Buddy Monday - Little Leg Warmers

Brooke and I met many years ago when I attended University of Southern Maine for a bit. I met her when she became friends with one of my BFFs, Bobbi. It was not until a few years ago, when she opened up her  Etsy shop that I found out she is a quilter. I absolutely love her use of pattern and color and simple shapes to put together adorable, modern quilts. From her home, her work and, well just herself, Brooke is one of the most stylish people I have ever met and it very very seriously shows in everything she does! 

1. Tell us about yourself?

My name is Brooke, and I live in Portland, Maine. By day I work in a busy hospital OR, and by night I sew and quilt (and decorate). I am quickly approaching 30 this year, and I'm hoping for it to be the best year yet! I live with my boyfriend and our two kitties.

2. What do you make?

I make mostly patchwork quilts, and sometimes pillows, curtains and other little goodies. I love using fun designer fabrics and playing with the colors/designs.

3. How did you come up with your shop/business/blog name?

I came up with my shop name, littlelegwarmers, about four years ago. At the time, I was obsessed with wearing legwarmers!! I had about a dozen pairs, and wore them constantly (except in the summer) to keep warm and just to be a bit more unique. I put the word "little" with "legwarmers", because, well, I am little (5'0"!) :) As time went by, and people asked me about my shop name ("why don't you actually make legwarmers?"), I explained that a little blanket is the perfect leg warmer.

4. Influences?

My mom was a big sewing influence on me growing up. She made a bunch of clothes for my brother and I when we were young, as well as quilts and curtains and pillows, etc. She still works with fabric when she has the time. I also am constantly influenced by the community of quilters I have found online through blogs and flickr.com, as well as fellow shop owners on etsy.

5. Who would you like to collaborate with?

I would love to collaborate with so many people I've come across online! Mainly I am interested in someday participating in an online quilting bee/quilt along (like this one, for example:http://www.flickr.com/groups/scquiltalong). I think it would be such a fun and rewarding project!!

6. 5 songs you like to work to?

I'm not sure about my top songs to work to, but as far as top albums (that I usually just put on and let them loop through over and over) right now: John Mayer's "Heartbreak Warfare", Norah Jones' "The Fall", OneRepublic's "Waking Up", the soundtrack to Lost In Translation, and sometimes a little bit of Lady Gaga ;) Listen here!

To see more of Brooke's work you can click any of the images in this post or visit her blog, flickr or shop.