In 2005 someone suggested to me that I enter my latest quilt in VQF. “VQF?” “What’s VQF?”, I asked. I did take her advice and entered my very first contest quilt in the Vermont Quilt Festival.
Every year since then, I’ve had a quilt in the contest. I’ve been fortunate enough to have my name on (drum roll, please) **** THE INSERT SHEET of AWARD WINNERS**** three times since then, a thrill each and every time. I’ve been awarded the Most Whimsical, the Best Use of Theme and the Best Machine Embellishment Awards.
Imagine my shock when, last August, I received a call asking if I would like to be an instructor at this year’s festival. I was certain they had called a wrong number. Me, an instructor at VQF?!?! Yikes! Happily, it was the right number, and, after much hesitation, I agreed. It was one of the better decisions I’ve made in my life which left me pinching myself for months. Me, teaching at VQF. Unbelievable!
Not only did I survive my three days of teaching full-day classes, I actually had a wonderful time. I guess my students did,too, because when I turned in my classroom key, I was asked by the powers that be if I would like to teach again in the future. They want me back! This time, without hesitation, I said “Yes!”
Lesson learned…It’s never too late to achieve a dream, even if it seemed too unattainable to be on your bucket list.