Thankful

Now that the taping is over for Quilting Arts, I would like to take a moment to say THANKS to the many people who have helped me get to this point in my (albeit minor) art career. 

First of all, I'd like to thank my husband, Joe, for his unwavering support. When I doubt myself the most, he is there to pick me back up.  I love you, Muppin.

Second, this is all Melly Testa's fault.  No really.  

She's THE reason I was even introduced to Pokey from QA in the first place. Melly befriended me during the IQF Chicago show in 2009.  She thought I would be a good candidate for the new Quilting Arts forums as a moderator and introduced me to Pokey.  Things really took off from there.  She's been my inspiration for so much, and that's led to a Best Amateur Entry Prize for PNQE 2009, to being an Open Studios artist in 2010, to my article in Quilting Arts in Dec 2010, to the TV taping in 2011.  Thank you, Melly Mells, for everything you inspire me to do.

Thanks to Pokey Bolton, not only for her amazing dedication to the Quilting world and the role of the art quilt in it, but for her belief enough in that world to base magazines and TV shows on it.  Pokey has given so many artists their start, and I am just one of the many who can be counted to say that I got my start in the pages of her magazine.  Thank you Pokey, for ALL that you do and also for believing in my work!!!

Thanks to Judy Coates Perez and Belinda Spiwak who gave me such good advice on what to do with both my article and the TV appearance. They are fabulous artists who also make you feel included as one of the "in crowd".

There's a group of my comic book friends who have been so fabulously supportive, so thanks to my friends Nance Romer from work (at Diamond Comic Distributors), Chris "CP" Powell from Lone Star Comics, and Jud Myers from Earth-2 Comics.  Thanks for the numerous times each of you inquired about what I was up to quilt-wise.

Thanks also to Stephanie and Catherine and the entire Riverwalk Quilter's Guild, and Amanda, Toni, and Amy and the Baltimore Heritage Quilt Guild!

Thanks to all of the artists I have met along the way.

Thanks to my family for listening to me doubt myself and telling me my work is great.

Thanks to each and every reader of this blog and especially to those who comment often, because you encourage me to want to continue to share my work with the world.

Thanks to everyone, for whatever small part you played in my success.  

I appreciate it.