I started this venture on a mission to help others. "Quilts For Kids" was my beginning. This voluntary work opened my eyes to a wonderful hobby but with every stitch I felt I had found my niche. The art swirls around in my head, fighting for a front row seat.
I specialize in quilts that tell stories...your stories. These are not your Nana's quilts that just served to keep us warm on cold nights. These are quilts that will be with you for a lifetime. They capture your memories in the stitches and folds. The thread weaves the story you share with me. The end result is a one of a kind, handmade piece of art.
2012: I began my first quilt ever at age 60, as a volunteer for Quilts for Kids. They sent me all the pre-cut squares for the top, which I struggled to put together properly. Although I've been sewing since I was 12 years old, I didn't understand most of the quilting-specific instructions included, such as "Stitch in the Ditch" or a "scant" quarter inch seam. I spent a week watching You Tube videos My only "financial" contribution was the purchase of the batting. The backing fabric was also provided by Quilts for Kids.
In the enclosed literature, they suggest sending an additional quilt or two, so as to help even more children who are terminally ill or who have been abused. Since the fabric they sent looked as though the quilt would be given to a girl, I opted to "quickly" make a Batman rag quilt for a little boy. I say "quickly" because all the online info indicated Rag Quilts are the easiest and fastest to put together. HA! I struggled with that one, as well, but managed to get them both in the mail within a few months. But I was hooked!!!!
2013: My first full year of quilting, after a few Internet Block-of-the-Month lessons, some quilt-shop classes and primarily trial-by-error self-teaching, I made five twin-sized quilts for each of my grandchildren, a sofa throw, and a landscape wall hanging of my best friend's long-time home. Whew! What a year!
2014: I am now focusing on wall hangings that are Heirloom Birth Announcements. They will be sold to expectant women, or someone in their circle of friends and family, to be hung on the hospital room door following delivery. Afterwards, they can be hung in the nursery as decoration.
