I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. We are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers.
~Henry David Thoreau
I think that many would consider me an oddity. The strange duck out. I have read many bloggers' excitement of attending a sewing retreat or a quilting camp. I am happy for them! But me, I would rather sit alone with my sewing machine, with perhaps some music playing while a sew away the time. I like the quiet and the calmness of being by myself when creating. I think part of it is always feeling like I would be judged (even though nobody really would - hopefully) or that someone would always be quick to criticize if I should attend one of these functions. I don't even attend classes at the LQS either. I learn everything from fellow bloggers, books, or classes online but mostly from trial and error. So, those of you who enjoy it - go forth and have fun. Bring it back to your blogs and I will enjoy everything you share with me. But don't think I'm strange - I'm happy where I'm at.
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PHOTO OF THE DAY
Coming down the tram
This picture was taken coming down the tram in the Sandia Mountains in New Mexico last June. There was an amazing amount of green along with the white of the granite. The Sandia Tramway is the longest tramway in the world. A trip on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway transports you above deep canyons and breathtaking terrain a distance of 2.7 miles. Your vantage point from the observation deck atop 10,378 foot Sandia Peak in the Cibola National Forest affords an 11,000 square-mile panoramic view of the Rio Grande Valley and the Land of Enchantment. It is located on the eastern edge of Albuquerque in the Sandia Foothills.
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FRIDAY'S WORK
Friday I cut out several hexagons for my Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.
FRIDAY'S WORK
Friday I cut out several hexagons for my Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.
Three different sets for flower petals (the center of the flower is hidden beneath the stack) and lots of white stepping stone hexies too.
In the afternoon, I was able to get my little owl stitched for the Mug Rug Swap with the Quilting Gallery. Obviously I didn't pull out the iron and ironing board before I took its picture.
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If you have been thinking about joining the Mug Rug Swap being hosted by Quilting Gallery, don't delay much longer. Registration closes Tuesday! So far there are 134 participants from 21 different countries.
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TODAY'S GOAL
I would like to complete the mug rug that I started last week. I have the fabric selected but still have to decide exactly what to do on the right hand side. Hopefully I will be showing you the completed mug rug tomorrow.
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GIVEAWAYS
I have now reached my goal of 400+ followers!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I feel so honored to have that many followers with so many of you leaving me comments on a daily basis! That means another giveaway is in the works. I haven't decided exactly what it will be. Just make sure to check back later in the week to see what it will be and how you can enter. I can hardly wait - how about you?
Ryan Walsh over at I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts is have a sponsored giveaway by Fat Quarter Shop. You can enter to win a fat quarter bundle of Sunkissed by Sweetwater for Moda. Ryan will draw the winner on Friday, January 21st.
Lucy & Norman is having a Dream On Giveaway! But please don't enter because I would really like to win this one. However, if you must, you could win TWO jelly rolls, FOUR YARDS of the beautiful patchwork cheater print for the backing and a half yard of the stripe in orange for a binding. Megan will select the winner Thursday, January 20th.
Would you like the opportunity to win some Clip Art for Quilters? Then jump on over to Quilts and Thoughts to enter by January 31st.
Little Ladybug's Creations is having their first giveaway. You could win a honeybun of Clementine by Me and My Sister Designs for Moda. This giveaway ends Wednesday, January 19th.
The Vegetarian Hunter is celebrating her 31+ followers with a giveaway. So far Carolyn is giving away four beautiful fat quarters with more to added. This giveaway ends January 24th.
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FINAL THOUGHT
Even though you now know that I'm pretty much a loner, that doesn't mean I don't have friends. I have a few very special friends with my very best friend being my dear hubby. And here in blogland, I feel as though I have lots and lots of friends. Friends that are ready to listen, to share, and celebrate the good times as well as the bad. I think our friendship is unique. I now have friends around the world instead of just around the corner. I cry with you, I laugh with you, and I appreciate everything you share with me. You are my friends!!
Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things.
~Author Unknown
Monday can be marvelous - make it your day!!
Lucy & Norman is having a Dream On Giveaway! But please don't enter because I would really like to win this one. However, if you must, you could win TWO jelly rolls, FOUR YARDS of the beautiful patchwork cheater print for the backing and a half yard of the stripe in orange for a binding. Megan will select the winner Thursday, January 20th.
Would you like the opportunity to win some Clip Art for Quilters? Then jump on over to Quilts and Thoughts to enter by January 31st.
Little Ladybug's Creations is having their first giveaway. You could win a honeybun of Clementine by Me and My Sister Designs for Moda. This giveaway ends Wednesday, January 19th.
The Vegetarian Hunter is celebrating her 31+ followers with a giveaway. So far Carolyn is giving away four beautiful fat quarters with more to added. This giveaway ends January 24th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FINAL THOUGHT
Even though you now know that I'm pretty much a loner, that doesn't mean I don't have friends. I have a few very special friends with my very best friend being my dear hubby. And here in blogland, I feel as though I have lots and lots of friends. Friends that are ready to listen, to share, and celebrate the good times as well as the bad. I think our friendship is unique. I now have friends around the world instead of just around the corner. I cry with you, I laugh with you, and I appreciate everything you share with me. You are my friends!!
Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things.
~Author Unknown
Monday can be marvelous - make it your day!!
16 comments:
I know that I would be very shy to go to a convention as well. I am a new quilter, and just learning all about the quilting world. Thank goodness for wonderful blogs, because I feel like if it weren't for the fantastic information shared through these, I would be lost. I really appreciate all of the tips and tricks and lessons that are taught through them. You never know the tiny bit of education you think is silly to share, is just the bit that a newbie needs to learn. I read and read trying to learn more. There just aren't places here to go to learn from.
Happy to be your friend! I get more done at home, alone, but love to share with other quilters at meetings. Never been to a quilter's retreat.
Thank you for such a thought provoking post. I also love the pic of the mountains. I have a question. I have never done any embroidery for in a quilt other then for labels and then I just use scraps. What base do you use for your embroidery when you are making a block? Any other hints? I would love someone to post on this.
I too love those days of quiet sewing, with just a little music or movie to keep me company...hope you have a wonderful sewing day today!
It must come with the Name Linda!
I as well stay at home to sew. Its not that I need privacy or afraid of criticism, I just like to sew when the urge is there. I do belong to a couple of guilds and love to show off my skills. Your mug rug is going to be so cute with that little owl. Hexigons, well I have never gone there. Always a first.
Keep up the great blogging....
Wow, your opening was so familiar. Although, I'm not afraid of critisism, just don't do well in crowds. I have learned quilting on my own, too. And the horrible thing is - my MOM is in the Quilter's Hall of Fame, yet never shared her skill with me. I did join the local guild with much prodding from our sewing class ladies - and they share giving me rides. They do a lot of community work and local donations - that is what I like - they are neighbors helping neighbors. I'm in the mug rumg swap too - love Quilt Gallery swaps - hope I get yours!
You are not alone Linda (no pun intended!) I think of it as not being a groupie. My MIL teaches quilting & I have never taken one of her classes or retreats. My only group activity is 2 classes a week at the YMCA. I have a few close friends & that is it. I am never lonely. My DH is the same way so we are alone together!
I really enjoy reading your posts and being your friend Linda.
Like you I enjoy sewing away in the cave by myself but I go to retreats to chat eat and drink with like minded folk and maybe stitch a little. LOL
Congratulations on having reached 400 followers.
Like you, I have never been to a retreat and I seldom take classes unless it is for a technique that I really want to learn about. I do love to sew in solitude as I think I get much more accomplished.
There are more of us like you than you know. I go to my class, and often help others more than work on my own stuff, lol. I count you among the unseen friends of mine, Linda!
hugs, pokey
I am glad that I am one of the 400. 400 followers, wow!! I love your picture of the granite mountain. It is nice for me also to have found this group of friends here in blogland.
It is hard to jump into a group that is "established" and been quilting together for a while. I was lucky to start going to sew ins at a shop that had only been open for about 3 yrs and there were lots of beginners.
I love retreat for the female companionship and the no cooking (can't wait to NOT have to cook). I take simple projects, strip piecing or things that are mostly done, b/c I can't create w/ all the distractions. There are just some things I need to do when I'm home alone sewing.
I am a loner too. Never taken a class; never been part of a guild. I would be chicken to go to a retreat.
When around a crowd I usually hang with the children.
I do so much cherish and need time alone.
Blogland has been a wonderful place for me to find friends. Besides hubby and daughter, all my friends are on the net. No worries of what I look like that way!
Enjoy your solitude. Solitude is wonderful!
Hi Linda, I usually spend more time chit chatting and watching other people sew at retreats. I usually learn a lot because we have guest speakers and there are a few classes which are always fun. I do enjoy visiting with other quilters and seeing what projects they are working on. Show & Tell is always the best part for me. I bet you'd have more fun than you know.
Looks like you have lots of pretty projects in the works.
I mostly like being alone too, but I push myself to spend time with other people so that I can maintain friendships. I go to one or two retreats a year and get lots of sewing done at them, and get to see what others are doing.
Most folks know me, know I'm a social bug...but I too thoroughly enjoy the solitude a quiet afternoon of sewing allows me. The humming of the machine, the ssssing of my hot iron, the smell of my lavendar best press, the sound of the rotary blade rolling over the mat....and my mind is just in limbo. Those are the times I truly enjoy my craft.
I enjoy time with my friends, but I realize I never get much accomplished. Too busy socializing than sewing :) I guess there's nothing wrong with that!
Congrats to your 400+ followers, Linda!! Your spirit definitely shines through in your posts!
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