Reflections...

I'm sitting on my porch with my Yorkie, Mr. Darcy, by my side thinking about these past eight months and this blog. Two-thirds of the year have passed. My profile says that I have been a blogger since 2005. I did start "Spilling Energy" back then but only for a very short while, and it had nothing to do with quilting. It sat fallow for six years. This blog was started the last day of December 2011. By definition, I am totally a newbie.

My original intent was to reach a personal goal. I needed some motivating force to help me finish the myriad of projects that sit unfinished in my closet, in drawers, and on my shelves. I believed that blogging about my progress would do the trick. Here I am with more unfinished projects than I started with. Now, if I was so inclined, I could consider this a failure. However, I am choosing to put a different spin on it.

I am having so much fun! 

I'm meeting people, making new friends, learning new things, and writing about it here. What more do I really want? Do I care about the number of followers or daily views? No. Do I really care about all those projects that I have yet to complete? No. My children can have a blast discovering, when I'm gone, all the things I set my hands to. It really matters little that some of them will remain unfinished. Every cut and every stitch was the beginning of something new, and I love new beginnings.

This month, for my block swap, I was asked to make a log cabin block in creams and purples. Well, everyone knows that my favorite color is purple, and who doesn't love the versatility of that pattern. So I made one for my partner and six for myself . Ok, so maybe that's the beginning of yet another unfinished project, but I couldn't help it. When you're making one, it's not a big step to make seven.

Now that the body of the Millennium Compass quilt is done, it was time to tackle the final border. So, there are sixteen colors I used for the rainbow spread, twenty-two pieces needed for each, which, when you do the math comes out to 352 pieces. Then add to that the background pieces...well, just saying, it was a lot of cutting!

Then it was time to organize each set on the appropriate template in the right order. Must admit that I didn't get it right the first time.

Two sets done and two to go. Corner blocks next. Then on the quilt they go.

Have a wonderful weekend and have fun!

Blocks and blocks...

Life has been so busy lately that I haven't had a moment to post anything here. My second son was married in Belgium a week ago. A whirlwind trip full of friends, family, wine, beer, shopping, chocolate, and very little sleep. I don't think that I ever adjusted to Belgium time before I had to return to the States.

The minute I returned home, I was back at my machine working/playing/creating....

all fun!

The first thing I did was complete the next block for the Millenium Compass Quilt. This will be part of a BOM class starting in October, so I need to get the sample done.

Next thing I did was begin an online class called Encrusted Crazy Quilting with Sharon B. The first week's assignment was to create a crazy quilt block between 6 and 12 inches. I'm happy with the first one but wonder how difficult this will be to embellish due to the bold prints and dark colors. Sharon B assures me that I should go for it.

For the second block, I chose a wider variety of fabrics but toned down the colors and patterns. We'll see how this turns out. For the second week, I am to begin stitching. I have been experimenting with another block, so I already got my feet wet and am ready to go!

I thought that before I get too involved in my CQ class, I would get my Block Swap for August done. This month's partner wanted any block in black and white with a splash of red. Anyone who knows me well knows that this is one of my favorite color combinations. My partner posted a picture on her blog of all the squares she has received so far, so I tried to create a block that she didn't have yet....an offset Log Cabin.

Well, since I had the fabric out, I decided to do another one. I had recently purchased Karen Combs' acrylic template for making cubes, so I decided to give it a try.

So, it's been a great week home. I'm definitely back into the swing of things.

Finally...the elated lovers...my son, Luke, and his beautiful bride, Clemence!