Confessions of a quilter

A couple years ago, I sat in my SUV lazily listening to NPR.  There was a show about people going through a midlife crisis.  The definition they used for a midlife crisis, was a period of self-doubt, of realizing they will never accomplish what they dreamt they would.

SMACK.  I guess I was in the middle of a midlife crisis.  I never thought I was close to the midlife thing (being in my 20's still...then), but I realized that, indeed I had this issue.  For years I was told I could achieve anything, and I mistakenly thought it meant I would achieve something, anything.  I had achieved very little by the worlds standards....a bachelors degree and a year of working in the auto industry wasn't something to shout from the rooftops.  The realization that I was very average was a hard pill to swallow.

And yet, I had chosen the better part.  I chose family over career, love over money, poopy diapers over any worldly recognition.  I knew and know, that it was the right choice for me.  Yet, there was still a little regret over what might have been.  Maybe I wouldn't have become anything, had I chosen different.  Maybe, I really am average.

Over the course of a week, I mulled that idea over.  I am average.  I am not special.

Then my spirit kicked back.  So, what?  What if I am average, I can still put myself out there?  What if I tried to do something more?    Why limit myself with my own averageness?

I came up with a hair brained idea to make my own quilt patterns.  Just to see if anyone was interested in the work I do.  I did more research, and thought maybe there could be a book.  After a year of designing, shopping, piecing, quilting, and writing....I submitted my ideas to Martingale Publishing.   All that work over the year was invigorating, it gave me energy and excitement.  I felt accomplished just submitting my proposal.

A month later, I got a call from Martingale, saying they wanted to publish my book.  My spirit lifted.  All the effort, all the time, love, and energy I had spent over the years of quilting was about to pay off.

Now, a year later, the book is going to be released in the next couple weeks.  Years of work, loads of love, plenty of sweat, and a little blood went into this venture.  Through it all I realized a few great lessons:

Accomplishing something takes effort and risk.

Average people can do unique things.

 Joy comes in the journey, not in the destination.

I feel incredibly blessed to have learned so much in the past few years.  My one great hope is that new quilters will be born.  Hopefully, someone will learn to quilt using my book, and they will be lifted up by being CREATIVE.   I hope as they (you) create and give quilts to the people they (you) love, the recipients of the quilts will have their hearts filled with the love that was poured into the cotton they hold.

Be creative today!

Quilt Raffle for Cystic Fibrosis!

Want to win this quilt?  

I just finished it this weekend.

The kids were gone with their Daddy camping....

I actually had a moment to breathe and sew.

Find out how to win it by following this 

LINK!

A Baker's Dozen- Review and Give Away

What a fun book, written by the staff at That Patchwork Place. I love that each quilt has its own unique personality. With all the fun jelly rolls, layer cakes, and charm packs available it is always great to have new ways to use them. The quilts in this book are beautiful, and there is a design for everyone to love. There are very simple designs, as well as designs that look complicated but aren't. Each time I turn the page, I get excited about the next quilt. 


Want to check out the quilts in "A Baker's Dozen"?  Go here: A Baker's Dozen: 13 Quilts from Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes, and More (That Patchwork Place)

The instructions for this book are easy to read and follow, and are the perfect companion to such fun quilts.  The book has a materials list that includes regular yardage if you don't have a precut bunch to work with.  This book really is so much fun, I wish I was keeping it.

Do you want to win this book?

You know the drill.  Leave a comment, tell me your favorite quilt from the "A Baker's Dozen" and I'll pick a winner. 

 Want more chances to win?  Put a little something on your blog about the giveaway, and I will give you 5 more chances to win.  When you leave a comment, tell me you put it on your blog!  Thanks.

Lunch Love Notes-WINNERS

Hello to blogland.

The winners are.....

drumroll please!

Amy Savage

Paige

Allison

Congratulations!

email me at sbisel@byu.net, and your notes will come in the mail shortly.

Hello Summer!

Lunch Love Notes- Give Away

The other day I was watching my kids do their homework, and I was thinking how I wish I could do more for them.  I want to be, and I strive to be, a perfect mother.  I want to welcome them home each day with a big hug, and a warm chocolate chip cookie.  I fall short of perfection more often than I would like to!

I have since resigned myself to the fact, that warm chocolate chip cookies, just aren't healthy.  BUMMER.  So, my ideas of perfect motherhood have to shift and change.

I would like to be a mother who gives her children notes of encouragement, everyday in their lunch box.  I would like to do this, but it just is not realistic.  I barely get the kids out the door with their shoes and socks on.  Mornings are a serious rush of insanity.

So, in my quest to do better, to be better, and to streamline the "betterness" I came up with these stickers.  They are 2 x 2 inch stickers to send a little message to the ones we love.  I hope as my children find these notes of love, they will be lifted up, inspired, and generally feel that warm fuzzy I want them to.

So, I printed a few sheets, and luckily, I only had a few printer issues (ha ha).  I have 3 sheets to give away.  Want to win one?  Leave your name in the comments, and I will draw next Monday.

Want to print your own labels?

go HERE to buy the square labels

If anyone wants to get my .psd of this file, go here to download a copy.

Folk-Art Favorites - Review and Give Away

Folk-Art Favorites: Quilts from Joined at the Hip (That Patchwork Place)

This is such a super cute and fun book.  If you enjoy folk art, you will love the quilts featured in this book. There are 12 projects to choose from.  Quilts, Pillows, 4 seasonal Door Banners, a Runner, and a darling Sachet.  There are big projects, and small projects, perfect for when you have a lot of time, or when you have practically no time at all.  Check it out: Folk-Art Favorites: Quilts from Joined at the Hip (That Patchwork Place)

All the designs in this book are wonderful.  You will love it! I love the door banners, maybe because I love to hang quilts from my door, but they are so cute, and perfect for every time of the year.  Plus, small quilts are so great because you get to finish a project quickly (and beautifully).

Do you want to win this book?

You know the drill.  Leave a comment, tell me your favorite quilt from the "Folk Art Favorites" and I'll pick a winner. 

 Want more chances to win?  Put a little something on your blog/facebook/twitter about the giveaway, and I will give you 5 more chances to win.  When you leave a comment, tell me you put it on your blog!  Thanks.

Birthday Bash

copyright Martingale Publishing

Pondering about what kinds of quilts I wanted to design, I thought about theme quilts.  I always love theme quilts...Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Valentines Day, etc..  There is one holiday that seemed to be missing...BIRTHDAYS.  I mean, who doesn't love their Birthday the most of all?

Like the coveted and much loved, red "You are Special" plate, the Birthday Bash quilt is for your loved ones' special day.  Sometimes the quilt comes out early, and stays long (if more birthdays are on the way), or it comes out for just one day.  Either way, this quilt says to the birthday boy or girl, that this day is special.  I place this quilt at the hub of our home, by the stairs and kitchen.  Everyone passes by, and everyone sees it, and it reminds us of the upcoming celebration (involving the loved Chocolate Cake).

Since I have boys and girls, I tried to make the quilt without any pink.  But, what if you have all girls?  Wouldn't this quilt be so fun in bright pinks?  Any color, whatever your favorite color is, will work well in this quilt.  And when your loved ones see the Birthday quilt "out and about" they will know it is time for a family celebration.

copyright Martingale Publishing