Therapy In Session

Self-Portrait
(In case you've ever wondered what I look like.)

I have to close the shop next week because I'm having back surgery. I've been putting it off for years, but now the time has come. For some reason this has inspired a need to get my "affairs" in order. For most people this probably involves paperwork, but to me it felt absolutely imperative that I sort and label my fabric stash. (It might take another quilter to appreciate that thinking!) I decided to empty a dresser and chest left behind when my grown kids moved out. You'd think they might have missed the clothes they left here, but it's been years and they haven't yet. Too late now! The Purple Heart will be well stocked in the very near future.

I then emptied the overfilled-and-breaking-apart drawers on the old fabric storage unit. Out to the curb it went. I dragged the other empty chest and dresser into the quilt studio and started sorting fabric by color and/or theme. I put it all away, complete with drawer labels. I gave the room a thorough cleaning, and even hung some wall art --- including the self-portrait above. I feel so much better now! Well, except for the back pain...but hopefully that will soon become a thing of the past.

There's still a lot of house cleaning I need to get done before Thursday, especially since they tell me it will be six months before I'll be allowed to vacuum again. (Boo-hoo, huh?) On the plus side, the surgeon said I can start quilting again in two weeks, gradually working up to a full day by six to eight weeks post-op. Quilting really is therapy, for every quilter I know, so the sooner the better. In the meantime, I can fantasize about quilting in my completely organized studio!!!

Treasures From The DSG Team

Those of us who sell our creations online have found that networking with other artists is a good way to promote and market our work. Many of us link to each others' blogs and web sites, feature each other in our blogs, and often join ranks to advertise sales and specials. The paintings in the "Treasury" above are an example of one way we highlight our fellow artists. In this case, all of the artists are members of The Design Style Guide Team. There you will find more of their work, as well as that of many other artists. In addition to paintings, the DSG offers all manner of handmade home decor items. (Even, can you believe it, QUILTS!)