Downsizing and Weddings.....These two things are related for me. And = reuse and recycle.

My children are 26 and 27.  They are in the middle of the bunch on my husbands side and they are pretty much all the same age on my side.

We are in the "family wedding" mode on my husbands side.  There were two last November and one this month and a couple of family friends had children marry this year too.  I have often struggled with gifts.  We don't know what to do sometimes.  Registrations often seem impersonal but on the other had young folks might not have similar taste to us.

I am a bowl and pitcher junkie.  I love pottery and dishes of any kind.  I can not resist the utilitarian beauty of pottery.  This year while we were discussing downsizing my husband reminded me that I purchased a couple of items on our motorcycle trip.  He also pointed out the purchasing more was not in line with down sizing.  So generous of him.  (NOT)  So o.k., I know I may have a materialism issue in a couple of areas. (Fabric, pottery, glassware, dishware....)  I am a Libra, balanced, I see both sides of everything.  Sometimes it makes me down right crazy.

So I took a look at and in my cupboards and really had a hard time just giving things to charities.  Then I got a brain storm.  I picked out a special bowl for each niece or nephew getting married, purchased handmade tongs or special salad utensils, packaged them together and gave them for wedding gifts.  At first I didn't tell them because I was nervous that they thought I was being cheap.    Now I think I am pretty smart.  I tell them where the bowl came from and what it means to us.  I tell them about the adventure we had when we purchased the bowl and I wish them love and adventures too.

So you see, I am not cheap; I am sharing my love for travel, happiness and adventure with our next generation.  And well, my husband thinks I still have too many bowls.

With love from your retired FACS teacher,

Jane

People you don't really know can impact your life.

Lap quilt made with Kaffe Fasset fabrics.  Still available.

One of the quilt top that Tammy has purchased and donated.

As those of you that read my blog know, I sew quilts, pillowcases and quilt tops to keep myself busy and pretty much pay for my habit (I mean hobby) of sewing.

This past year my business has grown but not spectacularly. This is not a complaint but a statement.  Sewing feels good.  I love creating items and sharing them with others.  Hopefully once in a while the quilt becomes a family memory or a heartfelt item for a new baby, an elderly grandparent or a person struggling with an illness.

I always say that selling something on ETSY is a bit of a miracle.  There are approximately 60,000 baby quilts listed just on ETSY.  Compare that with the entire Internet and I say a BIG loud "THANK YOU"  to those that have purchased pillowcases, blankets and miscellaneous other items.

Today I want to talk about two people that have impacted my life through my ETSY sales.  One, a wonder woman who wants to be able to create and sew but just can't find her sewing genetic code.  The second about a man in Texas, that I felt in my heart, needed conversation.

Number one, Tammy, is from a Midwest/Southern state.  She belongs to a group at her church that takes blanket request for people going through cancer treatments.  The group that she is a part of are amazing.  They make quilts and tie them for these people.  They pray for them and give them hope for life and a cure for their dreaded disease.  Tammy first ordered a couple of quilt tops and then later came back and purchased a couple of more.  If you don't know what a quilt top is; it is the top of a pieced together quilt that needs to be put with backing and a fabric back.  Tammy and I started conversing and she told me what she was doing.  We got to talking and I mentioned that my brother had a brain tumor and talked about what he had gone through this year.  In talking I mentioned that I was going on a motorcycle trip in her area and wondered if she had any recommended places to visit. She had great suggestions and even offered up her home to us, total strangers.  We did not visit but she still touches my heart often with updates and prayers cards, letting me know where the quilt tops that I sew, and she purchases go.  She is a remarkable person and I appreciate the love and generosity she gives through her quilt gifts.  (Even though her husband doesn't like when she goes over budget. Smile!)

The second person has left a bit a of sadness in my heart.  I started communicating with him last year.  He wanted a couple of bright batik pillow cases.  He asked many questions but was very excited about his purchase.  I knew he was on a budget and I tried to keep things low as he had to wait till certain times to make his purchases.  We sent many messages back and forth and I felt that he might have been lonely.  I didn't want to talk too much but I knew in my heart that sometimes people just need to talk.  Last month he asked me to make a couple of quilts with Kaffe Fasset fabrics because again he just loved the bright colors.  He told me he would have to wait until fall to purchase the quilts but he had hoped I could get started on them.  He messaged me a couple of time a week for updates.  At first it was annoying but then I thought, "hey he is excited about my stuff", so I started sending updates on my own.  For six days I didn't get any response from him and I thought, I wonder what happened?  Maybe he is on vacation, maybe someone in his family is sick.  On the seventh day after my message was sent I received a message from his sister on his account.  It only said that he had passed away.  My heart sank.  I new this was true.  My husband searched the Internet for proof because we are occasionally doubters.  We found his name on a funeral home website with no information or clues as to what happened.  I can't stop thinking about him and pray that he is up in heaven filled with bright colors and happiness.

To those of you that have purchased items from me (and there are more), touched my life, and given me a reason to create with fabric and yarn.....I thank you.  This creating thing is not really about money.  It is about love of design, creating and sharing my little old gift with fiber.

With love from your retired FACS teacher,
Jane