December 2020 is off to a crazy start!

 Now that we've got the Stepping Stones Sampler finished, it's time to get the rest of December off to a good start.  I have to tell you, it is starting out a bit crazy - with an extra person in the house, Baby J has been in the hospital (she is doing just fine and will be home tomorrow after she finishes her antibiotic session!) and we are trying to get the last of the yard work and the Christmas decorating done.  Whew.  I think I need a nap!

And I am joining in with the annual 31 day blog writing challenging hosted by Muppin.com. 

Yesterday's prompt was to introduce myself, so I'll say a quick hello in case you don't know much about me!

I have been sewing since I was a little girl, got it straight from my mom, who got it from her mom.  I fell into quilting in 1986 after my fourth daughter was born, and I've never stopped!  As my girls started leaving home I started working part time at the local quilt shop, Threads That Bind and got started with writing up my original quilt designs and selling the patterns.  I started writing this blog in 2006 and I also started my Etsy shop and selling my shop samples and patterns there.  

I consider myself a more traditional quilter who loves a modern touch to her quilts.  I also love to use techniques that make my piecing faster and more accurate!  After all, she who finishes the most quilts gets to use more of her fabric, right?

I have done a little teaching, but consider mself more of a coach and cheer-leader.  I really think just about anybody is capable of making a quilt if they have the confidence to attempt it!  I love helping beginners to build skills, and to challenge people to expand their repetoire of techniques.

I love batik fabric and have been an Island Batik Ambassador for five years so far!  Love, love, love doing this.  They send me fabric and give monthly challenges - soooo much fun!

I love blue and white quilts, miniature quilts, and scrappy quilts.  Bonnie Hunter does amazing scrappy quilts, and I hope to make more of those this year.  I'm also planning some scrappy quilts using Cynthia Brunz patterns this year!  (I took a Geese Migration workshop from her, and really want to work on some more blocks in 2021)  I got to know Cynthia orginally from the Quiltsy Team on Etsy (I am currently serving as team captain) and she is a fellow Oregonian, too!

I have a semi-retired husband, five daughters, five grand children, and a funny cat named Scamper. I keep myself busy with lots of projects and fun times with family.  We are active in our church, and I enjoy encouraging people to grow in their faith and live happy lives.  LIfe isn't always perfect, but I try to keep a positive view and make the most of each day.

That's about it for now...I'm working on getting things ready for another Mini Madness project, but I'm not up to speed yet.  Rather than rush it out, I need a couple days to get it perfected, so I'll share that in a few days.  Sorry to keep you waiting, but I think it will be worth it!