Infused with Inspiration

On Friday, I went with other Quilt Guild members to the Lancaster Quilt Show (AQS Quilt Show, in Lancaster). This is the first I have went in over 5 years. There are several reasons for that and I won't trouble you with that here. But, it was good to go back. I certainly needed this infusion of inspiration as I felt I have been lacking with the enthusiasm I 'used' to have. I don't think I have lost my zeal and excitement for making quilts, I think that life has just gotten in the way a bit. It is my plan to find my my happy spot again because I am happiest in my sewing room!



At the quilt show, I got to visit the Primitive Gatherings Booth! OH MY GOODNESS!! I was in heaven on earth! I could have bought at least one of everything... but, since I am not related to Donald Trump or Bill Gates, I didn't have that option! I did buy a wool pattern, 2 wool kits and a pack of  various red wool. That is enough to get me through the next month or two! LOL... And, the 2 kits will need to have picture frames, therefore, hubby now has those added to his 'Honey-do' list. I have to keep him busy in his wood shop.

I have been working on my hexies.... trying to get a little closer to the end with this 'Grandmother's Flower Garden' quilt. I started this project in December 2011, as a guild challenge. On my original layout, the quilt would have over 6600 pieces in it. In that same layout, it would have had 500 'flowers'. But, as I continue to sew the flowers together, the needed 500 flowers seems like a lifetime away, and more layout ideas come into my mind. So, the possibility of change to this particular quilt is a possibility, or more likely, a probability! Change can be good, right??




God Bless,

C

Enjoying the sunshine and the heat it produces!!

I am officially saying, "I am ready for Spring!" The snow is melting. Days are getting warmer and are longer now with the daylight savings time. Sunshine is abundant. Daffodils are coming up. All is good!

Update on my hobbies...

Quilting: The baby quilt that I have been working on is almost finished.

Knitting: I have started another Sockhead Hat. Easy knitting, except when you are into the TV show and forget to pay attention to the K2 P2 ribbing! GRRRRR... I do not like un-knitting! I did that last night while watching The Voice.

Wool: I went 'thrifting' yesterday at the local thrift shop. All I can say is, "SCORE!!!" I got 3 larger sized calf length, 100% wool coats, and 2 skirt/blazer outfits. All for a $5.00. Not bad shopping. Now, to cut them up and felt them. My cedar chest is already overflowing, but, I needed some other colors and textures. These will be a nice addition to my collection.

OK... gotta go for now.

God Bless,

C

What a difference!!

When I posted this picture last evening of my latest wool applique project, I felt that it needed a little more... snowflakes, maybe, to lighten up the dark background and add dimension. So today, I added the snowflakes, a snowbank line, and snow hanging on the edges of the tree limbs, as well as a button on the snowman's hat. What a transformation!! I love it even more now!! I am going to have a hard time putting it away for next year! LOL

Did I tell you, I love Wool Applique?

This is my latest finish and I am loving it. But, as I continue to look at it, I think I'll be adding some snowflakes, to help finish the scene. You know how I love snow! The more, the better!

In knitting, I finished and delivered the "Sockhead Hat" to my grandson, too. 

On the quilting end, I basted the baby quilt last night, (since I couldn't sleep, anyway!), and set up my machine to begin the machine quilting on that. Here is a picture...

I had to make some masculine Birthday Cards this week, too. It seems there are a LOT of male birthdays this month! In the church and several in our family! DH is one of them!! I'll have to make his extra special!

Busy, busy, busy!!

God Bless,

C

Sewing-Sewing-Sewing!!

The baby quilt top is FINISHED!!! I am so happy about that. And, today, I am hoping to get the machine quilting finished, as well. I have a striped (gray/green) fabric for the border, but, looking at the quilt, I may change it to the solid gray like the inner border. Decisions, decisions! After this one, I need to start on my granddaughter's quilt. Her's will be a Double Irish Chain, (a tribute for our heritage), in lavenders/cream/purple. It will be beautiful! 

I haven't looked out the window so I don't know if it is snowing here yet. But, there is snow on the way. It started first thing this morning, back in our hometown. DH was there and had to leave early to come home (2 hour drive) so he didn't get snowed in. I LOVE SNOW, so, I will be enjoying the white stuff! 

Have a great day, all! Enjoy the beauty of God's creation in the season of winter! 

C

BRRRRRR!!

I will be spending the day tomorrow in my sewing room with the gas fire place turned up so I can keep toasty warm as I stitch away on a baby quilt that needs to get finished and off my UFO pile! Then, I need to make my granddaughter's quilt after that! I think the colder weather is here to stay a while longer, so I hope I can get them both delivered so both babies can use them a little yet this year!

I am still working on my grandson's hat, (knitting). I was hoping to get it done and take it to him this weekend, but, I have a few more inches to go. so, I'll have to mail it to him when it is done.

I am also wanting to make some new spring-type greeting cards. What I need is manly birthday cards! Can't get too spring-like cards for that. But, I know the ladies will enjoy receiving them!

It's been a bust day, so I am getting off the computer early tonight. A cup of hot tea with honey, and my knitting sounds like a great night to me!

God Bless you all,

C

Ash Wednesday

I hope all of you are staying warm! I am grateful for our gas fireplace here at the Parsonage! Feels so nice on these cold, cold days! I guess Old Man Winter is gearing up for another bitter cold round of weather. But, days like this makes for some time in my sewing room! I have several things in the "working" stage. And, I signed up for several online wool stitch-a-longs, too. I can't wait to devote some much needed time on those. My problem is, I love to work with many textile mediums.... quilting, (which includes making hexies, too!), knitting, wool applique, card making, just to name a few. And, I have projects going in each one of them!! I need about 2 UNINTERRUPTED months to catch up!! And, you see the key word here is UNINTERRUPTED!! I know in reality it will NEVER happen that way, so I will be grateful and work with I get!

Today is Ash Wednesday. So, that means that life will get extremely busy in our churches with the extra Lenten Services, etc., while we prepare for Easter. May all who are reading this, prepare yourselves for this blessed event. In Advent, we prepared for the coming of the Christ Child. In Lent, we prepare for the sacrifice of what Christ did for us so that we would have life eternal.

God Bless you all!

C