The Quilt Skipper

quilting makes me skip for joy

Jenny K Lyon

Quilting makes me skip for joy

Of resolutions, goals and life lessons

This is somewhat of a soliloquy in response to the beginning of a new year. I know many artists make resolutions, set goals or choose a word to guide them in the coming year. I do none of those things. I’m not opposed to them, I have just not found them useful to me. This is not meant to be prescriptive for others, but merely my description of my life’s journey.

Let’s go back a bit. I graduated high school and attended college for 3 semesters before I ran out of money (my college years were self-funded). In a move that was totally logical to a 20-year old mind, I chose to live the “hippie chick” life for a few years.

I hitch hiked (yes, by myself, Texas to California and back), went on an extended motorcycle trip (by myself, Tx to Illinois to Colorado/Wyoming and back) and later an extended motorcycle trip with my then-boyfriend (each on our own bike, Tx to Colorado/Wyoming/Montana).

I waitressed, worked construction, cooked, worked as a maid at a ski resort, installed insulation in houses and failed at cocktail waitressing after 2 days. I lived in horrid housing because that’s all I could afford. I broke down on my motorcycle (alone) near the Nebraska/Colorado border, in the middle of nowhere and later found myself hitchhiking alone at night, in the rain, outside of San Antonio, Texas–going west.

It eventually dawned on me that my safety was at risk and, that time without money was no fun. So I went back to school, eventually graduated college with an Accounting degree in 1981; accounting because I figured I could make good money with a 4-year degree and have a lot of choices. And I did.

Here’s where we get back to goals and resolutions. When I began my research for the interview process, I learned how to properly interview by reading articles–this was before the internet! I learned that I was supposed to create goals so that I could impress in interviews and sound mature. I was supposed to respond with “I want to have your job in 5 years” and other such crap.

Even as a stupid 20-something, that did not make sense to me. How could a little 26 year old gnat-with-a-degree know what they were supposed to be doing in 5 years? I really thought about that question and decided to respond something like this: “I don’t have specific goals because I really don’t know what opportunities might present themselves. If I get too focused on a specific goal, I might miss opportunities along the way”.

And you know what? That was my truth, from my heart. I got the Plum Job and life went on but I still think that way. I DO have goals in my head but they are flexible. And I believe that has helped me live my life better.

Like the time I got fired and realized that was a blessing. Like the many moves my husband and I have made. Or some of the difficulties I experienced raising my children. Even the few years of anxiety that kept me from living life to the fullest. Those were opportunities, not impediments to a goal. So that’s why I don’t have goals for the coming year.

I must admit however, that I DO have a bad case of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) as I see everyone’s posts of quilts completed for the year. I have about zero quilts to post. Well, a few, but nothing notable. That is because I wrote A BOOK this year! A book! It consumed my year.

I see other authors continue to pour out great work while writing but I am not one of those authors. I did make a number of projects for the book, but I cannot share them yet. They were made primarily as useful projects for my readers to improve their skills, and are not meant to be entered into contests.

And that too is another life principal for me, “life is all about trade-offs”. You can’t do it all. When you do one thing, it is taking away time, energy and resources from another possibility.

So this year I was an author and didn’t produce many quilts. I can’t post a wonderful summary of all the fabulous quilts I made. I am however hoping that this year I will be able to do that! Onward.

 

Comments

  2. I truly enjoyed your story. It reminded me of myself when I was twenty. I’ve enjoyed seeing your quilts but must say, your photography work is beautiful. These photos you included are beautiful. Look forward to what’s ahead.

    • Thank you Rebecca. Funny, I just threw the photos in because I know readers don’t like a page without photos, giggle! I do have a wonderful yard to cull from.

  3. Great goal to write a book and you have so much to share! Don’t worry about what you didn’t do- just be happy you could do that!! Well done and atta girl! I love reading about your youthful adventures, and your wonder years. I agree it’s important to stay flexible and not get rigid with goals, since life often teaches us what we need, not always what we want. That being said, now I think we take time to focus on what truly makes our hearts happy and forget about the rest. That is my goal going forward. It’s al lot less ambitious, but better for me anyway. that’s why I decided not to go back to Houston, or write a book, because those are not things that make me happy in the same way other things do. thanks for your thoughtful post and happy new year, my friend!

    • Oh Roxane, that is so liberating! Happy to hear you are pursuing joy as opposed to what others might think is “important” to do. Your work reflects your joy! Houston and writing a book is not a “happy” place for all. Happy New Year to you too Roxane!!

  4. Well said. Even though I ‘go with the flow’ in many areas of life, I learned the hard way to say NO! My health suffered (scarlet fever and shingles in 6 months) because my brain said Yes you can! Well, now I will pause first; now I’m happier and quality rules, even in creativity.
    Looking forward to your book!
    Brenda

    • Oh my Brenda-Scarlete fever and shingles both in 6 months?! Yikes! I am glad you have found your pause button. Thank you for your kind note!

  5. Hi Jenny, you are so right ! I once read a novel and was most impressed with a character in the desert who picked up a handful of sand, let it blow in the wind, and said. ‘Life flows’. Each new second is different from the one before, each new day is truly new, with new experiences, new opportunities. My teenage mind was very impressed and I have never forgotten it. Not only do we need to let life flow, we have to go with the flow to take advantage of its opportunities. Happy New Year !! <3

    • Well funny what hits us in our teens, when we are not so wise, yet sticks with us as adults! Some opportunities come only once so I hope to catch them when they come. Happy New Year to you Marguerite!

  6. Kudos to you!! You’ve tried a lot of things but, to me, the first thing you learned is hopping jobs living the nomad life isn’t productive, not always safe and has no future but more of the same.

    I wish my 37 y/0 niece could figure that out. She already has a four year degree in economics and communication. Book smart with no common sense and doesn’t take advice even when asking for it.

    Wonderful that you wrote a book and realized you don’t have to be superwoman to produce “notable” quilts, too!

    • Things are so different now-it’s hard to be adventurous without risking safety. I hope your niece finds her way Marlette. Gosh I hope I can still make quilts!

  8. Dear Jenny
    First of all, your classes were so relaxing! Fun and intertaining. So uplifting.
    Hope our paths cross some time.

    I admire you for sharing your life. I feel you had to do every thing you did,to be where you are today. Think about it.

    Love your e mails, you always share .
    Took your class at Havre, Montana

    • Mary I am pretty sure I remember you-my visit to Havre was one of the best visits ever! Thank you for your kind comments-your encouragement means a lot to me. And yes, all that happened before has made me (and you!) who I am today.

  9. A fascinating read, Jenny! What adventures to think about–I felt like I was reading a novel, kind of a scary one with hitch-hiking and motorcycle trips. I started out similarly up to the point of semesters of college til the money ran out. But instead of taking off into the novel, I married and had two children and was the happy homemaker until I had to go to work. But that work was an education and also helped get my children through college so they wouldn’t take off on motorcycles. Haha.
    But the best part of your post was the attitude about not goal setting when you said–“I don’t have specific goals because I really don’t know what opportunities might present themselves. If I get too focused on a specific goal, I might miss opportunities along the way”. Believe it or not, although I’m about 20-30 years older than you, this about sums up my philosophy, too! Thanks for putting it into words.
    Congrats on the book, and I will look forward to that huge body of work when it comes. Another part of my philosophy is “it’s more about the journey than the destination.” So enjoy!

    • Thank you Martha-it was kind of a scary “novel” and there are parts I didn’t write about:-/ I saw a pivotal change in society just between my sisters, who are just 6 and 8 years older, and me. I had the luxury of being able to do that adventure-I was not “expected” to marry right away. But I am glad I learned that lesson early-that a “responsible” life is NOT boring, it’s exciting, gratifying and wonderful. I’m glad I’m not a 63-year old woman, pining to ride off into the sunset on my Harley, giggle. Been there, done that. I love that we share a common philosophy Martha. I would love to spend time with you! Happy New Year!

  10. Thank you Jenny. I truly appreciate your outlook on life and your desire to share what you have learned. I find that I personally try to be flexible and open to new experiences in life. There are very few things I will not do, but I surround myself with friends who will do those things so I can see that they are survivable! Have a happy New Year!

  11. So what if you don’t have lots of quilts to show – you wrote a BOOK! That’s a really big deal that I can’t even imagine doing!!!
    Now onward into 2018!

    • Oh thank you for that encouragement Nancy. There were some dark days of slogging along, producing “nothing” and feeling like a slacker. Hey yeah, I wrote a BOOK!! Happy New Year to you!

  12. Go Jenny! You make my life sound so dull ! I am a master procrastinator, so my resolution is the same always — the old Nike ad — Just Do It. Wish me luck!

    • Oh Denise, you are making some wonderful art and you have a full life! Ain’t nuthin’ wrong with “Just Do It”. Happy New Year!

  13. What a fabulous post, some insight into the person you have become and how your life evolved. Congratulations on being an author!! What’s the name of the book? The photography was stunning in this piece, loved every single picture.

    • Ah, can’t post the title of the book for awhile. It’s on free motion quilting if you hadn’t guessed:-/ I am so glad you enjoyed the photography-it’s my yard and nature provides the beauty. I love me my grasses!

  14. Lovely post. Another reason I continue to appreciate you and your work. Life is full of life lessons, if we choose to pay attention.

    • And it’s the “paying attention” part that is hard sometimes. Thank you for a lovely, encouraging comment Diane. Happy New Year!

  15. It really is all about what works for you, isn’t it. I think that the value of the “resolution “ question is that it gets a person to evaluate that question for we are all different……and if we are making ourselves dissatisfied or unhappy, looking at the root “why” is really helpful, and that is just what you’ve done. Good inspiration, especially being flexible. Thanks for sharing. Suzanne

    • Yes Suzanne, it’s all what works for YOU! This is my life, what works and why it works and I know it’s not for everyone. Flexibility is key I think because there are so many unexpected events that can derail us. Thank you for your comment-Happy New Year!

  16. Exactly…YOU WROTE A BOOK — what an amazing thing to do, so what you don’t have a pile of quilts or whatever, you did that one amazing thing which is going to inspire so many others. YOU are amazing Jenny and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

  19. I normally don’t add comments to these posts, but your words today resonated with me in a huge way. I am at the point in my life where I am having to make decisions about what I want to & will be doing in the immediate future. Life has an expiration date & I am getting closer to that date. My health is good but the years are advancing and I am slowing down. My husband’s health is less than stellar & we will be making some life altering decisions within the next year. I have withdrawn from some organization activities because I get all bogged down in their minutia and am not doing what I want to for my creative life. In many ways I feel that I have a new beginning because of the withdrawal from organizational activities. It’s actually quite freeing. Thanks for listening and I am looking forward to reading your book. Kudos to you.

    • What a wonderful comment Eileen! I am thrilled that my post resonated with you. It is my firm belief that we each have our own quilting/art path. Yours is changing and you are embracing that-brava! I do see that as I age, my quilting journey will change and that’s okay with me. It’s all about the joy!

  20. Wise words, thank you! I absolutely love your Quiet Beauty quilt from today’s email, it’s stunning! I got so much out of your class at the SFQG Sewcial last fall, and I’m looking forward to having more time to practice, now that the holidays are over. Very glad that I made all those extra quilt sandwiches, as you suggested, so that I can get right to sewing. Happy New Year to you and your family!

    • Oh Betty that is wonderful news-I hope you enjoy every minute of your 21-days. Thank you for your kind words about my work and teaching-I appreciate the encouragement! And Happy New Year to you!

  21. Wow Jenny! You were much more adventurous than I when you were young. I also went back to college a little later (29.) But I LOVE the philosophy you thought about and used. I have never been a set-in-stone goal setter and always thought there might be something wrong with me. Now I’ll keep your statement in mind. Love it!

    • Everyone forges their own path-I was lucky to end up in one piece after what I did! Yup, not all of us are goal setters-works for many, just not me and apparently you too Debby!

  22. Really loved reading this about your past – I, too, had to drop out of college for awhile and work before I could go back and finish. Would have loved to have been a hippie back then, too, but felt much safer when I had a roof over my head! Envy your motorcycle travels, too; and your courage.

    Can’t wait to see your book – it takes an amazing amount of thought, time, energy and patience to produce a book – I know it will be fabulous!

    Here’s to a wonderful year!

    • What lovely words Peggy! I really was lucky to have done what I did without incident-I was incredibly trusting and naive. Thank you!

  23. Wow, Jenny — I had no idea you were such an adventuress! Please remember, I loved you even before I knew you were the Most Fascinating Quilter of the Year. I’m right there with you on the goal setting. If it works for someone else, great! But for me, the lists of creative goals and self-imposed deadlines is stifling and imprisoning and leads to more guilt than productivity. I really like your attitude of being open to exploring opportunities as they arise. Happy New Year — and I can’t wait to see your book.