MY PEI AHA MOMENT

Me in PEI

Its been about two months since my trip to PEI. I went to "take a break," "find myself," "breath". You see... ever since September when the kids went back to school, I've been searching for the next thing to occupy my time. For the last 8 years - my kids have been my everything. Sure I have enjoyed "date nights" with Chad (my hubby), shopping, fewer family trips than I have liked, moving and re-decorating 5 homes. Ok so maybe I didn't enjoy moving 5 times... but it did take up my time. 

Now my youngest is in grade 1 and going to school all day. My time is open. As my hubby says, "you can do anything you want now." Really? Can I? I'm so lucky - how many people would love to say that they can do "anything" they want. Oh come on... lets get real - I can't do "anything" I want but yes, I'm pretty lucky to have a supportive family to let me explore what I want.

So what do I want? That's the tough part. I know that I don't want to be a buyer, my "before kids" job. I want something flexible that allows me to be there for my kids and family - without turning into a career crazed women (that's what I used to be before my kids). I want balance. I want happiness, I want to contribute and add happiness to our family.

Have you ever been at this point?  You decide to stay at home with your kids because you want to enjoy every moment, don't want a rushed life and give your everything to your family. Then comes the day your youngest is in grade 1 and you think ... "now what?"

I've been thinking about "now what?" I've been told to follow my passion, to do what I love. But what is that? I've been thinking about my happiest "me" moments. I keep coming back to PEI - sewing, creating....quilting!!!! 

Your thinking? What happened in PEI? Well.... my dear friend Janet... an expert quilter and quilt shop owner, encouraged me to work on my unfinished quilting project - my daughters memory quilt! Not only did I  get to work on a project that has been dear to my heart since Ella was born... I rediscovered my passion. Working on Ella's "memory quilt" was magical.  PEI is my aha moment - "I like quilting, fabric, creating....aha!!!!!!"

I am a new quilter... finding my way to it in 2008 (will tell you that story later). After my first class at "The Quilters Garden Patch" (a sweet quilt shop in in Oakville, Ontario), I was quickly swept away in the quilters secret society of fat quarters & patterns. Starting a project before another was finished - because I was so excited about a new pattern or line of fabrics. Sadly I only have one "complete" quilt and several "half-done".

I've given myself a birthday mission - to blog about my journey in the quilt world; while trying to figure out "what next?" Since my passion is creating, fabric, quilting... I'm going to do what the experts suggest and spend my 37th year on earth following my artistic side - in hopes to find clarity at the end.  I hope you will follow, while I share my ups and downs while creating daily. Thats right!!!! I have decided that I am going to work on my quilting or other creative projects daily. Somedays just a little - other days, lots... but I promise to create something every day!!! Starting February 19th, 2011 I will create and blog  every day.... and maybe on my 38th birthday things might be a little clearer.

PS.  Thank you Janet for encouraging me to quilt and write!