Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Teaching, Inspiring and a little Lindsey Stirling

Well hello there! I hope your week is going well. Mine is going really, really well. In fact, I am so excited to share some news with you! I have been accepted as one of 123 teachers at this years Houston International Quilt Festival! This has been a dream of mine for a very long time and I haven't stopped doing the happy bunny dance!

I started teaching the art of quilting back in 1995 at a local quilt shop. I taught nights and weekends, for the most part, to support my fabric habit. My most popular class was Quilting 101. This was a beginning quilt class in which I would teach fabric selection, design layout, how to use the tools of the trade, piecing, needle turn applique and machine quilting. I designed the quilt for my class as well, which was a medium sized wall hanging called "Star of my Heart."

In 2000, I met a wonderful lady from England, Sallieann Harrison. She and her husband were living in the States for a few years for her husband's work. Sallieann was one of those students who was chock full of incredible talent. Her quilts, use of color and embellishments blew me away. I knew she would go on to be a very creative quilter.

Well, this past November after twelve years since we last saw each other, Sallie and I reunited in Houston.


It was so much fun to catch up on all our creative adventures that we had been on over the years. She thanked me for inspiring and encouraging her with her quilting as she has gone on to inspire and encourage her own students as a quilt teacher in England.


I couldn't be more proud of Sallie. I knew way back from that first quilt class in 2000 that she would be a star and indeed she is.

Here she is with her students and my Dove postcard from my Postal Fusions Christmas collection. Everyone did bunny ears for me! LOVE!



Teaching and inspiring others to be creative has forever been my passion. Through many challenges and hardships in my life, I can truly say I have been blessed by falling down this rabbit hole.

I hope to see you in a class one day and if you are in Bristol, UK, Sallie would love to see you too!

Until then, here's a little Lindsey for you. Be sure to listen to her message at the end of the video. :)
Hugs,
Michelle

15 comments:

Petal49 said...

What a beautiful inspiring young lady and her message so true. A lovely way to start my morning. So glad you had the chance to meet up with a friend and congratulations on your chance to be a teacher at Houston. I will get there one day!

Janet said...

Congratulations....So great that you will be teaching in Houston (what took them so long lol )....You'll have THE BEST time 😊

Missie of Traditional Primitives said...

Ahhh, wonderful story! I love seeing Salliann's beautiful quilts. It was so nice to meet her last fall. Congrats on getting the teaching gig! We'll see you in Houston!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Congratulations my dear!! You are going to knock them dead!

Unknown said...

I am fortunate enough to have the Star of My Heart quilt in my sewing room. I made it in your class. I gave it to my younger sister and she gave it back to me before she passed away with cancer of the pancreas. There is No Way to say what a treasure it is to me! CONGRATULATIONS on your teaching assignment. One thing to say....lucky students!

Unknown said...

I am fortunate enough to have the Star of My Heart quilt in my sewing room. I made it in your class. I gave it to my younger sister and she gave it back to me before she passed away with cancer of the pancreas. There is No Way to say what a treasure it is to me! CONGRATULATIONS on your teaching assignment. One thing to say....lucky students!

Createology said...

Congratulations Michelle. Your enthusiasm and passion for your craft is contagious and I think you are an amazing teacher. How sweet to reconnnect with Sallieann. Happy Teaching Dear...

kc said...

That video embodies you and your infectious spirit!! She inspires people and brings joy to their lives the same way YOU do!

Congrats on your new gig - you deserve it!! Along with all the accolades..
hugs,
k

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Hello darling......it's wonderful when you can join up with a few really great friends who have the same enthusiasm as you. I have ONE great teacher friend at the middle school who shares my love of horses....she actually has a few that she's going to let me photograph in the spring! She's a math teacher, but when we see each other, there is a great connection there.....oh how I also long to see some blogger pals, to just TALK...

KEEP HAVING FUN!

Ranger said...

OMB (Oh My Bunny!) You are going to be a teacher @ Houston! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
Look out Houston... for the invasion of the bunny ears!
Mary H (aka Ranger's Mom)

Jeanette said...

Congratulations. So excited for you & yes i may have done a bunny dance too. :) Hugs,xx

Sparklyjools said...

It's all wooooooooooonderful! Love the video - I'm a big fan of the Landfill Orchestra, kudos to Lindsey.xxx

Miss Patty said...

Congratulations Michelle! Love your blog, love you! You deserve this opportunity! Lindsey's video is so beautiful! I can imagine you up there dancing your happy bunny dance with them!

Kim said...

Those lucky ladies in Huston will have a great time. Your relaxed way of teaching, showing and sharing is just one big fun to learn. Your love of teaching shines through.....Knock'em dead little bunny.

Happy Sewing

Eileen said...

Congratulations on the teaching gig! It's wonderful when dreams come true.
I've loved Lindsey's music for a while now. She incorporates the classical and modern better than anyone.

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