Works in Progress

The holidays were absolutely crazy and wonderful. I was blessed to have all of my eleven children here. One day a year, they gather from all over to globe to celebrate being a family. We have named this day 

"Yay Day." This year, it took place on December 28th.

It was filled with reconnecting, spectacular food, games and skits, lots of laughter, and of course...

raspberry Lambic.

Now it is time to recover :)

I uploaded photos on Wednesday in hopes of creating a first ever "Work in Progress Wednesday" post. Well, that never happened. 

I have finally started embellishing the first Autumn Project block that I received.

I chose the second color grouping for the Jinny Beyer quilt. It took me a while, but I think I'm happy with it. I don't think I'll know for sure until I see the first block completed. That is often the way it is.

Finally, I have created my first set of blocks for the CQJP 2013. My thoughts are still rather up in the air. My tentative plan is to embellish the eight outer blocks and then do some bead work in the center block. As I look at this preliminary layout, I think the border fabric is way too busy, however, there is so much time between these humble beginnings and the time when these blocks will be ready to be assembled. I'll wait and see how this journey progresses.

I hope your celebrations were joyous and peaceful!

Happy New Year!!

The winner is.....

Between the Studio Tour and choosing a winner for the Quilt Raffle, I have been busy completing holiday orders. I had a lot of fun making several mini placemats for small children...

and several mug rugs.

Then the day finally came. 

Shortly after arriving at Denis and Judy's home, I was asked to sit down and draw the winning ticket.

The lucky winner: Jean Spackman Hall of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania!

Thanks to your generosity, we were able to raise $2, 475.00 for the Walking with Nathaniel Fund.

What a blessing!

The drawing was followed by a lovely celebratory dinner with the Asselins, Sara Hodgson, and Barry Halkin.

I have been deeply moved by this journey. We have all learned much about the scope of the heart. Thank you all again, and have a wonderful holiday season filled with

peace and love.

Ah...December

So December is here, and I am already reflecting on many things: 

all that has transpired this year, how I want to do things differently next year,

and those dreaded New Year's resolutions that I am so tempted to make

even though they slip away so easily.

I'm absolutely sure that I have more unfinished projects now than I did at this time last year despite my resolution to do the opposite. Before the end of this year, hopefully before the holiday crazies set in,

I am going to finish this quilt. 

Great earthy Kaffe fabrics and wonderful dark chocolate paisley background.

I've already planned some projects for next year.

I am participating in the CQJP 2013.

This is the set of fabric I picked for the first few blocks. I really like choosing at least one

fabric with a bold design that I can mimic in my stitching. This palette is 

cheerful and will brighten up the coming cold winter days.

                       A dear friend and I, although we live on opposite sides of the ocean, have decided to each 
                                                                             make this quilt in 2013.

I think I have finally landed on my first color palette. As of this moment, I have

absolutely no idea what my second one will be...

any ideas?

Feel free to chime in.

Don't forget that there is only a week and a half before we draw the winner of the quilt donated to raise money for BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) research. 

Because this is a very personal issue for me, it is not so much about the quilt but about raising money to help find a desperately needed  cure. Nathaniel was diagnosed at age eleven and took his own life in his early twenties.

"Phillips & Menard (2006) found the completed-suicide rate in patients with BDD to be 45 times higher than that of the general United States population. This rate is more than double that of those with clinical depression and three times as high as that of those with bipolar disorder. Suicidal ideation is also found in around 80% of people with BDD." 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_dysmorphic_disorder

I can't even begin, not even for a second, to conceive of the pain of losing a child, let alone the pain that Nathaniel endured during his short life. I continue to hope that people's hearts will be moved to donate at

http://walkingwithnathaniel.org/

You can see more pictures of the quilt here...

http://spillingenergy.blogspot.com/2012/11/quilt-raffle.html

I am so very grateful to all who have supported my endeavors to help!