hello, out there…

I’m taking a quick break from quilt storytelling to tell you a little bit about me. I realize I have never properly introduced myself so, here goes…

While I’m not, I don’t think, in the middle of an existential crisis, I do find it quite difficult to talk about myself as if I’m meeting me for the first time. Where do I begin to consolidate the past 60 years of my life? What are the salient parts and what can I leave behind? I guess I’ll begin with where I am today.

I am a quilter and a journaler, a crafter, and wannabe writer. As you may already know, I’ve written a book to help quilters tell the stories of their quilts and I’m currently working on a second book which is a compilation of those very stories they’ve told. While I love writing, there are times I long to be at my sewing machine listening to it hum along and watching fabrics being married with thread. And while I love quilting, there are times I’d much prefer to be out in nature, listening to our beloved birds, and just sitting and watching the flowers and grass grow.

I volunteer at our local park system where I get to walk through wildflowers and forests and see all manner of wildlife from scarlet tanagers to eagles, and minks to beavers. I am spoiled by our rich and diverse wild kingdom right here in the middle of the city.

It may go without saying then, that I love to explore our parks, and in the summer, you may even catch me riding my portable bike on the APT (all purpose trail). Usually though, I’m just game for a quiet walk outside.

My husband and I have two cats, one of which is a rescue; that would be Edward. I don’t consider us having rescued Tigger, as he had quite a comfortable foster home as a kitten and he seems quite spoiled himself. Together, we make quite the interesting family, with six-year old Edward lazily lounging anywhere warm and eight month-old Tigger pouncing about and always, always underfoot.

Edward

Tigger

I don’t like so much the traveling part, but I love to see other places in the world.  I love to walk rocky beaches and prefer them to the sandy sort, and I love to see other cities’ architecture (my father was a builder and I like to think I inherited some of this desire from him). I enjoy trying new foods but also crave my old favorites.

I enjoy being with friends and having good old-fashioned crafting sessions into the wee hours as we gab and snack and sew.  I also enjoy junk journaling, making journals out of everyday materials others typically throw away.  I recently made a niece of mine a junk journal with fabric covered bubble wrap as her cover (spoiler – it can be done!)

I like listening to Raye or Sting as I clean the bathrooms but prefer Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett at dinnertime.

And that just about describes me and my life.  I live simply even though I’m rather a complex person with many facets to my personality. My friends and family might each describe me differently; I like to think I’m a “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” kind of person…but maybe I’m not.

I am enjoying gathering your quilt stories and getting to “meet” each and every one of you.  Maybe one day, I’ll see you in real life and in real time.  That would be a joy indescribable.  So, thank you to all who have already contributed and thank you in advance, for those I’m yet to meet. I hope we cross paths one day soon…I’ll be the one looking awestruck.

If you’ve got a quilt story to tell, or just a fun quilting anecdote, comment below. I’d love to get a conversation going! And if you need a little nudge, my journal, The Story of Your Quilt may help. It’s loaded with motivational quotes and inspirational prompts to help you tell your story. You can find it here now for $22.99