try something new {how i fell in love with quilting}

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I've been expressing myself artistically as long as I can remember. From dance to painting to scrapbooking to writing. I even majored in poetry and creative writing in college. Creativity is a way of life for me. When I moved to the Seattle area almost five years ago, I discovered almost everyone I met here was into quilting. But for some reason I just couldn't see myself doing it. I loved the quilts my new friends had made, but I couldn't imagine being able to express myself through quilting the way I could with other crafts.

Lucky for me I had one persistent friend. She loves quilting and somehow she knew I would love it, too, if I would just give it a try. She began holding regular private quilting lessons for me. She put on a 12-part quilt block class, just for me. Each block taught a different piecing technique, and gave me tons of practice. And I needed it, because I hadn't sewn since I was about 17 years old. But it was hard to learn not only the techniques, but how to pick fabrics, patterns, notions. It was a whole new world to me.

It probably took me half the "class" to finally see that I was in love with this new art. From there I broke out and made my first baby quilt. I actually never finished the blocks lessons because I was so excited about this new hobby. (But I promise I will before we move, Kayleen!) And now it is probably one of the hobbies I spend the most time (and money!) on.

I am so glad Kayleen persuaded me to break out of my crafting routine and try something totally foreign to me. I'll admit it--I didn't love my first quilt. It wasn't a total success. But every quilt I've made really has a piece of my heart in it. And since then I've gotten Kayleen back--I introduced her to stamping and card making, and she is more than hooked!