Starshine Stitches

Have a peek!

Have a peek at Holly's latest quilt. 

It's a beauty.      Holly Blog

Really now, it's back to the workroom......  Cheryl

What did you do this week?

One of my favorite places on the web asked the question - What did you do this week?. 

Good question.   

Those of us who are self employed usually know exactly what they did during the week.   It's not a 'work when you feel like it' situation.  There are no paid vacations, no paid sick days.   The misconception of an easy life working at home always makes me cringe.  It's hard to work at home!  In reality it takes a lot of discipline.  Some days are easy, you can't wait to get to the project for the day(s) ahead.  Then there are days where you purposefully walk into your work room.   You may have to start your day setting a small goal.  When that is accomplished you set another small goal.  Eventually (at least for me) you are off and running and the hours fly.To be a professional at home is challenging.  There are chores waiting to be addressed, laundry, and family interruptions.   You're not away in an office somewhere,  no interaction with co-workers on a hard day. 

The definition of  amateur is based on the Latin "to Love".  Often it is thought that amateurs work because they just love the work.  Professionals work for the money.  I beg to differ.  You must have a deep love to be a professional.  To work no matter what.  To go into your workroom on a daily basis.   To set goals, keep a schedule, and be creative on demand.  You can't let things get in the way of your work.  It's a challenge when you work at home. 

Back to the workroom.....  Cheryl

Holly's quilts

Holly can't possibly sew every quilt she designs and keep up with  business.  She found me about 4 years ago.  How she did that I won't ever figure out.  I was just starting out with my longarm business.  She was down close to the wire for the Pittsburgh Market and needed the "Candy Machine" quilt finished. 

Holly is constantly designing quilts from her fabric line.  This is one from a market or two back, I can't keep track.

Four years later, another market, and this fun daisy quilt was one of the projects I whipped up for her.  I just love piano key borders.

Back to the Workroom....

Cheryl

Customer Quilts I am fond of #1

Marie is a good woman and a wonderful piecer. Her Quilts are always a joy for me to quilt.  She can do scrappy better and anyone I know!  Marie also allows me time to think a bit about the quilting. 

Busy fabrics tend to hide the quilting.  I find that geometric shapes and lines pull an element of crisp into the work.  The border is one of my favorites to quilt.  It reminds me of a jewelery setting surrounding a lovely gem.

This quilt won First Place and Best Machine Work, in the Sussex County Fair.  This was in a Professional Category too.  Marie teaches piecing at http://www.piecefulchoices.com/ in Vernon, NJ. 

Back to the workroom.......

Cheryl