Confessions of a Closet Quilter

Let me start by saying I am a quilter and I love it!

So after the day to day insanity that has consumed our lives the last few weeks, I was so excited for the chance to get away (okay there was a lot of trepidation about leaving everyone too) but back to the excitement - I had planned (Well I hadn't planned the retreat, just planned to go. It was put on by American Quilting) a quilting retreat in Provo, UT with some dear friends, many of whom I don't get to see as much as I would like to. But I had to laugh at myself because I didn't want to tell any of my non-quilter friends where I was going or what I was doing. It makes me feel like I'm twice my age and a major molly! Oh well, I am going to get over this really because I love quilting and I had a fabulous time at my first quilting retreat. I love being able to accomplish something that cannot be undone and I was amazed at how productive I could be without little helpers. We met all kinds of different quilters who quilt for all kinds of different reasons. I quilt to finish something. I quilt to for a creative outlet. I quilt because I love fabric. I quilt to create. I quilt to give. I love making a quilt for someone. Nothing says I love you for me like something you put your time and heart into .

So I was gone for three days and everyone survived just fine thanks mostly to my amazing husband who can roll with just about anything. He is such an amazing dad! My mom also helped out. I didn't even have to go home once! While I was gone Katelyn busted her lip open on the hemangioma so that bled quite a bit and Brandon was pretty needy with the cast and not being able to do what he's used to doing for himself and Derek spent a day at home with "bruised" ribs after falling on the desk at school (He was fine the next day though!) Anyway, here is what I made of my family's sacrifice....


I got a baby quilt done for my nephew who's on his way in March. I also did 3 other quilt tops that I am not sure what to do with. This is very uncharacteristic of me. In fact, other than my first quilt that I made in my quilting class 4 1/2 years ago, I have never made a quilt that I didn't have a pretty good idea who it would be for. So here are the pics of the quilts I got done.

When Blake saw one, he doubted I did it because it is not as bright as the colors I usually do (the reds are quite a bit darker than they look in the picture!)

This one I made from the fabric that everyone who attended the retreat received. I had been wanting to do this pattern so it was fun to do and went together really fast. Blake's comment on this one was "wow mom, impressive" and then "you have quilting skills". That kid is so darn funny!

And here's one of the retreat from Amy Smart's blog http://thequiltingdiaries.blogspot.com/ There were 5 Amys (and Aimees) at the retreat. One of them was Amy Smart who's blog I really like. We view quilting in similar ways and she puts the cutest things together. They are realistic for my life too. Not some of the utterly unattainable things I saw at the retreat.

This was our little corner of the room. There were 7 us that knew each other. There were more than 50 quilters there in all.

My re-entry into family life has been a little rough. I can't quit quilting. I have put three of these quilts together and quilted them since I got home and am working on getting them all bound as well. I can't stop. I may need help. Or better yet, my kids may need help, because I am busy. No, actually I love how much more there is of myself to give after a little break. It is so refreshing!