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.

Ombre Triangles Continues

I nearly titled this post "Ombre Triangles Drags On..." but that would sound pretty awful, wouldn't it? Well, it feels pretty awful! The quilt isn't to blame and I'm not going to blame myself, but sometimes you just aren't feeling a project and you can either give up or slog through. I want to make like Elsa and "Let it go...."

Third times the charm. Finished this block up after stopping two other times about 3 inches away from being done.

But it still is fun to sit and come up with a new design with rulers to use on these triangles. I just haven't gotten enough time to get the flow of quilting going when I do get to stitch. Because when you get into the flow, it is wonderful.

I've been doing some painting in the shop and trying to improve my studio area of the shop so it works better for me.

Much like a quilter who uses the family dining room table for their sewing and quilting, the one the family actually uses, I am in total flux for my sewing area. At home my studio has reverted back to the family room and the remainder of my home studio is tucked into a small back room. At the shop....well, it's the shop.

I'm not complaining, mind you. It's been pretty incredibly wonderful! We've owned Sew Simple for over 9 months now, so maybe it's fitting that I feel like I've finished gestating the business and am nurturing this baby along.

Until next time.....quilt on!