Presents For ME!

I finally broke down and ordered some Shiva Paintstiks.

I have been wanting some of these since the very first time I heard of them, but I have always been a little chicken to try to use them on a quilt for fear of messing something up.  I still have those conversations in my head about whether it is "proper" to write or add to the fabric.  Obviously, those are only conversations I have in my head and they are always based in fear.  I am on a mission this year to over come that little voice which whispers to me you are not good enough for that or you aren't ready for that.  

Therefore, I told that little voice to shush and bit the bullet and ordered them.

 They haven't arrived yet, but I am really excited to give them a try.  I am hoping to add some detail to the flowers and to the rest of the piece under my machine BEFORE I finish it out with thread and beads.  I feel like I am moving into a whole new stage of quilting and ideas.  And the fear is beginning to leave and it is being replaced by courage. 

I am also branching out more and trying to read more about quilting and techniques and I even signed up for a class.  YEAH ME!!!  I tend to be a loner and try to master things on my own, so I'm working hard at being more open to learning other ways because it nourishes my creative side.  Then, when I do get out and learn something I am ALWAYS so glad I did.

I ordered the iridescent ones because if you haven't noticed yet I like things that sparkle.

 I also ordered this book to read so I wouldn't be jumping in totally blindly.  And I do have plans of trying them out and testing them first BEFORE using them on the quilt.

I feel like a little girl on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa Clause to arrive with my new presents!  

Now, I just need to figure out how to talk the HuBb's into taking me on a serious fabric shopping road trip as my stash is beginning to dwindle - maybe my birthday...