QUILT THE GUILT AWAY!

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I happened to be reading a Debbie Macomber book the other day and the name of their knitting class was "Knit to Quit." Everyone in the class was learning to knit to help them quit a bad habit or change their life.

Guilt sits in the hearts of so many, but finding yourself deep in something you are passionate about will separate you from pain, suffering, and anxiety. It doesn't matter what you feel guilty about; focusing on something that makes you happy can always help to separate yourself from from the issue, long enough to ask for forgiveness, offer forgiveness, or be forgiven. It's like sitting outside of yourself, seeing your life like a sitcom. When you focus on something with enough passion it is a natural way to separate and relax.  It doesn't matter what it is you are passionate about, as long as it involves activity that makes you happier than anything else at the moment.

I am taking a quilting class and I know now that this works, as I have felt it and resolved it by facing it headlong after allowing myself the time to focus on my quilting.
Find a passion, activate it...and see how it helps. Don't just take my word for it...try it.

QUILT HEALING!

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Having suffered clinical depression and anxiety most of my life, the sudden death of my sister manifested as Agoraphobia.  My counselor was unable to find a "day program" to take me out of my comfort zone and lead me into the path of recovery.  The only programs out there were for the mentally challenged.  Not sure what to do, but wanting recovery so much...I found some peace in meditation to begin with, and then things just came my way.  I was focused on healing and so the resources to "heal" came to me.  Had I stayed focused on "being disabled," I would have remained there.

I took up painting by watching Donna Dewberry on PBS late one night.  I began to create hand painted crafts, many of which I was able to sell.  I began making a new angel every year around Christmas, and I wrote a cookbook with my family which we now sell on ETSY.com and donate the proceeds to Cancer, Heart and Autism research. I returned to college to complete my degree (at age 60) by taking my classes online. The greatest resource I found was in "quilting." I began by researching online and finding patterns, learning rotary cutting, and attempting to make wonderful quilts.  I wasn't very good at it, but I loved doing it.  On a whim one day after leaving my counselor's office I found a little Quilt Shop right near her office.  Unable to just pass by, I went in. I entered on the side where they were having quilting classes and moved my way over to the material section.  I inquired about classes and they told me a new beginner's class was starting the next week. Without hesitation I signed up.   

The first day of the class I got there 30 minutes early and sat in my car, feeling anxious but almost giddy that I had gotten myself there; and with sewing machine and materials in hand I was going to "learn" to quilt the right way and end my frustration.  Although the class was three hours long, I managed to get through the first one and was shocked at how smoothly it went, but even more by how I was feeling.  I managed in those three hours to separate myself from my anxiety, and like a fly on the wall, I saw myself relaxed and happy, and the time flew by quickly. I felt healing when I left the class.  I am so content to see what I accomplished, and am embarrassed to say, I love the praise I get from my friends when they see how much I have improved.

Having always believed that success comes from focused attention on one's strongest desire, and the continued effort in the direction of one's intention; I was reminded of an experience I had many years before and had to abandon, to take care of my mother when she was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer. "When you believe in  your purpose and keep faith while always going in the direction of the intention without wondering where the resources to accomplish the task will come from, the resources come to you.

I have created my own "day program" called "our Gratitude,"and have applied to the Pepsi Challenge for the funding, but I know that even if I don't get accepted, the resources will show themselves as long as I keep going in the direction of my ultimate desire.

Watching the movie, "The Secret," was what reminded me of what I already knew, and it also renewed my continuous gratitude for all that I already have. Living a life of purpose is all that is expected of us, and with faith in your intention you will see the results in your own  life.

I hope everyone will look for my project next month at PEPSI CHALLENGENGE 
and vote for me to fund my "day program" for high functioning disabled  adults, designed to lower the number of people on disability and increase jobs and income to the state.

NEW QUILT PRODUCTS

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I just got an email from a Quilt shop that looks great. You can check it our here: crafttcomm.com You can also Fab Shop Hop there.
If you are interested in buying the book above just email me at acunniff4852@gmail.com and I'll give you the details. I have many quilt, needlepoint and tatting books from the 70;s and 80s for sale.

One Million Pillowcases Challenge, Grandma's Gab Sheet

Grandma's Online Gab Sheet  March 27, 2010 This is the newsletter you requested from  Grandma's Attic Sewing Emporium, Inc. We hope you will visit our website at www.grandmasatticquilting.com  Having trouble reading this email... to switch your format to text  click here Grandma's Attic is participating in the One Million Pillowcase Challenge Throughout 2010, Grandma's Attic is particpating in American Patchwork & Quilting's pillowcase challenge. You'll want to read our blog to see how you can help out! For Pillowcase patterns and pillowcase kits, click here. . PILLOWCASE KITS. These adorable pillowcase kits are just right for our One Million Pillowcase Challenge. To order April Showers, click here To order Lime and Purple Batik, click here To order Meadow Sweet, click here    MORE PINK AND CHOCOLATE. Isn't this a lovely line of 19th Century reproduction fabrics? By Windham, their rich pink and brown colors are reminiscent of beautiful 19th Century prints. Prominent during the 1800s, these colors were often seen in clothing and quilts. What can you dream up to make with them?   To order, click here.  Join Darlene's Clothesline Club 2010! New from Darlene Zimmerman! The 2010 Clothesline Club features six months of fun using Darlene's newest fabric line The Three Bears by Robert Kaufman. As part of your club membership, you will receive 5" x 5" fabric swatches, Darlene's full-color project patterns and her monthly newsletter. You will also receive a quilt block kit each month using fabrics from The Three Bears line and a newsletter by Grandma Rachel packed with information about The Three Bears. This club is guaranteed be fun, fun, fun! To order, click here      MEADOW SWEET. These beautiful floral fabrics were designed by Sandi Henderson for Michael Miller Fabrics. The Meadow Sweet Collection features flowers, dots and geometrics in fun retro designs and vintage style colors. There are eight fabrics in our bundle. To order, click here. Blue Moon Tonga Batiks To order the Blue Moon Quilt Kit, click here To order the Blue Moon Fat Quarter Pack, click here To order the Blue Moon Backing Fabric, click here PATTERNS, PATTERNS, PATTERNS. Check out these fun patterns that will give you lots of sewing project ideas. Click here to view Afternoon Tea. Click here to view Pot Pinchers. Click here to view The Hoots.   Grandma Rachel's Redwork Club Calling all Embroiderers! New and Improved! Create the nostalgia of a by-gone era with the delightful Redwork embroidery in this new and improved edition of Grandma Rachel's Redwork Club. Each month you'll receive 12 different Redwork patterns, additional history and/or how-to pages, plus the muslin and floss needed to create twelve (10" x 10") quilt squares. Your choice of colorway. A starter kit filled with everything you need to create embroidered blocks is also available. Click here to order. FAIRMOUNT PARK. In 1876, America celebrated "the year of the great anniversary." It was the year of our nation's 100th birthday and there had been tremendous industrial growth after the Civil War. One particular celebration took place in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. Over 100,000 people came to see the great displays of machines, inventions, and amusing spectacles. Machinery Hall covered 14 acres and housed machines to saw logs, spin cotton, and print newspapers. Most stunning was the 700 ton Corliss steam engine, generating 2500 horsepower to power the hall itself. It was said that the intent of the exhibition was to present to the rest of the world the United States as the leader in technological achievement. These beautiful fabrics are from that 1876-1880 time period and are representative of fabrics that were popular during the time of America's centennial celebrations. Click here to order. Grandma's Quilt Club Bobby Sox Sisters is now available by mail! Join the Club our in-store Customers Enjoy! The Bobby Sox Sisters Quilt Club is now as close as your own mailbox. Join our in-store class as we follow three members of the Silent Generation as they grow up, sharing their stories and learning about the 1940s and 50s. Each month you will receive a pattern for a pieced quilt block, plus the fabric you need to create it. You'll receive our exclusive newsletter filled with information from the time period, including recipes, tips, hints and redwork patterns. This is fun, fun, fun, and an incredible bargain! Click here to order. PIECED TREE TABLE RUNNERS. You can make a fun table runner using these tiny Pieced Tree Patterns. Each pattern contains a laminated pattern with the instructions you need to make a table runner. You'll be busy making gifts or decorating your home before you know it! Click here to view the department.   Have you Read Grandma's Brand New Blog?  Click here to visit. Bookmark the site so you can visit often. "FROM GRANDMA'S SCRAPBASKET"  My grandmother was an avid reader and a self-taught historian. Over the years she collected an entire host of quotes, book passages, and inspirational snippets to share with friends and family. "From Grandma's Scrapbasket" is my opportunity to share these endearing tidbits with you each week in the hopes that you too will find them inspirational and thought provoking. Enjoy! -- CHEERFULNESS -- "The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer up someone else."  < Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens), 1835-1910 > I hope you have been enjoying the newsletter in our new html format. If you are not currently viewing the newsletter in html (where you can see the photos and click on the links to pages and products), let us know and we'll change your viewing format. Until next week, Come and visit or contact us at: Grandma's Attic Quilting

The Lost Art of HAND QUILTING

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With progress things change everyday. In my world I am always on the lookout for new crafts to learn and create wonderful things from. One such craft is quilting. I am new to it but I get lots of help from different resources, and Penny Halgren shares the most information resources on the internet.You can join her newsletter HERE:
Here she talks about hand quilting. I like to do mine on the machine but hand quilting makes it convenient to take it with you when you want to. Check out her techniques and tips on how to hand quilt.
Learn from her expertise, she is a professional quilter and knows her stuff.

HOW TO BIND A QUILT

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What appears to be one of the most difficult steps in creating a quilt is the binding, but Penny Halgrentakes you through the steps in this easy tutorial. Take a look at it before you begin binding it will make life a lot easier. She also talks about creating a Landscape Quilt which sounds really beautiful, I might try one myself.
If you haven't signed up for her FREE NEWSLETTER, you should. She is a master quilter and I have used so many of her tips in creating mine. She offers 10 free quilt patterns per month when you sign up HERE.
Stop letting the frustration of quilting get to you, sign up with Penny and get the help that will make thin gs easier for you.

Make Polymer Clay Buttons

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Hello Crafters, Try something new this weekend and craft your own buttons from polymer clay. Adding a fabric fringe embellishment can restyle an old T-shirt in no time. Turn an ordinary serving plate into an extraordinary gift with decoupage. The competition on this season of Project Runway continues to heat up. Who survived the biggest challenge of the season? Find out in our weekly recaps.

February 17th, 2010 Issue No. 77 How to Add Fringe to a T-Shirt by Ariel Price, contributor Add a row of drapey fabric strips to a neckline for a fresh, modern take on an old top. Read more... posted in: patterns & designs, sewing, restyle Make Your Own Buttons from Polymer Clay by Linda Permann, contributor When you can't find the perfect closure for your knit or crocheted garment, there's only one thing to do: do it yourself! Read more... posted in: patterns & designs, other crafts How to Decoupage a Tray by Jeffery Rudell, contributor A simple paper technique (with a fancy French name) helps turn inexpensive objects into luxurious, one-of-a-kind art. Read more... posted in: patterns & designs, home decorating, paper crafts Project Runway - Run for Cover by Victoria North, web producer One of the garments this week will make it to the cover of Marie Claire magazine. Which one made the cut? Read more... posted in: sewing, fashion crochet embroidery gallery jewelry making knitting paper crafts quilting fashion gifts holidays home decoration memory making patterns & designs restyling Decorating with Papercraft 25 fresh and eco-friendly projects for the home Rowan's Greatest Knits 30 years of knitted patterns from Rowan Yarns The Complete Book of Polymer Clay Step-by-step instructions and original projects gratitude    shop our entire bookstore...