The Journey!

I was chatting with a friend earlier this week about quilting - specifically about why we quilt. It was a short conversation and one we've had before but always enjoyable. :-)

After our chat I was quietly reflecting about the fact that we agreed that we're very passionate about quilting. Yes, it's definitely a true passion. And, it occurred to me that I took my first quilting class in October 1999 - has it really been 10 years?

I'd been a 'quilting wannabee' for years! During my Corporate America days there was a small quilt shop across the street from my office building. I remember strolling over there during many lunch hours looking and wishing I could quilt. I'd fondle fabric, leaf through books, stare at finished quilts - wishing I could quilt. I lacked the self confidence to try.

I learned to sew on my grandmother's treadle sewing machine when I very young; took home ec classes while in junior high (aka middle school); got my first Kenmore sewing machine in 1975 after the birth of my daughter Kris; took Stretch & Sew classes in the mid 70's making tons and tons of adorable outfits for said daughter and yet I didn't think I could quilt. Wishing I could quilt for many years and then in 1999 I decided it was time to learn - I was ready to take the plunge. LOL Little did I know it would be such an incredible journey!!!

It's definitely been a journey - one with many memories. :-)

Cabinets and baskets full of 100's of finished quilts.
The pile of over 100 flimsies (waiting to be quilted)
All the fabric I had to have stuffed in drawers and such (teehee)
Purchasing a couple of new sewing machines
Purchasing a Centennial edition Singer Featherweight
A trip with a friend to the Sister's Quilt Show
A trip with a friend to visit 21 quilt shops in Iowa, Minnesota & Wisconsin
A trip with a friend to the International Quilt Festival in Chicago
A trip to the quilt show in Paducah
Lots and lots of quilt classes
Quilting retreats with friends

Lots and lots of wonderful memories and a few not so wonderful. ;-)

I've asked myself over and over in recent months why I continue to quilt and could not come up with an answer..........................guess what? I've decided that it doesn't matter how many unfinished projects I have or how many flimsies are piled and waiting to be quilted or how much fabric I own - no it doesn't matter! I now have a very definite answer to my question

I quilt because it's my passion!

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Thank you for letting me share! I appreciate your visits and hope that you'll continue to visit and enjoy my journey with me.

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In Friendship!

I'm Ready!

Saturday morning I was blog stalking and tripped across a couple of quilt patterns that really spoke to me. And, I mean they spoke LOUD!!!!! :-)

I hit the road Saturday afternoon - a very long trip across town (needed a change of scenery) to do some shopping. I'll tell you about that trip in my next post - I had too much fun.

I spent ALL day Sunday cutting out four quilt tops - now I'm Ready to sew when the mood strikes. Now let's hope the mood strikes very soon. :-)

1. Remember when I told you about "Kitchen Sink" in the book Scrap Basket Surprises? I put that project aside but Sunday I finished cutting 168 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" different dark rectangles and 220 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" light rectangles.

2. A project inspired by a fellow blogger. 40 different Civil War prints
3. 100 different 2" x 21" strips - Civil War prints for a Miss Rosie pattern :-)

4. 100 different 2" x 21" strips - 30's prints for another Miss Rosie pattern. :-)

Thank you so much for sharing some of your "Quilting Mojo".

I really appreciate your visit - please again soon!

In Friendship!

Five Long Weeks!

Hello - have you missed me as much as I've missed you?

It's definitely been a very long five weeks.

During this period I've gotten quite a few e-mails from so many of you to let me know that you've been missing me - thank you, thank you, thank you! I've visited a few blogs and left a comment here and there but sadly I have not done a good job. Forgive me!

I'd love to tell you that I've been super productive but sadly that's not been the case - huge sigh! The quilting mojo is still missing in action - although there is something in the works that will hopefully help jump start it.

I wasn't completely unproductive - I did do a little stitching! This is "Homespun Santa" by Bird Brain Designs. Definitely kept me smiling. :-)


A few weeks ago I had an overwhelming desire to do some x-stitching (it was a true passion for 20 years before the quilting bug bit) I did a little digging and discovered that I'd stitched three of the shown designs but hadn't stitched the one relating to Autumn. With a happy heart I visited a local x-stitch store to pick up the needed overdyed threads. These are designs by Homespun Elegance and are called "Delivering Winter", "Delivering Spring", "Delivering Summer" and "Delivering Autumn" (this is the one I worked on). Bear in mind that I still need to attach the wooden buttons (the wheels on the carts) and a charm or two on each.

I wish I could get back to quilting but sadly the desire is simply gone! I've asked myself over and over what it would take to get back on track but can't find the answer. So many have provided some terrific suggestions but nothing has worked. BIG, BIG Sigh!!!! My sweet, incredibly supportive hubby has assured me that it will return - we'll see - it's been gone for quite awhile now. Enough said! :-)

During this time I received a sweet package from a dear blogging friend - I'll be back very, very soon to show and share! You might recall that I had some RAK's to send to friends - well I did manage to mail one but the others are still waiting. I'll try very hard to get them in the mail in a day or two.

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit with me - are you willing to send some of your quilting MOJO? Please do! LOL

In Friendship!