"I told you so Mom"

For the last week or so, I have been waking up every morning with this feeling of panic. I keep looking at my list of things I need to do before launching my business and it feels just too BIG for me to do. There are so many things that I need to do, that I really don't understand. Social Media is such a big part of it and the future and yet...I feel like I was born in the wrong era!. Still my kids seem to just know it and do it naturally.

My kids really think that I can do these Online Quilting and Sewing Classes, they believe in me.

As we talked about a Mission Statement for my business, all I could think of were the reasons that I would like to do these classes... I would like to be able to teach anyone, who would like to learn how to create. Creating is something that literally made all the difference in my life.
When I was young and my abuse was going on. The only way that I could get out of the situation or at least get my head out of the situation... was when I was creating. It took me to a whole other world...one that was happy and one that gave me hope, hope that my life in the future would be different, better and safe!
Then as I grew up, it continued to create and what even made my life better ...was to not only create, but to share what I created with Others. The feeling that you get when share with others, is just the best!  Knowing that something you created, something from you personally ...could make someone feel special, happy and  loved is truly what I think we were put on earth here to do!

So scared or not, I am going to start LynnMade Online Classes, and hope that someone, somewhere will need them, and learn how to create for themselves! And by creating something beautiful...I hope  that their lives will become even better
What do I have to lose, except Fear itself!

I have to remember all of these things so that I don't freak myself out each day. Truth is, if this is suppose to be, it will be. I need to turn it over to the Lord, and have more faith in myself, my talents and my family! When I do this, I wake up excited and ready to work!

I do hope it works...wouldn't that be neat? I don't think I will even mind...years from now when my kids say "I told you so Mom! " :)

    

I hope this quote becomes true someday of LynnMade!

Good Night dear friends!
Thanks for believing in me!

A leap of Faith!

Many of you know that my family and I are about to start a business together. I will start teaching online sewing and quilting classes soon. Everyone is excited and everyone is sharing in the resposibilities of taking on such a big commitment.
Now if you are my age or older, you might realize that this is a huge leap of faith for me. I have never done anything like this before. Oh, it is not the teaching that scares me, or the being in front of people ...because I have been teaching art and craft classes for years, as well as doing my motivational speaking. And I love it ,but this is different.
This is in front of a camera and is being video taped. I have a hard enough time having my picture taken, and have never liked hearing my voice on the answering machine ( does anyone ? ). Now we are putting both of these elements together to make a business.
When we had a family meeting the other day, I watched Jeff and the kids talk, get involved and excited about this business. I asked him, why he thought this was going to work? He simply said, "because we all believe in you!" What a blessing to have so many people who love me and believe in me.

So I am trying to get ready for this leap of faith, trying to like and accept the person I see in the mirror and trying to remember that "with the help of so many family and friends around me, I can do anything!"
Thanks for believing in me. LynnMade is on it's way!
Good night dear friends!

A better day today!

I decided after this weekend and feeling so tired ...that I had to get my act together this week. The problem is that I am going through Menopause and the hot flashes and chills are getting ridiculous at night, so sleep is hard to come by.
I know I can't complain and I know I am not the only one to go through this part of life. But man I am beat!!! So when I wake up tired, it is hard to do very much.
Still now that I have doubled my work hours, it is vital that I get on top of this! Plus, I am doing a few Baby Showers at my home so...my house needs to be clean.

However, I got a bit more sleep last night and so today... I felt better. It felt great to cook, clean, do laundry, bills and grocery shopping. I even cleaned my car today! Hopefully tonight will be good too! I have got a whole lot more cleaning, sewing, planting and organizing to do.

I am hoping to get my online classes going soon, seems like it has taken a back seat lately since I have been doing some family stuff, and working on new classes. I hope to get back to finish decorating the studio soon.  I did buy two more items for it though, so I haven't given up on it!
Both of these quotes made me think of my Quilting Classes and how I need to follow this dream of mine.
Good Night dear friends!

"Take time to do what makes your soul happy"

"IF YOUR ACTIONS INSPIRE OTHERS TO DREAM MORE, LEARN MORE, DO MORE AND BECOME MORE, YOU ARE A LEADER."

QuiltCon Day 3

Today ( actually Friday or I should say yesterday ) was Day 3 of QuiltCon, it was probably the most crowded of all the days so far. Of course it was even better, because Kai came with his Mom to come pick me up. He was so fun. It's so great to have some fun times with this sweet boy of mine.

I think that the sales were up ...because Kai and I showed the people that even kids could use  Ellen's Quilting Disks with ease! :)

 
 Then Kai and I tried to see if we could take some funny photos while his Mom was in the bathroom.

 Here is proof...he is a boy...through and through! :)

But this really was a great experience! I loved meeting these great ladies, spending time around so many women who have the same love of Quilting as I do. Loved to see all the new and improved  accessories and gadgets out there, to help you in your quilting projects. What a great trip!

 

A dream come true!

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved to do things with my hands. Any type of arts and crafts, sewing, painting, drawing, crocheting, needlework and etc. Some things you learn because that is what your Mom does, but my Mom didn’t like to do any of those things. She was a cook and a fabulous one at that. I really never saw the value in spending hours making and cooking something, just to watch your family devour it in minutes…that never appealed to me ( still doesn’t really ). But as I got older, I realized that I would need someone to teach me so that I could learn more and more. My girlfriend’s Mom used to make her clothes and I really envied her. So one day when I was at her house, I asked her Mom if she would teach me how to sew my own clothes. That is exactly what she did, we got a pattern, materials and some needed supplies… and then we went back to her house to sew. But before I was even able to cut out my material, she showed me how to read a pattern, she also said that clothes look really well made when you are good at your top stitching, and so she gave me a piece of lined notebook paper, put in an old needle in her machine and would have me practice over and over again..sewing on those lines. Then when I got that perfected, then she would have me practice over and over again to stitch exactly in between the lines. Even though she has passed away many years ago, I will never forget her kindness in teaching me how to sew. So, I try to be there to help anyone who asks me to teach them how to sew (haven’t had a lot of time for that since I started working), but still I love to pass on that tradition.

My grandmother and Aunt used to make beautiful quilts out of their old dresses and aprons. I was shocked to see how most of them were done by hand. I couldn’t believe that someone could do that kind of detail by hand. They also quilted by their machines too. I only got 2 of their quilts, but they are displayed proudly in my home and only dreamed that one day I could quilt like that.

Fast forward to the present day, now I am teaching at a Quilt Shop! Who would have ever thought I could do that? I am still a beginner compared to most of the ladies in there, but still I have a love for quilting/sewing and I love to teach …so it is a great opportunity for me to do something that I had never done. The fun thing about working at the quilt shop and getting to know all these wonderful talented women is….that I am learning something new every day! I see all the wonderful things that these ladies are creating, it gives me a desire to do something else I have never done. It is exciting and scary at the same time. I wonder at times, if it would be possible to do some of these amazing things but… I have finally realized that I just need to try new things and never say never! 
Good night dear friends!

“To have passion, to have a dream, to have a purpose in life. And there are three components to that purpose, one is to find out who you really are, to discover God, the second is to serve other human beings, because we are here to do that and the third is to express your unique talents and when you are expressing your unique talents you lose track of time.”    ~Deepak Chopra

“Sewing mends the soul.”     ~Author Unknown

Quilts connect you with people!

I just read this article about stories of people, and their quilts. I loved it and have to agree, quilts do connect people.
Today was my first day back teaching at the Quilt Shop, since Dec 9th. That is well over a month, but it was important for me to take that time off and away. There was Christmas to prepare for and enjoy with my family, we had our last two kids to help get packed up and sent off to college and a trip to see family and friends. It was a great break and well needed but…I really missed the shop, my class and QUILTING!

As I saw my class fill up today, I realized this class has become so much more to me than just a few ladies coming every month to do a quilt project, these women have become my friends…good friends and I felt so blessed to be able to feel that way. Each one is different and unique. Each one has there own story to tell about life and how and why they started quilting. Each one has their own battles that they are fighting but some how, I think the connection they we all  have with each other, helps in some way. And not in just some little way… but in a very big way!  At least I know it has in my life.

How fun and important these classes have become to me, I feel blessed to be there. So thank you for each one of you, that takes the time out of your busy day, to come to my Demo classes. I hope they mean as much to you, as they do to me? It has been wonderful, and to think… just about 10 years ago, I thought there is no way I would ever be able to really quilt.  Oh what I would have been missing, or I should say WHO I would have been missing?

Good night dear friends!

The Story of Quilts

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2007/the-story-of-quilts/

As a history buff, my initial attraction to the craft of quilting was its history. Quilts have a rich past that has embedded itself into American history. As I learned more about it, the more I realized how deeply quilts have also embedded themselves into our personal histories as well.

For women in America, quilting began at least as early as 1750 as an opportunity for them to channel their creativity. Quilting was considered an important skill for women. Young girls were given quilting projects to help teach them to sew, such as creating small quilts for their dolls. The American Girl’s Book from 1831 recommended quilt making for girls, noting that "little girls often find amusement in making patchwork quilts for the beds of their dolls."

Quilting is a unique craft that can allow many people to work on a quilt at the same time, and many women found companionship in quilting with friends and relatives. These social Quilting Bees were opportunities for women to discuss everything from recipes, to child-rearing, to politics.

The quilts themselves became significant symbols. Quilters in the 19th century regularly created quilts as political statements, using them as raffle prizes to support various causes such as abolition, temperance and during the Civil War. Quilts were one way that women of the 19th century were given a voice in their contemporary world.

And, of course, quilts became precious family heirlooms. Quilts were traditionally made and used to mark life’s most significant experiences. Baby quilts were given to new mothers and larger quilts were given to couples when they were married, often with symbolic block patterns like a Lover’s Knot or Double Wedding Ring.

When a family relocated to a new home, friends and family members would often make a quilt as a parting gift. These friendship or album quilts, made by a group for a departing friend, were especially popular during the 1840s when there was a great surge of population moving to the western United States. The recipient of these quilts could leave with a symbolic, tangible reminder of the loved ones left behind…loved ones they probably never saw again. Margaret Seebold of Pennsylvania said, "Quilts make you think a little of the person who made it or whose dresses were in there. Maybe you don’t think of them any other time except when you see that quilt."

“Friendships are sewn...one stitch at a time.”

“Our lives are like quilts - bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love.”

“Friends are like fabric - you can never have enough!”

Christmas in July!

It is hard to believe that July is already here. Today I was able to teach at the Quilt Shop and of course...we did Christmas in July, I taught how to make these cute stockings. It reminds that I need to start preparing for Christmas now, so that I don't have to make the holidays so rushed.

I am surprised how much faster these past year has gone by, probably because I was starting to have my health back, and able to start working some at the Quilt Shop. I love teaching again, I have taught art classes for years, I love having the chance to meet soooo many incredible women and share my love for quilting. I think my Grandmother and Aunt would have be so excited for me. They are the ones who helped me develop these talents, when I was just a little girl.

Most of all, I am just grateful to be here and feeling good enough to do things that I love, with the people I love ! That is no small thing!   Good night dear friends.

 

"Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back."  ~ Harvey MacKay

"Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many thing that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever..."   ~ Isak Dinesen

" Somehow, not only for Christmas but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing the poor and lonely and sad, the more of your heart's possessing returns to you glad."  ~ John Greenleaf

Happy Birthday Day MOM!

I have to laugh every time I think about doing crafts and my Mom. From the time I was a little girl, Mom said I just loved to do any type of craft with my hands. She however didn't share the same love for crafts, and actually couldn't stand when I asked her to do some with me.
Today I taught my Quilt class, I love teaching all these new found friends of mine.  I smiled when some of the ladies told me how much they enjoyed me as their teacher. I smiled because, later in life when my Mom had a stroke, she had to go to a Rehab Physical Therapy, (actually that wasn't the part that made me smile ). It was the day I went to visit her and asked her how she was doing? She had a frustrated look on her face and said, "Guess what they made me to in therapy today?" I was curious and asked what.  She said "they made me do crafts, they say it will help my fine motor skills... I don't believe it!" We had a good laugh over that. My Mom's passion was in the kitchen... cooking, she was an amazing cook. I however don't really care a lot about cooking and food just isn't my thing. Funny that Mother and Daughter can be that different and still so much alike.

Today is my Mom's birthday. She has been gone for quite a few years now, but not a day goes by that I don't think of her and miss her.

 

I was trying to take a photo of myself the other day, to send to my daughter in college ( she wanted to see my new sweater ). As I looked in the mirror, I was a bit surprised how much more I look like my Mom each day. I know she is not far away. I think she would smile herself, if she knew that I celebrated her birthday by doing one of her favorite (not) things...crafts and creating! I hope all of you... who are blessed to still have your Moms with you, will take the time to tell her how much you love and appreciate her!
Good night dear friends!
P.S. Happy Birthday Mom...if you are listening!

"True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new."  ~Antoine de Saint

"My mom is literally a part of me.  You can't say that about many people except relatives, and organ donors."  ~Carrie Latet

"A part of you has grown in me. And so you see, it's you and me together forever and never apart, maybe in distance, but never in heart."  ~ Unknown

Double Blessing Day!

  Well, I am worn out but all for good reasons. Today was my day to teach at the Quilt Shop. We had a great turnout and a whole lot of fun. You know, I probably have said this before but I am sorta like Superman...(stay with me on this) he gets his energy from the sun, and I get my energy from being with people! I just love making new friends and reconnecting with old ones, it doesn't get much better than that!  It is always a treat to go and show all the ladies a new project, something that is quick and easy, something that they can go right home and make. It is a highlight of my month. I get to teach the same class again this coming Weds. so I am looking for it. The opportunity to be able to teach is quite a blessing in my life, especially when you think how I have spent most of my time the last couple of years. Most of it was... going in and out of the hospital, Doctor's office, Physical Therapy appointments or home resting and trying to heal ...yes, it is nice to get out and be with others! And what better place to meet than in a Quilt Shop?  :)

   "The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before."Everyone can create. You don't need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty."Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty."  ~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

  The next blessing I had today actually happened tonight, Jeff and I went with some friends of ours, to a class on STRENGTHENING YOUR MARRIAGE. The teacher was amazing, and it really was very informative too. I think one of the most important things I learned tonight was...We need to always be willing to keep up the maintenance on our marriages, just like anything else we have our cars, our homes and ext. it is important to keep them up and maintain them, but how often we forget to do that with our marriages. It  was the little things that made us fall in love in the first place, and yet it seems like the little things are the ones that get put on the back burner and forgotten about or neglected, throughout the years. Marriage takes work and weekly connections, to keep it healthy and running. We learned it is important to always take the time to make our marriages not only work, and not only survive... but THRIVE and be something that brings us great JOY!

  The teacher challenged us to do two things this week as our homework...

1. To start having regular and weekly date nights ( just time alone, focusing on each other, and tuning out the rest of the world for that time period).

2. To sit down and honestly ask each other these two questions ...WHAT DO I DO WELL? and WHAT CAN I DO BETTER?  Remembering to be nice and honest, because he is going to ask  you the same questions next! 
His point was we need to trust our companions and realize that what they tell us is important. We need to do all that we can do to make our marriages the best that they can be.

There was a whole lot more but I will share that another time, but for today...I feel grateful for my double blessings!

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."  ~ George Bernard Shaw

"There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved." George Sands

"Marriage, ultimately, is the practice of becoming passionate friends." Harville Hendrix

And the stockings were hung...

After having a rough couple of days, I got up this morning feeling pretty good. My thoughts seemed to be in a better place and I was grateful for that. My pain was less, and so I actually felt more like my old self. At noon, I was able to teach another Demo class at the Quilt Shop. There were a lot of women who came today and my first demo was standing room only. It was so fun to teach a quick and easy way to do your Christmas stockings. Everyone liked how simple it was, and just in time for them to do their own stockings.
I actually could have used this quick pattern a couple of years ago, when I was redoing all of our Christmas stockings. Since our family was growing, it was time to make all new matching ones, I don't have a photo of them right now, but I will try and find it. They are applique, which does take a lot of time but I wanted to make them something that the grand-kids would love and that would last for a long time. But when I was designing them, I had trouble with the lining and the cuff. Oh how I wish I would have know this simple little trick, in making the perfect stocking!
We had such a good turn out, that the owner asked me to teach it again in 2 weeks. During that time, I will try to come up with some new and simple ideas to make for Christmas. Can you tell this is right up my alley? Being accused all my life...of being Mrs. Santa, this is the perfect job for me!  Plus, the energy I get from meeting all those wonderful talented ladies is great! I love making new friends, and that is exactly what I get to do when I am there, some of them I feel like I have known for a long time.

Gratitude was my profound feeling today, grateful that I was feeling better and in less pain, grateful that I liked what I saw in the mirror today ( that is no small thing ), grateful for friends who love and support me, on my tough days, grateful that I was healthy enough to go teach this class, grateful for the kindness of this sweet shop owner, and grateful for my talents and the opportunity to share them! Yes, it was a good day!

This is the quilted stocking I designed and made!

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me."   ~ Erma Bombeck  

"Every human has four endowments, self awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom...The Power to choose, to respond, and to change."                         ~ Stephen R. Covey                                                        

"To find out what one is fitted to do, and to secure an opportunity to do it, is the key to happiness."                    ~ John Dewey

Practice makes perfect

I loved this true story about how vital it is to practice. I used to think as a little girl that all my Mom did, was tell us the same thing over and over again. Then as a young Mom of four, I did the very same thing. I think that is true about many things in life, practice makes perfect, or at least better than it was.
Today I got to teach another Demo class at the Quilt Shop, it was great! I used to go in that same Quilt Shop years ago, and feel very intimidated by all the talented ladies in there. I still feel that way to some degree, but I have practiced and practiced for a few years, and I am now doing things that I never thought I could! So practice really does work. It also has inspired me to do better. Now when I meet these talented ladies, I am actually anxious to see their talents and learn from them. Yes, they inspire me, and so I felt blessed today to have the health and opportunity to teach, as well to learn! For that... I am very grateful!
Good night dear friends!

Practice Makes Perfect

A dramatic ballad singer studied under a strict teacher who insisted that he rehearse day after day, month after month the same passage from the same song, without being permitted to go any further. Finally, overwhelmed by frustration and despair, the young man ran off to find another profession. One night, stopping at an inn, he stumbled upon a recitation contest. Having nothing to lose, he entered the competition and, of course, sang the one passage that he knew so well. When he had finished, the sponsor of the contest highly praised his performance. Despite the student's embarrassed objections, the sponsor refused to believe that he had just heard a beginner perform. "Tell me," the sponsor said, "who is your instructor? He must be a great master." The student later became known as the great performer Koshiji.

"Practice is the best of all instructors"   ~ Publilius Syrus

"Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired"  ~ Martha Graham

Getting out and about again...

Today was a wonderful day, because I was able to teach a class at one of my favorite Quilt Shops.http://www.gatheringfabric.com/about_us.html The owner Susan, is a friend of mine and she asked me to do a DEMO class for some fabric pumpkins I made. I don't have any photos of them but they were simple to make and of course fun to decorate your house with. Most of all, I was just grateful that I felt well enough to go out and be able to be among other women today. I love making new friends, and of course talking about quilting. We also talked about everything from cancer, arthritis, grand-kids and other craft additions! It was fun to rub shoulders with such amazing and talented women.
I remember years ago (before I ever knew how to quilt) going into Susan's shop to look at fabric. I had an idea for a quilt but really didn't know much about it. When they started asking me specific questions about the quilt I wanted to make, I realized that there was quilting language, and I didn't know what they were talking about. So I headed out of the door quickly, then came home and asked my neighbors ( who both quilt beautifully ) what the words meant? They smiled and explained them to me. Like I mentioned in another post, everything seems to have it's own lingo and quilting is the same way. I now can walk confidently in there and talk the talk, about fat quarters, sashing and bindings! Yes, I studied hard and it was worth it!
Most of the ladies there today were seasoned Quilters, and it was a treat to meet them, share a new idea  and just spend some time ...out and about! This was a great day for me! I did something pretty normal, that doesn't happen a lot and I felt blessed!

P.S. Since Susan put out candy corn for the class to eat, I had to tell them about how I decorate for all the seasons with candy in old Mason Jars. And how I would get upset when my kids would eat them, I didn't give my kids sugar very often and I really only wanted the candy to decorate with. The kids would not stop eating my decorations, so I finally had to resort to something tougher than just words. I hair sprayed the candy, that way...it still looked the same but...the kids didn't like it any more! :) No I wasn't trying to poison them, I did tell them they were sprayed. Now I have my candy that is years old ( I beat the hair spray actually helps preserve it), and it still looks great! Ok... I can almost hear you laughing, but in my defense...every Mother has her own issues, right? I am not suggesting you try it out on your family, but fair warning when  you come to my house, on any given holiday...don't eat my decorations! :)

"Quilts are like friends, a great source of comfort."

"Friends are always friends no matter how far you have to travel back in time. If you have memories together, there is always a piece of your friendship inside your heart."   ~ Kellie O'Connor

"Quilting holds my life together, one stitch at a time"

What are you passionate about?

I love this quote and believe that it is true, it is vital to find something that you feel passionate about, something that makes you happy and excited to be alive. I love what we learn through these passions.

"To have passion, to have a dream, to have a purpose in life. And there are three components to that purpose, one is to find out who you really are, to discover God, the second is to serve other human beings, because we are here to do that and the third is to express your unique talents and when you are expressing your unique talents you lose track of time."  ~ Deepak Chopra

 

In the last few years, I have learned to quilt. (This is a quilt that I made for Lauren to have her first year of college.)  I have always loved to sew and so quilting, was the natural..next step. I like how it feels to create different pieces of fabric in all shapes, sizes and colors to create a quilt. I love the feeling I get when I give the quilts to a loved one. I hope it is something they will always cherish. I hope that they feel loved, every time that they wrap up in it. Yes, quilting has become one of my passions and has been a very healing art for me, these past few years. I am thankful for my talents, thankful that I have lots left to learn, and thankful for so many loved ones to share my quilts and gifts with.

"One of the things that may get in the way of people being lifelong learners is that they’re not in touch with their passion. If you’re passionate about what it is you do, then you’re going to be looking for everything you can to get better at it."    ~ Jack Canfield

"A successful life is one that is lived through understanding and pursuing one's own path, not chasing after the dreams of others."   ~ Chin-Ning Chu

What a difference a year makes

This time a year ago, I was in the middle of going through radiation treatments after my mastectomy for Breast Cancer. I used to hate waking up, knowing that my day was going to start out... going to radiation. It was a painful treatment and one that literally took all I had to continue each day for months. I didn't do a lot of things that I loved back then, I was just so tired physically from the surgery and radiation, and emotionally from the whole cancer experience. One thing that was a great help to me was my granddaughter, she was 2 1/2 years old then, she was full of excitement and joy. She liked to do anything with me (her Nana). It was nice because she didn't really understand my cancer, she knew that Nana had a surgery and she had to be careful with my owie, but other than that she was just happy to be with me. One of her favorite things was to go to the hospital with me so that she could play in the waiting room and get her Strawberry Shake ( which was an ENSURE drink that they had for the patients in the mini fridge ).  Below is photo of Angie and I heading to my treatments. You can see the effects of the surgery and of the burn, on my left side.

I have to admit, I sometimes can't believe that I made it through that terrible ordeal of cancer for the second time, but now looking back at it....I am just grateful that today, a year later...I am semi healthy and doing the things that I love once again.

Today I was able to attend a Quilting class for a couple of hours. It was so much fun. Of course more than anything, I love meeting new friends, what a neat group of women!  I love quilting (although, I am still a beginner compared to many ). I love the attitude about life, that quilters have. They just want to share their talents with those they love. They love to create, you don't have to be perfect, but you should enjoy what you do.  Mistakes are what make your experiences and quilts better. Everyone's quilts can be different. You bring out your own style, talent and experience in each one. Many quilters have experienced a lot of life, and now they are slowing down and doing what they love to do....that is called Wisdom!

So today I got to develop my talents a bit, (so I can create more quilts and things for my granddaughters and loved ones), I got to meet 7 new friends ( talented ones at that ) and I got to think about something that I love, other than worrying about my health, what a change!  Physically my back and knees are done for the day but...it was worth it! I hope all of you, are able to take a moment out of each day to do something that you love... the benefits are surely worth it!

I will leave you with a few quilting quotes tonight...

                                                                                                                                                                      "When life throws you scraps, make a quilt."  ~Author Unknown

"Grandma (Nana's) quilts have love in every stitch."  ~Author Unknown

( Below is a photo of my granddaughter enjoying her quilt, this one her mom and I made, this photo also tells you without words...why I quilt! )

"Memories are stitched with love."  ~Author Unknown

"Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect.  It means you decide to see beyond the imperfections."

Quilts...stitched with love!

Jeff and I moved into our house 8 years ago on Halloween night. We were so excited to get a house big enough for our growing family, and one that was in such a wonderful neighborhood. We finished moving all the boxes and furniture in by 5:30 PM, then had a quick dinner, decorated our entry way and waited for our new neighbors to come trick or treating... so that we could meet them.

Two of my neighbors were quilters and they asked me right away if I had ever quilted?  I explained that I loved to sew but never quilted and couldn't even imagine being able to do that. I have always loved quilts but...it seemed so hard and that it would take a lot of time and patience. My grandmother and my Aunt quilted by hand all the time but there again, that seemed way beyond my abilities. My neighbors just smiled and said "we will have  you quilting before long!". They kept their word and before I knew it, I was going to my neighbors for quilting classes. I even talked another one of our other neighbors to come with me. Now some 7 years later, I am quilting all the time and I love it!  Of course it did help to be an Aunt and a grandma ( NANA )  because then you have beautiful little ones to wrap your quilts up in. I love these girls and it does my heart good to see them with their quilts. Aren't they too cute?

"Families are like quilts, stitched together one piece at a time."

When I go back East, my dear friend and I, plan on quilting. I am even bringing fabric and projects with me. It is hard to believe that it has only been 7 years that I have had this addiction... yes,that is what quilting is an addiction (but a good one). Now  I can go to any quilt shop and hold my own when I am speaking to them. There is a certain lingo that goes with quilting, just like there is with anything else. For instance, when I heard quilters in the shops talk about FAT QUARTERS I actually thought they were talking about a body part that you got from sitting and quilting for hours. :) Actually a fat quarter is a certain size piece of material! So now, I can walk the walk and talk the talk with quilters and I am loving it!

When my cancer hit this second time, I found myself wanting to make as many baby quilts as I could so if something happened and I didn't make it through my cancer that each one of my grandkids in the future would have something special and made with love from their Nana! It didn't take me long to realize that I didn't have time to think like that, I needed to get busy studying all that I could about my breast cancer and how once again I was going to fight it. After my mastectomy, I didn't have the energy or feel good enough to do anything with my sewing. I knew that I must be getting better this summer when I finally started to get back to my sewing room and had a desire to quilt again. It has brought me a lot of comfort to make these things for those I love and I pray some day when I am gone that they will remember how much I loved them.

"Our lives are like quilts - bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love."

I love the attitude of quilters too, they are very compassionate and caring individuals mostly. Quilting does take a lot of time and patience but they think the loved ones that they are doing them for, are more than worth it! If you make a mistake, a quilter will say " that just makes your quilt unique!" Yes, I am fitting right in with those quilters and for sure my quilts are unique but definitely made with lots of love. It has taught me that any amount of my time and effort is worth it for those I love. Need to go and start quilting something before I leave. Thanks for always being there. Have a great day!

"Quilts are like friends, a great source of comfort."