Reflecting on Six Years of my Quilting Adventures

Facebook wanted to let me know that today has been 6 years since my husband started his last round of chemo. That's a milestone that makes a person sit dawn and take a look at the journey since then. This won't be much of a quilting post and yet, it has everything to do with quilting.

I could have never thought that the combination of cancer and quilting had the power to transform my life so much. I am so very thankful that it didn't change in the most radical of ways with death or permanent disability of my husband. We had to let go of some things that were pretty important to us, and life radically changed. When I look back, I can see the hand of God working through it all and while I still sometimes grieve some of those changes, we find ourselves on an amazing journey.

Hubby and I in our shop with one of the quilts I made as part of my processing of that time, Poured Out 2.


Just six years ago, I was a beginning free motion quilter, stitching with my machine whenever I could, like my life was being held together with fabric and thread. In all honesty, I didn't handle that time well. My kids were very little, I didn't take care of myself, and my faith wasn't as strong as it is now. I was so scared. I knew God was in control, but I also know that He doesn't necessarily work things out like we want.

That's the time when I really started this blog, sharing my quilting projects with anyone who wanted to take a look. Fast forward past a whole lot of life challenges and changes and still my life is held together with the help of fabric and thread!

A watercolor of the quilting I did in the Poured Out 2 quilt. This was given to my quilting BFF, who I met in person for the first time while working on this quilt.

If you are going through a rough time in life or even quilting, I just want to say it will get better. Sometimes not like we think, but life is one heck of a journey and even though the road is bumpy, let go of the fear and look forward.

I am so glad you've followed along on my Quilting Adventures! Thank you.

13 comments:

  1. Thank You Amy !!!!! Your blog and sharing have kept me inspired. Val

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  2. I've followed your blog almost from the start, and you've been a source of inspiration to me. Your faith, your perseverance and your beautiful quilting are amazing.

    I took your Craftsy class on free-motion quilting and enjoyed it very much.

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  3. Thank youuuuu Amy. Only 6 years! What a lot of beautiful quilting you've done in that short space of time - and found time to help others along the way. I originally found you via Leah Day - also a very inspirational young lady. I also have your Craftsy classes and slowly making progress - just finished a quilt for my daughter (well the top) and aim to do plenty of ruler work with that for practice. I have an old Janome 6500 and only now is it being put through it's paces. Frustrating at times with lots of needle/tension practice too! I'll get there in the end. xxxx

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    1. I agree - Amy is amazing! On the Janome - I have an Elna 720 (made by Janmome and its between the 6500 and 6600) and it works great to follow Amy's method. But my tension problems virtually disappeared when I switched to Janome's blue bobbin holder for quilting.

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  4. I'm sorry I didn't get to know you until you were past the worst times with your husband. I have no doubt that it was an incredible ordeal, and that quilting was therapeutic. I have found that so when I've had a life concern. Isn't it amazing to know we have a strong God to lean on, even when we question what the future holds? It's so great that your faith kicked in and that you can reflect on your blessings. Stuff like this makes all of us appreciate life and little things a whole lot more. Bless you, and your husband and children now and always.

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  5. That's a great milestone - 6 years. Blessings to you and your family. Your quilting is awesome.

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  6. Congratulations and blessings to you and yours! Life can be such an interesting journey!

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  7. Wow! What a journey. So thankful for you husband's recovery and how that brought out your love for quilting.

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  8. You have only been quilting for 6 years?!! I feel so stupid for not knowing that, but man, have you ever caught on fast! I hope you feel really proud of how far your skills have come and all that you've accomplished along the way! Really, all that AND helping nurture your husband and children through a very difficult time. Major kudos to you, Amy; you have much to feel proud about!

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  9. Amy, you are an amazing teacher! And it is wonderful all you accomplished in only 6 years. Amazing and truly outstanding what you have accomplished. Congratulations on your husband's six years. Cancer is a disease that impacts the whole family, and its great to see the whole family not just survive but to truly thrive.

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  10. Prayers for you and family and thank you for blessing me and many others with your quilting talents. I have learned so much from you and look forward to taking your class.

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  11. Thankfulness for a trial come through - that's about the hardest kind we can get hit with, particularly with young children. I know exactly what you mean about the sense that working with fabric and thread is holding your life together. It's a powerful balm.

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