Mary B Quiltin’

Here’s another year, fresh and new. What does this mean? Some people do resolutions and start over one more time to try to change all the things they want to change in their lives. Some of us make time to evaluate goals and how much progress we made last year. What will I do to make this the best year ever?

I’m going to smile more and be sweet to everyone—especially the people I think it will be hardest with. I’m going to forgive everyone I need to, starting with myself. I’m going to cry before it’s a really bad time to. I’m going to leave earlier and show up on time more. I’m going to stop feeling guilty about taking time with my DH (Dear Husband) just having fun. I’m going to sew more, and not just mending. I’m going to paint and read and sew with the kids in my life. I’m going to give away and throw away a lot of stuff. I’m going to make a list of all the people and things I’m thankful for. I’m going to tell the people in my life I love and appreciate them, while they’re still around to tell. (You never know when there won’t be another chance.) I’m going to laugh. I hear that’s really healthy.

And I’m going to send a Christmas card to all the people I didn’t hear from this year with my new address. Or maybe a change of address card. Maybe next month… Perhaps I should put something about not procrastinating on that list.

Happy quilting!

—Mary Brown

There are so many benefits in quilting. Not only am I exercising discipline and creativity and planning, but I’ve also learned a lot of great words. This can be a big advantage in word games like Balderdash.

For those of you who have not experienced Balderdash, it’s a game with thousands of words that most people don’t know the definitions of. One player copies the definition off the card and the other players make up something. You get points for knowing the right definition and for writing a definition that others think is the right one. I’ve gotten at least 10 points from knowing crafting terms that came up in the game, like “trapunto,” “tole,” “sashiko,” “appliqué,” and “bargello.” Hmm. Maybe that’s not much of an advantage, after all.

On the other hand, I am learning discipline and creativity and planning. Most of the sewing terms I’m most familiar with are self explanatory: pattern or instructions, rotary cutter, sewing machine, seam ripper, chain piecing, seam ripper, measuring tape, borders, seam ripper, edge stitching, quilting, seam ripper. When I learn to do more of the discipline and planning and less of the creativity, maybe you’ll see me at Show and Tell more often.

Happy quilting!

—Mary Brown

This month I’d like to present some poetical musings. (Two of them have tunes, as well. If you don’t know them, ask me at the meeting.)

The Busy Bee

Busy, busy quilting bee,
Three more quilts this month, I see!
You create from dawn till night,
Show and tell is our delight.
Busy, busy quilting bee,
You make lots more quilts than me.

The Collector

There was a fine quilter who worked in a shoe;
She had so much fabric she didn’t know what to do.
“I can’t find what I want, so I must need some more!”
Overwhelmed by her workspace, she lives at the store.

The Patient Quilter

Keep quilting, keep quilting,
Don’t be in such a hurry.
Keep cutting and sewing
It helps you not to worry!
Just do a little every day;
Before you know it you can say,
“I made this quilt just for you.
It’s full of love and feels good, too!”

Happy Quilting!