Happy Holidays

Well, Thanksgiving is done. The hustle and bustle of the season has truly begun. I trust and hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It's hard to believe that Christmas is around the corner, and then, a new year!
I love this time of year. Taking out the decorations, the ooh's and aah's of the kids as they see their favorite ornaments. The excitement and anticipation in their eyes! Everything looks so festive, the kitchen almost always smells great with all those traditional holiday treats baking, and the music we listen to only at this time fills our homes.
Yes, it's a wonderful time of year. This year, like many of you, I find myself "scrambling" to finish up those projects I wanted to have done for gifts. I count the days, look at the hours, and wonder..."How will I get it all done?" Maybe if I cut out sleeping?! I seem to do this to myself every year, so maybe next year, I should start in January!
Regardless, I am determined to enjoy the process. I usually get a little "stressed"...trying to find the perfect gift, make the perfect meal, be the perfect Mom, wife, daughter, friend. This year, although I'm sure I'll still try, I realize that the perfect gift doesn't come from a store. It's quite simply the love and friendship we extend to each other every day. The perfect meal won't come from my kitchen, but one made from loving hands will. And try as I might, I'll never be the perfect anything. Instead, I'll just be me and hope that that's enough!
So, have a Happy Holiday, don't get stressed, and give, give, give all the love you can!

Book Report

I love the title of this post, it makes me feel like a kid again, back in school, having to do a 'book report'. The truth of the matter is though, it's been a really long time since I went to school, and I just wanted to give you all an update.
I did receive the contracts, and with shaky hand, I also signed them. Now the hard work begins! The first samples are due in December with the bulk of the manuscript, all completed projects, instructions, photos, and illustrations due early next year.
I had no idea how much went into this. To say I was clueless, would be an understatement! But like many people, when challenged, we somehow find the resolve to meet those challenges. And like many people, I count myself lucky to have great friends willing to pitch in and help!
I feel certain this will be one of those 'life lessons' for me. But, truth be told, I'm looking forward to it. There can be no reward without risk, no victory without a struggle. As the days go by, and I find myself closer to those deadlines, I hope and pray I find the fortitude to 'press on'. That's what makes all of us so great, the ability to rise to the occassion. I've evidenced it by others on a much greater scale, am encouraged by their examples, and am ready, right now, to get to work! Wish me luck!

Quilts are more than the sum of their parts

I know, I know, I lapsed! This new job has proven to be much more time consuming than I'd originally thought. But, excuses, excuses, RIGHT?

I did have a few people from my new job over recently. You know how it is, as you're trying to get to know people, you ask ALOT of questions...family? kids? music? hobbies? etc???

When I told my new co-workers that one of my greatest joys was quilting, they just kinda 'shrugged it off'. Visions of quilts made from shirts and dresses must have been dancing through their heads! However, as they came here, I saw their visions change.

Most of my quilts are very traditional, but I do have a few of those "artsy" ones hanging around. When everyone saw this one, I believe their opinions of quilting changed. They leaarned, as have I, that quilts can be hung on walls, be decorative, even hold 'center stage'. But mostly, what quilts bring us is joy and comfort. They give us warmth. They bring back memories. Somehow, surrounded by one, we feel nurtured, safe, and secure.

Quilts are much more than the scraps they're made of; they are part of the fabric of our lives. How wonderful it is to be a quilter, how happy I am to be one!