Well Hello There

I hate writing.

I blame standardized testing.

I never kept a journal growing up, and the only writing I have kept up with on a regular basis is writing in a day planner. I am a micro manager.

In the past year, I have tackled some huge beasts.

I got married.

I completed my first year of teaching.

I am making my first position change at school.

I turned 23.

I watched the entire series of House M.D

...and Trailer Park Boys

... for the eighth and ninth time.

AND I made my first quilt.

For my first post, I want to tell you my quilting story; well my beginners story. 

My best friends house was covered in quilts that her mom had made. I loved it. Sometimes when I went over, I just wanted to look at them. 

So when I turned 17, I asked her mom to teach me, and she patiently did.

She taught me how to use a rotary cutter, and square up fabric.

But by the end of the lesson, my 17 year old brain didn't have the attention span to make a WHOLE quilt. I took the knowledge I gained that day and tucked it into a dark place. A dark place that wouldn't have light shine upon it for 6 years. 

Most people would find it horrifying to know that the first birthday gift my husband got me as my husband was a sewing machine. I believe my mother-in-law sighed when she heard the news. 

It is actually one of my favorite gifts ever.

My birthday is in November. I didn't touch the thing until February.

Oops.

Then, in February, I got it into me that I needed to make my self a tote bag. 

It was on from this point on.

I

could

not 

stop.

As I scrolled through pinterest, I got more adventurous.

Next I was making bags of all sorts.

Then I started following my friends mom.

The quilt was reintroduced to my life.

I scrolled along the quilts and though to myself, "You can do this."

I knew my 23 year old brain was ready for this.

I pulled out some fabric and just started making half square triangles.

(I figured who could mess up sewing a straight line)

I now have a hideous lime green and purple chevron quilt top.

I think I will put it in a box and finish it in twenty years strictly out of novelty.

I finished my first quilt last Friday.

(I know it isn't finished in the picture)

I started the hashtagquilt Instagram, because my husband worked from home while I made the quilt top.

I had to be quiet.

I couldn't sing or swear or be silly.

Outloud.

I could be as silly as I wanted online.

I created hashtagquilt because I want other young women to think quilting is hip.

I want them to be frustrated with it, and I want them to love it.

I want them to be better at math.

I want them to take a risk on something old.

I want them to be confident.

I want them to realize that it is okay to be a lady who quilts and does other fun things.

Welcome to #quilt. 

I hope you love it as much as I love you and I love quilting and life in general.

PS: My husband just said "You are liaring to me".

That is about as serious as it is going to get here.