Featured Artist Spotlight....SewingGranny!!!!

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I adore Mona (aka SewingGranny)! She is such a treasure and a terrific friend. Together we belong to two Etsy groups, Fabulous Artistic Moms and Etsy Angels Team. I can't imagine my day without seeing her around the forums :) Mona works as a correctional officer and is a grandmother who loves to sew! It seems she is always on the go...whether at work, sewing, crafting, or spending time with her family...she is so full of energy. I bought an apron for my mom for her birthday and she absolutely loves it. It's actually the companion full-length apron to the one you see above. Hmmm....maybe I should get the matching one for myself! Mona not only makes incredible aprons, she creates the most amazing quilts (both baby and adult sized), cute bibs and burp pad sets, potholders, placemats, pillow shams, tree skirts, and, more recently, small tie bags for soaps, jewelry, or other little trinkets! She'd be more than happy to make something custom for you! She's one heck of a lady :)

Okay...now here is more information about Mona. I asked, she answered!

MJ: How long have you been creating/designing? When did you first learn you had a creative side?
Mona: I began designing quilts about 13 years ago. It started off as a hobby I could do on night shifts. Another co-worker was making a baby quilt for her son and I thought I would give it a try. The rest is history. I love to sew and quilting is my passion. The first ones were panels that I bought and put together then hand stitched...you will still see some of those in my shop...from there I began to do piece ones. When people started seeing me sew they would ask me to make other things and I just kept adding to my quilts. I have always liked to do things with my hands so I am not sure when it all began! I can remember sewing when I was a young teen, I crocheted for years and had other creative outlets.

MJ: What is your inspiration to create? What is your motivation to succeed?
Mona: I love fabrics and when I see a new piece I just get the need to make something from it. My motivation is to make something beautiful and also have something to do when I retire. I want to own my own shop some day.

MJ: When you are not working on your craft, what are you doing?
Mona: When I am not crafting, I can usually be found with my family. I love to spend time with them. I have a 6.5-year-old grandson that is the joy in my life. I love to garden and to do home decorating. If someone is doing something to renovate their home I will usually be there. My daughter-in-law loves to redo their home but not alone.

MJ: Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?
Mona: I am a member of Fabulous Artist Moms (FAMTEAM) and the Etsy Angels Team (EANGTEAM).

MJ: What is on the horizon for you? New products? Etc.?
Mona: I really want to make a name for myself and build up a business. I'm always looking to make new products. My latest, the small tie bags, was so much fun and so simple but I am also looking to broaden my horizon with new kinds of quilts. I am not sure about a website...I will have to think about that one. It is something else that takes time and I want to sew and quilt, not type!









Check out Mona's Etsy Shop.... SewingGranny and see more of her work on Flickr.