My Life-Changing Move

When our family moved to New Hampshire, I did not realize how much my life would change.

My kids were all finally enrolled in good schools and I had time on my hands. I not only had a whole room to myself for my sewing machine and tools and fabric stash, I had the time to really work on my art quilting and perfect my style.

Now, I have to say, New Hampshire has a LOT of local quilt shops. It is a quilters heaven here. I even had one in my town (lucky for me, not so much for my wallet). I went to the most local shop and stocked up on fabric.

As the months went by I would head over to the shop regularly and show my current projects as I scouted for the additional fabric or thread needed to finish. Then, last year, the owners asked if I would be open to teaching a class my style.

Me??? I have never taught a sewing class before. I was apprehensive but said yes.

Thus began my teaching career. Within hours of my class opening for sign ups, it was full and there was a wait list for the next one. Yikes! Now I was scared. To ease my nerves, I wrote up a little manual with a few pictures and set off to teach my first class.

Over the next several months, I taught a number of classes and expanded my manual based on the recommendations, ideas, and questions of my students. What started as a 12 page guide became a full 36 page manual with step by step directions, hints, and tips with a ton of pictures.

At the same time, I joined the local quilt guild on the advice of a neighbor and friend. Almost immediately I was asked to do a trunk show. Um... What's a trunk show? I'd never been in a quilt guild before so I had to do some research. A trunk show is where a quilter gets up and talks about their work and what they do and shows things they've made.

Oy! More public speaking?!?! Ok... I can do this! Sure, I'll do a trunk show. Many text messages between my neighbor friend and my bestie and I went along with this agreement. I was SO nervous. Public speaking isn't really my thing (ask my Communications 101 professor about the time I passed out). I had remind myself that I was speaking to a room of people that loved quilting as much as I do.

I survived my first trunk show, despite nerves and shaking hands, and racing heart. I was referred to another guild and another and now I have several trunk shows on my upcoming schedule.

Next came the invitation to do a workshop for a guild. Ok. I CAN do this! I already have the manual for my class and I've been teaching for months. I can add workshops to my resume as well.

I have trunk shows and workshops and classes on my calendar. Now I am in the process of turning my enclosed front porch into a gallery/shop to show my work, and where my students can come if they need help or have additional questions.

I had no idea that our move to New Hampshire would open so many doors to me finding myself and living my dream.

Barbie

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