Perfectly Loved

Dear Lola,

Just found a forgotten quilt top.  Ok, so it wasn't forgotten, it was cast aside first and then forgotten. I had rejected it because I felt it wasn't perfect enough.  I began to feel it was ugly!

When I began the quilt, I was so proud of myself just for trying.  I was a new quilter and it was an ambitious project involving lots and lots of little pieces.  I foolishly felt the quilt would be the making of me as a quilter. 

I remember zealously beginning the project, determined to create my best and most perfect quilt ever.  The initial blocks were precise and I was pleased.  As the project went on, I continued to be passionate about it and worked to continue my pace and devotion.

As the project grew and grew, the tiny errors in the project grew as well.  These errors were not so evident in the individual blocks, but they added up and became more apparent.  It didn't take long for me to feel overwhelmed and unable to go back and correct my minor discrepancies.  I just didn't love the quilt anymore. 

I felt the only conclusion was to cast the quilt aside.  I remember saying to myself, "I'll come back to it someday." Yet knowing, I probably wouldn't ever finish it.

Finding the unfinished top this weekend, got me to thinking.  Why can't this top be finished?  Why must it be perfect in order to be finished?  Why can't I perfectly love the quilt and all it represents instead?

There is much to appreciate in this imperfect quilt.  I began the project as a Block of the Month Program.  I attended regular meetings and met some of the most wonderful quilting friends. These women touch my heart all the time. Throughout the program, my skills improved each month and my knowledge of new techniques grew as well.  The fabrics were pre-selected for me and this taught me that I don't care for plug-and-play quilts.  I learned that I want to decide what colors will be used.  The lessons and experiences of the quilt did shape me as a quilter.  I was also involved in a very scary car accident during the making of the quilt.  I survived, I recovered and I've gone on to create other quilts.  This makes the quilt - a lucky quilt.

I realize now - there's no use in keeping it unfinished in a closet.  Finishing it, quilting it, binding it, and trying to create the best quilt I can can be a powerful experience.  Yes, it's true, it undoubtedly won't make it to a show, or even to a bed for display.  But it can be a excellent snuggle-up on the sofa quilt for a cold winter night.  I can see myself enjoying the reminders of the experiences hidden in the stitches.

Who knows? Some day when a future grandchild is born, it may be a well-loved story quilt that we sit under to read books.  My grandson or granddaughter isn't likely to grade my stitches and seams on perfection.  I'm now hoping the quilt will be a reminder of cherished, heartwarming times.  

And just maybe this future grandchild and I will use it build a fort, or play hide and seek.  The potential for my imperfect quilt feels exciting and limitless.  So Lola, what began as a quest for perfection, ends in the quest for perfect love instead.  I'm suddenly loving this very ugly quilt with all my heart.

Hugs and stitches,

Lori

Share the success!

Dear Lola,

I recently realized how much I love to see others succeed with their sewing and in life. Yes, it feels good to succeed myself, but I am happy to share every sewing technique and enrich the lives and the sewing success of others. Encouraging someone to take their hobby and fly makes my spirit soar! It usually doesn't cost a nickel and the payouts are huge.  Seeing someone shine right next to me makes me feel like a million bucks.  

Occasionally, I run across people who will not only avoid sharing, but try to steal the "thunder" of others because they think it makes them look more powerful or smart.  I think it's about the dumbest thing you can do.

Sewing, crafting, quilting and the synergy it creates among women is so wonderful, so powerful and so important.  Why would anyone want to diminish this power for goodness, by being greedy or mean-spirited?  Come on people - you know what to do!

Share the love, share the credit, share the knowledge and most of all - share your heart.  In the end, you'll find the rewards far exceed any expectations.

Hugs and stitches,

Lori

One Face Says It All!

Dear Lola,

As you know, I love to have the television on in my sewing room - sometimes I'm just listening, sometimes I 'm watching.  Last night, I watched an episode of I Love Lucy and I was laughing so hard I was snorting (don't tell anyone that sometimes happens when I laugh too hard).  I had been having a rough week at work, not bad, just rough.  You know the kind of week I mean - when you feel like everything you start doesn't get finished, and the "to-do" pile on your desk is getting bigger instead of smaller.  That was my week!

Coming home and heading up into the sewing space made me feel somehow better, more powerful, and certainly happier.  Even though I knew I might not finish a project, I could surround myself with things I love.  There is just something wonderful about bonding with a little fabric; organizing my Aurifil threads in a pleasing palette; hanging my rulers back in their spots; and dreaming about projects I want to create.  I was having a peaceful domestic scene.

I had a big mess on my cutting table from a project I had worked on earlier in the week, so I calmly got it organized and put away.  I felt a sense of accomplishment that I just didn't get at work this week.  Yes, it's true, sometimes I feel like I spend more time cleaning the sewing room, than actually sewing in it!  Making the room tidy made me feel powerful.

During the episode of Lucy, she was making her usual signature faces.  The expressions that Lucille Ball mastered are mind boggling!  Her comedic abilities are unparalleled. She could convey an entire story in a single look.  Her expressions could be frozen and used as writing prompts for a college creative writing course.

Fast forward to this morning.  I woke and proceeded to go through my normal morning routine - checking social media while drinking my coffee.  My friend Sue, who is not a quilter had this picture posted to her page - I laughed so hard I nearly snorted my coffee up my nose!  (I think I need to work on that snorting.)

This was an "AHA" moment. I then realized that it was up to me to practice a little creative writing of my own, and use Lucy's expressions as that writing prompt I envisioned and pretend "Lucy is a quilter".  I think I captioned her photos below pretty accurately.  I'd love to hear from  my followers to see if they agree - one face says it all! 

By the way, as I begin a project today, I'm making the same face Lucy is making in the bottom left hand corner - "See I was right to buy 3 yards".  Which face will you be making?

Hugs and stitches,
Lori

Only "resewlutions" here!

Dear Lola,

At this time of year, everyone likes to make their annual New Year's resolutions. They like to vow to lose weight, get organized, travel, learn a new skill, be nicer to loved ones and appreciate life more. It's a time-tested, noble tradition and I ordinarily make a list of my own resolutions.

This year, I decided that I'm unlikely to lose weight, get organized or travel more.  Don't get me wrong, I'd be happy with attaining any and all of these resolutions - but they just don't excite me as much as some "Resewlutions" I have!  I know, it's a completely made-up word - but what the heck. There are lots of words that make it into our vocabulary that start out as completely made-up!

So here goes - my list of Resewlutions:

• Learn hand embroidery.  This is huge for me.  I hate handwork!  I avoid it like the plague.  But, the stitches are so pretty, I realized that I have to get over my fear and take the plunge.
• Make a T-Shirt Quilt - At Christmas 2013, I promised my daughter-in-law I would make her a T-Shirt Quilt.  This past spring, she brought me the T-shirts and I need to finish this project up.  It will be my first foray into the land of T-Shirt Quilting - I don't know if I will love it, but I am excited to make something for one of my most favorite people on the planet. 
• Master machine applique.  I love the look of machine appliqué - but I have never had the patience to work on improving my technique.  I need to apply some enthusiastic practice and maybe I can find a way to acquire this skill.
• Organize my fat quarters!  I know - you are silently laughing to yourself.  I've been saying this one forever.  But I mean it, 2016 is the year I get this mess under control.  I'm tired of all those crazy plastic bins and the hunting-mess that I create every time I'm looking for a fat quarter.
• Throw away or give away all my old books and magazines.  Let's face it - I hate dusting them!  Most things can be found on the internet and I have been hanging on to these outdated magazines and books for far too long.
• Make 5 charity quilts.  This resewlution is a no-brainer.  If I make 5 charity quilts - I just might get rid of some of those unwanted fat quarters! It will make me feel great to do something nice for someone else too.

I'm sure I will continue to add to my list throughout the year.  The amazing thing about resewlutions is how making them is so much fun!  I've never been this excited to sit down and make a list for the New Year.  Long live the resewlution!