Am I the Only One?

I’ve been in this business for a long time… I started piecing in 1997 and started longarming in 2004 as a business. It quickly became a love… I couldn’t wait to get my piece on the longarm so I never really stretched my piecing skills. Now my longarming skills… that’s a different story. It didn’t take me long to start teaching…. 2006 and I love every minute that I spend with my students. With that being said… I do suffer from Imposter Syndrome at times. More so when I first started teaching but there are still times when I’m waiting for people to realize that I am not as good as they think I am.

When we first start on this journey most of us have no idea what we are doing and you know what??? That’s normal! If you think I knew what I was doing, you be crazy! I had no clue and learned by trial and error. What I learned is that if you aren’t failing …. you aren’t growing, see we learn more from our failures than our successes. There are still days where I am waiting for people to say… hmmmm, she isn’t as good as I thought she was. The difference between now and then… I’m ok with that. I know I love what I do and I love sharing it with as many people as I can.

Fast forward to today…. as I sit here and type out this blog. My business sure has changed a lot since I started it back in 2004 and when the pandemic hit… boom… my business model was sunk. Since I traveled to teach… it came to a screeching halt. (now the timing couldn’t have been worse since I had just gotten a divorce and needed to support myself) Over the past year and a half there have been many ups and downs in my business, when the downs hit.. I wonder maybe this is “someone” telling me I should be doing something else. But then I would hit a high… and think… I’ve got this.

Imposter syndrome hit and it hit hard. I needed to figure out how to survive with trying to teach online. I am not a techie person so the amount that I learned this year while putting together Quilter’s Groove® Heirloom Academy and Quilter’s Groove® Tribe was astounding. Hard, yes but oh so worth it but I had to keep telling myself.. you can do this, you got this. Not always the easiest thing to keep that mantra in your head.

Why am I telling you all of this? Well, there have been many new quilters that have reached out with doubts… they have had their machines for a while and they use it as a coat hanger or some such thing. I want you all to know that whether you are new at this or experienced… we almost all go through the same emotions of “what am I doing”. I can’t do this… I don’t know what I was thinking. I am here to tell you… you can do this! If I can do this… you can too. Remember we all start in the same spot and the key here is to not compare yourself to anyone!

Your journey is unique to you. Embrace the ups and downs, figure out what you can learn when something didn’t turn out the way you thought it would! Most of all….. ENJOY yourself, be kind to yourself… the things we say to ourselves in our head matter!

So as Mel Robbins says…. look in that mirror and give yourself a high five today! YOU GOT THIS!

I would love to hear from all of you…. have you ever felt like an imposter? What do you do to motivate yourself when this happens? Leave it in the comments so I don’t feel like the only imposter out here. 💕

2018 Come and Gone

 

Seriously 2019, how in the world did that happen?  Just yesterday it was September and Brody was starting school; now we are into the new year.  Boy time flies.   I certainly hope that everyone had a fantastic holiday season.  The holidays in the Calle household were wonderful but way too short.  I’m sad to report that the older boys already headed back at school.  😦

The New ProOvals are here! Unfortunately, I do not have a sample made…yet.  It’s on the top of my priority list. In the meantime, they are up on my site for 20% off till January 13th!  Don’t pay full price, shop now while the discount is available! There are 4 different sizes of ProOvals and they work just like the ProPebbles.  I know there is tons of creativity brewing in all of you, so I can’t wait to see what you produce with these new rulers!  Feel free to share!

 

Mid Atlantic Quilt festival here I come!  Yes, I will be vending for the second year in February and I couldn’t be more excited!  I’ll be planting my roots in Booth #313.  Last year brought such an amazing time I simply had to come back! This year will not disappoint as you’ll find Jolene, Jackie (Jackie’s Woolens – the booth next to us), Barb, and of course myself, taking over the convention center. Don’t miss out, come join the party.  I guarantee you find amazing products and nonstop laughing. Fingers crossed I am hoping to have my new pattern and kit done, Marmalade Skies (see below).   Perhaps, if enough of you flatter me with how much you like it, I’ll be motivated to have it completed on time. LOL  Seriously, I absolutely love Cherrywood fabrics, and I also have a fondness for pinks.  I did take into consideration that not everyone has the same taste as me so I produced another colorway.  This is a project takes no time at all as it is fusible applique and blanket stitch.  Hopefully you will give it a thumbs up.

 

Yes BIG, BIG news!  I am returning to the business of accepting customer quilts.  Or maybe I should say taking small steps into the customer quilts arena.  Regardless of the size of my steps this is still BIG news!

Starting in March,  I will begin taking on a few customer quilts a month.   Initially I will only be completing “all over designs”.  So if “all over designs” is something you’d like me to produce for you please email me at Lisahcalle@me.com, and I’ll place you on my list!

Don’t forget to visit me in February! Booth #313 at Mid Atlantic Quilt show!!

Happy Chrismahankwanzakah!

 Santa is providing me with an early Christmas gift; I’m heading to the Dominican Republic for a little R&R (I guess Santa thought I was a good girl this year).  So I thought I shouldn’t be the only one getting in the holiday spirit.   That being said, I’m sending a great holiday sale your way.

My present to everyone is a  15% off storewide!  The sale that will run from  Dec 16th through Dec 24th!  My quilting sleigh could be filled with goodies heading your way if you take advantage of my holiday sale.  (my online classes use code FIFTEEN) (excludes iquilt classes).

Although orders will ship out AFTER Christmas there is no need to pout… just think your holiday season will extend past the 25th!  Now is the time to fill your stockings with those rulers you have on your “Holiday Wish List”!

 

 

 

When This Quilters Away…

Comes Your Way!

You heard right!! While I’m away ALL orders shipped within the United States will receive FREE shipping until August 20th!

NO Special Code is required to receive free shipping!

So take advantage of this great offer, and fill your cart today!   And you’ll enjoy free shipping within the great USA! 

I can’t stay in Europe forever.  Unfortunately, I will have to return to reality which mean free shipping will come to an end.  So don’t miss out, you have until August 20th to take advantage of what is happening while I’m traveling abroad!

 

 

I Just Wanna Have Fun

 

 

Most of you know it’s with much excitement that I’ve announced that Perfect Plumes has made its big debut.  But what you don’t know is that during the process of constructing my latest class, with a little help, I filmed a little promo video for the launch of my newest addition.  Below you will find the small segment to watch, if you haven’t already. And if you’re about to click “play” keep in mind that there’s nothing I love more than adding a bit of comedy into my work days.

So feel free take a look at the video:

Since you have watched the above little clip I’d like to now reveal the first couple recordings that were filmed.  But first I need to disclose that my red-headed assistant, Drea, was helping with this project. And whenever the two of us are found in the same room, regardless of size, a unique and rare element of playfulness fills the space. For the record I’d like to say that despite how many times fits of laughter place our work on a brief pause; we still manage to be productive!  So, on this particular day Drea, and I thought it would be fun to add a “tiny” bit of costuming to the video; and the chosen accessory was a wig. The end result is what you are about to observe below.  Now, I realize that you may not find it nearly as comical as we did; but trust me, managing a falling wig makes “serious” acting a bit difficult. My intent in sharing these clips is to encourage everyone to permit themselves to embrace silly, laughter-filled, moments in their day.  And if you’re lucky enough to have someone who brings that aspect into your life then make sure that you incorporate them into your tomorrows!

Enjoy and have a laugh…

 

Presenting… Perfect Plumes!

 

Some things are worth the wait, and I have to admit these are one of those things!  If you’ve been yearning to master the technique of creating beautiful heirloom feathers then, Perfect Plumes is calling your name!  The class is broken down into steps that are easy to understand and provides the knowledge and skills needed to enhance this aspect of quilting. The only catch is there is no magic fairy dust..

 

 

You may not want to hear this folks but the fact remains, like many things, the key to success with creating feathers is practice, practice, practice! You want to succeed, and I want you to succeed, so in order to achieve that, Perfect Plumes includes worksheets to be downloaded.  Trust me, they will be a huge learning asset. In addition, the class incorporates videos demonstrating drawings and stitching performed on the domestic machine.

When I began quilting, I desperately wanted to master feathers.  This didn’t happen over night, in fact, it took some patience, time, and a lot of doodling.  My unwavering dedication in grasping this concept evolved into a huge love of feathers.  They are, by no means perfect, but that’s just fine with me.

Okay, enough about me, back to YOU and Perfect Plumes! Finally, the conclusion of this session incorporates a final project to test your skills, and the pattern is included! A class with manageable steps, videos, worksheets, and a final project; what more could a fan of heirloom feathers ask for?  Trust me you’ll soon see that magic fairy dust isn’t necessary; the true magic lies in YOU!

So let’s get you flying with feathers! Sign up now!

NJ Quilt Fest and Memory Lane

Thank you Manusco! I’m sure they weren’t aware that selecting Edison, New Jersey as the new venue for the NJ Quilt fest, would bestow upon me a priceless gift.   In addition, I am quite certain they had no idea that they would have my professional and personal lives joining paths for the weekend.

 

So, believe it or not I actually grew up in the town of Plainfield which is right next to Edison, in fact my high school was in Edison.  Good Ole “Evergreen School” (my elementary school) I remember it felt overwhelming walking the halls as a young student.  Now the aged brick building appears so small.  Ah those early school days..

Yes, rings were exchanged and vows were made. Unfortunately when I recently witnessed the establishment it was evident that the church had aged over time. It no longer evoked  an establishment that housed an assembly of participating parishioners. Instead its lack of visitors was evident by the hollow, unkept, grounds and vacant parking lot.

 

My Days Intertwined:

Class was, of course, in session throughout the weekend.  And my students were incredible as always.  I couldn’t believe that one of my students actually went home and redid her “in class” project.  A shout-out to Valeria for doing an amazing job!

 

My timing couldn’t be have been more on point.  The weekend I was in town also happened to be the life celebration of a dear friend of mine who had passed last year.  Perhaps you recall my post last year that spoke of Paul.  He was a second brother to me and his presence is missed daily.  Paul is one of those rare individuals that we may have lost but will never forget.  My older brother had a “gang”, okay  let’s revise that a little.  My brother was part of six, very close friends, who spent a lot of quantity and quality time together.  Most of them knew me since the time I wore diapers.  Thankfully I don’t remember such early introductions, bottom line, they were all an extended part of our family.  When Paul lost his battle with cancer in 2017,  it was an enormous loss to me. I wasn’t sure how to deal and process the grief that I was experiencing.  In a shocker, quilting became my therapy. It was my means of getting through such devastation.  My mind and hands went to work constructing a special piece for my brother in honor of Paul.  Ironically the binding was completed during the Quilt Fest and I delivered this little memento at his party later that weekend.

Life has a way of placing us where we need to be at exactly the right time.  Although none of us will be able to close the missing piece that Paul has placed in our hearts, we will forever relive our lives with him strolling, together, down “Memory Lane”.

England, Switzerland, Germany..Oh My!

Europe here I come! Can you believe it? I am still pinching myself in disbelief that I will find myself traveling that way in August! Now that plans are finalized I can share some of the small details of where this exciting adventure will take me.

FIRST STOP:

Festival of Quilts in England! No, I’m not kidding! AND if anyone would like to consider joining me; you can receive a discount on your admission ticket! Instead of paying the cost of £16* for adult tickets or £14.50* for concession tickets, you will get a discount and pay £13.50* (£2.50 off adult tickets and £1 off concession tickets).  Have I have stirred the travel bug in any of my fellow quilters? In case I have, here is the link to use and your special code:  Festival of Quilts, apply the code WT57 in order to receive your discount.   (This is an affiliate link)

England and I have never met so I’m over the moon to have the opportunity to make this introductory journey!

SECOND STOP:

Landing in beautiful Steckborn, Switzerland!  There I will conduct two 2 full days of teaching classes at the BERNINA headquarters!

FINAL DESTINATION:

Hello Germany!  I will spend time at Regina Klaus’ training center where I will get the opportunity to teach for another 2 full days of classes!

This is bound to be a once in lifetime experience, so I’m really hoping to cross paths with some of you along my travels.

Lisa, Lisa, Where Are You?

I realize that I have been MIA, but for good reason as it all pertains to my love of quilting.  Numerous commitments have kept me on the go; trust me even my husband thinks I’ve disappeared!  First up was MQX (Machine Quilter’s Expo) in New Hampshire.  I love attending this show, it holds a special place in my heart since it was my first teaching gig way back in 2006.  I get such an overwhelming sense of nostalgia when I walk through the doors of this arena.

The word “amazing” doesn’t come close to describing this show or the quilts! AND the quilters were spectacular!  I am beyond thrilled to report that my four-year (okay five-year) project, “Oh, My Bleeding Heart” placed 3rd in the Solo division!  I am speechless and filled with immense joy.  

During my classes I was in awe of my incredibly talented students, and that’s putting it mildly.  They were amazing and brought tons of fun and the love of teaching to my days at MQX.

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No, no I have not forgotten about my Perfect Plumes class.  The perfectionist that I am, I felt  that I needed to add a “final” project to the session.  This little addition to the class has taken me a little bit longer than expected to produce. Good things come to those that wait..lol!

HOWEVER…

I believe everyone will be excited to hear that the ProFeather Rulers have arrived! If you’re out of the loop and haven’t heard about them, you better get in the loop by checking them out !!!

Folks We Are SOO Close!

 

Does the following little video have you glancing in the mirror saying, “Oh my god! That’s me!”  If so, then you’ll be happy to know I have a solution!

 

Yes, step by step, things are really starting to move forward in my little studio, here in Pennsylvania.  Even during the process of preparing for shows, lectures, etc. I have remained focused on producing the ProFeather™ ruler AND the Perfect Plumes Class.  No doubt it’s a lot to juggle, but I’m so excited that I’m putting the finishing touches on my newest ruler and class that I can’t set it aside now! Heck no! So be on the look out, they are coming your way very soon!!!