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The Joy of Being Good at Something

LeahDay

Leah Day has been teaching online since 2009. She's the creator of the Free Motion Quilting Project, a blog filled with thousands of quilting tutorial videos. Leah has written several books including 365 Free Motion Quilting Designs, Explore Walking Foot Quilting with Leah Day, and Mally the Maker and the Queen in the Quilt.

14 Responses

  1. Amy says:

    Good for you for recognizing early on what your passion is and for pouring your all into it! And you are right- you are really good at it!!! Thank you so much for being such an inspiration!

  2. Hooray for you Leah! What a great essay (or blog post). And not only have you found something that YOU are passionate about, just think how many lives around the world you have changed because of you listening to your inner voice…thank you for doing that! I have learned 80% of what I know about quilting from reading your blog (and I bought your book 365 Free Motion Quilting Designs). Continued Happy Sewing and waking up with a smile on your face.
    Jennifer

  3. dlub says:

    I love this – I've been reading "Mindset" by Carol Dweck, a book all about having a growth-mindset. I love that you're sharing how you understood that you had the capability to be one thing, but knew you could devote the time and hard work into being really great at another. More people need to understand this about themselves.
    Bravo!

  4. jroberts says:

    What lovely words to wake up to! Thank you for YOU, Leah!

  5. I also always wanted that piece of paper. In my case it really would have helped in my career. I truly did enjoy computers and programming databases. Of course there were no computer programs in college in the late 50s and early 60s.

    I also took it for granted that I could not make a living at my other passion. I was an art student in high school and in college, but literally put the paint brush down for 50+ years. But what I really loved was crafts, especially fabric crafts. There really was no way to make a living at fabric crafts back then.

    Or was there? There is no way to really know the answer to that question at this point.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Out of curiosity… why didn't you pursue a degree in fiber arts instead of biology?

  7. You are so much right. Grades or papers doesn't do an person. You are lucky to have found what you want and what you are good at and stuck to it. Gongratulations on that and keep up the good work.
    Laila, Denmark

  8. LindaB says:

    I really enjoyed this post.
    Your personal story and the impact you are having on those of us in the quilting world, is a great example of how your inspiration,talent and following your passion can change the world!

  9. Deb Marshall says:

    Great for you Leah! You are living my dream… home with your little one and quilting!!!! Keep up the great, awe inspiring, jaw dropping work!!!!

  10. Anonymous says:

    What a wonderful post!

  11. Anonymous says:

    We all are passionate about something in this world, but to deny it is the saddest thing that can happen (especially if it's not really our choice but heavily influenced by those whom we love(?), respect, etc!! You have blest many with your talent/creativity!!!! Hooray for Leah!!

  12. Valerie says:

    Your post really resonates with me Leah. I'm 31 now, but I began quilting in my early 20's. The Husband and I started a family earlier than many of my friends, and while they were getting a college degree, partying and living it up, my Husband and I were setting up house and raising a family. I spent my evenings sewing while others went out. I struggled with that for a long time – I am different and at times painfully aware of it. We now have three children and I did attempt going back to school a few years ago for nursing, something I would have loved to do. But it wasn't practical for my life – my priorities are my children and family first…and I'm not passionate about nursing enough to keep me pushing to attain it. I am reaching my goals slower than others because my children are always the priority, but eventually when my kids are all in school my goal is to make a living with my quilting. My Mother and I just had this discussion yesterday – sometimes the planets just align in such away that the universe plops you in the same place no matter what path you choose. For me, all paths lead to quilts.

    Keep it up Leah, you inspire many! 🙂

  13. Malini says:

    I love this post. You were so brave to take that decision at such an young age.

    I was always torn between being a techy person and a crafter. I am so glad that after having my second baby I got a chance to embrace my crafty/sewer side when I took a break from my professional career. Quilting is definitely my passion. But I do love my other profession to some extend as well.

    BRAVO Leah!

  14. Anonymous says:

    I'm glad you found your passion! It's taken me a long time to really find mine. I got an accounting degree in college which does help me with my business.

    However, if I could do it over I would have gotten an art degree instead!

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