I want to introduce my dear friend and quilting partner. Dorothy Wills. She is an amazing quilt top piecer. One thing I know about quilters are going to quilt and we don't always give them away. A lot of quilters do make quilts for family and friends and keep going but when you've ran out of giving them away and still have stacks, it's time to let the public in on them. So, we've decided to partner on some things. I do piece but I'd rather quilt. She'd rather piece. We fit like seams in a four patch. Some of the quilted items have each of our personal touch and prayers over the quilt. Not all the quilts are this way but some and most will be in the future because I can't piece and quilt fast enough on my own. 

Good morning.

It's been a fast and furious couple of weeks. Working hard to get things labeled and tagged and on the website along with regular work. So, we did sell a quilt! It was one of Dorothy's and we were so happy to see the sale so quickly. There was a bit of drama with the buyer we had to work out but regardless...it was still a sale and our first of many, I'm sure! When The Hive asked me to take over a booth, I was very honored and needed to think about it overnight. When I hung up, I heard the Lord say, "walk by faith not by sight". Thankful for His encouragement to forge ahead. I called her back and said yes! I’d be happy to have the booth.

Mother's Day is on it's way. I have lots and lots of things from inexpensive to the big quilts! Mom will love anything for sure...especially if it's handmade.  Anything you choose from my shop will be a one of a kind item for sure and who doesn't want that? :) 

Yesterday was a very fun day! Took my quilted items to The Hive where Dorothy and I were greeted with joy! Setting up was pretty fun but we had to be creative. Love the way it turned out!

Yesterday at my sewing social, I got a call from Deb at The Hive. The Hive is a small business advertising for small businesses. They are located at 1023 Holton Rd, North Muskegon, MI. 231-981-2151. Originally, we were going to have the front wall for a month in August, so we've been busy creating smaller things to sell for folks that want a little something or want to support us, there. But...I got a call and they offered me to fill another gals contract and just move into a booth...NOW. Well...ok lol ready or not I'm in. 

Back early on in my quilting, soon after mom taught me and soon after my Papa Wally went to Heaven, I saw a post on Facebook. A lady needed a quilt finished and was looking for someone to do it. Since hospice was involved and after the recent passing of Papa Wally and the great help hospice was to him and my mom, I was desperate to help this woman. The post came from a local guild that I once belonged to and continued to get their messages. I contacted them and said I would be honored to be able to finish this quilt. Sight unseen...Mom and I went to meet with Alice. 

So, the pattern that mom taught me was On Point. I don't know the official name of it but everything went on point and we had several colors and patterns to match the focus print. I loved that! Then it was time to design it and lay it out so we know what it was gonna look like. Then we stacked them in the rows and took to the sewing machine to sew. After the quilt top was finished it was time to put the batting and the sheet on it. We pretty much were poor quilters and used sheets and a utility blanket for batting. Such a meager start to where i am today lol! But the next quilt I made was for my husband. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan so I made him a Cubs quilt. The problem came when it was time to quilt it. Now, I didn't really know what that part was about. The way mom taught me was to use a decorative stitch from the sewing machine and stitch down each and every seam. Doesn't sound too bad right? We used straight pins to hold the quilt together and it almost made me quit! There were so many pins there was no way not to get stuck multiple times! But I'm smart right? Yep, I went to YouTube again and learned about "pin stoppers" or what most folks used to pin their quilts. Back to JoAnn's i went to get a large supply of safety pins...yay!! Now, through the years I've used lots of things to pin baste my quilts and when I started doing designs on the quilt the decorative stitches are pretty much obsolete for me. I use a straight stitch machine now for piecing and have graduated to a sit down longarm. And, now, I use a spray baste to hold the quilts together. Long, long way from where I started. It's good to go back to the beginning sometimes and remember how far and how different things have changed. For the better? Absolutely!