Ain’t No Junk: Trunk Tell All!!

Tick, Tock, Goes the Clock..Tuesday’s the BIG day! 

Yes, my fellow quilters and students have asked; and I have listened! Therefore, I am thrilled to announce that this Tuesday, July 17th, my online “Trunk Tell All” will go live! PLUS a lot of extras!

I have been hearing from many of you, far and wide, how you would love the opportunity to attend my trunk show but unfortunately logistically it just doesn’t work. That is simply unacceptable; I just cannot allow that to continue. There will be no more worries about where I”ll be, and how to get there, because I’m bringing my show, and a whole lot of extras, directly to YOU!  AND for only $50 you get to witness all of it!

Let’s make things even more exciting by revealing that there are also some great “extra’s” included with this program. The first being the pattern of the Emerald Isle! A great starter pattern!

Now if you weren’t the slightest bit interested in quilting you wouldn’t be found viewing this, correct? If that’s the case, and you haven’t already done so, I urge you to jump into Divide and Design! It really makes the craft of quilting a no brainer.  And because I believe whole heartedly in this method I’ll provide you with my one page handout on the secret to Divide and Design during this session! YES, that’s right, a second little giveaway!

Finally, sign up during the first week of this launch and you’ll be added to the “Ain’t No Junk” Facebook group!  I will be hosting a Facebook LIVE event; during which time I will answer any questions and concerns you may have on all things Quilty!  So make sure you’re following me!

 

There’s a Traffic Jam Ahead

 

FINALLY!  I reunited with the love of my life…. quilting.  And now that I have time to get back into the quilting game I need to remind myself to get out of my own way.  Yes, I get in the way of myself !  I think I create an enormous traffic jam  of the mind as I agonized over every little decision.  The mental traffic of thoughts remain at a stand still while I ponder over whether the design will appear just right.  Or perhaps perfect is just around the corner if I don’t rush the process and walk away for a while.  Can you understand why my current show quilt is four years in the making?

Initially I felt as though I was in a creative rut;  that I was getting in the way of my own creativity (yes, I create many traffic jams of the mind).  But it then dawned on me…I just need to quilt.  How could I be lacking creativity when I haven’t spent any quality time in front of my machine? Standing in front of my longarm, silently asking for its forgiveness for being MIA, I felt a reply that had me going on Facebook and rekindling the idea of completing a couple of customer quilts.     Thinking back to my roots of doing custom quilts,  it was then that my creativity was at its peak.  My need to step foot back into that arena felt overwhelming.   Onward and upward towards creativity!

Bonnie Browning from AQS was kind enough to reach out to me.  She told me Paducah would be hosting, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization), Creative Cities, meeting for the Crafts & Folk Art section in September.  This is huge because a US City has never had the pleaser of hosting this event until now.  It is customary for the city providing the meeting to bestow gifts related to their designation.  As luck would have it, for Paducah, its quilts.

I was given the pleasure of quilting three small wall hangings for this special event.  I wish I could say that I was able to keep the traffic in my mind moving at a steady pace; but there were delays.  The three quilts that were produced by a local Paducah guild used the same design, the only difference among them was the color of the fabric.  I found once I put my hand to work, and just began quilting the self sabotaging ceased to exist.

Once I moved out of my own way I had so much fun doing what I love!  Now its full steam ahead and I’m quilting up a sample and then my auction piece for Houston.

Do you get in the way of your creativity?  What are your secrets to preventing traffic jams of the mind?

 

Living the DREAM!!

 

The last two weeks have flown by.  I was in Las Vegas for BERNINA University, which was amazing!!

Except for:

Let’s begin with the flight to Las Vegas.  There was “air traffic” which, to those non flyers,  delayed our flight.  In this day and age there is traffic people!  And in the air “planes” don’t magically appear.  Road travel is a bit more unpredictable as far as volume but can’t we be a bit more efficient with scheduled flights (air traffic controllers may need to be paid more, just a thought)? I mean I had important things to do and people to see in Vegas.  Then when I finally boarded my lovely source of transportation, and we taxied out we were #15 (not 3,  5 or 8 but 15) for take off.   And because we weren’t number 3, 5 or 8, our plane waited so long to take off that we had to return in order to REFUEL.  Trust me I can’t make this stuff up.  Originally this was a nice, early 8am flight that was scheduled to arrive at 11:30.  The joke was on me.  Once we FINALLY were airborne and moving, not suspended motionless among the clouds, my seat mates and I were extremely hangry.  It was now lunchtime.  As my flight from hell would have it, by the time the beverage cart rolled my way we were advised there was no more food. Didn’t they thing to reload with food when they refueled? I mean really, is it me or do not get a list of passengers prior to flight departure? So what’s this girl to do but drink lunch.  Don’t judge me there are vegetables in Bloody Mary!

As you can see I eventually made it to my amazing hotel, Red Rocks Resort and Casino.  Thank goodness I’m not a gambling kind of gal, or I could have been in big trouble. But still a fun place to stay when your “working”.

As this particular trip would have it, I entered my room and was once again starving; only to find this “welcoming sign”.  Did this plane take me to a hotel on Mars? Note to anyone staying here set your stop watch if  you remove/place anything from/in their mini bar.

The ladies I met were absolutely incredible. Below you will see me standing with Suzy Williams and Yaya Han.  They are two BERNINA Experts as well, I was so fortunate to spend quality time with these women.  Unfortunately, Lizzy House was MIA when this picture was taken.

These three ladies and I hosted an entertaining Facebook live event, here it is if you are interested.   If you’ve viewed the video I must admit I felt like the old lady of the bunch.  And my big question of the day was why on earth did my hand look so big?

When it was time to depart Vegas I felt entitled to a drama free flight.  Well, entitlement gets you nowhere! If you don’t follow my Instagram stories (@lisahcalle) I thought I would give you a little more insight on my plane adventures and put them all together.  This way on the, off-chance, you haven’t incurred a day in life of delayed flights you will no longer feel left out.  I actually did this to occupy myself and prevent any outburst of my frustration from being video taped by a stranger.  I didn’t need to be seen on Good Morning America as “that” one angry passenger.  So enjoy!  Living the Dream! 

 

Life is Getting in the Way!

It was Las Vegas, then Noah’s graduation party, and now my trip to Hershey!

Sorry fellow quilters but my life is getting in the way of quilting!  Although some of my interruptions are actually quilt related.  Speaking of quilt related I am headed to Hershey for their Quilt Odyssey!

The Quilt Odyssey is being held July 20-23rd! My Quilter’s Groove Rulers will be located at Booth 103, I will be hosting my Trunk Show, and teaching “Getting in the Groove”.  It will definitely be a busy and eventful couple days in Hershey PA.  If you are attending the event please stop by and say hello!

Yes, it seems that this summer has me juggling many things and the days are just flying by.  I’m hoping to find a little more balance in the month of August.  If you haven’t already taken a peek don’t forget to check out my Facebook and Instagram pages; what can I say I like to give a little TLC to all social media!

Social Media Take Two

AND ACTION!

I am really pushing the social media button, but that’s okay.  Without social media where would I/we be? Therefore, I am a HUGE advocate of uniting with my quilting community by means of social media in order to enhance my craft. Yes, networking is a fundamental part of my profession.

But let’s face it, its intimidating when we see other quilters also using Facebook, Snapchat, and Tweeter.  Trust me, after seeing what “Sewing Susie” has posted I feel undeniably “less than”.  Her style seems better, photos of what she has completed are simply breath-taking and she is circulating ideas and achievements that I know are on my someday list.

This mind-set deters me from posting any “new” projects because I feel I cannot compete with “Sewing Susie”.  With a little self therapy (yes, that would be talking to my dog and quilting friends) I’ve learned a little something about “Sewing Susie”!

Sewing Susie is NOT perfect!

As stated above no one is perfect! Sewing Susie is very smart, she is going to post her best!  That includes her best quilts, her best accomplishments, basically anything that she feels falls into the “best” category.  The fact that we are all human has us yearning to show the world our supreme masterpieces and triumphs.  So when it comes to social media why would Sewing Susie volunteer anything less?  I am constantly reminding myself that what I perceive on my computer doesn’t imply that I am an unworthy participant . We are all worthy of posting.  Don’t let Sewing Susie take up your mental space in regards to sharing your quilting accomplishments or thoughts.  Enjoy viewing post from those in the quilting arena. Focus on gaining some insight that will encourage you to create and inspire you to be the best you can be.

It’s Okay to be a WIP, I am!

Step aside Sewing Susie, and make room for Lisa who loves being a “WIP”.  I embrace being a WIP full heartedly, and I love sharing the ups and downs of my quilting journey.  Believe it or not I find it less of a burden knowing I’m willing to share my many flaws!

And if all else fails try saying this five times fast:

“Sewing Susie stipples sucky samples.”

Hey, who knows this might be just what you need to get your mental space headed in a positive direction!

Is anyone else out there a “WIP”?  Or does the name “Sewing Susie” have you intimated of taking a step in the internet world of connecting with quilters?

AND THAT’S A WRAP FOLKS!

Social Media Take One

AND ACTION…

Facebook, Tweeter, Snapchat, and Pinterest are just a few of the many social media sources that we all utilize to share our business and craft of quilting.  The internet is amazing in providing us with the such ample opportunities to connect with one another.  I did say amazing, but the word “amazing” encompasses the amazingly good, the amazingly  bad and the amazingly ugly!

I love providing information, and instruction for peers in this arena that would like to enhance their quilting skills.  I recently have taken to trying out Facebook Live as a different approach to sharing my work rather than simply posting to Facebook or Youtube.

 All we want to do is share in a positive manner, correct? Well, this where we leave the “amazingly good” and step into the “amazingly bad” and “amazingly ugly”.

I am extremely lucky to have such a responsive group of followers.  Most of whom provided me with incredible insight on what they have experienced after viewing or reading my material on social media.  However, there are those that feel the need to express certain opinions, or statements that have me wondering “Didn’t their elders teach them that if they can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”?  Apparently they didn’t absorb that little life lesson.  Constructive criticism is part of life, that I get, and that I truly appreciate.  However, social media does open up Pandora’s Box and allows those random few to spread negativity into my sites.  This is where we notice the amazingly ugly.

I’d like to say:

That’s right, I politely say no thank you to those that insist on using my social media as a soap box for their little thoughts.  If I wanted your unkind opinions and comments I would ask for them. I do not.

And secondly:

I purposely provide videos and informational posts on various social media that won’t cost anyone a dime, nickel or penny.  Close the tab, screen, whatever and one would be “Lisa Free”!

So to all those lovely social media resources that I have implemented into my business, I am grateful for all the connections I have made and continue to make on a daily basis.   But to all my viewers I would like to remind everyone that it is “my” sandbox.  I am more than happy to invite anyone who is willing to play nicely to join me.  If you aren’t going to play nice then stay away from “Lisa’s” sandbox!