I named my blog, "Do you know what your problem is" as a responce to being asked that question. The set-up for this was a few weeks ago. I have had an extremely emotionally challenging year, details of which never really need to see the light of day. Quilting and sewing are cathartic to me, as I am sure to many. The thing I love about quilting is there are many different forms it can take as an art form. I am still finding where I fit in. I am known to start projects, reach a certain point and drop them to move on to the next project. Basically, I am a good starter but once I have learned whatever technique I was after, I often move on to the next project without finishing. For reasons unknown to me, this really bugs people. I don't get why. They have zero investment in whether or not I ever finish anything. So, I had this pin wheel baby blanket top pieced. It didn't actually start as a baby blanket. I was tring to learn pin wheels. While working on this project, I found out my mother was sick with mesothelioma. If you are unfamiliar, it's an incurable cancer cause by exposure to asbestos. This was 2008. I found I just couldn't finish that quilt. I had intended to give it to my mother but ultimately cut short the project and left it baby quilt size. So it sat for a couple of years. This winter 2010 I decided to finish some UFOs because I wanted to master using the quilt frame and machine that have been collecting dust for 3 years. That baby blanket was an obvious choice to complete even though I have no plans to give it to anyone. I had a lot of fun quilting this little blanket. I tried out some different designs instead of just stippling over the whole thing. I really put some thought into the quilting. I was ultimately pretty happy with the quilt. About the time I finished the quilt, my family and I went to NC to visit my parents. The visit was a huge let down. I really had high hopes of spending some quality sewing time with my mom, creating something memorable. Sadly, she felt poorly the whole time we were there. I had my suspicions but it wasn't until we got back home that test confirmed my moms "cured" incurable cancer was in fact back. Devestating news. So, I have known this about 18 hours when Aunt D walks into my house, looks at that baby quilt and proceeds to demand of me "Do YOU know what YOUR problem is!??" In the world according to Aunt D, my problem would be too much attention to "stinking detail". You see, she is a quilter and she busts out dozens a year. Which is just fine but not necessarily the kind of stuff I want to create and I most assuredly don't want her loud and vocal and uninvited critiques of my quilts the day after I find out my mother is dying! I just sat dumbfounded and mute. I have never said a word.