Transitions...

 Life is full of transitions right now for me.

Sunset over the equestrian center at Kelly's school last night.

My first born baby just left for college. Luckily she is only 90 minutes away. I went up to visit her Thursday. I promised to bring a few items she needed and take her out to dinner and help her relax before her Equestrian Team Tryouts (which she nailed!) but I didn't tell her I was bringing her best friend from home who is a senior in high school. We hid Sara around the corner so when Kelly opened the door I asked her, what's that over there and pointed. She walked out a few steps and looked to her right. Oh the squeals and hugs and happy tears! It was so great to see the pure joy! Kelly LOVES everything about her new school... classes, work, room mate, friends, etc. She is thriving! Seeing it with my own eyes made my heart feel SO much better. A momma worries you know.

My boys are seniors this year and they are so busy with sports, school, college applications, and friends that they hardly have time for me. I know they will be gone in the blink of an eye and I can't even imagine how hard that will be. Sigh.

Saying goodbye and saying hello.

I've got my calendar full of teaching and travel and book signings for the next couple of months. I've said YES to almost everything quilt related that I could.  My boys are still my number one priority but they are more than happy to share me. That's the thing about transitions, as something ends or changes, something new appears. I wrote my book when I did with this time of transition in mind. I would need new challenges and new opportunities as my nest emptied. (It still feels like a punch in the gut just to say that!)

I'm also designing new quilts and the one I'm most excited about is still a secret but this photo will be your first clue! I'm writing patterns and creating fun projects for Craftsy. I'm also embracing some fun new quilting business relationships!

I'm planning to teach at an amazing four day retreat (sorry it's sold out and has a waiting list) for a wonderful local quilt shop. My role there may actually expand as well. We are making lots of fun plans to look forward to and I promise to share them here as soon as I can. It's going to be big folks!

I have book number two all planned and some of the quilts made. I was going to start that now but I've decided to put that off for a bit for several reasons. Again, I'll share all the details when I can.

I'm focusing on my health. I've let a couple of not-so-serious chronic issues become rather annoying. So it's time to be proactive and take charge! A nice big steroid shot yesterday got things rolling in the very irritating allergy department. I'll spare you the menopause symptoms but I'm sure most of you reading will just be nodding your heads. You understand.

While I've shed more tears lately than I usually do in a whole year, I am making some big plans and I am looking forward to what this time of transition leads me toward. So you will have lots of good quilting adventures to look forward to as well! I still plan to share the machine quilting tutorial (but it's kind of hard to take photos of yourself machine quilting!) and I've got some finished quilts to share soon too. Fingers crossed!

I just wanted to say thanks to all of you for the kind comments and sweet notes during this time of transition for me. I'm going to be stronger and better because of it. I know I'm more thankful when I remember how blessed I am to have my quilting friends.

Love you all!
Diane