Happy Sunday to all!

I wanted to quickly share my finished "peace" stitched in Japanese characters.

And now....to the winner of the March Giveaway...

Iris

from A Gilded Yarn !

Congratulations, Iris.

You should all go and check out her blog. She  works serious magic with needles and yarn and is a beautiful writer and tender spirit.

Indian Summer...

January is quickly coming to an end, and we are finally getting some winter weather in SE Pennsylvania with temperatures in the teens and the prospect of a bit of snow tomorrow. 

Days like this make me long for a fireplace.

Yesterday, as I was trying to finish up this Kaffe zig-zag quilt, I discovered that I had misaligned one of the borders. I spent most of last evening with my trusted friend, the seam ripper, correcting the problem.

Today the quilt top was completed, and I will attempt a better picture when the weather warms up a bit.

I have named it "Indian Summer."

This block for the Autumn Color Project 2012 is now finished and on its way to the

Republic of Moldova.

I am making progress on my CQJP 2013 project. I now have two of these mirror blocks and have started stitching the block that will sit in-between them. 

I went out bead shopping the other day, successfully gathering some new beads and ornaments that might make their way onto this wall hanging.

Tomorrow, I will let you know who will receive the jelly roll set of batiks. 

Until then, stay warm!

Work in Progress Wednesday

Here I am, plugging away at my first CQJP block for 2013. 

When I picked these fabrics and planned out my nine block wall hanging, I was hoping for a 

bit of Asian flare.

I chose fairly soft lines for the feather stitch, then added some shimmery blue

foliage and dangling beads.

This block will be in the top left corner. So, the stitching in the top right corner will

hopefully mirror this design.

Here's to my very first Work in Progress post.

Hopefully this is the start of something new...

2013 Creative Pay-It-Forward

So, this has been flying around Facebook, and I thought it would be fun to bring it to the Blogoshpere:

"2013 Creative-Pay-It-Forward: the first five people to comment below will receive something from me within the calendar year. Your gift will be a surprise and will arrive without warning. The catch? You must post this invitation on your blog, as well.

Ready? Go!"

So, here is what I would like you to do:

1. Comment below that you would like to receive something from me within 2013.

2. Also, write in your comment the name of your blog so that I can learn something about you. In this way, I might be able to make your gift more personal.

3. Then go and post this invitation on your blog so that you can pay your creative abilities forward! 

3. Finally, email me your full name and address for mailing your gift.

I am seriously excited!

Now, here are the humble beginnings of my first CQJP 2013 block.

My mother, a collector of all things beautiful, gave me a bag of antique lace for my birthday (a week ago). When I opened the bag and saw this lace motif, I was astounded that it fit perfectly on the fabric I had chosen for this square. 

Then, after stitching the buttonhole wheels, I discovered a set of buttons she had given me,as well, that were the perfect color.

Thanks, Mom!

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!!

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!

CQJP 2013

I was discussing with a friend the other day why I enjoy the Block Swap Adventure. After a bit of thought, I decided this...Everyday in my studio, I make choices about design and color. No one else participates in these decisions. When I get a swap partner each month, I am given guidelines: what pattern to sew and what colors my partner prefers. So, then, it is all about creating something within those boundaries that I believe my partner will enjoy. I like this challenge.

This month, Nancy requested ANY block pattern in grays and yellows.

It didn't take much coaxing for a friend of mine to convince me to participate in the Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2013.

Actually, it took about as long as it took me to go to the site and read the rules :)

So, one block a month for 2013, 6" or bigger, and it doesn't have to be square.

I have already chosen two possible color schemes for the blocks I will construct and have some "crazy" ideas about venturing into something I've never done before.

Stay tuned!

Also, please don't forget the Quilt Raffle! The winner will be chosen on December 18th.

Tickets can be purchased 

HERE.