Traveling to Mecca

Hello form the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY!  Well, actually, I'm not there anymore, I'm back home trying to keep up with this summer that seems to be racing by us!  But, my family did make the trip to Paducah--the Quilter's Mecca-- this past weekend.  The museum is absolutely amazing.  These are not your Grandma's quilts; these quilts are art in it's truest sense.  Beautifully imagined by their creators and made with the best of craftsmanship, each one is the creme de la creme of quilts.  I don't know that I'll ever be as skilled as any of the artists.  Even my husband, who had already relegated himself to boredom, was awed by what he saw.  If you get the chance to make it down there in the near future, they are currently displaying a Civil War Quilt Exhibit that is amazing. While in Paducah, we visited several quilt shops, including Eleanor Burns "Quilt in a Day" shop and the famous, and overwhelming, Hancock's of Paducah.  I can't even begin to guess the number of fabric bolts they have in that store.  By the time I'd left, I was in sensory overload!  The next day, we headed over to Louisville, KY where we attended a worship service that left me speechless at Southeast Christian Church.  It was a great weekend.  The best part was that prior to leaving on this trip I had completed my daughter's school lunch tote and once it went public on my Facebook page, I immediately received five orders.  I have to admit, it is SUPER cute!

After returning home from Paducah, we released the Painted Lady butterflies my daughter had been raising and I was able to get this amazing photo. 

Wednesday my little one headed off to church camp for 2 1/2 days.  She had a blast and even though I missed her like crazy, I know experiences like this are helping her grow into a stronger person and stronger Christian. As for me, I fully intended to really sew! sew! sew! while she was gone, but instead, I just hung out with my husband and enjoyed some time alone with him.  While I'm glad I made that investment, I now have A LOT of work on my plate for the next couple of weeks.  

Tomorrow is another class day.  A throw pillow class and a pattern reading basics class with my usual group of ladies who I just adore. 

I truly enjoy writing this blog each week.  I am blessed to be able to express myself this way, I am blessed by all the friends and family who have supported me from day one in prayer, sales, orders, promotion and by word of mouth.  I appreciate all the wonderful comments, compliments and feedback I have received that has kept me encouraged.  As always, you have my gratitude.

  

Spoiled Little Princess

Good Evening!  We made it home safely from our Virginia getaway and life continued on as usual.  Today I taught the first "Make Your Own iPad Case" class.  I'm only offering this class one time this year.  I have so many other projects I'd like to share, I am ready to move on.  I'm not happy if I don't have seven projects going at once and I guess I want all my students to be in that predicament too! Lol!  Nevertheless, these ladies did great and took home some beautiful creations.  A lot of fun was enjoyed, and I believe some new friendships made, as well.

As I mentioned last time, my online shop has been crazy busy! You won't hear me complaining, I love shipping new orders out to places far and near.  I feel like a little piece of me gets to visit all over the world!

My husband's truck decided it was wanting some attention in the form of some transmission work..no big deal...transmissions are cheap! Right! This new little expense now jumped ahead of the need to get the windows installed in my porch so construction can begin on my shop.  Pair that with the fact that our rental property still hasn't sold and of course, there are expenses incurred in carrying a property that is sitting empty.  I would be lying if I didn't tell you that I became discouraged---beaten down, really.  I began to question whether this "quilting thing" is really my calling by God and that maybe these things were His way of telling me that I just needed to grow up and work my nice little job like everyone else does and just be content with what I have.  I spent some time in prayer--a little ranting, a lot of pouting, really.  I let God know I was angry.  I behaved like a spoiled little princess---and you know what?  God showed up. Despite my ingratitude for a life already enormously blessed, He showed up.  That day we had three showings on our rental property and two offers--a multi bid scenario-- and it is now in contract for list price!  We're not having a party yet, there are still at least 45 days, an inspection and appraisal between us and "SOLD," but He did not forsake me.  He didn't let me give up on this dream.  I hope you realize, my friends, God loves you more than anything and He can handle your anger.  You're not going to spew anything at Him that He doesn't already know is in your heart.  He knows your innermost thoughts, He knit you together and knows you better than you know yourself.  You can't surprise Him, and if you let Him, He will show up in your life too.  As I said, my situation is not in the "happily ever after" stage yet--I don't know what will happen next, but God let me know that this dream is real and that maybe it isn't time for me to grow up quite yet.

Let Freedom Ring!

Happy Fourth of July! I'm writing today's post from the comfort of the home of our very good friends, Bill and Becki and their three almost-grown sons who live in Virginia. This sweet family used to go to our church where Bill served for many years as the Associate Minister and Worship Leader. My husband and I got to know them well singing with them in our church's worship team. About six years ago, Bill took a position at his current church in Virginia where he now serves as the Senior Minister. Since they moved, a Virginia vacation has become a yearly tradition for our family. Each year, we visit different peripheral locations for fun while we're in the area. This year was no different--we visited Washington and Lee University, historic Lexington, Va, Virginia Horse Center, historic Staunton and Charlottesville. I have recently decided that my new mission is to "quilt shop hop"--visit quilt shops in every location we visit to get ideas for my own quilt shop. I want to experience the elements of each quilt shop that invite you to return. The quilt shop pictured above is located in Staunton, VA. This was an adorable shop in an old railroad station that invited you in immediately with the sweet smells of handmade bath soaps. We went on to Charlottesville, VA where we visited the quilt shop pictured below. 

This shop, located in a strip mall, lacked the charm of the shop in Staunton, but was also a Bernina dealer (yes, I am in the market for a new machine) and had some very knowledgeable and helpful staff. After a nice chat, we moved on to our friend's house. Last month during a visit to Niagara Falls, I visited the next shop in a town called Niagara on the Lake. 

I have also used this trip as an opportunity to "clear my creative head," watch some online quilt classes and tutorials and get some new ideas for my upcoming product lines. It's so easy in my line of work to try to spread oneself too thin and make too many things in an effort to appeal to EVERYONE.  I believe it is necessary every once in awhile to "retreat," regroup and refocus. I'm probably not the only "artsy-fartsy" type of person whose head just sometimes swirls with ideas so it's definitely a good thing to get grounded. 

Things otherwise have been busy. The last beginner's class is finishing up.  Next Saturday I'll be teaching the first "make your own iPad" class followed by the "frame it up" throw pillow class in two weeks.  I've offered to my returning students a "class pass" to enable them to take unlimited classes through November. My online shop has picked up considerably this month and work is in progress on my home-based shop.  I'll be calling a window professional on Monday. 

"Frame it Up" 18 inch Throw Pillow

So, for now, I plug along, but after this trip, I do it with a bit more clarity and defined direction. I've made a list of 28 items that will be featured in my first catalog as I embark on my future home parties. I'm free of some of the confusion I was experiencing recently; but I feel fireworks inside my heart and mind when I think of the independence and freedom I hope to someday gain from this venture.