The Power of a quilt

Okay go get a box of tissues cause by the end of this you will be shedding a few tears... Ready ...cause not sure if I am but here goes anyways. On Sunday we awake to a call at 4:30 am. Took a minute or two to figure out whom was on the phone . My friend has just had the police at her door telling the family that their youngest son was killed in a car accident. The grief is flowing threw the phone lines. We are up ! The  first thing my husband says is go see if our son is home safe and sound. You see he went out with friends that night and was not the driver . Relief sets in as we see the sneakers by the door way. Go down to his room and steal a hug. Coffee on shower and off Rod and I go in different directions as he had to move work around last week and could not stay in town this week. Me off to help where I can. As I walk into my friends home you can feel the sadness. Hugs, the tale unfolds tears are shed. Turns out my job is the official hugger. Each time a new person comes in D. (my friend) goes and greets the newest guest and the tears flow. The grief is palpable and no one knows how to comfort this family. My reaction is to hug, I don't have the words cause I don't know this loss and hope never to. So I wrap my arms around both D and her husband when it's needed. The pain is so real , and raw that one feels helpless. By the end of this day I have a headache from all the tears shed.
Before leaving I ask D if I can have some of her son's t-shirts so I can make her a quilt. You see all day long she is clutching his things with an iron grip afraid if she lets go it might be true. It's not real , I'm going to wake up she says under her breath a hundred times this day.  Into his room we go typical young man's room cloths everywhere , gym gear everywhere, the smell of hockey gear ahhhh but she looks we laugh and cry some more. In my arms the shirts go,  I know she is trusting that I will not harm the items she is giving me,  letting go of more. ( crying now  ? I sure am)
On the drive home make a call to two quilting friends explaining what has been going on and yes they will come and help. At nine Sandra arrives we open a bottle of wine she listens then to the studio we go. For the next couple of hours we talk , chat and sew. My soul is recharging . In the morning Sandra heads to work, I head to the sewing machine. All day long the machine sews and sews, the noise is like a hum that's soothing after lunch it's down stairs to the long arm. In my dreams I dreamt of angel wings but in the end I stitched hearts flowing threw the quilt landing here and there. In the corner quilt Love you Travis . Back upstairs square the quilt and machine sew the binding on.
Load quilt , Luna and myself into the truck and head to the other side of the city. Walk into the house where their was over fifty people. By the end of the night over 100 people will have came to show their respects. D. sees me and the quilt and is in my arms. The quilt is then scooped up and she has it on the floor inspecting, soaking up what I had done. Tears are flowing her oldest son is thanking me and crying , this family embraces me and this quilt. Now it's nothing special eight meters of fabric, nine t-shirts that are used but the power it holds words can't describe. When I left tonight my friend was on the coach curled up under it finally resting.
The power it holds is love. Travis is there giving them that last hug.
So thinking this is the nicest quilt I have ever done because it was done with the purest intent love.
Thinking your crying now.  Go hug you kids, call them , email them cause you never know when the Angels want them by there side. I know I have given JD more hugs in the last two day than he would like oh well. Now to bed I head not looking forward to the next couple of days but will  smile and let my spirtes flow.

It's a new year, we all make resolutions which one never really keeps but at least we give it our best effort for a month or so. A few years ago I got off this merry go round as I did not like setting myself up to fail. Now yes I do say this year I am going to do this or that but it is usually something that needs to get done. Last year was the year to purge, finish projects and clear out the clutter. This was done with the help of an organizer. Sometimes one needs to ask for help and that's okay. Also my quilting friends kept me in line to finish off my projects, although I keep adding to that pile. As for this year I have made goals not resolutions. This years goal is to have a Millennium and frame in the house .For those that don't sew it's a kick ass Long arm machine. Now the plan is to teach and put that income aside , get another part time job. Okay I know adding to my already crazy schedule but I sent out a resume to do census for Revenue Canada and that job one can set there own hours. You see to make my goal means I have to put about a thousand dollars aside each month for the whole year. We will also be making cutbacks in other areas so that I can bank more. So this year I will also try to sell some of my quilts, use more of my stash and spend less. Ambitious goal I know.


Friendship Quilt
Blocks made by friends quilt design mine

 You see I have a plan which has been set into place. This plan happened because Rod and I kept telling JD to do what he loved. A job is not a job if you love what you are doing. When giving advise one should follow ones own advise. So for the next year I shall be taking classes from some wonderful teachers from all over Canada and the United States. I will also be asking my friends if I can quilt their quilts so that one can practice what one is learning. Muscle memory is important. And the scariest thing is to start using my computer to design quilts so that one can start selling one's patterns and designs. Long term Plan make this crazy hobby or rather addiction  start paying for it's self. So giving JD advice also made me look at my life and ask was I living it to my fullest. Was I my best self and the answer was getting there, work in progress. Now step it up and live. Thinking I have been watching to much Oprah. So question of the day are you living your fullest life ? If the answer is no then what's your plan ?  Now to go see what the kids are doing, get JD out the door, pour myself a coffee and get on with my day. Hope your day is full of fun and laughs. I know mine will be cause kids can be so funny.

Christmas Crazy

Three days and counting down. The house is done, baking finished, gifts wrapped so now it's onto the house work. I swear we make more work for ourselves. The joy of the Holidays, spending way to much, eating, drinking and playing way to much. Everything in excess. As a quilter I make even more work for myself cause well you want to make that special gift for your family and friends. Sorry guys but I  did not go crazy. Okay let me rephrase that. 25 tea towels made and already given away, 50 little bags made and most have been given away, two quilts done and given, two table runners , two wall hangings have also been sent. And that is what I did in the last two months.

Now got smart and told a friend no I would not make her mother in law a quilt so she came and sewed for a night and then booked a long arm quilter as I said no again. Happy dance for me for standing up and realizing that I could not do everything. Sometimes we have to learn to take a look at our schedules and rethink what can be done and will be done.

Today I am working on a quilt that is due on the 8th of January. The blocks where all finished in the spring early summer. Scheduling issues NOT just like most of us left it to the last minute now in panic mode and look still not doing it cause I am Blogging. Evil laugh. Goal today is lay the blocks out and figure out the best way to showcase these amazing blocks. And well the ladies that graced me with such a gift I don't want to let them down so will try and showcase each block to its best. May be under the gun but will not let time get in the way.  

That is what I plan to be doing this week in my spare time. Now my wonderful husband also booked us a couple of days at the Banff Springs so we will be escaping between the Christmas holidays and New Years. He has been traveling so much he though it would be nice to recharge. Okay I know he has been staying in hotels most of this month but he wants to spend time with me. No distractions, kids or dog.  So today thinking will head to the Cat's Pajama's and buy something special after work.

Now that I have killed an hour guess I should get back to work. Wish me luck. Mind you in 15 minutes have to go and pick up kids as they only have half a day off. Got to love my schedule.

Being Thankfull.

Just got home from doing my shift for Inn out of the Cold it is 5:38 am in the morning yes still up and know once my head hits the pillow I will be out like a light. Now lots is going on in my head as to how the rest of my day is going to go. Sleep till ten, maybe make a piece of toast while the coffee is brewing. Head to the bank to pay my taxes ( Filed late this yr.) Not worrying about how I am paying this bill because the money is there. Then grocery store, liquor store then home, friend coming over to use the long arm so she can finish her Christmas gifts. My husband will arrive home around four then we will get ready to go to a Christmas party . This is what this day will involve. Well tonight I swear more people could not sleep , needed to have a smoke, or just wondering about. Very unusual since wake up is at six and they are on the bus heading out by seven.

Here is what these Homeless working poor have to look forward to. Wake up in 15 minutes, where if you want a shower you have to wait cause there are only two showers and 15 people that could want one. But you have only one hour to pack up your stuff shower and eat . On the menu is eggs, toast, bacon and fruit. Sounds good but this is the menu everyday if you are using the Inn. 7:00 am on the bus to head downtown. It's cold out, might not have the right cloths for this weather in need of a smoke. If your lucky you have work to go to if not your on the cold streets of Calgary . Lunch was given to you so no worries about filling that need but where does one get hot water to use for the instant soup? Next worry getting back to the Inn pick up point by 4:30 to catch a bus to the next church that is housing you for the night. Along with a million other worries about surviving on the streets.
Okay hope you have a mental  picture. My family was homeless when I was a child my parents did their best but moving, changing cities and jobs left cash flow short. First and Last months rent is hard to save for when you are just trying to get by in a day. Did not help that my mother had a mental condition . We also where on welfare for most of my younger days. So this is the reason I do the Inn Out of the Cold each month. It keeps our family grounded as to whats important . My husband never lived through such things but he has lived through my hording of canned food ( Not so bad for it now) My giving the shirt off my back if you needed it no questions asked , opening our home to anyone no matter what. Over feeding everyone cause god forbid anyone goes away hungry from our home.

I have a point to this story should get there ( lack of sleep ). All week I have been stressing about my silly Christmas tree and when was I going to get it up. Well tonight one man was stressing about the sizes of cigarette butts in this bag he had. I swear he must have gathered them up from all over the place . All he wanted was to enjoy one smoke. The bag made him feel like he could handle what ever the day held for him if he could gather enough to role one cigarette. Another lady that was up all night was stressing about the hole in her shoe cause next week it was going to get cold. Makes the tree look rather silly. These people where not worrying about stocking stuffers or that perfect gift.

As we head into this holiday season please take the time to enjoy what you have. My friend Darla and her son have been doing one good deed a day for someone if we all did this wow our world might not have so many stressed out people. So I hope today when you head into your day you might appreciate the little joys that are around you all the time. I know the people at the Inn gave me a gift tonight. I shall not stress over anything cause really we have it so much better than a lot of other people. Merry Christmas

Christmas Crazy

Morning,

Just checking my list of things to do before the holiday crazy begins. We all have those lists even if it's just in our heads. Who's on our Christmas shopping list, when will you have time to write that letter to go into the cards. What events will be happening that we need to plan for. And how is one going to pay for it all. So the crazy begins. Each year I swear we set ourselves up to drive ourselves and our loved ones crazy. For example I am thinking about my cards and letter but before I even get fingers to the computer low and behold my first Christmas card will be in the mail box from my mother. How this crazy lady does it every year still amazes me, but hers will be our first card and that's my Que to get my butt in gear and send out the cards. Could do it today but know I will wait until next week before it's done. And that's how we set ourselves up for the crazy. Now don't get me wrong my Christmas shopping is done yes you read that right. I start on boxing day for the next year. Sales baby Sales. Plus picking things up all year helps to spread the cost over the year rather than during November and December. This allows our family to do more with out having to pay in the next year. Planning ahead always. So my plan for this year is to keep it simple ( Laughing so hard right now) Okay yes I am keeping it Simple -  which in my world this year it means to Share , Implement, Multi task, Plan, Laugh and Enjoy. Keeping it Simple. So no stressing ones self out cause the tree is not perfect or those cookies are a  little burnt . Over the last couple of years I have come to figure out that no you don't need to decorate upstairs and downstairs, each room does not have to reflect the season it just needs to be clean for your company. Your friends are coming to visit you so  if there is a cookie to offer wonderful if not I am sure the company is still much better . So you can see the plan forming evil laugh, yes my friends will becoming over to bake , my family will decorate the tree together even if it takes until Christmas eve to get everyone in the same province and we will enjoy it. Now lets see if I can keep it simple .

 Right now finishing up a quilt for JD's girlfriend , have Christmas towels to finish sewing, Have to arrange Christmas party for the wonderful women I sew with on Fridays , well you get the picture. On the bright side already ahead of the game because it's still November. Now to get off this machine and start working on a class sample. This Sunday am teaching all day so if you want to come play and make a Secret Santa to give or keep come play with me at My Sewing Room, thinking the class still has space (call the store for more information)  Promise it will be done before Christmas. So there you have it my plans, so what do you have planned and will you drive yourself crazy?

To Label or Not ??



Inner Animal Workshop

Well I have no idea where the month went. I swear between work, kids, husband and my life in general this month has flown by as it is I still have paperwork and GST to deal with before the end of the month. At least the government fixed the $64,000 dollar error on their part. Can you imagine getting that bill needless to say I was not a happy camper that day. Where would one come up with that kind of cash? But I am not the only person dealing with government screw ups. My friend J had to spend the last month proving that they had a third child whom is in grade 12.  I figured after the sixth trip into their offices I would be pulling my shirt up and showing the stretch marks lmao all in fun J.

 So this month I started teaching we had an amazing weekend of sewing and I think the ladies took something away with them. It was fun and scary all at the same time. I have also opened my studio up so if you care to come and sew with me your more than welcome. My first victim (pardon student) evil evil laugh was J. She took the workshop but since she does not own a machine or tools she came to finish her quilt at the studio. Well let me tell you for a girl that just turned 13 this month she did an great job. She finished her quilt including the binding and label. Okay we sewed the binding by machine which saved us much time. But I swear I have been doing more and more binding by machine these days. Unless the quilt is heading to a show or it's something really special to the machine it goes. Don't get me wrong I love doing binding by hand. The other thing is labels. Please quilters start doing labels. Matt Sparrows the man quilter bought a hand quilted quilt at VV yesterday for $20 dollars someone went to a lot of work on this quilt for it to end up having no voice. I told J while she was finishing her label that yes this was her first larger quilt , it's from a pattern but the thing that makes her quilt special is the label. It tells a story of the journey she took as a young girl. So the next owner will look at the quilt with different eyes. They are going to understand this was her first quilt, she is just learning so yes the stitching may not be perfect, it's not totally square but it's a right of passage. This teen has fallen in love with quilting and already planning her next quilt. (So if you know of someone getting rid of a sewing machine get back to me cause I would love to be able to help her along the way ) Any ways that has been this month hard to believe that it's almost over. I did finish my GST yesterday and filed it on line lets see how that works.
Now while the kids are watching movies today I may be able to get some invoicing done. Then tomorrow spend the day invoicing and decorating the yard. Rod is gone until Monday then home for five days then gone again. He says he has a ton of paperwork for me which means I need to clear up what is sitting here in my office. I swear it never ends. My question for the day is this, if a man and a woman had the same chore list what would be the time frame for completion for both of them??? Evil laugh just wondering cause I know my husband works hard but sometimes my family doesn't see what all has been done. Enjoy the day love to hear your views.

Winds of change.

Morning, taking a break from kids & quilting. Spent the morning dropping the kids off at school playing with the two that are here all day then back to school to pick up the kindergarten kids.  Will have to start thinking about lunch but that can wait while I type this and  drink my first cup of coffee. Fall is a time for change, the leaves change color , the air is changing where you can feel the winter winds coming. The kids are back to school and learning and moving into another stage of their lives. This year is no different in our house. Jordan is now 18 in university and well do I need to say it moving into another stage of his life. His schedule makes it so there are days when one does not see him. This did not bother me until this week when Rodney headed out of town on Sunday. This week it has basically been just me and the dog at home dealing with everything, which is nothing new but I have had a ton to deal with. This summer we had two hail storms roll in and needless to say our roof did not survive or that is what the guys said when they checked our roof. So dealing with insurance and adjusters, then will have to find a roofing company to do the work before the snow flies. Then my mom fell , well between her doctor and aide's phone calls I swear the phone was connected to my ear. We have finally convinced my mother that she really does need a phone. This is something we all have been working on for years but Doris (mom) would have nothing to do with a phone. So yesterday I spent hours on the phone making the arrangements to have one installed and me being billed so Doris does not see the bill. Well even my mother has come to the conclusion that her life is changing due to her age. Now on reflection I have an aging parent that is going to be needing more and more but with her medical history one can't move her closer to be able to deal with issues first hand. Tkg I have set into place some great people.  Change sometimes is a good thing and other times not so much. This October my little world is also going to change. I will be teaching part time, it's a small step but I am really looking forward to stretching my brain muscles for a change. And last month I designed my first quilt pattern so even I am trying to evolve. Small changes I know but still changes. Question of the day what changes are you experiencing and are they good changes? They say we need to shake things up a bit to evolve what do you think? Just a thought, now guess I should go make lunch for the kids, finish my class sample that is due today and get on with my day. Go enjoy yours because you know mine will be full fun and crazy.