Do you ever wonder when you meet someone what makes your personalities either click or clash?  A chance meeting, what makes you stop and talk to someone?  Is it their smile, the look in their eyes, the cute shoes they are wearing…

I met Diana completely by chance several months ago.  Dawn passed Diana’s name onto me because she was looking for someone to make two quilts, one for each of her boys out of their old sports t-shirts and jerseys.  I have to admit I kind of snickered to myself, two t-shirt quilts, really…so I asked Dawn again just to be sure and she was confident this is what Diana wanted.  So I called Diana and we agreed to meet the next morning.  I am so happy I made that phone call, I met such an amazing and caring woman who wanted to do something special for her boys…I suppose I should say grown young men.  The boy’s father passed away unexpectedly (they were no longer married—which I think her doing this for the boys and the sentiment behind it makes me hold Diana in such high regard, I truly hope to be the kind of person she is in my future-I am working on that by the way…daily).  Diana had been holding onto the shirts from their childhood days, and now she knew just what to do with them…she wanted a quilt.  That’s where I came in…

We spent some time together one Saturday morning going through the shirts, which ones to use, the whole shirt or just pieces, what color to bring out to make the actual quilt, because I didn’t want to just sew a bunch of squares together, it needed a story, each shirt needed to be separated from the next…I chuckled to myself, because they both had pink shirts…bright pink shirts (my favorite color) and she wanted both front & back used from that specific shirt (so guys when you wonder why the pink shirt, while I was delighted as it put a little of my personality into the quilt, it was your mom that wanted it not once but twice!!) and to top it all off most of them were from Tamarack Dental and my M-F is a dental office…it was meant for me to make these quilts! 

The prep work of the t-shirts takes the longest (& it’s a little scary cutting up something that isn’t yours and you can’t run to the fabric store if you screw it up).  I got the first few blocks together and emailed a picture to Diana so she didn’t think I forgot about her, and then I was on a roll.  The first quilt was completed so we needed to choose a backing, so we met at the quilt store again…do you know what touched me the most (well besides the warm and caring nature of this woman that I had just met- we hugged on our first visit-love that!).  She went around the quilt and touched each and every block and it almost looked as if she relived a small fleeting moment of their childhood and happy times as she touched each one.  Tears were rolling down my face the same time they were welling up in hers (yes, I am wiping them away as I write this as well, I just feel truly impacted and inspired by this woman after just a few brief meetings). She seemed very pleased with my work and so the second quilt was started and made just the same as the first with a slightly different border fabric so they wouldn’t be exact.  When she saw the 2^nd completed quilt, she touched each and every block again the same feeling as the first!

After a little more time passed than I promised, I am happy to say that I am meeting with Diana to give her both completed quilts this Saturday, I am so excited.    

So Diana, thank you from the bottom of my heart for adding to my journey of becoming a better person, you are one of the most selfless and caring mothers a child could have, your boys are lucky to have a mom like you (but I am certain I don’t need to tell them that).  I hope our journey doesn’t end here, besides maybe when the grandkids come I can have the honor of making their first quilt!  Enjoy the quilts and can’t wait to hear the boy’s reaction to their gift!

Xoxo, Emma’s mom

A Special Gift....

I finally added a profile photo to my facebook page after quite a bit of poking and prodding from all my lovelies out there, I know, I know...a photographer with no photo (but that isn't profession #1 right now, so thats my excuse!).  So along with my photo of my sweet little Emma and I wearing our matching birdie shirts from her 2nd birthday party (more to come later, but gotta go through the photos first)...so I wrote Miracles do happen and I believe in them.

Funny, my first thought for the miracle was I actually put a photo up cause I have received some grief about my little gray box..., but I have also been working on myself as an individual, to be a better person, to let stupid things not affect me and only worry about the big things or those that I can control..and I have a little help with that and thank you because those that have helped know just who you are!...but I think the biggest miracle came later that evening when my phone rang.  I didn't answer because I thought it was a mistake, after all, it had been almost 4 years...so I waited...no message was left on the machine, so I debated in my head what to do, a whole conversation played in my mind, some positive, some negative...okay, mostly negative but I am supposed to be working on that, duh!  So I sent a text asking if it was a mistake to dial my number and imagine my shock, and honestly...UTTER DISBELIEF to hear the call was intentional.  It was a phone call mixed with so many emotions and feelings I didn't know where to begin, so I was a little speechless...end result of the call, good emotions and a positive outcome!  So that day, I posted a simple statement and it became huge...and in a funny little way, it was a miracle.

A couple days later, Emma and I were the recipients of this little gift.  This little white box was filled with so much meaning....and of course, a little yummy goodness!  With this box comes the rekindling of what I hope to be a beautiful lifelong friendship, each of us in a very different place in our lives, both much better and more positive. 

So with that I say thank you from the bottom of my heart (and my tummy) for making that first step that was so huge....xoxo, Emma's mom

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!  I would like to say a very special Mother's Day to my mom, who has been an amazing rock in my life for the past 37 almost 38 years, especially the last two years since I have become a mom.  She has shown me such love, compassion, strength, courage and a belief in myself I didn't know was there!  I know this time of year is hard on my mom, especially since she has lost her mom...my Grandma Angel!  Yesterday my parents, Emma and I spent a great day at the zoo and on our way home I decided even though mom said it was ok...I decided we were going to stop and take some flowers to Grandma Angel.  Thats just what we did...here's a picture of us throwing flowers out to my grandma...wish this could have been a 4 generation photo, but unfortunately Emma was not able to meet her Great-Grandmother's, so she will know them both in spirit.  My mom is going to hate that I put a picture of her here, but mom, I love you and please know that I did it to tell the story.  The last picture we have here is the 3 of us when Emma was about a month old introducing her to Grandma Angel.  Emma has been such a huge blessing in my life, she has given me such great joy and a love I never thought possible.  She makes me laugh, there were times she made me cry too...but she has been the greatest gift in my life.  She makes me want to be a better person, to teach her all the things my mom has taught me, most importantly to grow and be a strong, independent beautiful woman.  I want to teach her to never, never, never give up even when things might seem tough for her, keep going the reward will be amazing and she will be so proud of her accomplishment.  I will continue to teach her right from wrong, and how to treat others in her life the same way she would like to be treated.  These are things you can't learn in a book, these are things that are taught from the heart!  So Emma, thank you for teaching mommy some of these things as well...and mom, thank you for loving me...loving us!  You are an amazing woman and I am proud to have you as my mom!
Xoxo, Emma's mom

Yay!  Yippee!  Yahoo!  My mom and I worked our tails off on Saturday in the garage to organize my 5, yes I did say 5 cabinets of fabric…we started at 7 am, took a little break for lunch and to pick up some supplies for the t-shirt quilt and finished at 8:45 that evening, the last hour with my little Emma under foot.  I had to give her some of her own fabric, so that she would stay out the completed cabinets…she likes to help (which consists of pulling it out, unfolding, throwing on the floor then jamming it back into the cupboard and goes uh oh when it doesn’t fit).  But the goal was to get all my “quilt” store fabric together and color coded and keep purchased projects together instead of little bits here and there and we accomplished that goal!  I admit, there are still two cabinets full or “other” fabric that needs to be tended to, but taking Emma for a walk sounded much more fun and she appreciated it as well.  It looks great and now if I am looking for a piece of fabric at 3 am I know exactly where to go and don’t have to open 5 sets of doors to find it and come up empty handed.  It was almost like Christmas, finding pieces that I haven’t seen in forever…loved it!  Inspired lots of new projects in my head but I need to finish the ones that are already started…at least I know the fabric and the ideas are there when I am ready!  Here are a few before, during and tadaaaa….the finished product!  Thanks mom for all your help, I couldn’t have completed it that quickly without you.  I know you slept well that night!

Xoxo, Emma's mom

Ugh…I have been so negligent with my blog, I set a goal and I failed…miserably!!!  So I will try again with May just beginning.  I don’t feel like I have accomplished much, but I know I have been diligently working.  Where does the time go?  I have completed a few unfinished projects, started a few more and currently working on a T-shirt quilt ( actually 2 T-shirt quilts one for each son).  So far so good, it is looking great.  I tried a new pattern with this one and I just have to figure out to make the center blocks tilt the opposite direction…wish me luck!

Easter was great!  Emma was so much fun this year, took her to an egg hunt with my neighbors and what a treat!  What manners my girl has, she was going after the same egg as a little boy, she got there first and turned to him and shared!!!!  What a proud mommy moment!  Even though, the whole way to the egg hunt, Papa was coaching her in the back seat…”don’t stop and show your eggs to Mommy, Nana or Papa just go, go, go!” She had that down pat, but again…she stopped to share an egg with the little guy.  Fun- filled day at the park, some quality time with Auntie Lynda and early to bed to wait for the Easter Bunny!  Easter Sunday was spent with family and friends, a good time had by all. We decorated Easter cookies in the morning when we got up, I think there was more icing on Emma than on her cookie…wish I had a video of that(but mommy only has two hands) so it is forever preserved in my mind and in my heart….and the quick cell phone picture I managed to get.  The first egg hunt she found 78 eggs(I made sure to count so no egg was left behind) with a little help of course, who knew the bunny left so many.  After dinner, mommy got a text message from the Easter Bunny saying he dropped more eggs off in the backyard because he saw that Uncle Clyde had arrived…so off we went again!  Needless to say, Emma slept good that night!  The next morning she woke up asking for more, more!  Gotta love it!!!

This is the big weekend that I tackle a job I am really excited about and dreading at the same time, but I know that it desperately needs to be done and I will feel oodles better when its completed…the fabric cabinets in the garage.  I am finally going to organize and get all my quilt shop fabric in some sort of color order, rolled onto cardboard and looking nice and neat for once!  There is fabric hiding in there that I know will make it like Christmas morning and make me say…remember when????  This way, I can keep making bags, quilts, all my fun little things without having to purchase more fabric…because as we all know funds are a little scarce these days!  I can’t wait!!!  Will let you know on Monday how it goes.

Xoxo, Emma's mom

Thought for the day....

Be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is facing some kind of battle.

Need I say more....Have a great day!

My goal is to be faithful to myself and write every Monday and Thursday evening…more if I have time, but for now we will start with two days a week.      Last time I was here Dragonfly Stitches was making its debut at Quiltique and yay…I sold 12 items!  Woohoo…I wasn’t feeling so woohoo when I first heard, I was hoping for so much more and you know…that’s 12 more items than I sold prior to that day so I am now grateful for the experience and I know what sold and what I need to make more of.  Seems like the scrap sacks were the first to go and then the cute lil make-up bags.  I did sell an “Emma Bag” yay! And a couple dupioni silk wristlets.  My mom tells me to have patience…I just smile because I like instant gratification.  I have learned though that good things come to those who wait….I’m waiting, I’m ready, but I’m waiting!

Sad day last week, my Great Aunt Dottie (Emma’s Great, Great Aunt) passed away.   We knew it was coming but it is never easy to lose someone you love.  My memories of Aunt Dottie was her home in Auburn, with the creek that ran in the backyard, place of many family gatherings when I was younger.  My mom’s memories are of her Aunt Dottie dancing…boy she used to love to dance, especially with her brother, Lloyd, who we lost last year.  Mom’s memories are also of her on the cruise ship and when she was involved with the Barbizon School of Modeling (I faintly remember that).  She was in a care facility and we were told she never knew we were there, but I have to disagree…I was pregnant with Emma when she was first moved there and we went to visit, told her next time we would bring the baby, she loved babies and never had children of her own.  When we came with Emma, she was so excited, tears rolled down her face and she said “you brought the baby”.  It was obvious she knew who we were or enough to associate us all together.  Every time we took Emma she would get so excited, she would sing to her, she would “dance” with her in her wheelchair, each time thanking us for bringing the baby and for being her family.  So when someone tells you because they have dementia or alzheimers and they don’t know you are there, believe in your heart they do know…because I 100% believe Aunt Dottie knew we were there, her face would light up the room when we arrived! 

I also finished my little jacket for Emma too!  Tried to get a picture of her in it but she ran the other way, so we will try again soon.  Turned out the jacket is reversible, no, it wasn’t intentional completely by mistake (the teachers because I followed her instruction), but yay, now its 2 totally cute jackets!  Our intentions when we signed up for the class was to make them as Christmas gifts for all the cousins for Christmas, but not sure if that’s gonna happen cause I don’t think I can repeat the pattern, maybe when I have some spare time I will try…For now,  off I go to sew!

Xoxo, Emma’s mom!