My suitcase is packed. I’ve got my speaker to amplify my voice from under my mask. I’m ready to entertain residents of assisted living places with stories and quilts.
For 12 years I traveled New England and gave talks to quilting guilds and at quilt shops. My audience then wanted to know, “How did I do that?” I would often bring step-outs and walk the audience through how I did my own unique quilting techniques. I sold patterns and encouraged them to follow my blog, Inspiredlayerslinda. wordpress.com.
Today I am sharing my stories and quilts with mostly senior citizens. They are not really interested in how I create my quilts. They are interested in my stories of relationships; with my sewing machine and people, travel, favorite things, and antiques pieces I’ve been gifted.
I’ve been a member of Toastmasters International for over 10 years. That’s where I found my voice to speak in public. Why do I continue my membership? I love to learn new ways to share my stories and quilts and I like to help others find ways to share what they love with the right audience. Knowing your audience is something we are taught in Toastmasters.
Most of the people in my audiences now are thrilled to have a guest speaker. They like the bright colors in most of my quilts. With each talk, I encourage the audience to stop, think and remember good times, good people and to just be grateful. There is usually one or maybe two audience members who close their eyes and wake up at the end. That never offends me. Sleep is invaluable. If they were able to sleep through my talk, that was needed. Their bodies were probably healing inside.
I started to share my quilts and stories with seniors at Enclave of Franklin where my mom is living. My dad passed away last year, March 2021. Mom and I were never close growing up. I live in NH and she lives in MA. My quilts and stories have brought us closer together. It is truly amazing! I brought a few to show my mother what I’ve been working on. She ran down the hall (with her walker) and told Marilyn to come over to her suite and see what I brought. Then Marilyn and Mom asked Barbara, the activities director, if I could bring quilts to show all the residents. This lead to my new 5-part Talk Series:
1. Getting to Know Linda
2. My Favorite Things
3. It’s a Party
4. Free Motion Fun
5. Recycling and Honoring Antiques/Small Quilts
With each talk I bring 15 or more unique quilts. This gives me a chance to return to my audiences and share more and more. I get to know what they like, where they’ve traveled, and what they usually bake and bring to a party. It’s loads of fun. I love to share my quilts. I love to listen to my audience. I hope my presence make somebody smile and maybe changes their day for the better. I do this because it makes me very happy to share from all that I’ve learned. I do this because I think about how lonely my mom is since she stopped driving her own car. Some of her freedoms have been taken away.
Quilting makes me feel very free. I can design and make whatever I want. Sharing my quilts connects me with my grandmother, God rest her soul and now Mom and many more people. My quilts and stories have mended years of disconnection between my mother and me. I am so thankful.
Do you know who your audience is? Who needs to hear your message? Do you have props which will enhance your story? I hope you will look into http://www.toastmasters.org and find a club near you to practice your topic and learn how to find your audience and share your message with them.
Linda Ramrath
802-380-5201
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