How a girls dream turned into a nightmare..

When I was a little girl I had a dream… I want a horse, I want to ride on a horse, I want some lessons on a horse riding school etc. etc. I think every girl has a dream like that… Unfortunately there was no money for things like that. Mom and dad decided music and swimming lessons are more important than riding a horse.  And it became a desire, a dream that I want to try it…….

Last Saturday it was girls day out, and the girls and me go for a beginners ride. OMG, I really had the feeling that the BIG day finally was there. My pink-girly-day-dream came true. I’m riding on a real horse!!! I have never been that close to a horse than seen one on a picture in a magazine….o yes.

That morning my sister-in-law Victoria and I drove by car to the riding school in Schoorl, a one hour drive, of course we were there the first. We parked the car and we went in to the riding school. The horses…. well they look really big. But we saw many young girls, riding full of self-confidence, on the back of those big horses. Well if they can do it, we can do this… right, we can do this, we can do this, we can…

Finally all the girls arrived and we tried on some riding caps and boots and off we go. We were able to ask for a special horse. Mariska asked for a “sweet one” and she got a sweet one, Fiory asked for a smaller one… and she got a small horse. Everybody had a special request… and me, well I’m not the skinny type I’m afraid, I love to have a horse that can carry my weight. And then there was my horse….. My God, it was the biggest horse I have ever seen! I was not able to look over his or her back.

She was enormous! I had no idea how to get on her back, I’m not an athlete you know. And to swing my right leg in one movement over her back… well “in your dreams fluffy”. I definitely need a ladder or stairs to get on that horse ;) Well, I won’t tell you how I finally got on top of the horse back, but after a while I was on top of my BIG horse, with the name Whisper. What I didn’t know, someone whispered in his or her ears that she can eat whenever she wants and wherever she wants. And that means she stops at every bush and tree. She don’t wants to listen to me, she only wants her bushes and trees.

After 30 minutes I was done with horses, horse riding, horse poo, bushes and trees, I really want to go back. But unfortunately we booked this beginner class for 90 minutes….. Yes, 90 minutes! The last 30 minutes I was worried how to get of this BIG horse. I was so cold and stiff and because it rained the entire ride, there was not a dry piece of cloth on my body. Finally there was the riding school. They showed us how to get off in a very relaxed manner. But because I was so cold and stiff, and my horse was so BIG and the ground was so far, far away from my feet….. Well, I was able to get off. And no, I won’t tell you how inelegant I finally get of Whisper. Use your imagination ;-)) I was so happy with both my feet on the ground, I almost could kiss the ground, almost. And I know that there will be a day that I can walk again without the intense myalgia. Horses and me…. I don’t think it is the right combination…. I’ll better keep on quilting..

How a girls dream turned into a nightmare……..

Love Jacqueline

Social Media and a sneek peek.. :)

Okay! It’s been a while since the last time you were here. Well, there’s a reason for that. While Jacqueline was in America, teaching you all, and showing off at the Quilt Show in Padukah with Harm, I was the only one left behind at home. Poor little me..

However there was a little bright side to it. Because with Harm and Jacqueline both at the other side of the ocean, I had time to do my thing with BeColourful. No one to disturb me with endless phone calls, no one to hunt me down with emails, only some text messages which I could ignore… No, just kidding, it was really too quiet and boring and I didn’t like it at all, them not being here.. I missed them a lot, because we’re very close with each other. We speak to each other on a daily bases, so you can imagine what it has to be for me, when they’re not here.. Yes, poor little me..

And you know, I’m doing my share with BeColourful. Keeping every stream updated! Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, and of course Facebook. 

We also have our own You Tube channel, and with only 5 videos so far, that needs a little attention of me too. But you know, with my daily job, the necessary housekeeping and all the BeColourful work, there’s not much time left. And above that, for new videos I’ve to see Jacqueline who’s living more than 2 hours away from me, and shoot some new videos to add to it. And there’s so little time for it…

But I’ve have great news for you all. And that’s why I thought to make this time the blog myself. We’re working on a brand-new website!

How great is that! The old one is very dated, I can’t even look at it L But this new website is so great! Our web designer chooses the format, and I’m doing most of the “filling” (I’m sure there’s a better/other word for that, but I think you know what I mean) We all have our ideas what has to be added, and how we want it to look like, to make it just as sparkling and colorful as Jacqueline’s quilts. And I think it will work. I added some “making of” videos, make a page for classes and shows, a page with all the beautiful BeColourful quilts you all made, 

and so much more! I think this website is going to be great. Hopefully this month it will be released, and I can’t wait for you all to see this beautiful website!

Hope to speak to you soon, when we’re online!

Love, Bridget

Picture perfect ;)

I have to make a confession……

Last Wednesday evening I have had my presentation to the Boise Basin Quilters (the BBQ) in Idaho. And I cannot explain how terrified I was for that evening….

But you have to do what you have to do. I took all my nineteen quilts with me in the hope that all the ladies would pay attention to the quilts and not looking at me. Believe me this is not something I really like to do. I consider myself as a shy person and to do something like this, is a real nightmare for me.

But we have set the appointment and of we go. We drove to the church were the BBQ held there monthly meeting….. And Laura introduced me to the president of the guild. We brought the babies inside and put them in the back of the church. Yes, I know my quilters….. they want to touch the babies and put their nails under the crystals to see if they are really set on the quilts… I’ve seen that happening before in Rijswijk at my show in the Netherlands ;-0

They told me that after the break it was my turn…. What do you mean after the break? Let’s do it now. I’m too nervous to wait after the break. But I have to say everything goes pretty fast and all the ladies have their break with coffee, chocolate and cookies. Too fast, actually..

And then it was my turn.. No escape, no little prayers, no excuses anymore, the time was there.  OMG what should I do!!! I took a deep breath, try to look like a professional quilter and designer, walk to the front of the podium and start.

Bridget and I had made a photo presentation from the last 10 years, and that helps a lot. I started with introducing myself and my beautiful city of Delft, my parents, Mr. Pooky: my extremely spoiled Siamese cat, and my wonderful and beautiful new Greyhound Amy.

And you know, while I was telling my story about them, and how important they are in my life, it turned out very well. I was able to tell some funny and of course, silly stories about BeColourful moments over the past 10 years. I had the possibility to show the quilts and to tell something about it and before I know it, it was a quarter to ten and only 2 people had left the room. Yeahhhh.

They even gave me a standing ovation. Yes, it was such a nice evening that I almost wish to do it over again. Almost…

Love, Jacqueline

Bye Kansas, I'm sorry to leave you...

I have packed my suitcase because Kansas is over. Tonight I fly to Boise, Idaho. What a wonderful week I have had. I loved the space where the classes were held. Mark and Mary were wonderful, Connie, my host was extremely friendly and my students were so very nice.

Yes I hate to leave Kansas. Except for the weather. OMG… how can you live in a country like this…. I would say…. Lets move…yeah.

We have had a very warm sunny day..mmmm, you can walk outside without a jacket and you must put your sunglasses on the top of your nose. It was a wonderful day.

The next day it was a little bit cooler, but they told me there is a storm coming! What do you mean there is a storm coming. Yes and they are right. At the end of the day you feel that the temperature drops many degrees and we were shivering. The weather radio was on to tell people to take care of stock and houses and that the storm could hurt you very dangerously if you were going outside. Well I can tell you, I was not very comfortable that night. But… well hey, I’m Dutch and we are use to pretty bad weather sometimes. It is just a storm…. But I thought I put my passport next to me…. Just in case… ;-0

But the storm went thru and the next day it was freezing cold! And we have snow… hmm, yes… real snow. Where are the sunny sunflower fields Kansas, the beautiful blue skies and the nice little markets that you see on the pictures in the magazines.

 But besides the weather it was so wonderful to be here.

I loved everything you have shared with me: your hospitality, your friendship and your kindness. I hate to leave but I will be back next year and I hope to see you all again.

Love, Jacqueline

PS: Idaho here I come….

Celebrating 10 year BeColourful

After three days being the center of attention, the show is over.  A kind of strange feeling. These 3 days were highlighted, and I enjoyed it so much! Having all my quilts at one place, show you all what I’ve done in those past 10 years! I think you know the feeling,  working to a special date, when something wonderful will happen, and then it’s over. 

It were long days, before the show. So much to prepare, and with all the preparations  done in the days before the show, I wasn't very bright anymore either, because it’s a lot of work! But with an extra layer of make-up I look pretty good.

Back to the show. I really underestimated the amount of work. When the quilts came back  from The States, I've to check them all.... You know: labels, sleeves, are they clean and straight, are there no folds in the center of the quilts, all that kind of check points.

Well….oh there’s one little thingy that bothers me. Most of the quilts are just perfect the way they are, but there were three quilts crying for more attention. Little sparkling crystals are calling my name, they would like to join the show too. So I have to add some Swarovski crystal on my precious baby’s. And there you go, and as it is with anything: once you start, you have to continue and you can’t stop till you are finished. So hands on to the applicator tool, take a crystal  and glue. A new crystal and glue, take another crystal and glue, crystal after crystal after crystal…sigh…

Each crystal takes about 8 seconds before it is securely glued. When you start you think I 'm going to do it… it only takes a few hours! The first quilt wasn't that big: “Bright Star”. I was quite happy the way this one turned out. But the two other quilts that I choose adding some, (well some..) Swarovski crystals were absolutely not small; “Brilliant Beauties of Joy” and “Rainbow Stars”. I 'm going to glue the crystals, hour after hour after hour, night after night, and finally 65 hours later, I was finished. Because that 's the problem, once you’re start gluing the crystals, you can’t go back or stop! However, to be honest,  in the end the result is stunning, and “Brilliant Beauties of Joy” and “Rainbow Stars” both shine and sparkle as I love to see them.

I enjoyed it so much, to see my quilts for the first time in 10 years together, and I enjoyed all the attention so much, the great compliments, the sweet things and lovely words that so many people have said. I would like to thank everyone, who was at the Quilt Show, and everyone who visit our Facebook page to congratulate me, and say those loving and sweet words!

But my special thanks are for my mom and dad, they support me for so long and I’m so happy that they have seen my show, were there and celebrate this special time with me. I also want to thank Bridget and Harm Jan. You both are so important for me and BeColourful. Without you both I would not have the success that I have now. Thank you for all your support and commitment. You’re both so dear to me.

Love, Jacqueline

Note from Bridget: Thank you Jacqueline, for your lovely words. I loved to see all your precious quilts. It was a wonderful and great show and it was fantastic to see all your baby's together. I enjoyed every minute working with you! Love you so much :*

Adventures in Disneyland Paris :)

Finally I have a short break. Yess!
Mom and dad were taking care of Amy, my lovely Greyhound and Mr. Pooky, my spoiled Siamese cat, and off we go to Disneyland Paris . It's only a 5-6 hour drive and with a lot of coffee, cookies, chocolate and sandwiches in my new car, we drove to Paris .

I wrote we, because I went to Disney with one of my best friends: Sandra. I know her for more than 24 years and we are very close friends. She is a friend who’s always there for me. She is the only one who don’t like my colorful quilts. And she said so too. She really don’t like my fabric stash at home, or the bright screen prints that I sometimes show to her in my enthusiasm. I know she want to like them ... but she really couldn’t. She loves the soft color tones and pastels, soft Moda and tiny flowers. Ahhhhh . But okay .... Not everybody has such a good taste like me ;) It 's okay with me, kind of..

At last we arrive at the hotel close to Disneyland, and we park the car in the underground parking lot of the hotel. Checked in, I buy my 2 day ticket.. Yes, only me, and this is a secret that I want to share with you; Sandra is a theme park hooligan. She has bought a ticket last December that’s valid for a year. YES, what do you think of that. She can go whenever she and her children wanted. That’s kind of awesome, right? Okay, we go on and we hop on to the bus in front of the hotel and went off to Disneyland .....

It was a sunny day and the trees in the park were really beautiful . Lots of blossom and magnolias were blooming. But, we didn’t come for the trees or the blossoms, we came to Disney for the attractions. Yes, and we did it all! The scarier the better :D Roller Coasters, The tower of terror, Buzz Lightning… we did it! But also Cinamatique :) I love that, the tea cups and “It's a small world after all...” In those 2 days we went into 25 attractions!!!! And we do have a lot of fun. At the end of the day we were so tired that we take a shower and fell asleep instantly .

The last day we spent on the shopping and outlet mall close to the hotel. Mmmm that’s an attraction  I like, actually... I love it. You always see something you need or want or what you didn’t know you want ;) At the end of the day we drove back home.
But we will be back next year ..... Oh yeah!

Love, Jacqueline

BeColourful on Social Media

Jacqueline is taking a few days off. She was so extremely busy sewing and quilting and designing, she deserves a little vacation. And there she goes.. with a friend to Disneyland Paris. I told her to take a photo camera with her and make some great pics of herself doing nothing and enjoying herself! I hope she does and when she’s back, I’ll ask her to write her adventures here with some pictures :) Wouldn’t that be great!

The good thing is I’ve the opportunity to introduce myself to you :) Some of you already know who I am, because I’m the one who’s doing all of the Social Media for BeColourful. And that’s quite a lot of work, I can tell you that.

Let’s start at the beginning. My name is Bridget Snijder, in Dutch my name is Bregida, which is the same as Bridget. And I’m Jacqueline’s sister.

I’m a librarian at a public library and I’m a school librarian as well. I’ve two busy jobs, working 38 hours a week. And I love both of my jobs!

What I don’t like is quilting :( . Oh yes, I love the results and looking to the work of everyone, specially Jacqueline’s designs, but I really don’t like to do it myself..

At the start of BeColourful, Jacqueline was the only one involved with BeColourful. Ten years ago, Social Media was not that hot and happening, but within the years we noticed it became more and more important. And about 2 years ago, we decided it will be a good thing for BeColourful to start Pinterest and Facebook. And so we did. 

I love to be busy with it. Although it’s very time consuming it’s also great to do. What I do is, making the pictures and post them at Facebook. I do most of the answering of the questions. Sometimes I’ve to ask Jacqueline for advice, because I’m not a quilter at all ;) 

Because there’s more Social Media besides Facebook, we started our own BeColourful You Tube channel, made an account on Tumblr, started with Instagram and came up with this blog. 

I think it’s great to have all these things for BeColourful. It’s just so great to share Jacqueline’s talent on so many different levels.

We hope you enjoy it too!

Love, Bridget