Quilt Alliance issued the 2026 Tell Your Story Quilt Challenge, asking quilters to tell our own stories with a quilt. I’m always up for a quilt challenge! But I will admit, this one took me some time to figure out what to do. What story would I create, and how would I visualize it? Of course, I had to figure out what “my story” is to begin with. Finally, I realized that I was never going to be happy with one object or scene for this quilt. I have several identities and circles in which I exist, both personally and professionally. So I decided to make a quilt to represent many of the stories that represent me. And I’m very happy with this result – which still doesn’t capture all of my work and hobbies, but it does a great job capturing who I am and what I am doing currently (at least at the end of 2025!).
Allow me to introduce my challenge quilt, titled It Me (the Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty uses this phrase alot in its social media posts, and I thought it worked for a title).
This is my Artist Statement for It Me:
If asked to share my story, my response would be, “which one?” I have many stories that relate to my many identities. I am a female scientist (specifically in the fields of geology and oceanography) and an educator. I am someone that enjoys researching maritime history and recording oral histories. Beyond my professional life, I am a crocheter and quilter, and a huge fan of national parks and basketball. And there is so much more about me that just didn’t make the cut into this quilt. But none of these identities are separate – all are woven together to represent just a small snapshot of me and my stories. — Laura Guertin, describing her quilt “It Me”
I also created a video talking through the fabric choices for the quilt (the video was not required for the challenge, but I enjoy creating multimedia to reach more audiences with my quilts):
And I have more detailed descriptions for the fabrics as well. Details for each fabric choice are described in the slideshow captions.
Fabrics representing me, laid out before they were stitched (“woven”) together. 
Fabric representing me as a quilter. I started quilting in 2006 and to date have made >160 quilts. 
Fabric showing a map with contour lines, representing me as a geologist and the mapping/hydrographic surveying projects I have been a part of. 
This fun science-themed fabric has an apple in it, representing me as an educator. 
I’m a female scientist – she is me! (except I don’t wear a white lab coat or work with glassware). 
I was born in Springfield, MA, where the sport of basketball was born. I grew up a fan of BB and try to catch games no matter what city I am in. 
I learned how to crochet when I was a Junior Girl Scout. I enjoy crocheting items to donate to organizations. 
I’m an oceanographer and have had the opportunity to head out to sea for research (and fun!). 
I started the oral history project Tales from the Deep where I record conversations with marine scientists for the StoryCorps Archive. 
I’ve always had a fascination with maritime history and continue to learn more about the impact of ships, sailors, and more throughout time. 
I love visiting the natural national parks, such as the ones listed on these postcards in the fabric.
I hope you have enjoyed learning a bit more about me through this quilt. My professional eportfolio is available online to explore, and you can learn more about my quilting and ocean activities on this blog, Journeys of Dr. G.
As noted on the quilt label, thank you to The Old Country Store (Intercourse, PA), for the long-arm quilting services!
Journeys of Dr. G 