I’ve talked before about being a process person, and not a product person.

I’m in most things for the process and not the outcome. You should see the watercolours I’ve been painting all week. Pure process. But, it’s just paper I’m ruining now, so no big deal right. Fabric is another story.

So, when the outcome isn’t what I’d hoped for… I go back into the process until I am satisfied.

Last night I took apart the quilt I made for Chukki. For a couple of weeks now, I’ve been looking at it, sleeping under it, letting Boze sleep on it, and wondering why I don’t pack it up, and send it off to her son Peter.

Every time I looked at it, instead of it bringing me joy – all I could think of was — it isn’t right.

I started with the seam ripper, and then grabbed the scissors. Chop, chop, chop! I happen to be watching Project Runway on TV, and I heard Tim Gunn say, “Make it work!”

Now, instead of a finished quilt, I have a lot of beautiful and colourful pieces of fabric that once was a quilt. I now will, once again, think about Chukki and work on putting them back together again.

I realized Chukki isn’t the only one I’m thinking of when I sew in her memory. Her entire family is in this quilt. Everyone of them made my life better.

As I begin to sew again, I remember not only Chukki, but late husband John, and her generous daughters Judy, Chris, Martha, and Catie, and her son Peter. Pete was my best pal back when I lived with the Mains family. He is the one I hope one day will receive this quilt.

It took me more than two years to finish my friend Kim’s quilt. I don’t know why I thought I could reminisce, and finish Chukki’s so fast.

Don’t tell him, but maybe Ken is right.  Perhaps a little planning could help — was it Ben Franklin who said a stitch in time saves nine?

Nah – my process is my process, and it ain’t over til it’s over.