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An "hourglass quilt block" I had made from scraps contained too many mistakes to use in the quilt I had intended it for, so I trashed it. Its points weren't points; I could have done better than this when I was nine years old. Its parallel lines weren't parallel-they would have made a good class project for "Perspective in Art." In one place, the fabric ran out before it reached the edge of the block. Yes indeed, it was beyond repair. Trash it, I must. But just before Trash Day, I needed something to practice on. I had just the thing! I retrieved the throw-away block; I surely couldn't make it any worse than it already was.

This was great fun (nothing like practicing the piano). I did fusible applique, machine free motion embroidery with metallic threads, and then machine free motion quilting, also with metallic threads. I had no more worries about making mistakes. My machine could purr on and on with no stress on my part. Over many weeks and several months, each time I'd need something to practice on, I'd reach for this block. When I'd stop practicing, I'd hang this block back on my design wall, waiting for the next time I needed something for a practice session.

As it hung there, I eventually began to notice something. The dreadful mistakes were no longer glaring at me. In fact, the block began to appeal to me. One day, it hit me. This throw-away block was beautiful; I couldn't throw it away now. It would make the center for a great medallion quilt. I could see it now: four borders, the same colors as in the flowers I had appliqued and embroidered. Yes! I got excited as I visualized the finished quilt.

That Still, Small Voice continued to whisper to me over and over as I sewed and as I sat gazing at it hanging on my design wall. ?As I did this, my Creative Handwork was becoming Contemplative Handwork. Eventually, it occurred to me to write down what I was hearing: that all was not lost in my life, just as all had not been lost for this quilt block. In this quilt, just like in my life, I had survived some significant setbacks, a major illness turning into an ongoing condition being a huge one in my life. That tiny voice told me-- even better, it showed me--that none of that mattered.

What mattered was my ability to use my creativity and turn adversity into advantage. If I could reclaim this awful block, I could reclaim the awfulness in my life. All I had to do was follow the same process that I had used with this block. What was that process? The process itself was

• Retrieving what I had thought was a lost cause, and finding a new use for it.
• Listening as the quilt 'talked' to me, and being guided by it stitch by stitch.
• Listening with the inner ear, listening to that Still, Small Voice as it also whispered wisdom about my life to me.
• Recording what I heard, so I could retrieve and remember it down the road.

And the result? I now have a visible, tangible reminder (in the form of a vibrant piece of fabric art) of the benefits of reclaiming what I thought was beyond repair. Alongside that are instructions and inspiration as I face this issue again and again, (perpetually, it seems), in my life. I call it Angel of the Hourglass. Here it is in words:

• Don't throw it away just because it's not perfect.
• Lighten up; have some fun and take some risks with it.
• Build on its existing (blah, boring) structure.
• Transform the multitude of mistakes with loveliness.
• Include glowing images of things you love.
• Discover its vibrant themes and develop them.
• Add shimmer and sparkle until your eyes shine.
• Surround it with strong, broad borders.
• Create a cuddly, cozy container for the chaos.
• Make it elegant and regal, fit for a queen or king.
• Let the (very irregular) Angel of the Hourglass
  reveal that Time is in Her Hands.
• Enter her timeless place often, and she'll guide you
  peacefully through life's chaos.
• Become your own Earth Angel; open your heart
  to the healing power of Love, Beauty, Wisdom and Grace.

Maybe what is an angel to me looks like something else to you. That's one of the great things about art. Each person sees different things, and at different times, the same person sees different things.

I'd love to have you share your stories. I'd like to see your results, too. Let's encourage, inspire, and yes, even instruct each other as we create beauty and benefit from the scraps of our lives.

Sharon Barnes is The Scrap Lady. She helps people create beauty and benefit from life's scraps. Her specialty is helping creative, highly sensitive and gifted people to cope creatively with adversity. She does this through classes, counseling, workshops and retreats. You can find out more on her website, www. academyofcreativeliving.com

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