Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi All!

Just wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Amidst the hustle and bustle, the planning, preparation and cooking, I've had a few minutes to just think. And I realize that I have so much to be Thankful for!!!!

I'm so glad for my husband of 25 years, my love for you just keeps growing. Thankful for my children, who surprise me daily (one way or another). I'm so Thankful for my Mom and all she's taught me; glad I had the opportunity to spend time with my Mother in Law before she passed. I miss her ever so much!

I could go on and on, but lastly, I'll just say that I'm incredibly Thankful for the many friends I've made through quilting. Not only do I love all aspects of quilting, but I have made some of the best friends through it as well.

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving, that you, too, have much to be Thankful for. I've heard it said that it's always better to count your blessings...I suppose today is a good day for that!

Enjoy,
Karen

Thanks to the Cotton Club Quilters

I owe a HUGE "Thank You" to all the gals in the Cotton Club Quilt Guild! I just got to spend the most wonderful weekend with them in Raleigh, N.C.

It was their "Retreat", and they kindly invited me in to do a trunk show and teach a class in prairie point quilts, from the book to be released in September. My friend, Phyllis, accompanied me, which made it an even better weekend for me! My long-time friend, she's always there when I need her!!!

Here's the thing, it was their Retreat, but I'm certain that I'm the one who came away with the most! I got to spend some quality time with my bestfriend, made a whole bunch of great new friends, and got to share one of my greatest passions. I love quilting and the people involved in it! There's nothing better than spending a weekend sharing, creating, laughing, and just plain havin' fun! And there's always something to learn!

Thank You to my new friends. I so enjoyed it, appreciate your humor and goodwill, your talent and insights, but mostly~ just the opportunity to get to know you all! You're the best!
Karen

New Book Contract!

Hi All!

Again, I have been remiss. Getting home after Mom passed, going straight back to work, and now, a new book contract! While I'm INCREDIBLY excited, I also feel pretty pressured! It seems I'm always running, running, running!

However, all that should change soon. I put in my "notice" at work, and have decided to pursue qulting as a full time business. I strongly feel that whether you succeed or fail, it should never be because you didn't give it 100%!!!!! I agonized on How, How, How, I could conceivably do both....work full time, and do the kind of quilting I truly envision. And the answer was, I couldn't!

Alicia Keys can strap an "S" on her chest and be Super woman, but , alas, I couldn't do the same! So, that's OK, I can, and will put two "S's" on my chest and be a "Super Stitcher"!

The new book, tentatively titled "Prairie Point Pizzazz" will be released September 2011, and with this technique, well, you can add a prairie point to any half or quarter square triangle, giving your quilts new dimension! POPPABILITY! It is an exciting new concept, and one I hope will be embraced by the quilting community!

So, if you're of a mind....well, say a prayer, wish me luck, and know I'm thinking of you!

dREAM, cREATE. iNSPIRE!

It's in your hands!
karen

It's Good To Be Home

Well it took a little while, but it sure is good to be home! I finally feel like I have my feet back underneath me! Hard to believe that I had to make an adjustment, but there it is, I did. Heck, took a wee bit of time just to figure out where the pots and pans were again!

I finally got a chance to get in my sewing room and spent one day just reorganizing! Now instead of lots of piles of fabric....well, I still have lots of piles, but now of projects! But, it sure feels good to go in there and have a game plan. For Quilters, sometimes there's nothing more calming than re-acquainting one's self with their stash. To realize there are so many more quilts to be made! So many possibilities!

I'm off on Monday and Tuesday, and while I'd planned on doing housework, I think maybe it can wait! Instead, I believe I'm going to use those two days to indulge my creative urges, to re-bond with my sewing machine, to see some of the possibilities! After all, it's the possibilities that keep us going!

Have a great week y'all!
Karen

Jennie Miles 1941-2010

It's been a long time since I posted; that's because I was in Monatana caring for my Mother in law, diagnosed with cancer in February. Sadly, Mom lost her hard fought battle on July 6th.

I went to Montana in March and was with Mom, caring for her until she passed away. Now that I'm back home and have the chance to reflect, I realize it was one of the greatest opportunities of my life! Yes, it was very difficult! Yes, there were many a day when I cried my heart out! And Yes! It was worth it!

Many of us are fortunate to have people in our lives who's impact may not be felt immediately, but is oh, so lasting. That was my mother in law, Jennie, my 2nd Mom! I loved her so much, and feel it was a priviledge and an honor to show her how much I cared by taking care of her, spending precious time with her. and at the end, honoring her wishes.

This morning, I checked the bluebird box in our yard, noted there were 5 eggs, and instinctively went to call her. No, this isn't the first, and probably not the last, time that this has happened. I cry because I'm sad that she's no longer with us.

then I realize...maybe she is. She certainly "lives on" in my heart, mind and memories! She will always be a part of me, one that I thank God for!

Mom, I love you! And I miss you ever so much! Thank You for all you were and all you continue to be! With Love, Now and Always!
Karen

The Kindness of Quilters

My Dad once told me, "There's no such thing as strangers....just friends we haven't met yet!". And I have found that maxim to hold true, especially in the quilting world!
AS I sit here in Montana, knee deep in snow in May, I realize how isolated I have felt. Coming out here to care for a loved one, not knowing ANYONE, my only reprieve has been on the rare occassion I can bond with my sewing machine!
Well, in order to sew, one really should have fabric. So I wandered in to a delightful quilt shop on Main St in Bozeman. Lisa, the owner, and I started chatting, and ended up setting up a trunk show and book signing. While there, I was so warmly welcomed by the staff, had an absolutely incredible afternoon of sewing, signing and making friends, that when it was time to return to the real world, I had to fight back tears!
I can't tell you all how very much I miss my 'quilting buddies', the comaraderie' and good times that go along with sharing. So, I say Thank You! to Lisa and Main Street Quilting. You gave me a day to hold on to, a wonderful memory, and a reminder that quilters everywhere are the best!
Karen

CHOICES

Have you ever noticed how many choices we have the opportunity to make each and every day? As I've sat here in a hospital with Mom for the last month, it's given me alot of time to observe, think, reflect and discover.

Before this all happened and I had to work, well, I didn't even think about what to wear...a uniform. Or whether to go to work, HAD TO in order to get paid! So those were pretty easy, 'no brainers' if you will.

But here, every day we're faced with new challenges, new choices. And sometimes, it's the "choosing" that seems to be the hardest part. Once decided on a course of action, well, we move forward, usually with conviction.

I guess we all want to make the right choices (all the time), but life isn't that way. And it's OK. We choose, we learn, and maybe we choose differently next time; maybe not. I think, no, believe, that it's the whole range of emotions, ability to feel and express them, and commitment to move forward that keeps most of us going. Life isn't always easy, yes, there are challenges, but it's how we choose to live with them that define us.

God, please help me to make the right choices today!
Karen