Scroll down for past featured artist information.
November 2020
Debbie Fioranelli
After a 36-year career in education as a teacher, program specialist, principal, and part-time university instructor and educational consultant, Debbie Fioranelli, often referred to as Dr. D., found herself retired with a lot of free time on her hands. She did not hesitate to sign up for Beginner Quilting Classes at her local quilt shop, Ella Rose. While leaving her love of teaching behind, she gained a new love for quilting, or piecing as some prefer it to be called. Though not very experienced, Debbie loves fabric and sees it as art.
Debbie truly sees herself as a crafter. Pinterest, her best friend has introduced her to many artistic ideas that have led to various new types of self-expression. Her interests have expanded beyond piecing to include appliqueing, embroidering, and using fabric for other projects such as pin cushions, needle minders and other small projects. As a cancer survivor, Debbie has learned to make the most of every day. In her world, “Every day is a new day for a new craft idea!”
When did you first begin to sew?
When I was in high school, back in the early 70s, all the girls took a class called Home Economics. We learned to cook, sew, and other things that would prepare us to be a wife! My, how things have changed! Mrs. Dear, our Home Economics teacher, taught us the basics of sewing; how to cut out a pattern, sew pattern pieces together, put in a zipper, etc. As the evaluation for that unit of study, we had to make a garment and model it for the class. I still remember making a purple swing skirt. I wore that skirt one time and never again! I am grateful to Mrs. Dear because she taught me a skill that I have been able to use all my life.
What compelled you to create your needle minders?
Until about 3 months ago, I had no idea what a needle minder was! I believe I came across a picture of one while reading a blog. It was around this time that I met Jean Edtl Yoho Barber through one of the Tula Pink groups. Jean and I became fast friends and decided to make the same quilt using Elizabeth, which is my favorite collection of Tula’s! Because we both believe “the more, the merrier”, Dana Chambers joined us in our plans. To commemorate the experience, I made all three of us a Needle Minder using Elizabeth. I loved using Tula’s fabric so I contacted her mother to ask permission to use Tula’s fabrics for various crafting projects since I donate part of the proceeds to my favorite charity, Zoe Children’s Mission. I was kindly given permission, and that was the beginning of the Tula Crafting Series!
What is your favorite Tula Pink collection?
I must say that Elizabeth is my favorite collection! I love learning about the history of English royalty and believe Tula did that part of English history due justice! The colors and designs take us back to a place of beautiful gowns, outrageous hairdos, and fantastical imagery.
Do you have any Tula haunts?
Because we no longer have a quilt shop in our small town, my haunts are online! I have done quite a bit of business with a great shop in North Carolina, Just Stitchin’ Quilt Shop. Karen has been great to communicate with!
A missed sale or a passed-by collection?
I miss great sales all the time online! Who hasn’t though??? I am a latecomer to the Tula World, so I completely missed out on so many of her wonderful collections. I am playing catch up right now with Parisville! Thankfully, I have made some great friends in the Tula World and they have helped me locate pieces of the Parisville collection.
October 2020
Sweet Pea Lane @SweetPeaLane9
Tell me a little about yourself.
My Name Is Rachael , I'm a mother of 2 ( Cash 8 and River 2 ) with my high school boyfriend Greg. I'm a Florida girl born and raised though I spent a few years in Asheville NC where I owned a competitive cheerleading program. I left the mountains to come home to Florida where I reconnected with Greg and started our family. I'm a new Tula Collector, I call it my "Quarantine Baby" and I'm lucky to have a Tula hunting hubby along for the ride lol
When did you first begin to sew?
My mom was always sewing when I was growing up, so watching her is where I learned. I didn't really start sewing myself until I started making dolls about 5 years ago.
What compelled you to create your dolls?
I actually started off selling custom Minnie mouse ears and the market got so overly saturated that I wanted to find a different avenue to let out my creativity. I bought a sewing machine, grabbed a pen and paper and came up with my first doll pattern....It was really bad lol. I jokingly posted it to Facebook and my friends went crazy over them. I went through probably 5 different patterns and faces before I landed on my design that I use today.
What is your favorite Tula Pink collection?
Thats a hard one! I love Chipper and De La Luna , but I think my absolute fav would have to be Saltwater
Do you have any Tula haunts? A missed sale or a passed-by collection?
Oh my gosh yes ! When I was making ears I bought some Plum Swans and the Feathers and never used it for ears like I thought I would .....and I just tossed it in the trash knowing now what I do about collecting Tula I could just die every time I think about it.
Find Rachael on IG @SweetPeaLane9
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Find Rachael on IG @SweetPeaLane9
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August & September 2020
Pincushion Queen! @FuzzyWuzzyBoutique
When did you first begin to sew?
My mother taught me to sew when I was around 7 or 8 years old. She ended up teaching all of my little friends that wanted to learn.
What compelled you to create these beautiful pincushions?
I am an artist by trade but that attention is split between my love of art & sewing/fabric. It is a constant battle. This way I can combine my two loves into one, pincushions, for fun functional art. Putting Tula’s artistry on display at the same time. You can use them or display them. We all love looking at her fabric, this way we can see it all of the time.
What is your favorite Tula Pink collection?
My favorite is Salt Water Is my most favorite but lately I have been loving Neptune too.
Do you have any Tula haunts, a missed sale or a passed-by collection?
I do regret not buying more Nightshade like most of us do! So far I have been really lucky to have great fabric friends, who don’t mind trading or helping me hunt down any missing pieces of Tula Pink fabric I am in need of.
Anything else?
I have 2 teenage daughters and an 8 year old son, who all know how to sew. ;)
~Christy Chen
