sewing machine - check
fabric stash - check
cutting table - check
tools - check
music - check
thread - check
What else do I need? What else does a quilt studio need? For goodness sake, QUILTS!
My show at the gallery has now officially ended and Monday I picked up the remainder of my quilts. I missed them. After months in the gallery they needed some tender loving care. Everything needed to be washed. So I washed and dried and folded and hung. It was quilty therapy.
I needed a little therapy. We've spent the last week or so helping my oldest son get ready for his new job. The experience of a lifetime. He quit his full time job (with health benefits), postponed his education (which is a mom's euphemism for quit school) and took a new job. He's employed by a record company and will be the drum technician and monitor engineer for the band 'The Devil Wears Prada.' I put him on the plane this morning. It's been hard not to think of it as a trip. It's his job. He'll be on the road with the band. The tour starts in Europe, their first overseas tour...so my European friends...wave to him for me. Europe first, then a tour in the states, home for a short bit, then Australia, New Zealand. That's the itinerary I know for now. I've bragged that we've been enjoying our empty nest, but the boys have both been just an hour away, a phone call away. This feels VERY far away. But isn't that what we've worked toward as parents...a confident, independent child willing to take risks and be open to adventure? He's started a blog to chronicle his life on the road and help us stay connected. Wouldn't it be cool if some of my friends popped over to wish him luck! Good effort, Ben...you're going to be FABULOUS!
What a fantastic opportunity for your son.
ReplyDeleteOh happy day--lovely quilts. I could live in your studio.
Congratulations to you and Ben! How exciting for him to see the world----it is so much smaller now, than when I grew up! I've learned so much from my older boys' travels and experiences, so many things I might never have seen. I am so grateful they are willing to share it with me!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your quilts and creations! Your new studio is beautiful--and way more organized than mine. Hope you'll be doing the "open studio" http://quiltingarts.com/blogs/in_the_studio_with_cate/archive/2009/09/28/join-our-open-studios-event-and-win.aspx
Martha
As a gal who works for a record company and has done the "jump in the van and go on tour" thing, it's SO great that you're being supportive of this....the travel and the experiences he has will be memories/lessons for the rest of his life.
ReplyDeleteBeing a studio engineer is a tough life nowadays, but I'm always getting emails for tour manager/FOH jobs. They don't come with health insurance or a 401k, but if he loves it and is good at it, it'll sustain him!
Great to see your beautiful quilts are back home...I really enjoy your blog and hope to someday have a collection as lovely!
The quilts look beautiful! And I'm sure Ben will have a great time.
ReplyDeleteI love your quilts hanging in the studio. They are lovely.
ReplyDeleteNow, Congratulations BEN!!! That is so very cool and he is following his passion. I am in the same spot with both of my kids right now too. Stevi has moved with her boyfriend to Washington last week for work for both of them and is so Happy... Rick our youngest has moved to attend school which is in the same place Stevi left. I was looking forward to both of them being in the same place. Not to be. But I agree fully. We have raised them to watch them fly!
Hang in there mom. I will check out his blog.
It's hard -especially when our kids don't follow the path we have in mind. But think of the travel and all he'll see and experience around the world. Different cultures, people places. What better time to do it than at this age. A question - about your quilt racks - are they custom made - they really are wonderfully displaying your quilts.
ReplyDeleteThose quilts look fabulous on display - what a lovely array of colors. I will hope on over and visit your son's blog - it must be exciting and yet I am sure I would feel anxious - but what a great way to travel the world and get some experience under one's belt.
ReplyDeleteYour quilts look great.
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting time for your son. He gets to do something he loves and travel with it. He is very lucky to have this opportunity. School and sensible jobs can wait. This is the chance of a lifetime.
How very exciting for your son! I can imagine it must be a little scary to have him that far away.
ReplyDeleteOkay, my friend, congratulated Ben and reminded him who loves him the most (you). . .And that line you walk wanting your kids to grow up, be independent versus staying with you always at home, safe and in your presence is the hardest darn walk you'll ever take. My heart is with you.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it so hard to let your children go? My daughter wants to move to Chicago and I can hardly stand that. Your son will be fantastic and what a great adventure for him and you too. You should plan a trip to see him in one of those fabulous places.
ReplyDeleteYour quilts look fabulous in your new studio!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful opportunity for Ben. Good luck to him!
Your quilts look amazing all hung up together like that!
ReplyDeleteAnd best of luck to your son on his European expedition :) How exciting!!
What an adventure! One of those rare times when someone actually loves their job. You did good :o)
ReplyDeleteyour quilts look awesome in your studio...and bless your son's heart - i will pop over to his blog to wish him luck!
ReplyDeletefirst we give them a nest and then we give them wings, right? so job well done, mom! ☺
What a beautiful background those new walls are for your prodigal quilts! When the empty nest feels too empty wrap yourself up in one of them and remember all the nurturing you provided to give him such confidence.
ReplyDeletewhat an amazing job - he'll have an awesome time. I'm going to check out his blog. I hope he doesn't mind these quilty ladies checking up on him though!!
ReplyDeleteI can see why you missed your quilts. Look at them all - so pretty.
Love seing all your quilts hanging in your studio. Wishing Ben the best of luck in his new journey (job). Sounds like a great opportunity for him.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you have your own gallery in the studio; the quilts look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to Ben; I'll wawe if he flyes over here.
your studio looks fabulous with all of your quilts back home!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to your son! That sounds like an amazing opportunity!
I bet your studio looks and feels like home now. I sent your son some bloggie love!
ReplyDeleteYour quilts are beautiful scattered around the room. Good luck to Ben on his new adventure. What an exciting opportunity to travel the world doing what he loves to do.
ReplyDeleteThe studio looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is quitting school, but school will always be there. What a great opportunity for him.
ReplyDeleteThe studio looks great. The more I see of it the more my tiny dining room gets me down. At least I can still shurn things out, but I long for the space again. I must live vicariously through you and others.
The quilts look amazing in your studio!
ReplyDeleteTry not to worry about Ben. I was in Europe for boarding school when I was 15 and it was one of the best times of my life (so far). He'll have an amazing time and remember how much his mom supported him chasing dreams. That's priceless : )
wonderful quilts and wonderful mom who doesn't complain about her children flying away...it's hard to be a mom, I think.
ReplyDeleteJacquie,
ReplyDeleteOur children are born with wings, and when it's time, after all the years of preparation, we have to let them fly off into their own lives. All will be well I am sure.
Crazy Small World moment...my walking buddy this summer has one son...named Ben...who is a music manager type...for a band...named The Devil Wears Prada... Is that wild or what? his Dad works for the same University I work for and before I moved last week we lived in the same neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he will do great and from what I hear they are a very "clean" band so he should stay out of trouble...
Wow!! He is going to have the time of his life. I know that might worry you a tad as a Mom, but think of all the culture and growing that will happen along side the good times??? Priceless experience for him!
ReplyDeleteIt will really give him a thrill to tour and see so many places. Good luck, Mom.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is a huge "Devil Wears Prada" fan. In fact, there are a couple of their songs on my iPod. How exciting for him.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see your quilts are back, they look wonderful.
Have a great day.
You must be so proud of Ben - what terrific opportunity for him. I checked his tour dates - what a busy schedule and a fantastic list of places he will be visiting.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got your quilts back - it must be comforting to have your old favourites home again.
My son got his first job this week - they grow up way too fast!
The studio now looks complete and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOff to give your son some blog love and a big good luck! What an opportunity for him. I am sure you will miss him much!
Jacquie,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your studio! The quilts are exactly my style. Ben is doing something that is a once in a life time experience...there is always school later. Some of the most successful people in this world did not go to college. I am experience something similar. I have three boys and I only have one left in the house. Two are in college. I miss them all the time but have to remind myself they are learning how to an adult. Good luck to Ben and your family!!
Congrats to your son! It's nice that he can live out his dream at a young age!
ReplyDeleteThe quilts look fabulous. Where did you get those stands?
Wow! That's SO exciting! Congratulations on a great job Mom!!!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting for your son.
ReplyDeleteYour quilts look awesome!
The quilts look utterly at home there -as they should. Oh, and gorgeous too!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous opportunity for Ben - and coming to come of the very best spots too...NZ will be gorgeous by the time they get here!
your studio looks fantastic! and best wishes to your son, hope he has a fantastic time
ReplyDeleteooooo glad you got your quilts back!!
ReplyDeletebut why'd they need washing? surely the gallery didn't let them get dusty!??
hooray for a new adventure!
Poor Ben...all these quilting groupies commenting on his blog! You've raised a good one, I think. Your quilts are gorgeous as always.
ReplyDeleteYour quilts are marvelous! No wonder you missed them.
ReplyDeleteI think it is great your son got a job doing something he loves.
I can only imagine your bittersweet emotions. My husband sometimes reminds me that we raise our children not to be under our forever protection but as you said -- to be strong and independent. A job well done Mom! God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteI'm playing catch-up Jacquie! I think your son is going to have a fantastic time - what an opportunity! I traveled when I was his age and loved it! Your studio is really coming along - I LOVE the lime green - and your design wall is fantastic! I'm picking up lots of ideas for my new space from you!! Love your new projects!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
What a great opportunity! The amount of life experience he will gain through that job and travelling will be priceless!!
ReplyDeleteMy brother tours with rock bands for a living too! He has been out with Pink Floyd, The Boss, R.E.M., Kiss, Korn, Jimmy Buffet, and the list goes on and on. He had been doing this for 20 years and has been all around the world more than once. I live vicariously thru his adventures - I doubt if I will every see any of the world although I need to get the heck out of Ohio. He is technical support - usually guitar, keyboards, and drums. I wish your son all the best - he is in for a great ride!
ReplyDeleteYour studio looks so vibrant with all those quilts back at home.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for your son...and his mom.
Wonderful quilts!
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like travel and adventure - the best education you can get!
I tried to respond to your comment about Bernies but it just kepps coming back to me. Yes i love mine - it's is still taking a bit of getting used to though.
I always love your blog and have now added your son's blog to my list. Although my 16 yo DD will probably be scoping that out more than I do. She's quite jealous and said she has that band on her I-pod.
ReplyDeleteKim
Good luck to Ben. I will give him a wave when he reaches OZ. Your quilts look so bright and cheery all folded and hanging.
ReplyDeleteCongrat to Ben!!
ReplyDeleteAll your quilts at your 'superb' studio was amazing. Love to see they have a perfect place there.
Good for Ben! Seeing the world is an education! He can always "go back to school", but it's great to travel when your young - so free, open to new ideas. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteOh, how cool! I see he will perform in stuttgart at the end of the month, so I may just have to get some tickets!
ReplyDeleteWell, you know that I know what it feels like to have one suddenly so far away... but what a fabulous opportunity! I wish your son the time of his life! (And I will tell my daughter, maybe she and her friends can catch one of the shows!)
ReplyDeleteMy jaw dropped, just dropped!! I was looking at your blog to see the laundry tutorial, saw your cute son, (reminds me of mine) read about him. I was smiling, because my son is a drummer, he's 13, he wants to be in a band, of course! We home school, so I am VERY involved in his schooling! He's always telling me mom, I don't need this, I'll be in a band. well, you can imagine how the argument goes! Problem is, he's a fabulous drummer, the older kids in our church use him for their recordings. my mother's heart is wondering and praying for him. so, the jaw dropping moment is when you said your son is working for Devil wears prada. That is my sons favorite band!! Wayyyy too funny! I'll have to bookmark his blog, and share it with my son!!
ReplyDelete