On my wish list

Everybody has quilts that are on their wish list, right?  Lately I find that I’m drawn to quilts that are a little more than a basic weekend quilt. While there are times that I love the therapeutic aspect of chain piecing the same block over and over and finishing something quickly, right now I am longing to spend more time studying a process or an idea.  I feel like I need to make a relationship with my quilts.  As Carrie Strine said over on her blog about her medallion quilt, “Slowly savoring each stitch of this project brought me a unique intimacy with my materials.”  I think that is what I am craving.  Intimacy with my materials.  And maybe learning a few things along the way.  About myself as well as about quilting.

These two quilts are from two different issues of the magazine QuiltMania.  They often have photos of quilts from various exhibits at the very beginning of each issue. There is usually one or two that really draw me in.  I really want to explore adding more things (blocks or applique) to the empty space around a traditional quilt block like these two quilts. Some other quilts on my wish list are applique silhouettes,  double wedding ring, pineapple blocks, combining stitching with fabric, and so much more!

What’s on your wish list?

Pattern Sale

Doing inventory for tax purposes shows that I have an overstock of a few patterns, so click on over to my web site for 30% off ALL patterns and FREE U.S. shipping during the month of February.  International shipping will be calculated on an individual basis (adjusted before shipping).

Joyful Sewing

I ran across this article at Sew Mama Sew with tips for enjoying your sewing and just had to pass it on to you.  I love all the tips but I especially like point number 5:

Don’t box yourself in with a label. Modern or traditional. Quilter or generalist. Seamstress or sewist. Team pachycephalosaurus or team ankylosaurus.  There aren’t any rules, so be who you want to be.

And is the big destash across Instagram a result of point number 7?

For some time now it has been my mission to reclaim the joy of making that has been a part of my life since I was a wee lass.

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And because no post should be without a photo… I decided to pull another photo from my Instagram feed.  These are blocks from the ladies of the Faith circle of Do.Good.Stitches that I am assembling. We donate quilts to Restore Innocence, an organization who rescues young girls from human trafficking.

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for all of you who come by to visit me here at my blog.  Your thoughtful comments about my latest creative obsession always encourages me.  And often they lead to further conversations so that even though I haven’t met you in person, it feels as if we are neighbors and we could drop in for a cup of coffee at any time.  It means a lot to me that you take the time to stop by and visit!

And, I so very much appreciate your kind & supportive comments, thoughts & prayers on the passing of my mom.  I truly feel so cared for through all of this.

(Above: The gorgeous blue skies we had last week.)

We will meet again one day

My mom passed away unexpectedly almost two weeks ago. She just went to sleep that night and never woke up. It was such a surprise to us all. It has been a whirlwind of emotions and activity, family and friends, text messages, phone calls and emails.

I am so glad that we were able to attend the Gwen Marston workshop together last June.  I will miss talking to her about quilting and knitting and sharing recipes.  But I know that she is now in heaven making sure that everyone has quilts and socks to keep them warm.  And one day we will see each other again.

To those of you who knew about the last two weeks, I want to thank you for your love, your kindness and your overwhelming support. You are more precious to me than gold. It is true, what they say. There is nothing like losing your mother.