One year ago today I started taking the concrete steps to turn this dream into a reality. I had known exactly what longarm machine I wanted to buy for years. I knew what I would call my business, too. For as long as I can remember, my favorite number has been 47. If you know me you've probably heard me say "there must have been 47,000 people there", or "I've tried 47 times". It turns out to have some interesting mathematical properties, too. So it was appropriate that shortly after my 47th birthday I decided to start on this path.

I've been lucky to have the support of my family, friends, and my guild in this venture. It's nice to know that there are good people cheering you on when you step out onto the ledge of a new beginning.

Recently, I had the pleasure of quilting a stunning quilt by my friend and first customer, Nela Barrow. She was kind enough to volunteer one of her quilt tops to be the first thing I ever quilted on my machine last year. This is her Long Time Gone quilt (pattern by Jen Kingwell Designs), in Liberty of London Tana Lawn. We chose to quilt it with a lovely edge-to-edge floral design, since the star of this quilt is clearly the beautiful piecing and gorgeous fabric.