My "Thing"

So, I've found my "thing."

You know what I'm talking about.

That feeling you get when you meet someone for the first time and are like--where have you been all my life?  And all of a sudden you instantly become great friends.

That feeling you get when you are searching days, weeks, months, or maybe you even finally give up trying to find something you've lost.  And then you FIND it.

That feeling you get in the spring, when you are able to take out your lawn furniture from storage or your cooler clothes from the back of your closet or your flip flops from the bin in the basement.

Those are the feelings I'm feeling right now.
The excitement of all of those into one THING.

Quilting.

It bit me hard.

Enough that I am trying to quickly write this blog so I can go downstairs and set up my mom's old sewing machine and everything else I found and was given this weekend.  But I feel it's even more important for me to write down this exact feeling I'm feeling.  Because I'm not sure if I've ever truly felt this way about anything before. 

Seriously.

I find it rather comical. 

Never could I have imagined that I would even be SEWING on this craft weekend (which I was the ONLY one on Friday night who was NOT sewing).  I brought several different crafty projects (a quick stop at Michaels on the way up prepared me), as well as books, magazines, my Ipad, and the idea of taking naps.  That should have kept me busy for the whole weekend away with my mom.

But starting Saturday morning, you could not pry me away from the sewing machine I was working on.  In fact, I was usually the last to start eating a meal and the first to be back at it.

I find it's me.

And it came naturally.  I can't tell you how many women came up to me this weekend and commented on how quickly I was catching on and how some of them had just learned a few of the things I was actually sewing.  Other hobbies or activities I've done in the past, have not come as easy as this.  And I can go all the way back to grade school. 

Which makes me even more bitten.  And interested in the quilting/sewing world.  Because it is a world.  A whole new world I didn't know existed.  And one that I'm excited to NOW be a part of.

And I'm still surprised that my mom new this would happen.  She's told me for many months now, that I would like quilting.  That it was for me.  But I never really knew how spot on she was until Saturday morning when I made my first block. 

My first quilted table runner is done, sitting on our dining room table--even if it does not match ANYTHING in our house:o)  It's my first.  And I cannot even express to you how proud I feel to have it completed.

I already have my next project (a baby table runner for a good friend of mine).  And I started a list of more projects that I'd like to do. 

So, I'm proud to announce my thing is not crochet, jewelry making, painting, and all the other new hobbies I thought I should give a try a few weeks ago.

It's quilting*.

And I couldn't be MORE excited.


*I think my husband thinks I'm an old lady now that I quilt.  And I maybe thought that prior to this weekend.  BUT I'm already trying to pull more of my friends over to the "dark side."  At least, that's what the older women referred to it this weekend.  AND if it means, I get to hang out with women, create masterpieces, get my creative juices flowing, and spend some time with my mom--WHO WOULDN'T???

Top 5 for the week:
(I know, sad.  But it wasn't that eventful this week.  And I can combine most of them together).

5.  Painting.  Mal LOVES painting.  What kid doesn't??  But Momma doesn't like cleaning up after Sir Clayton.  He is so all over the place with paint.  It makes me not really enjoy the moment.  But Mal loves it so much that I give in.  This week she did a GREAT painting of a peacock in a forest.  It seriously was awesome.  Because normally she just blobs the paint down on the piece of paper and mixes the paints together to create this horrible color blob.  Well, she actually took the time to make a picture.  BUT, as I was changing Clay she altered the pic a bit.  LOTS of brown.  Everywhere.  Doesn't look like a bird so much.  Or even a forest.  But I was still proud of her.  I just wonder when she'll start painting more picture looking pieces. 

4.  Malloryisms.
*Mal called me honey this week.  I did a double take.  But it was so stinkin cute.
*She awoke and vividly told me about this dream she had--where Jay was making her shakes.
*"I can grow into it." Referring to her shoes.
*"It must be my lucky day."  She says this a lot (we have a book called Lucky Day) but this week she was lucky.  She found some money in the dryer when she was helping me unload it.  "Finders keepers" I told her.  A BIG grin back at me.
*Mal found a night crawler with her dad.  Was she delighted!  And couldn't stop talking about it.

3.  Clayisms.
*Talking machine.  Two, grandma, good job, car, thank you, sorry, books.  And more...but I don't always write down all the ones I hear him say because he is saying SO much!!
*He is obsessed with helping.  Emptying the dishwasher, feeding the dog, putting things away, cleaning up, closing closets or drawers, setting the table.  I'm going with it!
*Put his own sock and pants on this week.  Seriously this boy just blows my mind.  Wants to do so much on his own.
*LOVES books.  I wondered if he'd be like his sister--in her love of books.  And he is starting too.  One day this week, I found him sitting in his rocking chair looking at books.  It was so cute.  And by the time I started videoing him, of course he saw me. 

2.  Kiddos.  So I was gone for a few days (48 hours to be exact).  And you would think my kids would miss me--even maybe a little.  Nope.  I think the person who missed me the most in the house was Jay:o)  He did great!!  But I know he was ready for me to be home.  He sure kept those kids busy--which means I can lay low this week at HOME.

1.  Quilting.  I'm addicted.

Well, a start to the new week!
Hopefully, warmer temps are around the corner.
I'm ready!

Enjoy your week!
Until next time,
Mrs. Newell


P.S.  I'm also contemplating whether or not to post my posts every week on Facebook.  Just a thought.