The Name Game: {Quilt} While You're Ahead

I have been following Monica's blog for years. While the name of her blog was the first thing to catch my attention, it was her writing style that keeps me reading. Monica has that rare ability to paint a picture with just a few words. I have probably told her many times at least once that if I could switch places with another writer, it would be her.

Not only that, but she lives in England and vacations in all the places I dream about. She is originally from Italy, is an avid reader, and reads a lot of her books in Italian! Okay, enough gushing. For now...

How did you choose the name for your blog? 

I discovered the world of blogs when I was searching the net for patterns for modern quilts... I had two small babies and sewing was my escape.  I literally stumbled into this community of like-minded people and was overjoyed!  I wasn't alone! I wasn't a freak! Stroking fabric was not something to do in secret anymore!!  Anyway, moving on swiftly, I can't quite remember the moment I decided to start a blog, it kind of happened... I'm pretty sure my husband came up with the name.  He's good like that!

Were there other names you considered, and can you share any of them with us? 

I had the more pretentious name of "life for a while"... I'm glad I didn't go with that!!

Now that you are known by Quilt While You're Ahead, are you happy with it, or do you wish you could change it to something else? 

I am still happy with it but I kind of wish it was shorter... try typing it in a hurry!! it's a finger twister... and also I tend to write about lots of other things not just quilting and so it's slowly moved to a "while you're ahead" more than anything.

Which is quite hysterical because anyone that knows me knows that 'ahead'... is not readily applicable to me!!  I normally scramble behind everybody else trailing destructions and dropping things left right and centre...

But hey... one can always hope!

I recommend that you go through Monica's blog archives. Pick a topic, any topic. And then just enjoy scrolling through the beautiful pictures (did I mention she is also a fabulous photographer?) and savor her writing. (You might be able to tell that I'm a serious fan girl). And follow her in Instagram too (@quiltwhileyoureahead). You'll thank me for time well spent. 

The Name Game: Twiggy&Opal

I think I "met" Jayne Willis of Twiggy&Opal on Instagram. And since then I have been amazed over and over by her work. She loves working with solids. Just like me. But she also does a lot of beautiful improv designing. Which is one of the reasons I love looking at what she creates--improv does not come easily to my symmetry-loving brain. I would enjoy watching her process in person. I sure hope we can meet for real someday.

How did you choose your name?

Honestly, choosing a name was the hardest part!  It all began with Etsy.  Encouraged to start a shop by my daughter, I agonized over a name.  Eventually I decided to go with my heart, pick a name that was personal and had meaning.  

When I started my blog, I considered picking an entirely different name.  In the end I thought it was best to tie the blog to the shop.  After all...I wasn’t even sure I could keep a blog going let alone write a post! 

(Go here to read more about this Confetti quilt. Seriously. You will want to see more pictures. We'll wait....)

It was always a huge deal to visit my Grama Opal in Minnesota.  Because of the distance we had to travel it always felt like an epic event once we arrived.  She was a tough old gal, full of vim & vigor (I guess Minnesota winters will do that)!  It never failed that sometime during our visit she would say to me, “Jayne, you're thin as a twig’!  A memory that has always stayed with me.  

As a tribute to her, Twiggy & Opal was born.  She lived to the ripe old age of 99 and is missed dearly.

Were there other names you considered, and can you share them with us?

Oh lord yes!  I’m sure ‘Sew, Designs, Fabric, Quilts, Modern’ were in many of them!  Can I remember them?  I think they are probably best forgotten!  Think of every sewing/quilting related cliche and it was considered in one form or another!

 Now that you are recognized by Twiggy&Opal, are you happy with it, or do you  wish you could change it to something else?

At this point, I wouldn’t change it for anything!  I feel like I have established me, my blog, my shop and my name.  And every time I see Twiggy & Opal, I think of my Grama!

These are the latest beauties from Jayne's blog and I had to include them. They are just so beautiful. 

I highly recommend you follow Jayne on her blog and on Instagram (@twiggyandopal), and check out her Etsy shop as well.

The Name Game: My Fabric Obsession

Remember those good old days when you spent more time reading blogs and getting to know people a bit better than just through comments on Instagram? I have been following Becky for quite a few years and I'm happy to finally have here today for The Name Game.

How did you choose the name for your blog?

I was already blogging as a scrapbooker and when the quilting bug bit me, I slowly stopped scrap booking and was quilting all the time.  I wanted a new blog name that would fit what I was blogging about. I tend to become obsessive about all the things I'm interested in and quilting was no exception. I think about when I'm not in my sewing room, am constantly planning/plotting my next project and sometimes even dream about it! And when you start quilting, it's all about the fabric of course!

Were there other names you considered, and can you share them with us?

I honestly can't remember but I'm sure there were lots of plays on Sew/So involved! I just remember that I kept coming back to My Fabric Obsession so it stuck.

Now that you are known by My Fabric Obsession, are you happy with it or do you wish you could change it?

Somehow when picking a blog name it feels monumental, like something you are going to have with you forever. and in a way, it is. This is your brand should you decide to market yourself. So for me it was tough to commit to something so permanent (the same reason why I'll most likely never have a tattoo), but ultimately, the name was simple and effective. So yes, I am happy with the name. Although I will admit that I wish I had picked something shorter. It can be a tough one to fit on labels! 

Thanks for playing along this week, Becky. You can following along with Becky here and on Instagram (@myfabricobsession).

Next week Amy from Diary of a Quilter will be here.