I've been reading here a while and figured it was time to join and introduce myself. I love creating, building, basically making something from nothing. My tools of choice usually have Snap On written on them, but a few months ago I bought a sewing machine. I can wield a chain saw like a logger, know my metric sockets from standard, installed our dishwasher myself, can rewire and solder just about anything, and most men would be jealous of my Snap On collection, but sewing machines have always terrified me. Sounds utterly ridiculous now that I see it written down, but it's true.

But....I love it! It's opened a whole new world of creating. While googling to see what I could do with my new tool, I found quilting. It looked fun and creative. I like patterns, but I also like adding my own touch to whatever it is I'm making/building. I decided to make a quilt, the first was very basic, big blocks, easy rows. I used whatever I had around the house since I didn't want to spend much in finding out if I was going to like this new sewing thing. So I have a quilt on my bed made from my kids old sheets with a flannel sheet as the back(I never use the flat sheet from the set, I have a closet full of them). It turned out nice, our dog has pretty much claimed it as his own when he's on our bed, he head butts his way under it and snuggles into it while making the most disgusting, yet endearing, grunting noises ending with a huge sigh once he's settled just right.

I've since made 5 more quilts, 3 as Christmas presents, which everyone loved. My ex mother-in-law(I kept his parents in the divorce, they are AWESOME!) had the best reaction by far. I made her a memory photo quilt, we usually get them a gift certificate good at a bunch of different restaurants since Peggy(ex MIL) likes to get dressed up and go out and Harry(ex FIL) likes food, so it works out for both of them. She was beyond shocked at her present, she burst into tears, ran out of the room, ran back in, blubbering and hugging me. It was so worth all the pin pricks and blood, and trying to wrangle pictures from all my exes family, even my exes ex.

I couldn't have done it with out all the reading I did here. Peggy has been calling me every other day just to tell me again how much she loves her quilt. So I want to say thanks to all you knowledgeable people who helped me with out even knowing it.

So, that's my story, a bit longer than I intended for an introduction. Hello and thanks!