seeing all my accumulated stash in one place, so I grabbed some fiber scraps and “painted” a surface.

I have been looking at it for a while now and want to finish it up. All it needs is some sort of binding, or maybe being turned into a pillow cover?


How does my creating process work and how does my work differ from others?
While many people are being inspired by things like nature and architecture and other people’s work, I go inside my own head for inspiration. I see quilts. To keep the visual noise out during the creative phase, I keep my studio walls bare and I’ll stay away from the internet, magazines and books. I simply need to hear my own voice, but that being said, listening to TV shows and movies while I work doesn’t bother me.

(Some well loved gifts and pieces gives my eyes a place to rest, but other than that there is no quilts or art on my studio walls)

It is often a word or a phrase or a feeling that triggers the on-button, but it can also be a colour or a scrap of fabric. Then the idea will simmer up there until I have solved all the technicalities, which I, by the way, enjoy very much.

(My country)

The process can take a second, and it can take years. I’ll just know when I have everything I need and am ready to start. I am fond of challenges and themed competitions, but quite often I don’t feel the need to actually make the quilt as it’s already done in my head.

(“His wedding, and hers” 2014)

It does indeed get quite busy up there.

Art therapy
Some of my best works are the really personal ones, carrying little pieces of my heart. They are parts of grieving processes, of coping with difficult feelings and issues, and making them are incredible freeing and incredible hard.

("The barrel", 2011)

One of the most important one is “Hot and cold, 7 ½” years” 2006, which is about my daughter getting sick at a young age and my feelings around that as a mother.

Design work
I want my designs to be for everyone who likes to create, using their stash. Although I am fond of fabric, I’m not into designer names and fabric fashion, and will use whatever fabric I have on hand.

My book, Gledesspredere, free range appliquê 2012, is filled with fun little story quilts made in different materials and techniques.

(Superbird)

 

 
And my patterns are mostly scrappy.

("Nothing to wear")

(Flower bed)


Thrifty love
I have a love affair with thrifted fabrics whether it is table cloths, curtains or bed sheets, and I often use them in my work.

(“Whatever you say I am” 2013; recycled and repurposed materials only except for the binding)

In fact, my quilting career started in the thrift store, and I keep going back. (You can read about how I got started on quilting here.) The Layer upon layer series was all built on thrifted goodness, and I have acquired quite a stash to be able to supply my students with everything they need of special fabrics and fibers.

(Landscape class)

(Movement class)

(Playing with yarn class)


I think that should be more than enough about me, so it’s time to pass the torch on to some of my quilting blogging friends who will post on Monday the 15th:

Miranne of Miranne. There had been some emails and comments between us before we accidentally ran into each other at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham back in 2011 and had dinner together. Miranne is a quilter who also makes clothes and works with a variety of traditional Norwegian crafts. She mixes materials and techniques, and everything is beautifully made.

Audrey of Quilty Folk. I have been reading Audrey’s blog for quite a while. She generously shares her process, and being a process quilter myself, I find it fascinating following hers. She does a lot of handwork, and her work is beautiful.

Beth of Love Laugh Quilt. I have been following Beth’s blog for years. She makes everything from beautiful art quilts to lots of happy scrappy quilts, mixing up new fabric with recycled ones, and making do. She also knits and weaves and her blog is very inspiring indeed.

Thanks for stopping by, and make sure to visit the next blogs on the blog hop!