Well I'm finally here!

Hi all! I've always been half and half about blogs. I have read a lot of them but was never sure if i wanted one because i wasn't sure that i'd be able to keep up with it. After thinking about it for a while and my friends encouraging me that this is what i needed to do... i'm here!

Over the past few years i have had a "wild ride"... i first sewed when i was 18 then i put the machine aside after one project, but i knew i'd get back to it sooner or later. After moving in with my boyfriend in 2004, he paid for me to take many classes, starting with a night sewing class. From there i've been like a wild woman 'conquering' many new things one by one. It all started with a simple pillow with a zipper! I started making lots and lots of clothes, and although i am not a seamstress and i do not know how to do alterations, i am sure i'll get there one day.

My love for sewing took a turn one day after spending a good amount of time at Joanns staring at the quilting fabric. I've been crocheting since i was 5 or 6 thanks to my aunt and "the lady down the street" her name was Mrs. Boyd. when i was a little girl, during the summertimes, i'd go walk down to Mrs. Boyd's house and she'd be sitting on her porch watching the sun set and crocheting. She taught me and I am so happy to have a little story like that affiliated to my life because i've always been jealous -not maliciously jealous but.. just ya know.. an 'i wish i had that' kinda thing- of people who had a mom that taught them to sew or a grandmother, because my mom isn't into sewing lol! She always says "i have NO idea where you got this from" ... and of her 2 daughters, i would be the one least likely to be domesticated... ok anyway! back to my sewing taking a turn... so i decided, well if i can crochet a blanket, i am sure i can sew a quilt... so, again, Allan (my dear boyfriend) paid for me to take a quilting class with Pat O'Brien (she's a local who many learn to quilt from) She is a fantastic teacher and bang, i started taking class after class. 2 Christmases ago, i was making a quilt out of brocade fabrics (ugh... never again...) and ever which way i tried to quilt it, the fabric just pulled and pulled! I was desperately searching the web like a mad person to find solutions. Through my google search i stumbled onto the HGTV Quilting and Needlework forum. 1 year and 9 months later, i am a complete posting addict over there LOL! I've met some truly amazing women who make me laugh, who make me cry (in a good way!), who share not only my dreams and support me, but we all support each other and encourage the other. It has been a force in my life that has really driven me to want to learn more and do so much more. This year i was lucky enough to attend their annual retreat. 40 of us met in Houston, many of us not knowing the other except for our daily board posts. I can honestly say i've met amazing women, with amazing stories, and now we share amazing friendships. My roommates NickiLee and Kathy were the best roommates i could have ever wished for, we laughed, we cried, we hugged, we shared stories.... and i know from those precious moments that we are all tied at the heart.

I bounce off the walls with projects and new ideas and tying me down wouldn't sit me still! I have been referred to as 'The Mad Tatter' . . . recently this year i've learned the fine art of needle tatting. I am going nuts wanting to learn to shuttle tatt because it looks SO much prettier! I am sure i will learn! I was encouraged to learn to crazy quilt (CQ) and i didn't think i'd be able to do it...  The tatting i learned because in February my HGTV secret sister sent me a gift card for Michael's for my birthday. I decided after seeing tatting here and there that i just HAD to learn this art! and so i did! I have been making jewelry and pieces for CQing since!

I have a message board called: A Stitch In Time and anyone who loves quilting, sewing, needlework are welcome to join! There is a steady group of us over there and we enjoy talking freely with each other. HGTV is fantastic but sometimes we're a bit too limited there sometimes. You must register though to be able to peruse the forums.

It's been an amazing journey so far... and i look forward to the road ahead and sharing it all with those of you who decide to stop by :)