The Fat Quarter Shop is excited to welcome Amanda Murphy to the Jolly Jabber. Amanda’s latest fabric collection is Veranda from Robert Kaufman Fabrics.
Q: What was the first seed that grew into the Veranda collection?
A: White table linens with hem-stitching. Tulips in crystal vases. The sparkle of green glass in the sun. An elegant tea served “Under the Veranda”. Completely in my imagination, of course. I don’t have the facility to put this together in real life – just in fabric!
Q: If your collection had a soundtrack what would be on the list?
A: Anything by Lisa Hannigan.
Q: What single print/SKU in the collection is your favorite (can only pick one!)?
A: It changes daily, but today I’ll pick Blossoms and Berries. It is very versatile and works well with all the other fabrics. It also makes an excellent border print.
Q: What is your favorite project you have made using this collection?
A: Well, it is hard to pick, but I do love Blossoms because I think the pattern fits the personality of the collection. I also have a small project coming up this winter in Quilters Newsletter that I just love.
A: Hands down it is seeing what all the creative people out there do with my fabric – or my patterns!
Q: What is your absolute favorite thing in your house?
A: Children don’t count as things, right? If they don’t, then I would have to say my graphics tablet!
Q: Which project stands out in your memory as your all-time favorite?
A: My daughter and I made the Under the Veranda sampler in just 5 days. That was a bonding experience, to say the least.
Q: Where do you do your best thinking? Can we see a photo of your studio?
A: There is a room above our garage that just last week was a TOTAL disaster. It is a combination guest room/overflow design space with old furniture and new fabric. It would be way too generous and not at all accurate to term it “eclectic”. My dad visited and now we have shelving. (Everything you see on these shelves was previously on the floor! Literally. You could barely walk. Thanks, dad!
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| Of course, guests still must launch themselves over piles of quilts to get into bed. |
That being said, I do most of my work in the main part of our house in the same room that our kids do schoolwork. It is just too hard to be in separate spaces. (When our kids were little they wouldn’t eat spaghetti because they thought it was thread. Don’t judge.) So the front room of our house is frequently a mess, but it is very well-used. This is our reality.
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| Luckily, our son prefers to work on the floor, which helps… |
Q: What is your favorite snack food?
A: Since it is summer we are enjoying berries of every type along with the hot humid Charlotte weather. Wish the two didn’t go hand in hand.
Q: What is your one guilty pleasure in life?
A: German chocolate cake! You can’t go wrong with coconut and chocolate!
Thanks so much to Amanda Murphy for stopping by the Jolly Jabber, but before she goes, how about a giveaway?! All you have to do is comment on Amanda Murphy’s post and tell us what you love about one of her collections or patterns! Good luck!
58 comments
WOW! I'm first! I love Amanda's patterns because they are original and yet easy to follow. They are incredibly well written and there is a nice range of skill level in them!
I love the flower quilt, that is so fun and different and I love her work station, I could use one of those.
Debbie
I left her a note! I love her garden path pattern – her designs are fun! thanks!
I love the colors in her Veranda line…especially the purples and yellows. I was a little confused about whether I should post here or on her blog. Her blog has the giveaway where you are supposed to post a fun lie about yourself (which I did ), so I am posting here for this giveaway too. Hope I am correct.
I love all the bright colors in her fabric. I really love her garden path pattern.
I already follow Amanda's blog. I like the Blossoms pattern because it looks like daisies and is so fresh. Thanks for the giveaway!
I enjoy Amanda's blog and love her fabrics and patterns. The Blossoms pattern is one of my favorites and the colors in Veranda are fabulous!
The prints are versatile and the Blossom quilt appeals to me, I guess because of the bright colors and fresh dasies.
Loving her Blossom quilt!
I love her Garden Paths pattern (so bright, colorful, and looks intricate) and her Blossoms quilt is beautiful. I left a comment on her blog.
I love Amanda's floral fabrics as the floweres are always just a bit different then what you'd expect. I especially like the Blossoms pattern – those daisies just dress it up!
The Veranda collection is just so HAPPY!
I love the bright, cheerful colors & flowers.
I love the flowers and colors. I really like the quilt called Blossom.
Just love the Veranda collection
Thx
The Blossoms pattern is absolutely stunning, this is the first time I have seen it and would love to make it.
I love all her bright, sunshine colors- and that she lives in the south.
I love the Garden Paths pattern and the bright, colorful Veranda fabrics.
I'm looking forward to this Veranda. I found a nice pattern on her websight.
I heart her chocolate pattern. I like that collection and the blocks so different curve or straight!
I love Amanda's 'Garden Paths' pattern and her fabrics are so bright and cheery!
I love the flower quilt and I think the fabric colours are just gorgeous.
I love her Blossoms quilt. It's so fresh and fun.
I can't believe I own a couple pieces of her fabric!!! I love her Swiss Chocolate collection! So pretty…just the right blends of colors!
Thanks for sharing with us!
Love the Blossom quilt
I just love all of her fabrics. Swiss Chocolate was a favorite of mine and now I love Veranda. Thanks for the opportunity to win!=)
Loved seeing Amanda's space and I'm totally jealous of those shelves with the table attached. Wonderful and very handy looking storage. Very nice. I just LOVE her fabrics but Veranda is one of my favorites of all so far. And the Blossoms quilt is just beautiful with the fun large flower appliques over top. I think those larger flowers were the perfect addition to an already wonderful quilt.
Well, I certainly love all the fun colors Amanda uses in her fabric designs. I think it is great that she home schools her children too. I did it for 16 years and I know how much time it takes. For her to do that and do her designing, quilting, etc is an accomplishment.
Love the flower quilt! Every artist you feature is so inspiring…I want to be home in my sewing room, not in my office!
I love the colours of the Veranda collection and Garden Path is just the prettiest quilt design
(and can I have some of that German Chocolate Cake?)
Great interview! My favourite pattern of Amanda's is Garden Paths. Thanks for a terrific giveaway.
I especially like Garden Paths right now but all of Amanda's patterns are wonderful
I am in love with her Bubble's pattern. I have seen it a few times and want to try it someday on a quilt. Thanks for the chance to win!
I've been following Amanda's blog for a while now and saw lovely patterns. But I think 'blossoms' is m favorite , I really love it!
Oh wow I love Swiss Chocolate. What gorgeous colors. The reds and browns are such a rich combination. What a gorgeous quilt it would make.
Garden paths is still my favorite, but I can't stay focused because I'm trying to figure out how to get her Dad to come to my house and make me a shelf!
Have a great day!
I agree, I love the Blossoms and Berries fabric. And, of course, german chocolate cake. That just goes without saying! 😉
She's having a giveaway, too! Love her blossoms pattern. I am now a follower.
amanda murphy, so young, has her priorities in the right order … her family, her work, and still has time for berry picking! her colorwork reflects this. vibrant, warm, and cheerful.
my favorite pattern is her blossoms! love the flowers!
I love all Amanda's patterns but Blossoms is my favorite. What a lucky lady to have Dad build such a great shelving unit for her!
Amanda's Blossom pattern exemplifies what I like about her patterns and fabric lines: it is bright, cheery, and has a real spark. Having read her interview, I see she possesses those same qualities.
As a side note, my sewing is all done on our dining room table, which means I'm involved in everything that goes on in the living room and kitchen, too. We tried having a "sewing room", tucked way down the hall or upstairs (yes, we tried two different rooms) and that never worked. For our family, being together matters more than a pristine work- or living-space. I say, go with what feels right for you.
wordygirl at earthlink dot net
I finished the Caramel and Cocoa Quilt Kit, it is so pretty! I really like the Bubbles pattern, may have to try that next. Thank you for the chance to win.
Love your workspace! My DS preferred the floor too~ wonder if it was because he had to be in a desk all day… Thanks for the great interview!
My comment is about #7 on Amanda's blog, which I already follow. Sometimes it takes a while for stuff to sink in — so now need to go look and see if I still have the issue with the Jewels quilt using Veranda. Hope win as everyone needs plenty of verandas at their home! Love the storage in her spare sewing space, and German chocolate cake as well. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love learning more about the designers; Amanda Murphy is "just up the road apiece" from me, and I love her patterns and fabrics! I went to her guest post and left a big, fat lie!! LOL
I love the Blossoms pattern, bright colors and clean white flowers. Think I have to get that pattern and the fabrics needed soon.
Left a note and I love the garden paths pattern!!
I heart the garden paths quilt pattern and the paisleys in her work. The colorways are so superb! Love, love, love, Amanda's work!!
I'm a big fan of her color choices, bright and cheery but not jarring…such fun designs!
I love Blossoms, the colors are so bright and cheerful.
love Amanda! Veranda is on my wish list – LOVE the blossoms quilt so much, thanks for the peek into your life!!
Amanda's "Blossoms" quilt pattern is soo pretty. That's the first one I want to try. Thanks for introducing me to her work!
Love her creations – So Beautiful!
I love the Daisy quilt. Also would like to know where the brown workstation was purchased. I <3 the Fat Quarter Shop.
Oh, I LOVE the Blossoms quilt…the pattern AND the fabrics. This will have to be my next project….I like flowers and the white blossoms on the front are delicious!
The colors – they're so bright and sunwashed. VermontPines@aol.com
Thanks for the visit with Amanda! Her patterns are so fresh, and the fabrics are like spending a day outdoors ! Veranda and Garden Paths are my Fav! Thanks for the giveaway!
I think what I love the most is the fun colors she uses. very nice line.