School is out for the summer so now it’s pouring rain and chilly. Aside from the fact that a good soaking is nice before the summer heat moves in, it’s a bummer if you’re either a school age kid or the mother of a school age kid. I remember being both the kid and the mother and it’s kind of depressing as summer should mean sun all the time. And we’ll eventually get lots of sun, just not today.

And then there was thunder and it began to hail. I’m still in the midst of planting flower pots, but I’m thinking it won’t get done today.

My mom tells me that life goes faster and faster as one gets older. Up until now, I believed her. About three weeks ago I caught a cold that turned into an ear infection. While it wasn’t as painful as it might have been, the days between feeling terrible and feeling better went very slowly. Sweet Husband will very likely agree that I was pretty cranky. By that I mean that I took lots of naps, interrupted by a lot of whining. There are no pictures of this because nobody wants to see that. I am, however, on the mend and feeling much better. After the first few days, I spent time quilting the Wedding Ring quilt for my son and almost-daughter-in-law. I’ve been working on it since January and while I’m ready to be finished with it, I still like it. I seldom have projects that last this long, so I’m getting pretty antsy to move on to something new. The wedding is a month away and the quilt will be ready!

A few months ago, someone watched me working on some embroidery and informed me that I was doing it backwards. It was a friendly comment more than a criticism, but I spent the next 20 minutes trying to figure out how to do it “right.” I think I figured it out, but the truth is it looks better the way I always do it and went back to what was comfortable for me. This brings up an interesting point that I try to stress when I teach: There is more than one way to do things; it’s up to you to find the way that works for you.

I do hand appliqué from time to time. I’ve learned the hard way not to set unrealistic deadlines for that sort of thing. With had work, it takes as long as it takes. I’ve taken several classes on hand appliqué over the years and my way of doing it incorporates skills and approaches that are a mixture of at least three of these classes. My personalized way of doing it is the right way for me and that’s the important thing. My point is simply this: Be open to new ways of doing things, but don’t be a slave to the “right way of doing things” police. Your way may evolve over time and become the new “right way.” Also, be sensitive to the way you critique or offer help to others. “It’s interesting how you do that backwards,” may not be the perfect opening line.

Here’s a bit of what’s stitched backwards. Who knew?

WORRY LESS. QUILT MORE.

Candy