I drove back to Alaska, found a place to live, a job, and enrolled at University of Alaska Fairbanks to finish my degree. When I wasn't at school or work, I spent my evenings at the Silver Spur drinking, dancing, and finishing my homework...After all, I was single again.
In 1996, I met a man that made me swoon. Wasn't looking for it, didn't want it, but there it was...and as all things that are too good to be true, he was as well. It took me too many years to figure it out and a lot of heartache in the end. But in the moment, it was fantastic. The Star of Bethlehem quilt was meant to be a gift for him, but instead ended up as a dog blanket. Chance used it until if fell apart.
Was it worth it....yes and no.... In the craziness of our relationship, I became pregnant (1998), and in the end he and I would not spend our lives together.
In front of the quilt is my daughter Samantha. You may be wondering what is all over her face....Did you know that if you wet washable crayons with your tongue you will have a grease pencil and can draw all over your face?!?
The first quilt I ever pieced was for my little brother's wedding. It was born from the pain of divorce and with the hope that they would have a lasting marriage. I had never thought of quilting before, but over the years I sewed many formal dresses for our military balls, and children's clothing for my friends' children. With that in mind, I decided that a quilt would keep me occupied as I contemplated where I would begin this new phase of my life. I was raised in Michigan, and that was where my parents lived. With the military, we lived in Germany, Texas, Alaska, and then New York, but the only place that felt like home was Alaska. So as I planned my return drive to Alaska, I began their quilt.
I wanted to create something for by brother and his new wife that was unexpected. I am not even sure where the idea came from, but probably walking through a bookstore perusing the aisles. The next thing I know, I've purchased a book, picked a pattern, purchased cutting supplies and fabric and sat down at the table for hours and hours of cutting and sewing. Little did I know that I should have started with larger blocks! At the time I didn't know anything about quilting, or batting, or backings. I made things up as I went along. I sandwiched the layers-the top, a blanket (like the quilts my grandma used to make) for the middle, and a backing. If I think about it, the backing might have been a sheet, or muslin. As I type this, I cannot believe that was 20 years ago in 1995.
As I sewed their wedding quilt, I shed tears for the end of my own marriage. I thought of the plans that were discussed that would no longer happen. My mind reeled with decisions about my future as a single woman, where I would live, and what I would do with my life. I continued to sew. About the time I finished the top of the quilt, I had decided that I was going back to Alaska. I borrowed my dad's truck, rented a U-Haul, loaded up family pieces of furniture and personal items, and drove to Michigan where I put everything in storage. At my parent's house, I layered and tied the quilt. The original plan was to hand quilt the layers, but I realized that with the blanket in the middle, that was almost impossible and I wouldn't have it finished before their wedding day. My mom helped tie the quilt and then I sewed on the binding. I managed to finish the quilt in time for the trip to Texas for the wedding.
That quilt was the best therapy for my divorce. I was able to focus on something positive as I dealt with what, at the time, was my biggest failure in life...my marriage. Little did I know that quilt would be the first of many--given to friends, family and strangers over the years. Quilting is my therapy...whether as an escape from the frustrations of work, coping with family crisis, or just a little me time to regroup, my quilt room is my haven.
