Episode 76: Valentine's Day Quilts and Life Lessons Learned from Quilting 

I just recently started watching your podcasts and purchasing your fabulous fabrics. I just wanted to say to Sherri that you have raised some magnificent children. They are so loving and respectful of you and they care about other people around them and I just wanted you to know how special that is in this day and age. Love all that you do and I will continue to enjoy and be encouraged by your podcasts.

Yes, tomorrow is Valentines Day, but today is even better because it is my Birthday! Yeah me!

Thanks! Love seeing Billy in action. My favorite quilting videos to watch.

Thanks Billy for taking the time to explain the Super Thanks, etc!

Chelsea's soup story made me think about this. I gave a quilt to my step daughter to give to someone she thought would enjoy it. She works in a nursing home and she gave it to one of the residents there. She told me that the lady loved the quilt so much and made my step daughter promise that she would be buried with the quilt. She didn't think her family would honor her wishes and the quilt was so special to her. I just think that I have made this quilt and I have no one specific to give it too so I'll just give it away, never realizing the impact it would have on someone. Now I want to give away as many as possible if the quilt would give a person some comfort or joy. I get such joy making the quilts, I want to pass that joy on to someone else. I love quilting!!

Way to go billy! So nice to see you on camera with your mother and sister. The beginner quilter’s story is beautiful! Made me cry.

My joy of piecing & quilting is when I make something for my loved ones, & I see the joy on their faces. I am on the very last blocks of a quilt for my sons wedding. I can't wait to see their reaction. Thanks to Sherry, I am going to attempt to make quilting pillow covers to go with the quilt. Love your videos.

Like that we get to see Billy too now!

With each quilt I make to give as a gift I send up prayers for the recipient as I’m working on it. If it’s for charity, I still send up prayers for the “unknown “ recipient , for race, healing and comfort ❤.

I love that you are expanding into the subscription... you and your Mom and Sister truly do deserve to be paid for what you do. I buy Sherri/Chelsi fabric. I truly love all you do.❤❤❤❤

I so admire this young man, and his thinking about doing it any other day of the year, thank you young man, your Isabel is a lucky woman, 100% true about commercialism. Save the fund for more quilting future quilting project

Truly the best of your podcasts that I have listened to. Great job.

It was me! I sent in the question! Thanks for taking the time to answer it! I love hearing it from other people!😊

Life lesson I learned: Embrace my imperfections in quilting: they create a unique, one-of-a-kind project. So called “Mistakes” create charm and beauty. I correct what I can and celebrate what I can’t.

Chelsie, I love, so much, what you shared about giving and serving. Thank you for sharing that! I really enjoyed this video, and had been away from listening and watching for a while, just due to a difficult and busy year last year, caring for my almost 90 year old father. Today I listened to two podcasts and just sewed along doing hand stitching. I was very productive and enjoyed it so much! Keep up the wonderful videos Ladies!❤

I think Billy is correct. When you get flowers or something on an ordinary day, that means much more than feeling like it is mandatory gift because of a commercialized holiday. We don't exchange gifts on this day, but my husband hand paints me poems on my birthdays. Love this podcast! 😀

I clicked the thanks button and $1 is an option - which is great.

The lady who sent you the email is an artist.!!

Thanks!

Billy, you know you just committed yourself to three surprise dates. 😉 What a great idea!

Thanks! Look forward to these pod casts

I’m so glad to finally see Billy. I like having a face to put with the voice. 😊 I’ve learned so much from quilting. One of the biggest lessons is Patience! Most projects take months not days so I see it build slowly block by block and then must push on through any parts I don’t enjoy quite as much (borders or backings anyone?😂) to see a finished project. I enjoy your podcast and will look for the thanks button.

I just watched this (2 weeks after Valentine's Day). Thank you for a great episode. I'm with Billy. My husband and I went out to lunch the day after Valentine's Day. So relaxing. I learnt a lot about the commercialization of this day in the US from your conversation. Here in Australia, the day is not as BIG as in The States. Flowers, a card, chocolates or maybe a nice meal. That's it. For adults. I was amazed at kids in primary school getting into the whole Valentine thing! Candy! Teachers providing boxes. It just blew my mind. I did love the conversation around life lessons. I can relate to them all. I'm a big believer in giving, so the idea of Soup for Seniors is such a fantastic project. Thanks also for the Corn Chowder tip - recipe found and printed. I love a good soup recipe especially as we head towards our colder months. I just bought some Sincerely Yours at half price to make up a pattern by Jemima of Tied With a Ribbon.

Thanks! I love ❤️ your podcast!

yes your wonderful team gave me life ! thanks so much for being here in all modes , and i will support you on podcast as its my lifeline when driving long distances. oxoxoox

These are always great, but this one really touched me! The story of the new quilter, her wonderful quilts was just great. Seeing Billy more was fun, too. Then Chelsi talking about delivering the soups & her people's stories. So heart wrenching to realize things folks are going thru that we don't even know about. Sherri talking about the 2 ladies at the retreat & thinking they were long time friends-that's what happens at retreats/classes! Or at least ones I've gone to-you get so close to people you've just met 💗💗

Thanks! Just worked out how to send the coffee money! 😂

Love the podcast! I quilt with my mom and sister and your family dynamic always reminds me of spending time with my family. Thanks for your time and energy spent!

Valentine’s Day thoughts. My husband wanted to buy me flowers and a card for Valentines Day. I know that flowers and card prices have gone through the roof. My birthday is the 17th. I have an interest in a special piece of jewlery so we are go together to purchase this for both special events. Valentine’s Day can be just a special breakfast or dinner at home with no gifts. Find your way to rejoice together. Billy great thoughts you shared. I have no interest in going to a restaurant for Valentine’s Day. ❤❤❤

I'm with Billy on Valentine's Day. The new camera angle is great, nice to see you Billy:)

Beautiful colors on the baby quilt!

I started quilting at 61, just a 1 1/2 ago. My birthday is Feb 16th. I now have hand issues and it’s a craft I can do with the right tools without pain or trouble. My game has greatly improved.

I'm with you Billy & Chelsie. I have always maintained that if you care/love someone then any day is valentines day.

Loved this day podcast. Thank you inspirational love to all three of you’ll 🎉

I’m with Billy’s view of Valentines Day. Every day in our house is Valentines Day! ♥️♥️

Yay extra camera angle! Keep it!

My wedding anniversary is February 28th so we celebrate at that time instead of Valentine's day. As for quilting life lessons, I have been quilting for 30 years and I have realized that it is OK to change your plan or change your mind. Several times I have put together fabrics and patterns into my own "kit", then after it sat for a while unmade, I decided to change my mind and use the fabric for something else.

I agree Billy…crowded restaurants, expensive cards and flowers….no thanks. But my husband and I are unusual in that we dont buy birthday gifts for each other either..because we both simply buy what we want when we want. I’d rather be loved and appreciated all year long.

Great discussion! Although I am a new quilter the biggest lesson I’ve learned is to just jump in and try. The majority of people know little about the technical aspects of quilting and will not see the “mistakes” or know I was just experimenting. I am my harshest critic and also my biggest hurdle in starting.

I think you ladies should wear your Cozy Earth pajamas for the next podcast!!

Oh my goodness it was great to see Billy🎉

I agree with Billy regarding Valentine's Day.

Ladies, I enjoy listening to your videos while I'm sewing. Inactually just purchased 3 of your patterns and fabric. Keep up the great work. Billy, sorry but I don't share your attitude about Valentines Day and realize you're young and that life hasn't happened to you (marriage, kids, teens, job changes, death in family, illness, etc.). Over the past years in raising my five kids who are now grown with children of their own, I learned that valentines day meant a day for my husband and I to celebrate our love for one another and as simple as it sounds it helped reboot our romance to get us through another year of life happening while raising five kids. Life is like sewing a quilt in that it is about the details that takes it from average to extraordinary.

You all so so incredibly wonderful and I so enjoy your UTube pod casts. Miss Sherri you have incredible children. It was so wonderful that Billy was included this time. He is such a joy to listen to. Chelsea you are so sweet and kind and I have many of your patterns. Brovo Zulu to you all.

On Valentine’s day my husband and I make ourselves a wonderful surf & turf dinner. His career was in the (management) restaurant industry, so we never wanted to take a table from a paying customer. We also recycle (reread) some of the funniest cards that I’ve saved. This is where we are after 48 years of togetherness.😂

We rarely went out for dinner, but my husband would always send me roses. And I in turn would crack open the cookbook and try a new recipe, complete with a beautiful table with candles. It's all about the thought and appreciation .

Billy I agree with you and my husband shares the same opinion. I love the new camera! Thanks for the great podcast!

Thanks

Thank you

Edita sitar 's reds and pinks I love, and farm fresh by bunny Hill this year.

Quilting has saved my life, literally. The friendships I have made from the local group I attend has brought me out of really down times where life became very difficult and I cherish every moment I spend with them. Thank you so much for the work with this podcast and talking about such diverse topics. I adore and appreciate you ladies so much. While I'm not a regular viewer, every time I watch/listen to you both my heart opens to all the possibilities that life has to offer. I always feel rejuvenated, uplifted and excited for my next challenge. Love to you both. PS Billy is the icing on the cake.

Thanks for mentioning the quilt retreat...I had to show Don that you were sharing his tote box..you made his day. Btw were you able to ask Chelsea if she would teach at next years retreat. January 30th to February 3rd. You guys are the best

So glad to see Billy in the video! I was beginning to think he was a Mr. Wilson!😉

I'm with you Billy. I have been married 55 years and have never gone out on our anniversary because it is 3 days before Christmas. When we do go it is special. The same for Valentines. You can enjoy a holiday anytime.

Billy on camera. Love it! Thanks for you do

Conversational hearts is what they are called.

Valentines day is not an event in our home but I do appreciate an expression of love like a hand written note. My birthday is right after Valentines day so we eat out for that

Watching this later, after Valentine's Day. I fully believe that the sentiment behind the holiday should be every day.

Thank you for everything, great to see Billy!

Once again, you all did a great podcast! In regards to Valentine’s Day- setting another date to go out and celebrate sounds better than a blanket some other day. Something that can be done anytime sometimes doesn’t get done at all. There seems to be such a spirit of competition around Valentine’s Day, instead of appreciation for what is done Chelsea- your genuine enthusiasm is so refreshing and so APPRECIATED! Thank you all so much

The anniversary of our first date is Feb 17th. He asked me out three weeks ahead for a dance that was a really big deal at our high school. We always celebrate that bigger than Valentine’s. This will be the 55th anniversary of that date. I love Billy’s perspective. Thank you for your time always.

I love the new format including Billy in view instead of watching Sherri and chelsi listening. I am like Billy in that I hate valentine's day. My husband is the same, we tell each other we love each other everyday and don't need a special day for that. We do use this day to remind our children of our love, my husband gets our daughter a gift and I get our twin boys a gift.

I look forward to Monday mornings and all of your videos! The new format of filming Billy is perfect. Nice to see his face too! Valentine's Day is great, but I agree that it is a cash grab. But I'll admit, I like it to be acknowledged because I do the same to my Valentine. But never dinner out on the day!

love your family podcast

Just a small token of my appreciation for y’all. I have learned so much watching your podcast. Thank you, Sherri, Chelsi and Billy for bringing your combined talents and humor to us! I also have several of Sherri and Chelsi’s patterns. Love them! ♥️

I agree with you Billy, having said that though, V Day is not the big deal that it is in the USA. It's very commercialised like Halloween

I also enjoyed having Billy on camera as he is speaking, way cool. But Billy, I get that you don't like the commercialization of Valentine's Day and I agree going out to dinner isn't necessary, but you need to doing some nice for your fiance! At least a card or candy or love note, doesn't have to be expensive. I never miss an episode. Love Sherri and Chelsi and makes me miss my mom! Keep up the great work!

Love that we see Billy when he is talking!❤

I hate over commercialised holidays! My husband proposed on the 16th of February. It was much cheaper and easy to remember as the 14th reminds us.

Oh yes glad to see you. Nice to see a face with a voice!

I'm 57 now and about when I was 54 I said something like I think I wanna learn how to quilt so my daughter and my husband bought me a sewing machine for Christmas well it sat in the box for like a year and than I stopped working in Sept of 19 so I thought now is the time we'll time went by now it was Jan of 20 and I finally started quilting and I loved it and I sew everyday! Even if it's only a few minutes a day sometimes it's hours so yes you can start at any age

I just want to thank you for your encouraging words today. I feel so motivated to get back to my sewing. I had to stop for awhile due to a major move for our family. I’ve also had some health challenges that have come between me and my sewing machine. Chelsi, even though I have other quilts I need to finish, I am inspired by your heart a day project. I’m a little behind getting started, but I did get my fabrics starched and ready to go this past weekend. Sherri, Chelsi, and Billy, thank you for making us feel like family. ❤

Thank you for your encouragement today; Chelsie read my mind I’ll be 70 before I get my degree; but you are right it worth in reaching your passion and life’s goal.

I wanted to let you all know how much I appreciated your episode today. I have been quilting for over 20 years. I retired about 5 years ago, and finally now have time to quilt as much as I want to. I used to belong to a guild, I went to classes and retreats, I sewed with friends. I have since moved to a new state, and there is no local guild. When the pandemic hit, I had to pull way back, as I am over 70 and am immunocompromised. I am blessed that I have family living with me so that I am not alone. I LOVE listening to your podcasts, joining in on your BOM projects, Instagram and FB allow me the interaction between quilters that is so special, all of the community involvement in group sew and quilt alongs provide me with the support and community that I need. Since the area in which I live still has a very high active Covid rating, I am still limited as to where I can go, but I do not feel isolated. Again, thank you so much for what you all do. You matter more to so many people than you know. ❤

Thank you Sherri & Chelsi! Ordered your simply delightful and am excited for it to arrive! Can't wait to quilt along with you both. Thank you for being such an inspiration!

Really enjoyed today’s topics! Coming from a family of medical providers, we had so many holidays where someone had to work and we always had to be flexible about celebrating holidays on days other than the actual holiday date. So the day, in and of itself, didn’t matter, just as long as we scheduled to celebrate it when we could.

You go Billie!!!!!! Valentine's day is crap. Celebrate the one you love when YOU choose!

❤ your videos

I’m female and in my 60’s and totally with you Billy. So underwhelmed by the concept of Valentines Day. There are at least 365 days in the year to show someone you love them. One day of effort and expense pales into insignificance compared to being there for the long haul. Hope your dinner was extra special

As always, love the podcast! I have been married for almost 45 years - the first thing my husband said to me on February 14 was “Will you be my Valentine?” ❤❤❤ We didn’t go out to dinner, or do anything else special, but those few words made me feel great! Also, please don’t assume that women aren’t interested in the Super Bowl! I never miss it - although my Eagles didn’t win 😢. Most of the women in my family are fans & some of the men are not.

I love your podcast and Sherri and Chelsea are very beautiful! It’s so nice to see Billy now instead of just a voice in the background! Billy you are such a handsome dude! Sherri I feel family is the most important thing in the world! I am so impressed with your relationship with your children. You can see you are very close knit! Thank you for your sharing it means so much to so many people! Sherry

This was such a great episode. My husband is driving us home from visiting the grandparents and I'm car sick. I got a notification about your episode and thought hey I can listen to my girls. Your episode got mind off my icky stomach. I really felt like I started late in quilting. Thank you, Chelsea, for saying it isn't too late. I just turned 48 an I'm enjoying everything I've learned so far in the quilting world. And yes covid also got me started. Thanks for sharing your listener quilts. They were very nice to see. Happy Valentine's Day 💗 💕 to all!

I love watching the three of you! The dynamic is a blast and it provides pleasant conversation that doesn’t require constantly looking at the screen, which is nice because it makes it a perfect sewing video full of lots of inspiration.

Like your listener, my quilting journey started after I retired and during the pandemic making kids masks for our church to send to kids in New York City. I had to find a machine that I could afford which was hard because everyone was buying machines then. I then made a couple of garments then decided to dive into quilting and I have never looked back. I completed your 2021 and 2022 BOM projects and am working on the current BOM. I love your fabrics and quilt designs. Your videos and podcasts have provided consistent and quality instruction and encouragement. Keep going!

Thanks! I really appreciate and enjoy your podcast. Wishing you continued success on your quilting journey!

Wow is right! The new quilter’s quilts are amazing!

L love seeing Billy as he talks!

Thanks! I agree with Billy. I always felt that Valentine’s Day like many holiday are Hallmark created. My husband told me when we initially began dating that he didn’t like holidays that told him when he was suppose to be thoughtful and kind. And I’m fine with that - we celebrate spending time together and such but as far as gifts - we don’t do all that. We of course do for our children but we are adults and we choose to appreciate and celebrate each other most days and I feel like I’m the lucky one- I can not think of a thing I have ever wanted that I haven’t gotten. But Valentines Day holds a very real and very special place in our hearts. I was watching a baby boy for a woman who kept needing my help. The boys daddy had passed before he was born. The times became more often and the length of his tats became longer till the mother just didn’t come back. I know- I will never understand. Drugs yes but will never get it. Our state requires a child have no contact for 2 years before they are considered abandoned and eligible for adoption. Our adoption hearings were postponed over half dozen times before our hearing actually happened and we were blessed to be allowed to adopt our son on 2-14-2017! As I cried I told the Judge that I will never think of Valentines Day as a BS holiday again 🤣. Valentines Day is the Best Day Ever! Our entire family received such an amazing blessing 💖💖💖

I am with Billy and I love his way of showing love in a surprising way!😊

I love Simply delightful! In fact I just switched my pre-order from FQ bundle to half yard w FQS cause I’ll be making the entire Barnstar sampler out of it. I was hoping Moda would pick it up as a basic but they Kimberly Jolly said no on her livestream. Is it still possible that they would?? Also.. LOVE the 108 in future collection.. wish it was there for simply delightful!! Love listening. Thanks from northern Canada

One thing that I see as a life lesson is that not everyone will like my finial project but that is okay as long as I like it. not everyone will like me but that is okay as long as I like me

No better way to start my week than with your positive encouragement. Love the new camera positioning and excited to pick up your new fabric collection!

I as well am with Billy in Valentine’s Day. My Husband of 33 years so agrees as well.

i agree Billy re Valetine day i like to surprise my hubby thru out year Love should come from the heart not commercial business best wishes to all

Valentines Day - Throw me a box of Fannie May chocolates and I'm good, and if you produce it a few days early - bonus points! My husband passed away in 2020 and my granddaughter has stepped up and brought me a box every year since (she didn't want to miss out either as she's been eating half that box most of her life).

I have been watching your podcasts for at least a couple of years--and they have become so professionally done! You've reached a balance between being friendly and informative! Great job! Billy--seeing you on camera today was a great addition---I definitely think that you should continue being on camera when you join in. It adds a nice dimension. Your explanation of the ways in which we can participate monetarily was excellent. Thank you for enjoyable podcasts--keep up the good work!

I agree with Billy. You should let your loved one know without being told on a special day. I used to make a special dinner for us at home and our kids. I celebrate with my granddaughter but try not make it such a commercial kind of thing.

Thank you for this episode. Especially the part about what we can and have learned from quilting.

Yes, Chelsea, watching your show and many others brings me super close to the quilt community. I dont have a guild or any friends that sew or quilt or do any of the crafts. At least no one talks about it. Through your show I learned a fellow educator at my job loves to quilt. I was watching one of your episodes during my lunch break and she saw me and shared so much of her quilty life with me. She has made me a few home gifts. Watching your family has built many quilty friendships and families.

I agree with Billie re: Valentines Day. I think it should be called "advertising day" for the greeting card, candy and restaurants.