The Plunge

So... I've joined this amazing group! The Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild. Oh my gosh! I LOVE it when there are people in my world that set a high bar for excellence. It inspires and challenges me and this is exactly what these people are doing. I've been attending for over a year and each time I come back from one of their meetings my brain is about to explode with ideas, challenges, and potential.

Just to be sure my person didn't feel short changed I made them
two cushions.  One for the wrist and one for the machine

Each month they throw out a challenge for anyone who wants to participate.  I’ve always been chicken in regard to these because I am not quite sure if I have a satisfactory standard of skillmanship.  I have quilted, but only for my family and if there are mismatched corners, they don’t care because it’s a gift from me and a treasure for both of us.  H’anyway, last month I thought it might just be time to jump in with a do or die leap.  Really now, if it’s not acceptable, I can work at getting better but I hate to disappoint the recipient.  This challenge was pretty open so I thought it might be a good one to start on.  It was to make a pin cushion of our choice out of any fabric and bring it to the next meeting to put in a large pin cushion swap. The cushions would be exchanged with other quilters from participating cities who have done the same.  Isn’t this brilliant!?  So... being a bit nervous about my actual quilting skills I made up my own little image, put it on transfer paper, cut out a shape with a backing, sewed the seams together, stuffed it and viola!  (When in doubt, go overboard! So my person gets two!)  So my version of a not so quilted pin cushion for a Quilt Guild Challenge and I went to the meeting with a little bit of a ball in my tummy.  But wanting so much to overcome my apprehension, I took a deep breath and followed through.

When in doubt - go overboard! See, they are interchangeable.
The one is winking to be cute and on a bad day, she's letting
one know... "you can do it!"  I need this kind of encouragement
and maybe someone else does too.

 

The president and founder of the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild, Holly Broadland is an amazing young woman who always states, “It doesn’t matter what level you are at.  Everyone is welcome.”  Do you know how empowering this is?  She’s marvelous.  You can follow her on her blog  Holly’s Red Bike. Last month she was interviewed by Tina Anson of Canadian Living Craft Blog.  Check it out!  You just might find my little contribution nestled among some amazing quilted pin cushions.  Gosh, I’m feeling a tad warm and fuzzy, like someone just said I belong.  So darn excited now that I’ve taken The Plunge!  Tomorrow is the next meeting and I'm participating in the new challenge.  Yikes!