Who Am I to You?

Reflections on Teaching, Creating, and Leaving a Mark
January is in full swing. I taught four classes for Craft Napa and as the last session wrapped up, I found myself reflecting on the feedback from students who shared how much they appreciated what they had learned. Their words were kind, their enthusiasm contagious. But more than anything, they left me pondering deeper questions: Who am I to those I teach? Have I touched their lives in ways that matter? What is the impact of what I share, and will it endure after I’m no longer here to teach or create?
These thoughts aren’t new to me, but they feel particularly poignant this week. I’ve always believed that art—and teaching art—is about more than technique. It’s about connection. Yet, it’s easy to wonder: Are scraps of fabric stitched into colourful patterns the only proof that I’ve been here? Do the millions of stitches I’ve made leave a mark, or do they unravel in time like so many fleeting moments?
I’ve come to realize that my teaching is, in many ways, a more enduring legacy than my art. Every time I share a technique or encourage someone to push through creative doubt, I’m planting seeds. Some of these seeds will sprout immediately, becoming new projects and fresh ideas. Others might lie dormant, waiting for the right moment to take root. Either way, the act of teaching—of passing on what I’ve learned—is a way of extending myself beyond the limits of my own hands.
Teaching, I think, is like quilting a community. Each student adds their unique stitch, their own patch of colour. And while I may not see the full picture of how it all comes together, I trust that the collective result is something beautiful. My students take what they’ve learned from me and weave it into their own lives and creations, carrying a part of me with them.
But it’s not a one-way street. Teaching has shaped me just as much as creating has. Every time a student thanks me for inspiring them, I’m reminded that this work matters. Every time I see someone light up with pride over a finished piece, I’m reminded that the act of making—and helping others to make—is its own kind of magic. I’m not just teaching stitches; I’m nurturing confidence, creativity, and a sense of possibility.
So, who am I to you? To my students, to my readers, to those who follow my journey? Perhaps I’m a guide, a spark, a fellow traveler on this creative path. Perhaps I’m just someone who has shared what I’ve learned in the hope that it might resonate with you. And perhaps that’s enough.
As I write this, I realize that the real question isn’t “Who am I?” but rather, “Who did I turn out to be?” Have I been someone who made a difference, no matter how small? Have I left footprints that others can follow or build upon? And maybe most importantly: Have I touched your life? Have my stitches, literal or metaphorical, become part of your tapestry?
For now, I’ll keep stitching—both into fabric and into the lives of those I meet along the way. And I’ll keep trusting that these small acts of making and sharing will leave their mark, in ways both seen and unseen. After all, isn’t that what life and art are all about?
Thanks for reading. Until I write again, keep making the world beautiful one stitch at a time.
Ana
I enjoy keeping in touch with you and what’s happening in your studio.
I live in an area where I am about 2 hours away from a city and other like minded quilters.
I’ve taken a few classes from you and have signed up for ‘25 Meunster classes. I appreciate your knowledge and inspiration that you are able to share. Thank you.
Thank you. I look forward to seeing you then,
Hi Ana I have not met you yet but through your emails you are inspiring me to reach outside my knowledge to try different methods of stitching. My kit has arrived for April and just its presentation has left me so excited to participate with you in April. Happy stitching and thanks Marilyn😊
I am looking forward to meeting you then. See you soon,