Today's Photo Journal: A Berry Christmas Quilt

I am so enjoying this journey of sewing and quilting and blogging about it.  Between my tutorials, my students and long arm clients, I'm gradually gaining an entire new circle of friends and colleagues.  I can't believe how many talented people surround me, but even more astonishing is the discovery that the beauty of their creations almost always reflects the quality of their hearts.  The act of spending long periods of time in the painstaking process of creation -- almost always for the benefit of someone else -- belies a tremendous serenity of spirit and generosity of soul.

These people play, dance and laugh, and the most critical remarks they save for their own works.  I am equal parts humbled and delighted.

Today's Photo Journal: A Mother's Love

The most precious gifts we receive convey love, thoughtfulness and meet a need.  One of the earliest such treasures of my life was "blankie," a simple pink quilt made especially for a tiny me by my mother's mother.  

Tutorial: Fabric Leaders for a Long Arm Quilting Frame

When I bought my long arm in 2009, we didn't have a gigantic room I could devote to a huge frame.  We cut the frame supports to about 7 feet long and set it up in the basement.  That time period really tested my love of quilting:  The lighting was terrible in that room even during the day, and the first machine was a lemon that took almost two years to get replaced under warranty.  I nearly gave up. 

Today's Photo Journal: The Big Winner

There are few things in this world more satisfying than a good yard-sale find.  Mine was this magnetic doodle board for a measly 25 cents.  I picked it up for Big Boy, but then Angela Walters convinced me to steal it.